Cats are some of the most entertaining animals on the plant. Whether they get stuck in the blinds or are pushing glasses off table tops, they bring something to our lives.
In order to do that, they need a good diet, though. A lot of people aren’t sure what food their cats can and cannot eat safely.
Most of us would love to give our pets all the food that we love ourselves, but this isn’t a good idea.
A lot of food that we, as humans eat, is actually harmful to our pets, whether they are cats or dogs. One of these foods is sweet potato.
Recently, sweet potatoes have become a global phenomenon, and there are plenty of people wondering if cats can eat the root vegetable.
Well, the short answer to that is yes! However, there are a few things you should know before giving your cat this tasty treat.
If you would like to find out more, keep reading! We will be going through everything you need to know below.
Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, cats can eat sweet potatoes. The main thing to remember is that it has to be cooked properly.
You won’t want to feed your cat raw sweet potato because it’s full of bacteria.
This means that you need to cook it thoroughly, which takes a bit longer than boiling or microwaving.
Cooking the potato also allows the nutrients to better absorb into the body, so you end up with a healthier pet.
In addition to cooking the sweet potato, you also want to make sure that you only serve it to your cat when he or she needs it.
They don’t always ask for it, so make sure not to waste it!
If you’re worried about spoiling the taste for your cat, then cut the pieces into smaller bits instead of serving whole ones.
That way, they’ll still enjoy eating them, and you don’t have to worry about wasting any.
Benefits Of Cats Eating Sweet Potato
There are few benefits to feeding your cat sweet potato. They can help them avoid gum disease by keeping their mouth soft and comfortable throughout the day.
Since sweet potatoes are also low in calories, they’re an excellent source of nutrition for your cat.
Generally, however, feline nutritionists have discovered that there is little to no benefit in giving animals like cats, who are obligate carnivores, things like sweet potatoes.
Animals like dogs might benefit from these kinds of foods, but cats will not.
Sweet potato is frequently added to pet food because it’s high in nutrients, but again, this applied more so to dogs than cats.
How Much Should I Feed My Cat?
It’s important that you feed your adult cat at least once or twice a day. This ensures that they receive enough energy to stay active and happy.
It may take a while to figure out how much your cat eats each time you feed him or her.
Start feeding small portions until he or she seems hungry, and then slowly increase the amount that you offer.
Once you’ve figured out what works best, stick to the same routine.
The next step is making sure that you continue to provide your cat with the nutrition it needs over the long term.
Your cat must be fed regularly and consistently, even during times when you’re busy or forgetful. Some owners use timers to remind themselves.
As we mentioned, cats will not really benefit from eating sweet potatoes, but they can still have them in small amounts!
If your cat seems to like sweet potatoes, you can give them small sweet potato treats, or incorporate a small amount into their food.
Again, cats are carnivores, so they need a diet of protein.
In the wild, cats get their protein from hunting, so we should try to reflect that in their diet with domesticated animals.
A tiny percentage of a wild cat’s diet would consist of fruits or vegetables (no more than 1-2%), and they would not eat grains.
This should be reflected in their diet in your home to ensure that they are as healthy as can be.
Dangers Of Cats Eating Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are not toxic to cats at all, as long as they are cooked. This doesn’t mean that they should be fed this vegetable, though.
While okay in small amounts of the feline’s overall diet, these vegetables are not beneficial.
This means that cats will not get the nutrition they need if they eat a lot of sweet potatoes, and will miss out on the things they do need.
Additionally, sweet potatoes are high in fiber, so consuming a lot of it can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Gastrointestinal issues are a common side effect of too much sweet potato in a cat’s diet, and you would quickly learn about this.
Another problem with feeding your cat sweet potato is obesity.
These delicious root vegetables are high in carbohydrates, which means that your cat will begin to put on weight.
Again, cats do not require carbohydrates, so this only does more damage than good. If a cat becomes overweight, they become at risk of developing diseases.
They are also likely to have much shorter lives than they would normally.
Should You Feed Your Cat Sweet Potato?
If you notice that your cat does have a love for sweet potatoes, feel free to give them a little!
As long as the sweet potato is only a small treat, and not a big part of the diet, it won’t do any harm.
You should keep an eye on your cat and see how they behave after having sweet potato, too.
Some cats might like it more than their regular food, and could become fussy!
If this is the case, it’s a good idea to stop giving sweet potatoes to your cat. This will help them pay more attention to the food that they should be eating.
There’s nothing worse than a cat who won’t eat what’s actually good for them.
If you’re worried about this happening, you might have to avoid giving your cat sweet potato altogether.
They can’t love something they’ve never had the opportunity to have, right?
How To Feed Sweet Potato To Your Cat
Decided that you are going to allow your cat to have a little sweet potato? Now you might be wondering how you should give it to them.
The best method of cooking you can do is boiling. Never fry anything to give to your pet, as the added oils are not good for them.
Boiling sweet potato is the healthiest option, and your pet will thank you for it. You should also only ever use fresh sweet potato, and preferably organic.
The number of pesticides used on crops could have a negative effect on your cat’s health. By using fresh sweet potatoes, you will be avoiding additives.
Never use sweet potatoes that are tinned or pre-cooked, as there will be added ingredients.
Final Thoughts
So, it’s okay for cats to eat sweet potatoes! Remember, though – small quantities and boiled.
You can indulge your cat with a sweet potato treat sometimes if they seem to like it, as long as it doesn’t take over their regular meals of protein.
Sweet potatoes are not beneficial to felines, and they can cause gastrointestinal issues as well as diabetes if overfed.
Next time you have some sweet potato in the house, why not try boiling a little for your cat to see if they like it?
As long as they only get small amounts, these root vegetables will not do any harm to your furry friend.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
