Do you find you often have Pop-Tarts in the house thanks to your kids or to satisfy your inner child’s appetite? You might wonder if cats can eat Pop-Tarts. But the truth is—realistically, humans shouldn’t even eat Pop-Tarts. They are full of sugar, artificial dyes, and empty calories. But hey! We’re not out to ruin your childhood by talking bad about your favorite fast breakfast pastime.
When it comes to your cat, they should not be fed Pop-Tarts. Traditional recipes aren’t toxic to cats; however, the chocolate-flavored recipes are. These contain cocoa, which can make your cat (and dog) very sick. If your cat has eaten any amount of chocolate-flavored Pop-Tarts, you must contact your vet immediately.
If your cat tried any of the other recipes, you don’t need to worry as much, they’re just unhealthy. Plus, cats are obligate carnivores who can’t taste sweet, so they are not a good use of empty calories in terms of satisfying your feline. Let’s take a bit deeper look.
Cats Shouldn’t Eat Pop-Tarts
Cats do not benefit from a single ingredient in Pop-Tarts. In fact, Pop-Tarts can actually really impact your cat’s health if you let them eat these foreign, sugary treats often.
Granted, you’re probably looking up this article because they licked your Pop-Tart, and you’re worried about possible toxicity. Unless it is a chocolate-flavor Pop-Tart, you don’t need to worry. But if for some reason you have a cat that has some weird hankering for Pop-Tarts, here’s why you should deny the request.
Artificial Ingredients
Now, let’s give them some credit. The ingredients list for Pop-Tarts is extensive—and most of it is not good. The fruit base, for instance, contains real apples, strawberries, and pears. However, the number of dyes, flour, and starches is prevalent.
No Nutritional Value
Sure, you have lots of vitamins listed in a Pop-Tart, which can be deceiving. But when you consider how many calories and carbs are stuffed in these little infinitely preserved treats, it kind of cancels out the good stuff.
The most important macronutrient for cats is protein of animal origin. This product contains none.
Sugar Overload
In just one Pop-Tart, there are 12 grams of sugar and 205 calories. Not only does your cat lack any benefit of sugar in their diet, but they also can’t taste it.
Cats Can’t Taste Sweetness
You might look at your lazy lad or lass lounging in their window hammock and wonder how a species could come so far from their wild ancestors. But even as spoiled as domesticated cats are, their dietary needs haven’t changed.
In the wild, cats eat other animals. They never snack on plants unless it’s munching the occasional grass. Since our kitties are obligate carnivores, that means they have no evolutionary reason to taste certain flavors.
Do Cats Like Foods Like Pop-Tarts?
Most cats would take one curious sniff of a Pop-Tart and walk away with a brief inspection. It’s definitely not something most felines would want to eat. But all cats are different. You might have a cat who likes the texture or just wants to gnaw on something, but it’s not probable that they will show interest.
There are no smells emulating from a Pop-Tart that would entice a cat’s appetite. So, whether or not your cat takes a shine to these breakfast treats is an unlikely gamble.
If you plan to give your cat a “people-snack”, consider boiled shredded meats or broths with no additional ingredients.
A Cat’s Ideal Diet
You probably already figured, but cats shouldn’t eat Pop-Tarts. They provide no nutritional value at all, and it is essential to note that the chocolate-flavored recipes contain cocoa, which is highly toxic to cats.
It’s best to always stay within the realm of recommended nutrition to keep your cat feeling their best.
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Final Thoughts
You probably already figured, but cats shouldn’t eat Pop-Tarts. There’s just really no upside to that. But the good news is that Pop-Tarts are non-toxic, so even if your feline takes a nibble, they will be just fine.
Since your cat can’t taste sweetness, it’s much more likely that they won’t bother with a Pop-Tart. But if they enjoy this preservative-filled pastry for some strange reason, it’s best to give them alternative options instead.
You may also want to read:
- Can Cats Eat Prosciutto? Is It Healthy for Them?
- Can Cats Eat Cornbread? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ
- Can Cats Eat Yams? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock
