Can You Give Bread to Your Cat? Is It Safe?

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Did you know that the most popular type of food in America is bread? When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Bread is an essential part of most American households. We love all kinds of bread, from French baguettes to dark brown bread. We love sandwiches, and high-quality bread is essential for a good sandwich.

Many cat owners wonder, “Can cats eat bread?” The shortest possible answer is - yes. Theoretically, bread is safe for cats. However, that doesn’t mean your cat should eat bread regularly. If you’re like us and you want to know whether cats can eat bread, here’s what you should know about cats and bread.

Is bread safe for cats?

As we already mentioned, bread is safe for cats. However, the key thing to remember is - portion control. You shouldn’t allow your cat to eat as much as it wants. The best thing you can do is give your cat small portions and no more than once a week. However, just because bread is safe for your cat doesn’t mean you should give it to them.

Is bread good for cats?

Bread might be delicious and nutritious for us, but cats won’t really benefit from it. Humans and cats have different nutritional needs. The nutrients in bread, especially white bread, are not something your cat needs in its diet. For example, two slices of white bread are not enough to satisfy our hunger, but two slices are far too much for your feline friend.

Bread is often described as a source of “empty calories” for cats. Bread will make your cat feel full, but it will achieve that by providing your cat with a bunch of carbs the cat doesn’t need. The answer to the question, “Can cats eat bread?” might be - yes, but that doesn’t mean you should give it to your cat.

Is bread bad for cats?

Theoretically, nothing in bread will cause toxicity to your cat, given the cat eats it in moderation. However, long-term bread feeding your cat can lead to specific complications and health issues. Cats are obligated carnivores, which means they need animal protein and meat to survive. Bread is not something your cat needs in its diet.

One of the most significant health implications and potential problems from overfeeding bread to your cat is obesity. Feline obesity is a growing problem among American cat owners. In fact, around 40% of all American pets are overweight. Obesity leads to cardiovascular issues, reduced mobility, and decreased lifespan. It would be best to stick to high-quality cat food. Another potential issue is yeast.

Yeast in bread

A unique type of yeast is used for making bread. Cats seem to be very interested in the smell and taste of that yeast. That’s why cats seem to be very interested in pizza crust or muffins. If your cat eats raw dough, it can get alcohol poisoning. The yeast will ferment carbs, and a by-product of that is ethanol (alcohol), which is toxic for cats. Make sure you keep your dough away from your cat.

How can I safely give bread to my cat?

If you are absolutely adamant about giving your cat some bread, you should know how to do it safely. Consider bread as a rare treat your cat can’t get whenever it wants. However, you can use bread as a way of giving pills or liquid medication to your cat. The best way to give bread to your cat is rarely and in tiny amounts. You should cut the bread into cubes as large as your fingernail. Make sure treats, in general, don’t make more than 5% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.

What type of bread is safe for cats?

As you probably know, there are different types of pastries, and bread humans love to consume. We include all sorts of spices and ingredients, and some are not safe for cats. Bread that contains raisins, spices, onion, or garlic should never be given to cats. Those things are toxic for them. Also, you should avoid bread with ingredients that might contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol. That is also toxic to cats, especially in large amounts.

Can all cats eat bread?

You might think that bread is safe for all cats. However, there are cases where you should avoid giving bread to your cat. Healthy cats will have no problem eating a tiny bit of bread. If you have a cat with diabetes or obesity, you shouldn’t give them bread. Cats with diabetes can have problems with blood glucose levels from eating bread, so that shouldn’t be an option for them.

VET TIP: If you want to give your cat some bread, you should start with only a tiny piece. Test how your cat will react to it and see what happens. Before you decide to include anything new in your cat’s diet, you should call your vet and ask for their advice.

World Cat Finder Team