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Humans love biscuits, and so do some cats. For cats with a  love of human food, is it always a good idea to give it to them? Biscuits don’t usually have any toxic ingredients that can harm cats, and it’s relatively safe if your kitty shares a few crumbs. However, biscuits should never become part of your pet’s diet and should only be consumed occasionally. We’ll discuss why biscuits aren’t healthy for felines and more below.
Can My Cat Have Biscuits to Eat?
American biscuits are made up of flour, salt, butter, and a leavening agent, usually baking powder, which means that they aren’t toxic to your pet but aren’t good for them either. Some biscuits include ingredients such as vegetable oil, buttermilk, sugar or cheese. These ingredients aren’t toxic but aren’t considered to be healthy for your cat and can cause an upset stomach. American biscuits are sometimes called savory scones.
Are Biscuits Good for Cats?
While you can occasionally feed your cat biscuits, they aren’t that healthy for your feline. The biggest problem with biscuits is that they are composed of empty calories that your cat doesn’t need. If you regularly feed your cat biscuits, they may become fat or even obese, which can lead to other health problems. Biscuits are loaded with carbohydrates, which are more difficult for felines to process for energy than protein.
Are Biscuits Dangerous for Cats?
Although not dangerous, most biscuits are high in starch and fat. These starches and fats can cause your feline to develop digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Cats have trouble breaking down the complex carbohydrates in biscuits since they are deficient in the enzymes to do so.
Many biscuits have a lot of sodium in them and are often served with gravy, which is full of salt. You also have to watch the toppings you put on biscuits when feeding them to your cat. Caramelized onions or garlic butter should never be served on a biscuit you serve your pet because all members of the allium family (including garlic, onions, and chives) are toxic to cats.  So, while biscuits aren’t dangerous for cats, the toppings and ingredients could very well be.
How Much of Your Biscuit Can You Safely Give Your Cat?
While you really shouldn’t feed your cat biscuits, giving them small amounts now and then is safe. When it comes to calories, your cat only needs around 300 calories a day to be healthy, and one biscuit can contain the entire daily allowance of calories. It’s best to give your pet a small piece that’s comparable to a commercial cat treat. Never give your cat an entire biscuit.
Which Ingredients Should You Avoid?
While you can give your cat a bit of biscuit occasionally, there are certain things you should avoid when it comes to savory or sweet biscuits. Here is a list of what you should avoid below.
All of the above ingredients are toxic to cats. Onions and garlic can wreak havoc on your cat’s red blood cells, cause anemia, and even damage your cat’s liver. Sweets like chocolate and raisins can be toxic to your feline pal too, and you must discuss it with your veterinarian if they consume them straight away.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats Toxic Ingredients in Biscuits?
If you find that your cat has ingested any of the previous ingredients, it’s best to speak to the vet right away. The sooner you get your pet to the vet, the better since prompt treatment improves the prognosis.
What Foods Are Safe for Cats?
Cats are carnivores, so anything with protein is better for them, within reason. Cooked chicken, pork, lamb, beef, and fish are excellent foods to feed your cat as a snack, as long as they are cooked.
There are also commercial treats that come in bite-sized portions, so you don’t have to determine how much to give your cat. Even with lean meat or commercial cat treats, you still need to give them to your cat in moderation, and snacks should make up less than 10% of their diet.
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In Conclusion
Many cats love most human food and will beg for whatever is on your plate. As a pet lover, it’s often easier to give in than deny your feline pal. If your cat gets a nibble of biscuit every now and again they shouldn’t suffer ill consequences, but don’t make a habit of it. There are some ingredients and toppings that you’ll want to avoid putting in your biscuits if you feed them to your feline as well. Although biscuits are okay, there are much better options that are safer and healthier for the feline you adore.
Featured Image Credit: JumpStory
