Can Cats Eat Instant Mashed Potatoes?
Instant mashed potatoes are a popular and convenient food item for people. Many pet owners might wonder if their cats can eat instant mashed potatoes as well. The answer is generally no, it’s not recommended that cats consume instant mashed potatoes or any type of prepared potato product in general.
Potential Health Risks to Cats from Eating Instant Mashed Potatoes
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat animal proteins to survive and maintain good health. Starchy foods like potatoes do not provide the essential nutrients cats need in order to succeed nutritionally so there are potential risks associated with feeding them such products – especially those made with added ingredients like cheese, bacon bits, butter and salt which increase the risk factor even more.
Because of this lack of nutritional value in starchy foods like instant mashed potatoes, these items may cause digestive upset or an upset stomach when ingested by your cat due to their inability to properly digest them. If consumed in large quantities it has been known for cats to suffer from diarrhea or vomiting due to eating too many carbohydrates at once which their bodies aren’t equipped handle naturally. Additionally certain spices used as flavorings found within some brands could also be hazardous as they may contain compounds that can be harmful when ingested by felines such as garlic powder or onion powder which should never be offered knowingly.
What Foods Can I Feed My Cat Instead?
While you should avoid giving your cat any kind of processed potato product – including but not limited too- French fries, hash browns and even potato chips; there are safe ways that you can incorporate other types of fruits and vegetables into their diet! Some great alternatives include fresh cooked carrots (cooked until soft enough for easy digestion), boiled sweet potatoes (also cooked until tender) or steamed green beans all offer fantastic nutrient benefits without being overly carby-heavy on your cat’s delicate stomach!
If you feel comfortable adding a few extra ingredients into the mix then canned pumpkin puree is another great option full of vitamins A & C while applesauce offers potassium potassium magnesium iron zinc Vitamin E B6 beta carotene and dietary fiber! Allowing occasional treats off our own plates is also ok however just make sure they’re lean meats only- absolutely no dairy/fatty foods please!!
