One of the best parts of the holiday season is sitting down with loved ones for a cozy home-cooked meal. As a member of the family, your cat doesn’t have to miss out on the deliciousness! Here are some festive foods that your cat can safely snack on.
Note: Since every cat is different, we strongly recommend speaking to your vet before offering them any new foods. Keep in mind that unless otherwise suggested by your vet, these foods should only be offered in moderation as occasional treats, not as part of their regular diet, and without added ingredients like seasoning or cooking oils.
Pumpkin
Plain canned pumpkin contains healthy nutrients like potassium, calcium, vitamin C and fibre, and can help treat gastrointestinal issues. Just be sure to choose 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, as the added spices like cinnamon and nutmeg may be harmful to cats.
Turkey
Cooked, unseasoned turkey meat is safe for cats to eat, but avoid feeding them the skin, which can upset their stomach, and the bones, which can splinter and cause intestinal injuries.
Chicken
Chicken is a popular protein in many cat foods, so they can safely enjoy plain, cooked chicken meat without any breading. Like with turkey, bones should be removed as they can be a choking hazard.
Cranberries
Cranberries with no additives, whether fresh or dried, are safe for cats in moderation. These berries are loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese for a nutritious snack. If you're giving your cat raw cranberries, make sure to remove the seeds first and cut them up into bite-sized portions to make them easier to eat.
Apples
Making apple pie or apple sauce? Set aside a couple pieces of apple for your cat! Just remember to leave out the stem, leaves and seeds, and only offer it as a small treat—apples are high in fibre, which can cause tummy troubles for cats. Less sweet apple varieties are better for your cat to try because they contain less sugar.
Carrots
Plain, peeled carrots are safe for cats in small amounts. To make them easier to digest and prevent choking, boil or steam and cut the carrots into small pieces, or puree them before serving them to your cat.
Common holiday foods that are toxic to cats:
Here are some popular holiday dishes and ingredients that are not safe for cats to eat. Note that this is not a complete list.
Chocolate
You should avoid giving your cat chocolate in any form. Cacao seeds contain methylxanthines, which can lead to severe symptoms in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, and can even be fatal. Dark chocolate is particularly toxic to pets.
Stuffing
Stuffing is typically made with a number of ingredients that are toxic to cats such as garlic, onions and raisins. These ingredients can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.
Mashed potatoes
While plain boiled potatoes are fine for your cat in moderation, mashed potato recipes often contain rich ingredients like dairy and butter, which can upset your cat’s stomach, or seasonings like garlic and onions that cats should avoid.
Pumpkin pie
While plain canned pumpkin is safe for kitties to consume, pumpkin pie filling usually contains all-spice and cloves, which are toxic to cats.
Citrus fruits
It's best to keep those holiday cocktail garnishes away from your cat! Citrus fruits contain citric acid and essential oils that can harm their nervous system and even be fatal to kitties in large amounts. Luckily, cats tend to dislike the smell of citrus fruits and will steer clear of them anyways.
Spoil your cat with goodies meant just for them
This holiday season, give your cat the best treat of all: a meowbox filled with enriching toys and yummy snacks. The box comes monthly or bi-monthly, depending on which plan you choose, so the fun keeps going long after the holiday season wraps. Join the fun and subscribe here!