Whether it’s pizza, burgers, tacos, or French fries, everyone occasionally craves a fatty, unhealthy junk food. We all love fast food because it’s convenient, affordable, and delicious. It has the added benefit of improving our mood while we eat.
It should come as no surprise that cats shouldn’t be fed spicy fast food such as Mexican, Chinese, or Indian. French fries, on the other hand, are incredibly boring. Could French fries be safe for cats to eat?
Imagine giving your cat half a French fry. There’s no way that could hurt them, right? The correct response is that French fries are not appropriate food for cats. Although they are not poisonous, even a small amount can cause your cat discomfort in the form of pancreatitis.
Are French Fries Poisonous for My Cat?
The readiness of the French fries is key to answering this question.
Raw potatoes, such as those used to make French fries, can be harmful to your cat if he or she accidentally consumes them. Cats should avoid eating raw potatoes because of the alkaloids they contain.
The tuber, the stems, and the leaves of the potato plant all contain these alkaloids. Green potatoes typically have a higher concentration of them, but any raw potato has the potential to have them. They serve as the plant’s first line of defense against fungi and insects.
A few cooked French fries won’t hurt your cat, but they won’t help them in any nutritional way, either.
Interesting Facts About French Fries
There is some debate about who exactly invented French Fries; multiple countries, including France, Spain, and Belgium, all lay claim to the dish. Whoever came up with them, we appreciate it.
After working in France, Thomas Jefferson was the first to bring them to the United States.
There is an entire museum devoted to French fries for those who can’t get enough of them. If you’re planning a trip to Belgium, make sure to stop by the Frietmuseum in Bruges.
French Fries – Nutritional Stats
You can see the calories and other nutrients in one French fry (10 grams) in the table below.
| Energy content in calories | 20 |
| Lean Muscle Protein (in g) | 0.2 |
| Fat (g) | 1.3 |
| Sugars and other carbs | 1.9 |
| Fiber (g) | 0.2 |
| Sugar (g) | 0.1 |
| Magnitude of sodium in milligrams | 21 |
| Measured in milligrams, calcium | 1.8 |
| Calcium (mg) | 12.9 |
| Sodium (mg) | 57.9 |
French Fries – Nutritional Facts
French fries are low in protein and high in calories, fat, and sodium. Because potatoes are used in their preparation, they are a source of starchy carbohydrates rather than sugar.
Their already high fat and salt content may increase during the cooking process and seasoning.
Keep in mind that the potato skins add extra fiber, potassium, and vitamin B to your meal of skin-on fries.
Vitamins B6, C, and K can be found in abundance in potatoes, as can antioxidants like carotenoids and anthocyanins.
What Do French Fries Contain?
However, the French fries from your favorite fast food joint or the frozen, ready-to-cook variety can have as many as 19 different components. Homemade versions may be simpler to put together.
Potatoes, oil, and seasoning are all you need to make delicious French fries at home.
French fries’ main ingredient, potatoes, are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber. In addition to vitamins C and B6, they are a good source of potassium and manganese.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so while you should include some fiber in their diet, they do not require any carbohydrates. An all-meat diet is ideal for your cat’s digestive system.
You shouldn’t give your overweight cat French fries, which are high in calories and carbohydrates, even occasionally.
It’s important to remember that your cat’s digestive system lacks the enzymes necessary to properly process carbohydrates, which is true even though much commercially available kibble contains these as well. They serve no nutritional purpose and should not make up a significant portion of your cat’s diet.
Benefits Of French Fries For Cats
It is possible to overdose on salt from eating too many French fries, especially if they are heavily salted.
Keep in mind that the high fat, high calorie, and high sodium content of French fries more than cancel out any potential nutritional benefits.
Don’t rush out and feed your cat French fries after reading this list of nutrients and their benefits, okay? Keep in mind that there are plenty of healthier alternatives to potatoes and French fries that provide the same nutrients.
Your cat may have difficulty digesting the resistant starch (a type of healthy carbohydrate) found in potatoes.
This means they have the potential to make your cat feel fuller for a longer period of time if fed regularly. Protecting against weight gain has also been demonstrated in humans.
It’s unclear, though, if the same holds true for cats, especially if the fried potato has been drenched in fat. It’s not all bad news about the fat. The skin, fur, claws, and joints of your cat all benefit from fatty acids like omega 3.
Potatoes’ antioxidants are useful for preventing and treating damage to bodily organs and tissues. On the other hand, many fruits and vegetables have more beneficial antioxidants than potatoes.
Tissue vitality, wound healing, cognitive performance, and immunity are all reliant on vitamin C and B6 intake. However, other non-fried fruits and vegetables provide just as much, if not more, of these vitamins.
How Many French Fries Can A Cat Eat?
There are far superior treats you can give your cat than ones with a high sodium (salt) and high-fat content like these. Therefore, never, ever feed French fries to your cat.
If your cat happens to steal a French fry, don’t worry; only a small portion of them are poisonous. If you notice any signs of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, take them to the vet immediately.
It is possible to overdose on salt from eating too many French fries, especially if they are heavily salted. Your cat probably doesn’t eat enough to make this a problem, though.
How Often Can A Cat Eat French Fries?
French fries are not appropriate for a cat. They’re not good for your cat’s health and might even make it sick.
The occasional accidental ingestion of French fries by your cat is probably nothing to worry about, but you should do your best to keep them out of your curious cat’s reach.
Can Cats Eat Uncooked French Fries?
The raw potato used to make French fries is toxic to cats.
Raw potatoes, in particular the alkaloid solanine, can be toxic to cats. Everyone knows not to eat deadly nightshade because it contains the same chemical, solanine.
Both the Pet Poison Helpline and the American Pet Safety Association list green potatoes as toxic to cats. Get your cat checked out by a vet immediately if you grow potatoes and notice it eating the green sprouts or green skin.
It’s probably not as bad if your cat tries to eat a raw frozen French fry that you bought from the store. Because they are typically pre-cooked before packaging, you need only reheat them.
Once the potatoes have been cooked and transformed into delicious French fries, however, the story changes significantly when making homemade French fries.
Can Cats Eat Cooked French Fries?
The good news is that cooking removes the toxicity of potatoes, making them safe for cats to eat.
The high temperature of the oil used in frying helps reduce the solanine content of potatoes more than any other cooking method.
French fries, unfortunately (for your cat, at least), are often doused in sauces and seasonings that could be harmful to your pet.
While it’s not always wise to feed your cat table scraps, we have a solution that will make you and your feline friend happy.
Are French Fries Used In Commercial Cat Food?
You probably aren’t shocked to learn that commercial cat food doesn’t contain French fries. Since cats must eat meat to survive, that is what should make up the bulk of their food.
Therefore, the majority of the protein in commercial cat food comes from meat. Fruits and vegetables are included in cat food to provide the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your cat needs, but you won’t find any French fries.
Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates and other nutrients, so they are sometimes included in pet food recipes. To reduce the amount of fat your cat consumes, these will likely be boiled instead of fried.
The Risks Of Eating French Fries For Cats
Overconsumption of French fries, which are very high in fat, may lead to pancreatitis.
Your cat may suffer from pancreatitis if you feed it French fries due to the high amount of fat they contain. Inflammation of the pancreas gland causes symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Rich or fatty foods should be avoided because they have been linked to pancreatitis. Your cat may not develop pancreatitis from eating French fries, but the high fat content may still cause stomach problems.
If your cat constantly pinches French fries and they always seem fine, what gives? Even if your cat is fortunate enough to tolerate French fries without experiencing an upset stomach, the high calorie, fat, and carb content will lead to weight gain.
Pets that are too chubby can develop serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease, and may experience increased discomfort from already painful arthritis.
French fries contain a lot of salt, so eating too many of them at once could be dangerous. However, cardiovascular disease and hypertension can develop when sodium intake is too high.
You should avoid giving your cat any foods that contain salt or any seasonings, toppings, or sauces that contain salt, such as crispy onions or onion powder, ketchup, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce.
Green or unripe potatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to cats, so it’s unlikely that underripe potatoes would be used accidentally for French fries. Your pet also shouldn’t be given raw potatoes because of the risk of choking.
Do Cats Like The Taste Of French Fries?
Cats are naturally inquisitive animals who take a keen interest in the food their owners provide.
Therefore, if they see you devouring a plate of French fries, they may try one themselves if given the chance.
However, keep in mind the negative effects French fries have on one’s health and look for a healthier alternative.
Summary
Feeding your cat fatty foods like French fries might seem like common sense. However, it’s hard to resist giving in to temptation when your cat is begging at your feet while you enjoy a delicious meal.
Don’t give up! In the long run, you’re doing what’s best for your cat by keeping them from eating French fries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to feed my cat French fries?
In the unlikely event that your cat eats a French fry, it probably won’t be fatal. Keep an eye out for any symptoms of illness, and if you’re worried, consult your vet.
You shouldn’t knowingly feed French fries to your cat because they are a very unhealthy snack that can cause gastrointestinal distress and even death.
Can pets eat French fries?
French fries are unhealthy for pets because of their high fat and salt content. Consequences other than tummy trouble exist as well. There are serious health risks associated with your pet becoming overweight.
Can cats eat Mcdonald’s?
McDonald’s and other fast food are not good for cats to eat. Many of these foods are also high in salt and fat and should be avoided.
So, if you’re looking to treat your perfect pal to some human food, grilled chicken, turkey, or white fish are all great options.