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Who can’t relate to a feline that can’t get enough carbs? It’s incredibly relatable, and interestingly enough, the reasons some cats crave bread so much are the same reasons some of us do too!
But why can’t some cats seem to get enough bread while others could take it or leave it? There are a few possible explanations that we’ll break down for you here. We’ll also give you some quick tips about whether your cat should have bread in the first place, as well as give you some more great treat ideas!
The 5 Reasons Why Cats Love Bread
1. They Like the Taste
Do you want to eat something that doesn’t taste good? Neither does your cat. We all know fresh bread tastes excellent, and it turns out that quite a few kitties agree with us. So, if you have a feline friend that simply goes nuts for some bread, there’s a good chance they just like the taste of it.
Some owners claim this is because cats love the taste of yeast, but the truth is that no scientific research backs up these claims. They might be right, but in the end, does it really matter if your cat likes the way it tastes?
2. The Like the Texture
Just how we like and dislike foods depends on how they feel, it’s the same thing with your cat. If your cat prefers a certain type of bread over another, the texture likely plays a significant role. Some bread is hard and crunchy, others are soft and buttery.
If we have our favorites, your cat probably will too. If it’s a texture thing, there’s a good chance your cat will prefer to go after one type of bread compared to another.
3. The Sound Is Interesting
Cats are curious creatures, and food that has a distinctive crunch gives them something else to ponder while they’re snacking away. It could be why your cat seeks out bread to eat, but not every piece of bread even has a signature crunch.
But if you find that your cat only goes after crunchy bread, there’s a good chance this is the reason why.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
While bread isn’t full of nutrients your cat needs, if your cat is lacking in something that bread has, this might be why they’re constantly going after it. If you’re feeding your cat a high-quality diet, this likely isn’t the reason, but if you just picked up a stray cat or kitten, this could be why.
If this is the case, there’s a good chance they’ll become less bread crazy as they start to get the nutrients they need from their regular diet.
5. It’s in Reach
Cats are extremely opportunistic, and often, bread is just sitting on the counter. A thin plastic bag doesn’t mean much to a cat, and they’ll happily work their way through that to get to the bread.
Bread is simply one of the easiest things for cats to get to. It might not be that your cat loves bread, but it could be that they love food and bread is simply the easiest food for them to reach.
Should Cats Eat Bread?
While a little bit of bread isn’t terrible for your cat, it’s not good for them either. Just be careful when feeding your cat bread not to give them too much and to only give them plain bread. Bread baked with garlic, chocolate, fruits, or other ingredients could potentially be toxic for cats.
No matter what you do, only feed them bread in moderation, and it really shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily diet. This means a few pinches of bread throughout the week is more than enough for most cats!
Top 4 Treat Options for Cats
If you’re not looking to feed your cat bread, or you’re just looking to mix things up a bit, there are plenty of treat options out there that your cat should love. We’ve highlighted four of our favorites for you to consider here:
1. Catnip
Cats love catnip. It’s a drug to them and it activates the “happy” receptors in their brain. Catnip will mellow out your cat for short amounts of time, and they’ll often roll around and zone out. Cats go bonkers for the stuff, and there’s nothing wrong with feeding it to your cat!
2. Chicken
Chicken is a staple in many cat foods, and there’s a good reason for it. But just because they’re getting chicken in their regular food doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate a bit of fresh chicken. Avoid any seasonings when cooking it and allow it to cool down a bit before feeding it to your cat.
3. Salmon
Cats and fish just go together, and one of their favorite ocean treats is salmon. When cooking salmon, avoid any flavorings, as these aren’t good for your cat. Even though salmon is great for them, we still recommend feeding in moderation so they can get the rest of the nutrients they need from their regular food.
4. Egg
You’ll want to cook the egg before feeding it to your cat, but like other human foods, avoid adding any additional flavorings or seasonings like salt or butter. Don’t give them too many eggs, but a single egg every once in a while is a great way to treat your cat without spoiling their appetite.
Conclusion
Some cats simply love their carbs, and there’s nothing wrong with that! You can’t let them chow down on bread whenever they want, but there’s nothing wrong with giving them a little bit of fresh bread from time to time.
They’ll love the taste, and they’ll love you for giving it to them. Just ensure you keep the rest of the bread well out of reach or you might find a feline raider taking it when you don’t want them to!
Featured Image Credit: bellena, Shutterstock
