Safe food for cats ie chicken etc

[emmab]

Can anyone advise me of what human foods that we eat which is Ok for cats too please? Our vet has suggested we feed Grany chicken etc to encourage him to eat more, rather than him not eating cat food and losing even more weight, He has a biopsy on Wednesday next week so will hopefully shed light on his problem. In the meantime I know chicken is OK. Tuna in moderation although not ideal, Is there anything else he can have which won't affect him too much? Thanks in advance

[Alice]

White fish is suitable for most cats, provided he's not allergic to it - worth a try, and you may be able to get trimmings quite cheaply, or fish such as pollock isn't expensive to see how you get on. Mine love it, and the liquid it's been poached in (in the microwave). Basa is even cheaper, but I don't fancy it, so I don't give it to the cats. I don't know what's available where you are, I buy packs of frozen fish from the supermarket here.

Others will have other suggestions, but pork is a definite NO NO for cats. Cats usually like lambs liver, but I only give them this in small quantities, (cooked - not sure about feeding it raw) though they'd like much more.

I hope you soon get some answers from the vet - I really feel for you.

[emmab]

Thank you. I will get some fish tomorrow. He has just woofed down 2 bowls of chicken. I cannot understand why he won't touch cat food? The vet suggested he eats what he wants as opposed to nothing at all. It proves he has an appetite but not sure why he is so fussy? We can only come up with the fact he may of been stray for a long time and was eating rubbish or human food for a long time. Ok he won't be getting his nutrients quite so much but seeing him eat is a huge step for us. Thank you

[alanc]

Just looked up a few in Grace McHattie's Moggie Cat care book. The following should be OK:
Beef (cheaper more fatty cuts for preference)
Chicken
Egg (cooked)
White fish (cooked) Cod or Haddock (my old cat Sally lived on poached Haddock for many years when in her old age)
Oily fish (cooked) Mackerel or Herring
Tinned Sardines in oil. Is better than tinned Tuna and Salmon (and cheaper)
Liver (in moderation)
Rabbit
Turkey
It is important that fish and eggs are cooked as raw fish contain Thiamin and raw egg white contains Biotin, both of which are harmful to cats.
The main problem is that none of the foods contain all of your cats dietary needs, so you need to feed a variety to make sure Grany has a balanced diet. But from my experience with Sally when she went off her food in her old age, try cooked haddock to start with!

[emmab]

Thank you so much for the replies and thankyou Alan for the ideas and taking the time to respond. He has woofed down two plates of chicken this evening! No need to wash up the bowls for once I am so confused as to why he will only really eat chicken etc and terribly guilty he has lost so much weight as if I had tried this before it maybe could of been avoided. I am not saying his weight loss is purely down to fussy eating as he does have signs of an illness but I now know he can eat. I know this may make him more fussy but why would a cat only want chicken etc? He has or has had a possible medical issue being investigated atm but if I had known 5 weeks ago this would of worked without the vet only telling me this evening it may of saved weeks of worry. The metrobactin may be helping as he doesn't have diarrhea now, well today anyway. What a worry these beautiful creatures are. I want the best for him, whether we have him for another few weeks or few years.

[Ruth B]

While no expert on it, I would have thought any type of poultry would be alright. For white fish, Coley used to be a good choice, it has a fairly strong flavour which is why it isn't all that popular, which also means it tends to be cheap. Also check the freezer sections the fish there is often cheaper than on the fish counter, and as often it can be frozen on board ship, it can actually be considered to be fresher. When cooked make sure that the bones are all removed, cooked fish bones can be as dangerous to a cat as to a human.

Raw liver used to be a cure for constipation, cooked liver for diarrhea so given his previous history i would certainly only give him it cooked.

I would be interested to know why not pork, and does it matter if it is cooked or raw. I have given ours pork and ham on occasion as a treat (and my mothers diabetic cat has suddenly taken a liking to bacon) and I have seen Felix pouches occasionally that contain ham and pork. I know there was the old adage about only eating pork when there was an R in the month which I believed related to tapeworms being in it during the summer months, or maybe it was susceptible to other bacteria and therefore to food poisoning. Not giving it to cats is just something I'd never heard of, so any information would be welcome.

[booktigger]

While no expert on it, I would have thought any type of poultry would be alright. For white fish, Coley used to be a good choice, it has a fairly strong flavour which is why it isn't all that popular, which also means it tends to be cheap. Also check the freezer sections the fish there is often cheaper than on the fish counter, and as often it can be frozen on board ship, it can actually be considered to be fresher. When cooked make sure that the bones are all removed, cooked fish bones can be as dangerous to a cat as to a human.

Raw liver used to be a cure for constipation, cooked liver for diarrhea so given his previous history i would certainly only give him it cooked.

I would be interested to know why not pork, and does it matter if it is cooked or raw. I have given ours pork and ham on occasion as a treat (and my mothers diabetic cat has suddenly taken a liking to bacon) and I have seen Felix pouches occasionally that contain ham and pork. I know there was the old adage about only eating pork when there was an R in the month which I believed related to tapeworms being in it during the summer months, or maybe it was susceptible to other bacteria and therefore to food poisoning. Not giving it to cats is just something I'd never heard of, so any information would be welcome.

I remember reading once that the fat molecules in pork are bigger than other meats and that cats can't cope with that? I do wonder if some pork products are too salty for cats to cope with

[Alice]

My comment about pork not being suitable for cats was really repeating what someone posted on this forum a little while ago - can't recall who it was. Anyone remember or enlighten us all further?? I admit that I do give my cats tiny bits of ham or bacon occasionally, but never more than that.

[Lilith]

I don't know if I can shed any extra light on this but I'd read and heard for a long time that pork was supposed to be bad for cats; I believe Doreen Tovey in one of her (brilliant) books about her Siamese, which began to be published in the late 50s, mentions that her vet had warned her that pork should never be given to cats.

The possibility of tapeworms was a real threat when pigs were pastured; in modern day conditions, and with modern vet care, I imagine this is nigh impossible. It was always said that pork should be cooked thoroughly, to kill any nasties.

Also pork was regarded as a 'rich' meat ie fatty, but pigs used to be fattened to giant proportions - and the meat was all fat and people would eat it - ugh. I remember as a kid getting into trouble for not eating fat; it was 'bad manners' not to eat it, and anyway, it was 'good food' - again ugh! A bit different from nowadays, thank goodness.

Needless to say, cats don't know this and clamour for pork, bacon and ham and I'd imagine the salt in bacon and ham would be more dangerous than any fat in the meat, but I should think you'd have to feed it in larger quantities than the odd titbit for it to be harmful.

What about beef? My Molly loves a strip of raw beef to chew on, not that we have it that much, and if I'm trimming a piece of steak for Stroganoff, I grill the trimmings and my lot like those as well.

[emmab]

I have read before that liver is very bad for cats and is a no no. I didn't know about pork but thought processed COOKED meat is fine. I understand tuna is a no no too which is a shame. Sardines normally are in a rich sauce which is not good. Can anyone shed any light on why he won't eat cat food? This morning I am watching him eat chicken with a little whiskas and rice mixed into it and he is eating it. Yet he won't eat wet food on it's own...like most cats he just licks the gravy, He has had two meals now and cleared the plate! Well OK he has eaten some of the whiskas and managed to pick out all the chicken with it as only cats do!

[Janey]

You can get sardines without sauce in England, not sure about France. I give my cats some of my tuna in oil (drained) once a week, my vet said Tuna or other oily fish occasionally is good for them and their coat. Regarding licking the gravy, that’s a common one! most of mine have done that, in fact my cat did that this morning with the jelly. What I usually do is mash the lumps into the gravy or jelly. My cat is really fussy with the texture of meat especially and she really doesn’t like big chunks, she is fine with the pouches with slivers of meat but not chunks.

[emmab]

Thanks Janey I found some! They had lots in tomato sauce or lemon and basil too. I also stocked up on tuna, chicken, white fish etc! Food bill was a bit of a shock with his expensive tastes.

[alanc]

Can anyone shed any light on why he won't eat cat food?

Wish I knew! I asked that question of Sally several times, the only answer I got was "Get me some more haddock". Tilly has just decided she doesn't want Gourmet Gold fish pate having eaten it happily (even demanded it) for the past 3 months! Wants Royal Canin meat slices in gravy which she usually is rather indifferent to. (Edit: having eaten that, she has decided she will eat the Gourmet Gold after all.)
Regarding Liver, this is a good source of Vitamin A and is good for cats in moderation. Trouble is cats can become addicted to liver and an excess of Vitamin A is bad for them, although some is essential. Guidance is liver no more than once or twice a week. Chicken and calves liver contain much less Vitamin A than Lamb and Beef liver.
In copying the list from Grace McHatties book, I managed to leave pork and lamb out of the list. Lamb is a good source of protein, minerals and all the necessary vitamins. As has been mentioned, pork needs to be thoroughly cooked to kill parasites before feeding to cats (and humans). Although raw pork contains all necessary vitamins the amount of cooking required probably destroys most of them, which will greatly reduce the value of pork in a cats diet, but that is just speculation on my part.
Just noticed that in editing my original response to you, I made a nonsense of the reasons for cooking eggs before feeding - its that raw egg white destroys Biotin, not contains it - right conclusion, wrong reason!

[emmab]

I am trying to convince myself that him eating copius amounts now he has something more pallatable means his possible illness is not as bad as once thought. I am also hoping the metrobactin is doing it's job, Proof of the pudding is whether he puts weight on. I know my food bill rocketed up yesterday but the joy of seeing him eat at last has relieved me no end. I gave him a couple of bits of my sirloin steak. Needless to say he loved it!

[emmab]

I have just spoken to the vet and said he is eating food very well atm (ie chicken etc) but will not eat cat food and he did say this sounds like a poorly cat. We have cancelled his biopsy for next week and seeing how he goes on the metrobactin. He will need a few check ups but it quite unsettling that he may have limited time with us.

[Janey]

Doesn’t he eat any cat food at all Emma? Have you tried Gourmet, not many of mine have refused that, especially in the little tins (unless I gave them it day in day out).

[emmab]

I have tried lots. I do mixwhiskas or RC wet into his chicken etc but is good at picking around that. He doesn't eat any dried food what so ever, The vet said that a very fussy cat in this way does show he is unwell, we are just struggling to find out why. He is going back in 10 days for a check up. He has suggested to keep his weight up we give him what he likes. I don't think his outlook is good. We have even bought the microchip feeder today to try and ensure the other fat doesn't eat his food. We are trying every last thing to get him to eat. We are going to be discussing with the vet his long term care. A cat not eating cat food is not getting nutrients. His weight loss was noted at the refuge before adoption. They have stopped paying for his treatment now too. Poor little boy.

[Janey]

If you’ve not tried Gourmet it’s worth a try? It’s odd not any cat food at all as he’s obviously got some appetite if he’s eating the other food.

[emmab]

If you’ve not tried Gourmet it’s worth a try? It’s odd not any cat food at all as he’s obviously got some appetite if he’s eating the other food.

I have just been to the supermarket Janey and bought some whilst I was there! Wish me luck. He also has a sureflap microchip feeder now so god knows what will happen tonight. Will report back!

[emmab]

Janey...he'seating Gourmet! Don't quite believe it. I bought the pate and the ordinary but wish I had bought 2 pate as he can lick that! He loves it...AT THE MOMENT! Thank you for the heads up on Gourmet. He is even using the microchip feeder, although is still eating a little with his paws.

[booktigger]

Janey...he'seating Gourmet! Don't quite believe it. I bought the pate and the ordinary but wish I had bought 2 pate as he can lick that! He loves it...AT THE MOMENT! Thank you for the heads up on Gourmet. He is even using the microchip feeder, although is still eating a little with his paws.

Random question, but has his mouth been checked? If he is licking pate, but not keen on chunks, I wonder if his teeth are bothering him?
I have an overweight cat who is really fussy with cat food, so I now buy 50g pouches to avoid throwing food away, but biscuits and human food are a different matter - she will fight me for Chinese food!!

[emmab]

Janey...he'seating Gourmet! Don't quite believe it. I bought the pate and the ordinary but wish I had bought 2 pate as he can lick that! He loves it...AT THE MOMENT! Thank you for the heads up on Gourmet. He is even using the microchip feeder, although is still eating a little with his paws.

Random question, but has his mouth been checked? If he is licking pate, but not keen on chunks, I wonder if his teeth are bothering him?
I have an overweight cat who is really fussy with cat food, so I now buy 50g pouches to avoid throwing food away, but biscuits and human food are a different matter - she will fight me for Chinese food!!

Not sure but he has had a lot of health checks with the vet. He eats chicken lumps normally and fish. I think because his protein levels are high and his tummy lymph nodes are enlarged it is something more serious unfortunately. Worth mentioning next time though,

[Janey]

Janey...he'seating Gourmet! Don't quite believe it. I bought the pate and the ordinary but wish I had bought 2 pate as he can lick that! He loves it...AT THE MOMENT! Thank you for the heads up on Gourmet. He is even using the microchip feeder, although is still eating a little with his paws.

Great news about the Gourmet!! mine love all of them, although some types more than others. They love the pates and the other little tins, the Double Delicacies. They also enjoy the Perle pouches as there’s lots of gravy in them. My cat especially likes the Beef provencale one lol. My previous oldies, most toothless loved the pates.

I was going to mention teeth or sore mouth as well but as you said he was tucking into non cat food I thought probably not and thought the vet would have checked that definitely worth asking about.

[emmab]

Thanks again. Small steps will hopefully help him. Great to see him eating some cat food although the vet said him not eating dried food is a little worrying so would love to hear whether other cats won't tollerate dry food of any form.

[Alice]

Emma, I don't know if you have Aldi or Lidl in France, but they sell foil trays of pate, (poultry, turkey, salmon, and rabbit flavours) which my cats love, and they do a junior version, which may be more nourishing and suitable for Grany, if you can get it - also much less expensive than Gourmet.

[emmab]

We do so will look out. I will see how he gets on with gourmet as I have x2 - 4 kilo sacks of Iams and RC gastro which is still unused as well as copius amount of Felix, Whiskas etc so really must stick to the gourmet for now. I will see how his weight does. I must be careful not to change his food too much else we will be back to square one with upset tummies. Thanks for the info though.

[emmab]

Janey...he'seating Gourmet! Don't quite believe it. I bought the pate and the ordinary but wish I had bought 2 pate as he can lick that! He loves it...AT THE MOMENT! Thank you for the heads up on Gourmet. He is even using the microchip feeder, although is still eating a little with his paws.

Great news about the Gourmet!! mine love all of them, although some types more than others. They love the pates and the other little tins, the Double Delicacies. They also enjoy the Perle pouches as there’s lots of gravy in them. My cat especially likes the Beef provencale one lol. My previous oldies, most toothless loved the pates.

I was going to mention teeth or sore mouth as well but as you said he was tucking into non cat food I thought probably not and thought the vet would have checked that definitely worth asking about.

Janey...he is not eating the gourmet today ...arghhhh!