Our cats are curious animals. And as such, especially when they also have gluttony, it is not unusual for them to come and check what we eat, to see if, who knows, they might like it too. Not all foods suitable for us are congenial to their digestive system as well, and some can even be very dangerous. For example, homogenised food can be harmful to cats; and GcomeGatto explains why.
Before we proceed, knowing full well that homogenized food is a delicacy for many cats, we want to reassure readers who are already worried about the welfare of their cat: it is a potentially harmful food if administered in large quantities and regularly, but occasional tastings usually do not cause serious health problems.
Having clarified this detail, it is important to remember that baby foods are designed specifically for children and therefore calibrated for their organism. Which is very different from that of a cat. An infant, for example, has liver enzymes that are absent in the cat, and needs minerals that our felines can easily do without.
Salt and onion: good for the baby, a little less so for Kitty.
Homogenizers often contain traces of onion, as well as being supplemented with salt. Two elements, these, which if they enter the cats’ bodies permanently damage their red blood cells and can cause the development of intestinal irritation or even anemia severe enough to be fatal.
Avocado, a real poison
Another element present in homogenized products is the avocado, a tropical fruit now much loved by the Italian people. Be careful, however, to let Pussycat approach your tongue: the avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that can be a real poison for our kittens.
Speaking of vegetables, many homogenized products contain raisins, sultanas, macadamia nut, chocolate, coffee, all elements that are better not to enter the stomach of the cat.
A taurine problem
One of the reasons why the homogeniser can be harmful to cats is the absence of taurine. Taurine, for those who are not aware of it, is an element obtained from meat which is fundamental for the wellbeing of the cat. Without enough taurine, a cat loses its hair, finds its teeth damaged and can suffer from cardiovascular and reproductive system problems.
This is why feeding too much baby food is not recommended for cats. In this sense, baby food can be harmful to cats.
However, it remains an option to use them occasionally if there is a need to stimulate the appetite of a sick kitten, or if there are chewing problems.