Can You Share French Fries With Your Cat?

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We all know how delicious French fries are, and we cannot blame our cats if they are interested in getting some. French fries are a great addition to many of our meals, and according to a recent study, Americans consume 4.5 billion pounds of French fries each year. It is quite a lot, do you agree?

We, as cat owners, know that there could be times when your cat will either ask for some of your food or will even be capable of snatching some of them from your table. When it comes to French fries, you must be very careful since this food is not designed for cats to eat, and many problems can arise if your cat manages to eat some.

Here is everything you need to know about cats and French fries.

Types of French fries

To begin with, you must know all the types of French fries and how each of them is dangerous for our cats.

The most usual French fries types include

1. Raw

Raw French fries are the most dangerous type when it comes to cats. These fries contain one substance called Solanine. This substance will likely cause toxicity for your cat and will cause many problems for her.

2. Cooked

The best type of French fries for your cat is the cooked version. You need to understand that this isn't the best food choice for your cat, but if you must give her some, cooked French fries are the best option since they will cause the least harm. Just make sure not to use any additional spices.

3. Fried

The most common type of French fries is the fried one. This type will not cause toxicity for your cat, but it will leave her with many health issues. These French fries come with many different seasonings and spices that could cause your cat many health problems.

Why should cats stay away from French fries?

As you probably already know, cats are obligate carnivores, and they need meat and proteins in their diet to survive and to get all the important nutrients. French fries are not something the wild cat would eat to survive since they cannot provide much-needed nutrients. On the contrary, they will only create problems for your cat.

With all that said, it would be best to keep your cat away from French fries, and these are the most common reasons why.

1. Toxicity

Raw potatoes will cause instant toxicity, and your cat will need quick medical attention to survive. It should be noted that most cats will not be interested in eating raw potatoes, but accidents can happen.

Symptoms of toxicity will include

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• GI problems
• Lethargy
• Excessive drooling
• Disorientation

The best thing you can do in this situation is to call your vet and rush to the nearest clinic.

2. Carbohydrates

Cats' metabolism is not designed to process many carbohydrates since they need meat and protein. If your cat manages to eat a lot of French fries, it could quickly lead to obesity. Allowing your cat to eat a lot of French fries regularly will only cause problems for her, and this is not advised to do.

3. Fats

Cats' diets require the proper amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but unfortunately, French fries contain the wrong fat types. French fries have saturated fats, meaning they can do nothing to improve your pet's health and will not provide any health benefits.

On the contrary, these fats will only create health issues for your cat.

4. Salt

Cats do need salt in their nutrition, but your cat will get the requested amount of salt through their well-balanced cat food. Anything beyond that can cause problems for her.

By offering her some salty French fries, she could experience salt poisoning, which is also one serious health problem requiring prompt medical attention.

Symptoms of salt poisoning include

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

5. Seasonings

We all like to add different seasonings to our French fries for additional flavor. Some of us will keep it simple and only add salt, while others could add onions or garlic, and you must understand that these seasonings are also toxic for cats.

Even a small amount could cause toxicity for your cat, and because of this is best if you don't allow your cat to come near them.

What to do if your cat eats French fries?

The first thing you will have to do is to determine how much of the French fries did your cat eat. If we talk about only a few of them, in most cases, you have nothing to worry about. You have to ensure they don't contain any substance that could be potentially toxic for your cat.

If your cat has eaten a lot of French fries, the best thing you can do is call your vet and ask for advice. You will have to watch for any symptoms your cat could start to show, and in some cases, your vet could suggest to bring your cat to the clinic.

If your cat has ingested French fries with some toxic substances, your vet will most probably induce vomiting, and your cat will receive IV fluids.

How to realize if your cat is experiencing toxicity?

If the cat eats something toxic, she will start exhibiting some symptoms that you, as a cat owner, will notice and understand that something is wrong. Depending on your cat and the number of toxic substances your cat has ingested, these symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Our advice would be to always call your vet if you notice any of the mentioned symptoms of toxicity mentioned above and ask for advice.

Depending on your cat, your vet can give you the best possible advice to protect your cat and save her life.

How to keep your cat away from French fries?

To prevent any health-related issues with your cat, you must understand all the possible dangers and prevent them. When you plan to eat French fries, you should keep an eye on your cat and not allow her to come near.

Only by doing that you can be sure that she will not be able to grab some while you are not looking.

World Cat Finder Team