Cats will sometimes develop a taste for human food. This can be endearing or it can cause concern. Granola, which is made of oats, isn’t harmful on its own, but you should still probably avoid it.
In this article, we’ll discuss why granola isn’t a good choice for cats and what they can eat instead.
Most types of granola can be safely consumed by cats in moderate amounts. However, it shouldn’t replace meat as the main source of nutrition for your cat.
Carnivores like cats can only get their nutrition from meat. They aren’t like humans and don’t need to eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Your cat may love granola, but it’s important to make the right choice.
Minimize the amount you give them and make sure to only buy granola treats made with cat-friendly ingredients.
Is Granola Toxic to Cats?
Granola itself isn’t harmful to felines, but some of the ingredients could be dangerous. Dried fruit and chocolate chips are common additions to granola brands.
Granola should be kept away from cats because it may contain extra ingredients that are toxic to them, such as the raisins and chocolate that are toxic to humans. Choking and allergic reactions aren’t the only problems that cats have with nuts.
Also, cats must eat meat in order to survive. This makes it unlikely that they would voluntarily seek out foods like oats, nuts, and seeds in the wild.
Sugar and other sweeteners like honey are used in some granola brands to increase their appeal, but this is bad for your cats.
What are the Dangers of Feeding Cats Granola?
Granola’s two main components are rolled oats and puffed rice. Cats cannot absorb the nutrients from whole grains because of their digestive inability.
It takes longer for cats to digest granola because it isn’t part of their natural diet.
Feeding your cats only granola would lead to malnourishment, digestive issues (including diarrhea and constipation), and weight gain.
The Nutritional Value of Granola
Granola, contrary to popular belief, is not particularly nutrient dense. The health benefits don’t kick in until we add in some fruit and nuts.
If you know that your cat can’t digest granola, it’s best not to feed it to them.
The high sugar and carbohydrate content of granola could be harmful to your cat’s health. Cats’ blood sugar levels are affected by sugar, and their bodies respond by producing more insulin.
Cats shouldn’t eat a lot of carbohydrates because they put too much stress on the pancreas and don’t produce the enzymes needed to metabolize them. In fact, providing them with granola on a regular basis may lead to additional issues.
Other Ingredients Found in Granola
The occasional consumption of granola by your cat is probably harmless. More care should be taken with the supplementary ingredients used in granola.
Dairy
Most cats are lactose intolerant, so it’s best to avoid giving them granola that has dairy like milk or yogurt in it. This is because their intestines do not produce enough of an enzyme needed to break down milk sugars.
Honey
While most adult cats can safely consume honey, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Small amounts of honey can cause vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, and lethargy in your pet.
Berries
Cats should avoid eating some fruits while others can be fatal. Blueberries and strawberries, to give two examples, are both nutritious and risk-free. Grapes, raisins, and plums, on the other hand, may prove fatal.
This is a prime illustration of why granola supplementation must be approached with caution.
Almonds
Nuts, including almonds, are an excellent source of healthy fats and nutrients. Although these foods are healthy for humans, they may not be digestible for your cat.
What Kind of Diet Should Cats Eat?
Cats need a diet rich in animal protein and other nutrients found in meat and other animal products. This might be liquid, dry, or a combination of the two types of food.
contain a lot of vitamins (especially vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B3, and B6)
minerals (iron, sodium, calcium, chloride, and magnesium)
contain beneficial fats
include sugars and starches
Cats can better absorb the nutrients from the grains in processed foods than they can from granola, which is why some cat foods include them. Due to the lack of processing or minimal processing of the grains in granola, it can be difficult for cats to digest.
Meats like beef, fish, chicken, and turkey are frequently used in cat food recipes. You may discover, however, that your feline friend is picky about the meats and other foods you offer it.
Finding their preferred cuts of meat may require some trial and error at first.
Cats need plenty of clean water in addition to a protein and nutrient-rich diet. A water fountain is an option to help your cat drink more often. A water fountain is a great way to ensure that your cat always has clean drinking water.
Can Cats Eat Human Food?
While it’s not recommended to feed your cat table scraps on a regular basis, there are some human foods that are less likely to cause serious problems than others.
For example, if for some strange reason your cat seems drawn to oats, you could give them oats mixed in water (not milk) rather than granola. You can also give oat grass to your cat as an alternative.
However, there are some human treats that should be avoided because they can be toxic to cats. In case your cat shows interest in any of the following (by no means an exhaustive) human foods, you can feel comfortable giving them to them on occasion in very small quantities:
If you want to treat your cat with fruit or vegetables, keep in mind that you must first remove the peel and the seeds.
While it’s never a good idea to feed your cat table scraps, there are some foods that are especially harmful to cats and can even be fatal. The following items should be kept well away from your cats (this is by no means an exhaustive list):
Chocolate
Figs and grapes
Avocado
Cherries
Fruits that contain citric acid
Coffee
Caffeine-containing goods
Eggs
Milk
Yogurt
Nuts
Seeds
Onions
Chives
Garlic
Shallots
Any sugar-free treats that have Xylitol in them
Alcohol
Coconut
Olive oil
Raw meat
Crispy potato snacks
Pretzels
Candy
Yeast bread
Tuna in a can
Disgusting foods like pizza
Bones
Perhaps the inclusion of “milk” on this list came as a surprise to you. Cat owners often offer their pets a saucer of milk as a special treat, but cats shouldn’t consume cow’s milk.
Milk can make some cats sick because their digestive systems aren’t designed to digest it and they don’t have the enzymes to do so. Milk consumption could cause gastrointestinal distress.
Milk poses a health risk to your cat because of the high amount of fat it contains. Instead, “cat milk” could be given on occasion as a special treat.
Milk specifically formulated for cats contains less lactose, but it is still high in fat and should be given to felines only in moderation. Many different brands of this product can be found in local supermarkets.
Final Thoughts
Cats don’t have the same dietary needs as people do. They can eat commercial cat food exclusively for the rest of their lives and have a perfectly adequate nutritional intake.
However, eating the same thing every day can cause stomach issues and nutritional deficiencies.
Feeding your cat the same foods that make you happy and give you energy is only natural. The anatomy of a cat is not designed to function like a human’s.
Even though it is technically safe for cats to eat plain granola, it isn’t recommended. If your cat got into some granola, you probably don’t need to worry that they’re going to get sick.
