If you’re enjoying your delicious salty fries along with ketchup, you might think of sharing a few of them with your cat. But is it is okay for cats to eat fries? The short answer is no, cats should not eat fries!
Fries are very unhealthy for cats and have no real nutritional value. Eating fries frequently can lead to severe health consequences in felines. Some cats should never eat any fries because they can get sick. You must always speak to your vet before sharing fries with felines.
Why are fries bad for cats?
The typical ingredients in fries aren’t toxic for cats if ingested in small amounts. However, that doesn’t mean fries are good for cats, either. In fact, too many fries can cause serious health issues in cats.
- Potato: The main ingredient in fries is potatoes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates that are not easy for cats’ digestive systems to process. Some cats are allergic to potatoes and absolutely can’t eat them at all. They immediately throw up or have diarrhea after even one fry.
- Oil: The oil used in fries is not healthy for cats. Oil gives fries a lot of trans and saturated fats and can cause digestive upset. Excessive fat consumption can also lead to some life-threatening conditions in cats.
- Salt: One of the most common ingredient in fries is salt. Your little feline companion can easily be poisoned by the sodium content in fries. It would probably take quite a few fries with a lot of salt on them for your kitty to suffer from salt poisoning. Too much sodium or salt can lead to dehydration, excessive thirst, and kidney disease. It might also cause your cat to go to the litter box every few minutes.
If you must feed your cat fries, you are best off feeding them plain and unsalted fries. Even then, they have no nutritious value and aren’t a healthy treat. Keep in mind that fries’ favorite companion, ketchup, is one of the most toxic foods for cats. Most ketchup contains garlic and onion powder along with high sodium and acidic content. Well, this makes a perfect storm of potential hazards to your feline’s health.
Can a cat eat one French Fry?
While I don’t recommend feeding your cat a French Fry, they will most likely be fine if they just eat one. However, there is a chance that your cat is allergic to French Fries or their stomach might be very sensitive to it.
What should I do if my cat eats fries?
If your cat manages to eat some fries, make sure the kitty has access to plenty of water. Keep an eye on them for any unusual symptoms. If your cat is having symptoms that concern you, call your vet right away.
Below are a few of the less serious side effects that you might see in your cat if they eat fries. If these symptoms become severe or persist for more than twelve hours, you should talk to your vet:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Upset stomach
- Smelly cat poop
- Excessive thirst or dehydration
- Changes in urination
- Cat pooping in the house all of a sudden
Some cats may suffer more severe side effects. If you see the following symptoms, you must contact your vet immediately. Your cat might be experiencing a life-threatening condition:
- Severe allergic reaction: If your cat shows signs of hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
- Salt poisoning: Symptoms include confusion, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or coma. Kittens that eat a lot of salty fries are most at risk.
- Bloat: The high fat in fries can cause some cats’ stomachs to twist in and fill with gas. Symptoms include swollen stomach, panting, and signs of pain. Cats may look like they are trying to vomit, but unable to do so.
Are raw potatoes toxic to cats?
Feeding raw potatoes can be toxic or even fatal to cats. Raw potatoes contain glycoalkaloid solanine, a toxic chemical that cats should never ingest. Also, avoid feeding raw potato peels to felines for the same reason. Raw potatoes can even be a choking hazard for little felines.
Final thoughts
Next time you’re tempted to toss your cat a fry, consider giving something a little safer to snack on instead.
Always talk to your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat. Even healthy foods can become unhealthy if given in the wrong amounts. Your vet can give you advice on appropriate serving sizes for cats.
Has your cat ever eaten some fries? What healthy foods do you share with your cat instead? Let us know in the comments below!
