Is There Anything That Cats Can’t Eat? A Guide to Feline Safety
For the discerning cat parent, feeding your feline isn't just a daily task—it is an investment in their future and a commitment to their longevity. While the urge to share a treat from your plate is born from affection, it is vital to remember that your cat’s biology is fundamentally different from yours.
Cats are obligate carnivores with non-negotiable dietary rules. Their bodies are optimized for meat, meaning many foods that are safe for humans (or even dogs) can be dangerous or nutritionally empty for cats.
Here is a guide to what should never end up in your cat's bowl, and how to provide the species-appropriate nutrition they truly need.
1. The Toxic and The Dangerous
Certain human foods pose immediate health risks. When it comes to your kitchen, treating human food as a "no-go" zone is often the safest bet.
• Toxic Ingredients: You must strictly avoid specific toxic items including onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, and xylitol. These ingredients can cause severe reactions ranging from toxicity to organ failure.
• The "Flavor" Trap: Even non-toxic human leftovers are often dangerous because of how they are prepared. There should be absolutely no salt, spices, sugar, butter, oils, or sauces in your cat's diet. These additives can cause digestive upset or pancreatitis.
• Cooked Bones: Never feed cooked bones (like those from a table scrap chicken wing), as they can splinter and cause internal injury.
2. The Biological "Can't": Carbohydrates and Fillers
While toxic foods cause immediate harm, there is another category of food that cats "can't" eat if they are to thrive long-term: high-carbohydrate fillers.
Because cats are obligate carnivores, they have a very limited tolerance for carbohydrates. Yet, many traditional pet foods are packed with 30–50% carbohydrates in the form of grains, potatoes, or legumes.
• Metabolic Mismatch: These high-starch diets deviate significantly from the ancestral diet, contributing to the fact that 56% of cats in the U.S. are obese.
• The Filler Problem: Cats need high protein and fat for energy, not sugar spikes from starch. Feeding a carb-heavy diet is essentially feeding them empty calories that their bodies are not designed to process efficiently.
3. The Hydration Gap
Cats cannot thrive on a purely dry diet without careful attention to hydration. In the wild, cats obtain most of their water intake through their prey.
• Urinary Risks: Diets with low moisture can strain the kidneys and the urinary tract. High moisture content is crucial for feline wellness, helping to dilute urine and reduce the risk of crystals and stones.
• The Wet Food Advantage: This is why ZEAL New Zealand Wet Cat Food is formulated with approximately 78% moisture-it supports urinary tract and kidney health, which is a primary concern for indoor cats.
The ZEAL Solution: Safety Through Species-Appropriate Nutrition
The safest way to treat your cat is to stick to food that mirrors their biology. ZEAL eliminates the guesswork by strictly adhering to a carnivore-first philosophy.
94–96% Meat and Organs
We replace the "no-go" list with what they must have. All ZEAL cat recipes feature 94–96% premium meat and organs. This includes:
• Liver: Essential for pre-formed Vitamin A, which cats cannot synthesize on their own.
• Heart: A natural source of Taurine, an amino acid that is mandatory for heart and eye health.
Functional, Not Filler
We maintain a zero tolerance for fillers, gums, or artificial junk. Instead, we use functional superfoods that are safe and beneficial:
• Digestive Safety: Instead of grains, we use Pumpkin (at about 1% in air-dried recipes) to provide soluble fiber that aids in hairball control and stool regularity.
• Safe Oils: Instead of butter or processed fats, we use Salmon Oil and Krill, which provide EPA and DHA omega-3s for a lustrous coat and healthy skin.
• Joint Support: Every recipe includes New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel, offering natural mobility support without synthetic additives.
By choosing ZEAL, you are providing "human-grade" quality ingredients in a pet-appropriate format. You can rest easy knowing you are avoiding the toxins and fillers that harm them, while providing the precise nutrients they need to Return the unconditional love™.
