Cats are very adorable and lovable pets. They certainly make the person happy and give good companionship. They certainly help to curtail the stress thus have a very crucial psychological benefit from petting a cat. Various observations found that owning a cat has a calming and soothing effect on a person that helps to relieve tension and develop peace of mind. Being an owner of a feline could bring you unlimited fondness and companionship to life.
Cats trust their owners and the people around them, showing pure love and affection to them. They are certainly helpful in diminishing feelings of loneliness by offering unconditional love, which maybe sometimes feel much more than the human pals. There is also a benefit for children if little ones are exposed to cats. They are more likely to develop an immune system that helps to withstand several different kinds of allergens and cat allergies. As cats are responsible for reducing stress and anxiety, it thoroughly benefits the heart by improving cardiovascular health and reducing heart stroke. They are also helpful to decrease blood pressure releasing dopamine and serotonin that reduce stress while enhancing the body’s immune system. So for their healthier life, feed them with good food which can provide good benefits to them while offering better nourishment.
We all love to feed our cats and want to give them a delicious treat now and then but be certain of what you are feeding to your feline and make sure whether the food item you are feeding to your pet is safe for them or not.
Can cats eat crackers?
In general, cats must not eat crackers. But some of the crackers are cat-friendly too, which can be given to the cats, such as regular graham, wholegrain, rice, and vegan crackers can be given to the cats, but the crackers such as goldfish, ritz, saltine are not at all recommended for them. Proper care should be taken while feeding the feline, and always see the content and ingredients of the food before feeding so that there would be no risk of harming the feline.
Crackers have a higher salt concentration than that bread and are always made with oil and preservatives to give them a long shelf life or preserve them for a longer duration. These extras are not at all good for cats. So professionals do not recommend feeding crackers to the feline.
What are ritz crackers?
Ritz crackers are a type of snack which is small round thin salty biscuits. Ritz crackers are disc-shaped, lightly salted and have perforations in them, and are crispy too.
Ritz crackers are lightly salted and made up of wheat flour and come in several different tastes, including salt and vinegar, sea salts, cream cheese, onion, etc. As it is too salty for cats, it shouldn’t be a feeding option for your feline. Only one or two bites or chunks are safe, but preferably, don’t feed them ritz crackers.
The crackers contain the following ingredients which may be beneficial or may be harmful to the feline health-
- Dietary fibers: The wheat flour in the ritz cracker has some benefits as it is packed with fibers. Although felines are carnivorous and don’t feed on plant or plant-based food, they require a very small amount of fibers, just like their ancestors. The dietary fibers improve digestion and assure proper intestinal motility and thus also prevent the problems such as constipation and diarrhea. Based on the type of grains, it also contains some vital vitamins which provide certain health benefits.
- Too many carbs: The carbs in the cracker come from the wheat flour from which the cracker is made. Some parts of carbs are dietary fibers while the remaining are difficult to digest, and cats are not capable of digesting high carb foods, this may cause bloating, etc. The gluten in the wheat may cause stomach aches and certain allergic reactions, so the main ingredient of the ritz cracker itself indicates how unsuitable it is for the felines.
- High sugar content: Sugar is an additive that is a common ingredient in snacks. Eating sugary food may make your feline addicted to sugar and make her obese while developing the risk of diabetes. And if the felines are addicted to sugary food, they may refuse the normal regular food, which may thoroughly lead to nutritional deficiency and may also cause malnourishment.
- High level of salt: Food that contains more salt is certainly notorious for being bad cats. Cats or any other pet generally do not require salt in the regular diet or dietary supplements. Eating such foodstuff can certainly increase hypertension and cardiac problems in the feline. And if the feline is eating too much such salty food, it may lead to salt intoxication, which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. This may show symptoms such as vomiting, excess and continuous salivation, seizures, etc. Remember, too much salt can make the feline dehydrated, and the dehydration may cause severe health issues. Another problem of high intake of salts in male cats is the crystal formation in the bladder which may result in blockage in the bladder, which can also stop them from urinating, a painful and lethal condition if not given treatment immediately.
- Allergens: Some types of cats are too sensitive to develop an allergic reaction if they consume any allergens present in the cracker though it would be in a small amount. The negative reaction in cats is skin problems and an upset stomach, and if the case is severe, then impaired breathing can also be observed.
From the points mentioned above, we can assume that crackers are not for cats. Though feeding them two to five chunks may not cause harmful effects, feeding them in a huge amount is not recommended.
Summary
On the whole, Ritz crackers are not at all cat’s gut-friendly human food to be fed. Although it contains some healthy bases, the cons certainly overpower the probable pros.
Contrary to humans, felines are obligate carnivores as they prosper on meat-based food items. Sometimes, human foods like veggies, fruits, or eggs can be given to them, which may also prove beneficial for their health, but crackers are not beneficial to them and are not even part of their healthy diet.
Regardless, a chunk of crackers is not so bad for their health, but the more amount may certainly lead to major health issues for your feline friend.