When deciding on the right cat food for our tiny pets, we sifted through dozens upon dozens of ingredient lists to be sure we were feeding our cats food thought to be safe and suitable for the animals they were. We discovered fillers such as rice and wheat-related products, soy, and one stuffing that have become extremely popular since I became a pet-parent sweet potato.
In the past few weeks, we’ve reviewed some of the key information you should be aware of about the diet of cats. The most important point is that cats were and remain carnivores. I state, “still have carnivores” because we’ve observed, speculated and studied other animals becoming omnivores through many years of evolution. However, although the cats were domesticated for a long time, their diets have mostly stayed the same.
While cats are carnivores, cats are still able to consume tiny quantities of starches and grains that are usually more affordable and efficient ways to include some fiber or other binding agents to cat food. The main issue is that it is difficult to determine what amount of filler is present in the cat’s food. Additionally, certain fillers are thought to be more dangerous in the eyes of cats than others. So do you think sweet potato is more nutritious?
IS SWEET POTATO SAFE FOR A CAT TO EAT?
Sweet potato is usually considered safe for felines to eat, provided it is given in small quantities and is free of seasoning. Sweet potatoes should not be fed to cats raw or cooked; they should instead be fed sweet potatoes when cooked, steamed or boiled.
Raw sweet potatoes aren’t considered safe for cats to eat even though they are non-toxic; they could cause serious damage or stomach irritation to your cat’s stomach or nervous system.
BENEFITS OF FEEDING YOUR CAT SWEET POTATO
Sweet potatoes are packed with lots of fiber, making them a wonderful snack for cats suffering from constipation difficulties. Veterinarians often suggest feeding your cat a tiny amount of cooking at home and the pumpkin.
The pumpkin is typically preferred over sweet potato because it is more digestible and rich in nutrients that benefit cats. But, a veterinarian may choose sweet potato over pumpkin depending on what is more easily accessible in your region. In many instances, the vet will begin by suggesting a pet-specific pure.
If constipation is ongoing, your physician may suggest changing the diet to include more fiber or fat. Sweet potato should not be used as a remedy for chronic constipation.
PROBLEMS WITH FEEDING YOUR CAT SWEET POTATO
If a cat eats excessive amounts of sweet potato, it might have an upset stomach that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach gas.
Cats fed massive quantities of sweet potatoes for prolonged periods are likely to become obese. If you decide to give cats cooked sweet potatoes as an indulgence, I would strongly recommend bringing it to your veterinarian to ensure that there is no issue because certain breeds are more vulnerable to problems with obesity.
Although a diet of small amounts of sweet potato benefits cats, the reality is that the rise in the popularity of sweet potatoes stems from our furry friends. At the same time, dogs benefit from beta-carotene since it can be transformed into Vitamin A, but cats do not gain from this. Cats require Vitamin A, as do dogs. However, cats cannot convert their Vitamin A and must consume food that already contains Vitamin A.
Since sweet potato was proclaimed, canine superfoods numerous pet food companies have also begun adding sweet potato into the kibble mix. Although the quantity of sweet potatoes in the kibble isn’t enough to cause harm to your cat, certain cats won’t be able to digest the food properly. I’ll write about my own experiences about this later in the article.
A better way to say it is although the sweet potato isn’t considered the most beneficial food source for cats, it is thought to be one of the top alternatives for fillers for cat food. Sweet potatoes, for example, have fewer carbohydrates than regular potatoes, which makes them much easier for cats to digest.
There is no way to make every cat the same way.
In general, in the case of what your cat’s diet is, the choices will depend on your pet’s individual preferences and requirements. For instance, our most senior cat Beau was in his first few years eating premium cat food that contained few or no fillers; however, he was still developing urinary tract infections and blocked bowels that eventually resulted in us needing surgery.
After surgery, Beau was placed on a new diet to ensure he’d not be blocked again. Beau’s diet, indeed, has more grains. Even though Beau has become more chunky but it’s also assisted in helping prolong his life at least two years after the surgery.
I mentioned Beau’s procedure and the diet he consumed because of the three cats in our household that received that diet, Beau was the only one who experienced this extreme reaction. The two other cats were fed the food without issue, and there was no reason for the vets to advise us to change their diet.
Beau’s health issues have also revealed the truth of how different a cat’s health can be, even if they share the same home and eat the same diet, which makes us realize that the food you feed your cat doesn’t have to be as simple as a cookie.
Food intolerances can manifest in different ways. In our case, it occurred in the form of UTIs; however, for some cats, the bias can be a sign of allergies, which may manifest in digestive issues, itchy skin, or loss of whiskers. Cats can appear well-behaved with their food for a day and then be allergic the next day, or the food company may alter the food recipe; therefore, you must ensure that you’re always checking on your cat just in the event of an emergency!
When you’re done with the day, speaking with your vet about the food your cat eats is likely beneficial. There aren’t any cats that will require a vet-specific diet, but vets are informed about which kinds of food brands can put your cat at risk based on the cat’s overall health or the possibility of developing a chronic health issue.
CONCLUSION
Should I feed your cat sweet potatoes? It’s likely if the vet has suggested it. As previously mentioned, some cats are better at digesting certain food items than others, or in our case, may require a specific diet.
I suggest against a kibble containing sweet potato. It’s acceptable for your pet to eat food that is sweet potato-based unless your veterinarian has advised against it due to reasons. Sweet potato is among the top ingredients for pet food, but as more research is conducted, this could be changed.
