Cats are adorable pets and are considered to be the best companions for people of all age groups. Cats are very easy to maintain and are less expensive when compared to dogs. However, it is important to know the best foods for your cat which can satisfy its proteins and nutritional needs. Cats are considered to be pure carnivores. Therefore, meat is considered to be very essential for cats. Meat provides all the required proteins, nutrients, vitamins, and other amino acids which are necessary for the healthy growth of your cat. Chicken, fish, pork, beef, etc. are the different types of meat that can be included in their meals.
Cats can eat a variety of foods like eggs, brown rice, vegetables, cheese, etc. which are similar to human food items. When it comes to a plant-based vegetarian meal, cats do not get the required nutrients by consuming such food. Vegetarian meals also increase the number of carbohydrates for a cat. According to researchers, cats do not contain Amylase, a compound that helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. Therefore, cats fail to retain carbohydrates which are, in turn, converted into fat. This leads to serious problems like weight issues, obesity, heart diseases, etc.
Is sausage a healthy choice?
Sausage is a food item that also falls under the category of meats. These are produced from red meat and chemicals like salts and nitrates are added as preservatives to this meat. There are a wide variety of sausages available all over the world and these are consumed by millions of humans and animals.
In addition to the preservatives, sausages also contain a compound called Haems. This compound is responsible for inflammation and irritation in the bowel. As salt is added as a preservative, a high intake of this mineral can cause digestive problems. As cats metabolize food at a slower rate than humans, including sausages in their meals can cause a variety of problems in your cat’s well-being.
Generally, sausages are rich in saturated fats and are high in calories. When it comes to cats, they are true meat lovers. They enjoy consuming all kinds of meat, including sausages. In fact, raw sausage contains a bacteria called Salmonella. It is important to cook the sausage thoroughly to destroy bacteria.
There is no harm in giving small treats of sausage to your cats. In the case of kittens, they are considered to be more prone to different diseases when compared to adult cats as they are tiny and their immune system is just beginning to develop. Therefore, it is recommended to feed them with little to no cooked sausage in small amounts. It is important to figure out healthy alternatives which would include all the essential nutritional benefits for the healthy growth of your cat.
Problems with uncooked sausage:
Raw or uncooked sausage is definitely an unhealthy and harmful meal option for your cat. This is because of the Salmonella bacteria which is present in large amounts. An intake of raw, uncooked sausage can cause Salmonella poisoning for both cats and humans. However, the effect is not so severe in cats than humans, but they can suffer from a variety of sicknesses like vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, stomach pain, fever, etc. These problems might not cause serious health issues but can be life-threatening as the infection can spread to different parts of the body, leading to pneumonia, meningitis, and many other serious health issues. Therefore, it is always recommended to cook the sausage properly to destroy the bacteria and make it safe to consume for your cat.
Problems Associated with Sausage Consumption:
Sausage is a good source of all the necessary proteins and vitamins essential for growth. On the other hand, it also consists of chemicals and compounds which might deteriorate the health of your cat. Before starting a new meal for your cat, it is important to take small quantities of the food item to figure out whether the particular food is suitable for your cat.
As mentioned, there are a variety of sausages available all over the world. The type of sausage which might be suitable for your cat highly depends upon the ingredients contained in it. Sausages with high sodium content are not suitable for cats and should be strictly avoided.
Other harmful ingredients include onion and garlic. In addition to these two ingredients, the spices which are used in cooking the sausage can also be harmful to cats as these ingredients are toxic and can cause health issues like gastric problems, constipation, indigestion, stomach upset, diarrhea, etc.
If cats consume large quantities of sausage, saturated fats and calories are directly converted into fat, which might affect the smooth functioning of their organs leading to weight gain, obesity, heart issues, etc.
An Alternative Solution:
The essentials and harms of choosing sausage for your cat have been highlighted. Therefore, it is recommended to feed cats with sausage in small quantities and not to give them a large treat at one point in time. If you do not want to compromise on your cat’s health, but your cat is a true lover of sausages, there is sausage flavored cat food available which is clinically tested and proven to be safe for the consumption of cats.
Processed meats like sausages should not be included in the daily meals of cats. Recognized brands do manufacture cat foods that contain all the essential proteins, minerals, and amino acids with no added chemical preservatives like sodium, nitrate, and salt. Tiny pieces of sausages on a seldom basis are completely safe for cats.
Cats do require a balanced diet of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Including processed meat in their regular meat can weaken the immune system of cats due to the various diseases which might occur as a result of its consumption. Flavored Cat foods are available in both solid and liquid forms to bring in all the essentials in your cat’s body so that it can lead a long, happy, and healthy life.