Can Cats Eat Bread?

Can Cats Eat Bread?



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Can cats eat bread? Yes. Is it good for them? No. Unfortunately, even though your feline may not mind eating this as a snack, bread hardly offers any benefit to your cat. Bread is a carb-heavy food that your cat does not need. However, there is generally nothing in bread that can harm your cat so, an occasional small bite will not harm your cat. 

In this post, I'll be talking about why you should feed only a very little amount of bread or nothing at all to your cat. I will talk about the likely side effects of feeding too much bread to your furry guy. If you have other questions, I'm sure I got them covered too. Let's get right into it.

Can Cats Eat Bread?

Bread contains majorly carbohydrates which your cat does not need. Cats are obligate carnivores that require protein to survive. Cats can eat bread but it is advisable to feed them a more nutritional snack. Bread offers no nutritional benefits to cats and it is considered to be "empty calories". A slice of white bread, for example, provided one-fifth of all the calories your cat requires in a day. That may seem like only a small amount to you but for your cat, it is quite a lot. That may affect how your cat consumes its much-needed cat food for the rest of the day. 

Cats do not need to eat bread. However, if you have got a bread lover in your hands, you might be tempted to indulge their cravings occasionally with a little piece of bread. A small amount of bread consumption cannot harm your cat. If your cat has an underlying health condition, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before introducing this new snack to your cat.


What type of bread can I feed my cat?

Cats can safely eat any plain baked bread. White bread, rye bread or wheat bread are usually recommended. As a rule, the plainer the baked bread, the safer it is. Cats should never be fed dough, either bread dough or any kind of dough. Bread dough is considered very toxic to cats and hence, they should never be allowed to eat it. Only baked bread should be fed to your cat.

Baked bread with any toppings at all should be avoided. Also, if the bread is flavored with herbs and/or spices, it should be avoided too. A cat's digestive system is not designed to digest carbs or other plant-based food, so if a cat consumes bread dough or flavored baked slices of bread, it may prove very fatal to their health.

Other types of baked bread like nutty baked bread, chocolate bread, etc are not recommended. Although, nuts are generally not harmful to cats, some nuts, such as macadamia nuts, are considered bad for cats. 

A slice of plain baked white bread can serve as a treat to your cat occasionally.

Is bread good for my cat?

Unfortunately, no. Bread, though not completely harmful to your cat, offers no benefits to them either. Bread contains carbohydrates and can fill up your cat faster. Cats do not need carbohydrates. So, baked bread can only be a once-in-a-while snack for your cat. 

However, in some instances, bread can be used to administer oral medication to your cat. If your cat needs to swallow a pill, you can slip it into a little slice of bread and have your furry guy swallow it. Or the drug can be smeared on a piece of bread if it is fluid. But don't get your hopes up too high, your cat may not buy the trickery. Cats are known to be sensitive and may reject drugged foods because of the bitter taste or unpleasant smell.

Also, if your cat has a health condition like diabetes, heart complications or kidney disease, you should avoid feeding them bread.


What are the likely side effects of feeding bread to my cat?

Cats can eat baked bread, although, if you notice any side effects like vomiting, stomach upset or indigestion, you should stop feeding it to your cat. 

Unbaked bread dough is considered highly toxic to cats and can cause serious side effects. The yeast in the dough can rise and cause gas to fill up your cat's digestive system. This can cause a distended stomach or severe bloating in some cases.

Yeast also produces alcohol as a by-product. Alcohol is very bad for your cat and can cause reactions like vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, coma, and maybe death.

Another toxic substance to watch out for is xylitol. Xylitol is a common sweetener found in gums, soft drinks and sometimes, in bread. Xylitol is generally safe for humans but can be toxic to your cat. So, make sure you check the ingredients of the bread before feeding it to your cat. 

Can I feed bread to my kitten?

Kittens should not be fed bread. They are still very small and their digestive system is very sensitive. Kittens should be fed the recommended cat food so that they can grow properly. 

Baked bread may be harmful to your kitten. To know what age is right to begin to feed your cat bread or any plant-based foods, you can check in with your vet.

Wrapping Up

Cats can eat bread. Baked bread consumed in moderation is not harmful to your cat. However, you must realize that cats do not need to eat bread. Bread is empty calories and causes your cat to fill full faster. Some cats may have mild reactions like vomiting and stomach upset after eating bread. It is most times nothing to worry about but if it becomes serious, you should immediately stop feeding your cat bread and see your vet.

Only baked bread should be given to your cat. Unbaked bread dough contains yeast that is toxic to your cat and should never be given to them.

If you choose to feed bread to your cat, make sure the bread is baked and contains no flavorings or sweeteners.



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