Why Scraps Are Bad for Cats

Every single cat lover has had to face it at some point. You know what I mean…The Look. You know the one – where he stares at you like a child, purring and rubbing against your leg. But as much as you want to share the wealth of your plate, feeding him table scraps is not the way.

Picture it: you are in the kitchen making yourself a sandwich when all of a sudden you are met with desperate kitty eyes, looking to acquire some of your delicious snack. Maybe you are opening a can of food and are waylaid by the head-butting attention of your kitty who wants in on the meal. (The way that they "beg" can make you think they've never been fed at all!)

Scraps happen. The temptation to give your kitty a little sliver of whatever you are enjoying, whether as a treat or just to get them to stop meowing, can be very strong. But this isn't a minor issue as many cat lovers think. In fact, I am writing to you today to tell you why giving in is one of the worst things that you can do.

The reasons for not giving your cat scraps are numerous and range from the small to the very large.

Table scraps are too fatty for the digestive systems of most animals and can lead to severe stomach upsets (and, in occasional cases, trigger a possibly fatal pancreatic inflammation). By far the number-one reason for keeping your cat free of table food is acute pancreatitis. This is a very serious and sometimes deadly condition. Learn about what it can do to your cat, and what you can expect if you have to deal with it at Acute Pancreatitis in Cats.

You might find yourself thinking about your cat's nutrition in general. If "human food" is so bad for them, then what's "good"? Don't worry…I'm here to help. Check out this great article for commonly asked questions and answers about cat nutrition. I think you'll find it very informative. Go to: Commonly Asked Questions About Cat Nutrition.

To keep your pet safe this season, remember the following:

I hope this has helped you learn more about the dangers of scraps and that it will help you to protect your kitty's health.

One more thing… Can't get rid of the urge to "treat" your cat? Here are some healthy alternatives to table scraps. Go to: Heathy Cat Treats.