What Do Cats Like to Eat for Breakfast? Vet-Reviewed Tips

We’ve always been told that our breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After fasting overnight, it replenishes glucose levels and gets you ready to face the day.

But is breakfast as important for our cats? For that matter, what do they like to eat for breakfast? Here, we go over these questions and try to cover the more essential points of cat nutrition.

What Do Cats Like to Eat for Breakfast?

There is no hard-and-fast rule about what cats enjoy eating for their breakfast. It’s all quite dependent on the individual cat. Some are finicky and will only eat chicken flavors, while others will scarf down almost anything that you put in front of them.

The better question would be, what is a good breakfast for a cat? Cats are obligate carnivores, which basically means they need to eat animals to survive. Cats lack an enzyme that enables them to obtain vitamin A from precursors like carotenes, this also means they can’t receive the appropriate nutrients necessary for them to thrive from plants. They receive their vitamin A from animal sources, its highly available in the liver.

What Are the Best Meals for Cats?

So, you know that cats need meat to remain healthy, but what are the best meals that you can feed your kitty?

Meat

Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require meat in their diets. Meat protein gives them the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for good vision, a healthy heart, and a robust reproductive system.

The meat should be cooked with no added seasonings or other ingredients. Plain is always best, not cooked in oils or butter. You also should avoid any spoiled meat, as it will make your cat sick.

Fish

Fish is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your cat’s eyes, skin, and coat. It also helps prevent certain health conditions, like kidney disease, arthritis, and heart disorders.

You can use canned fish, but be sure it has no added ingredients and is packed in water rather than oil. Don’t give your cat any raw fish, and it should always be cooked without seasonings.

Eggs

Eggs are full of protein and can make tasty and healthy treats for your cat. They need to be cooked, without seasonings or added ingredients. You can boil and chop one up or try it scrambled, as long as you don’t cook it in oil or butter.

Vegetables

Veggies should not be regularly fed to your cat because they derive their most-needed nutrients from meat, but having the occasional vegetable should be fine.

Cook them without seasonings, and avoid serving them with any sauces or butter. Just boil them in water, and cut them into small pieces so your cat won’t choke on them. Veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and green beans are all good to try with your cat.

Cat Food

The easiest and usually most nutritious option is food that has been made specifically for cats. Canned food is an excellent option for cats because of its water content. Most fresh and canned food has around 80% water content, so it’s a great way to keep your cat hydrated. Just be sure to pick high-quality food and avoid those with excess fillers.

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Dry food is another great option because it’s affordable, but search for quality ingredients. You can opt to feed your cat canned food twice a day and leave dry food out for grazing throughout the day. Or you can find another method that works best for your cat.

When Are the Best Times to Feed Your Cat?

It’s quite important to keep your cat on a routine for their meals. They are creatures of habit and don’t always respond well to changes, so giving them their meals around the same time every day is an important part of being a cat parent.

It’s also the best way to anchor your cat. So, if there’s a change afoot, like moving to a new home or introducing a new person to the household, mealtime will remain constant, which enables a cat to cope better.

Cats have simple stomachs and get hungry after about 8 to 10 hours, so two meals a day is recommended. Generally, breakfast and dinner are best for your cat, and the food should be put out around the same time every day.

Human Foods That You Should Avoid

It’s usually best to stick with cat food for your cat, but some human foods are okay for your cat to have occasionally. However, there are many human foods that you should never give cats.

Some will make your cat sick, like dairy products, since many cats are lactose intolerant. But other foods are quite toxic and can lead to severe pain and even fatalities if left untreated:

It’s not always safe to just slip your cat some of your food while sitting at the table. You never know what might harm your kitty.

Conclusion

Most cats would probably enjoy a delicious portion of fresh or canned cat food for their breakfast. That’s perhaps the safest and healthiest thing that you can give them.  Speak to your vet if you’re concerned or just curious about your cat’s diet, as they can answer any questions that you might have. Don’t give your cat just any old food unless you’re sure that it’s safe for your cat to eat and offers nutritional value to their diet.

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Featured Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock