As a pet parent, you want to share everything with your feline pal. You might wonder if it’s okay to feed your pet the tortillas you enjoy since they stare at you intently whenever you eat them. Cats can safely take a bite of a tortilla since it’s not toxic, but it doesn’t benefit them or provide essential nutrients. It’s best to refrain from giving these flatbreads to your cat because they are high in salt and other ingredients that your cat doesn’t need to eat.
Can Cats Eat Tortillas?
Cats are obligate carnivores; they rely on nutrients found in animal tissues to meet their specific requirements and have little need for carbohydrates in their diet. Tortillas are flatbreads made from either masa (cornmeal) or wheat flour, which provide no nutritional value to cats.
You shouldn’t feed your cat corn or flour tortillas, but cats are stubborn and don’t always act in their best interest. So, should you be worried if your cat eats a tortilla?
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Are Tortillas Dangerous for Cats?
The good news is that a small portion of the tortilla will not hurt your cat, assuming they aren’t allergic to any ingredients. So if they eat a piece while you’re not looking, they should be fine although they may suffer from some digestive upset. Cats who are overweight, those with preexisting health issues or on a special diet would be best to avoid them entirely.
Healthy cats should also not eat them regularly. As well as having no nutritional value for your feline, tortillas are also often high in sodium. Cats should be on a high quality diet high in animal protein to meet their nutritional needs.
Are Tortilla Chips Safe for Cats?
Tortilla Chips also aren’t toxic to cats, but you should still avoid giving them to your cat for the same reason you shouldn’t feed them tortillas. Tortilla chips are high in salt and fat, which are not suitable additions to your cat’s diet and can lead to a few health problems if consumed regularly, or in large amounts. These include digestive issues and weight gain. On top of that, some tortilla chips are seasoned with garlic or onions, which are dangerous for cats, so it’s best just to avoid giving them to your cat.
Which Other Foods Should I Not Give My Cat?
Some pet parents know they shouldn’t give their cats grapes, alcohol, or chocolate because they are toxic. But there are some foods that cat owners may think are safe for their feline but aren’t, like garlic.
Onions and Garlic
Garlic can cause digestive issues and, even worse, hemolytic anemia caused by damage to red blood cells. Onions carry the same risks as garlic since they’re also in the allium family and should be kept far away from your feline.
Milk
Interestingly, milk should be kept away from adult cats. Cats may be known for their love of milk, but milk doesn’t love them back. Most cats become lactose intolerant as they grow up, and when they drink too much milk, they can experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Conclusion
As you can see, cats can eat small bits of tortillas, but they aren’t a good source of nutrition for them. Many tortillas are high in fat and salt which can lead to health issues for your feline if consumed frequently or in large amounts. All things considered, it’s best to avoid giving these treats to your cat and stick to meat based treats formulated especially for cats.
If your pet gets into your tortillas, they should be fine since they’re not toxic. On the other hand, if your cat consumes a large portion and displays troubling signs, take them to the veterinarian for an examination.
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Featured Image Credit: Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock
