What Do Cats Like to Eat for Breakfast?

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Many good things have been said about breakfast; one person said that all happiness depends on breakfast, and another opined that a good breakfast is enough motivation for the day. This important meal of the day is not limited to humans who are advised to eat breakfast like kings. You will notice that even your cat knows the time for breakfast and will jump on your bed, begging to be fed. Still, while some cat owners feed their cats with table scraps, have you ever asked yourself “what do cats like to eat for breakfast?” If you have not, read on to find out what should be in your pantry or refrigerator.

Meat is a Favorite for Cats

Sauced Pet lists the seven foods cats like to have for breakfast; best of all, the vets recommend them. Like humans who love a bowl of cereal in the morning, cats enjoy whole grain for breakfast. So, when all you have is oatmeal or rice, either is a perfect choice. Some people dismiss whole grains as fillers, yet they are a good source of fiber, essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and digestive protein. However, you should ensure that your cat is not skin sensitive or have intolerance associated with grains. Grains like wheat have been known to cause allergies even in cats and can affect the cat’s skin and digestion. A cat also would not mind a serving of meat. Whether you have chicken, beef, mutton, all are good options. You can even cook meat, but avoid adding spices. Cats are obligate omnivores who need meat to survive. So, the majority of the diet must come from meat. Since cats are also predators, they like their meat raw, and the digestive systems are equipped to handle raw meat. However, the risk of cross-contamination and infections from bacteria makes raw meat a poor choice. If you insist on feeding the cat with raw meat, ensure that it is fresh. Once raw meat has been exposed for a while, it is contaminated and will sicken the cat.

Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, and no cat has ever turned down a can of tuna. However, fish should only be included in meals once in a while, whether for breakfast or dinner. Cats who eat fish for a prolonged period can suffer from mercury poisoning. Some cats are even allergic to fish, and believe it or not, fish is one of the top 3 food allergens in felines. Additionally, too much fish can lead to urinary tract infections and blockages. So, no matter how much your cat would love fish for breakfast, limit the intake to one sardine per week. Eggs make for a good source of taurine, a chemical only found in animal protein, and it helps maintain a healthy heart and eyes. Eggs have to be fully cooked because raw or undercooked eggs can contain salmonella, which can cause severe gastrointestinal problems for your cat. While proteins should make up at least 70% of a cat’s diet, vegetables should comprise 30%. Boiled vegetables are an ideal way to kick-start the day for your cat. The key point to remember is they have to be boiled because, according to Feline Factor, raw vegetables can be a choking hazard.

Must Your Cat Eat Breakfast?

According to How to Discuss, cats are mistaken for nocturnal animals. Contrastingly, cats are crepuscular; they are active just before sunset and immediately after sunrise. Once you notice your cat barely moves during the day and lazes around all day, you must wonder what the benefit of feeding it breakfast is, yet the cat will not utilize the energy. However, the energy needed immediately after sunrise will come from the hearty breakfast you serve a crepuscular animal. Hence, it is important to feed your pet in the morning. Most cat owners confess their cats wake them up, seeking to be fed before they are on their way. Still, the feeding pattern can be dependent on what you have established in your household. Most cat parents feed their felines at the same time as the rest of the family. The problem comes when you decide to sleep in, and of course, the cat is not aware of your plans. Therefore, do not be surprised to be awakened by excessive meowing. While a few minutes of waiting will not hurt the cat, keeping your cat hungry for over 12 hours is bad for its health. The Pet Keepers informs us that since a cat’s stomach is hyper acidic, the longer you starve your cat, the more the gut becomes acidic, resulting in nausea and other gut problems.

Do Cats Skip Breakfast?

One Redditor was worried when her cat, Ana, skipped breakfast. According to the cat owner, Ana had never skipped a meal since she was adopted at ten weeks. The Reddit user had introduced Ana to a schedule of breakfast and dinner, which they followed for years. So, when Ana refused to eat dinner one night and breakfast the next morning, she sent her owner into panic mode. Not even her favorite food for breakfast, such as eggs and cream, would entice Ana, but she could not decline tuna, though just a taste. Luckily, Ana resumed the normal feeding pattern without a vet’s intervention. Usually, a cat not eating any meal as per the routine should be cause for concern. Although we never will know what made Ana skip breakfast, some people suggested maybe she had a hairball stuck in her gut, and once it was out of the way, she got back to enjoying her meals. The best thing about keeping your cat on scheduled feeding is that, like Ana’s owner, you will notice any changes in the feeding pattern and take charge before things are out of control.