Let’s admit it, we all love spoiling our precious feline furballs. And with the Christmas holidays being just around the corner domestic felines from all over the globe will benefit from tons of delicious holiday treats. But will they really benefit from the table scraps?
It’s easy to forget about cat food when your fluffy pal is staring at you with those pleading eyes. You eventually give into that stare and treat your kitty to bits of your holiday meal. And some of the most popular food items around Christmas are gingerbread cookies and other tasty things spiced with ginger.
But can cats eat ginger or gingerbread?
When it comes to us, human beings, ginger root is a miraculous cure for mild health disorders. Fortunately, ginger root is not among those plants and herbs which are toxic for cats.
So, Is Ginger Safe For Cats To Eat Or Not?
Yes, it is.
It’s not only perfectly safe for your furball to eat ginger, but it can also be beneficial to it. Ginger or ginger root isn’t a typical dietary supplement for cats. Nevertheless, it’s actually popular among those doctors who practice holistic veterinary medicine.
Ginger can be fed to cats in various forms. You can grate small amounts of ginger root into your pet’s food. You can also buy ginger capsules from a drug store or from a holistic vet’s office. And you can also prepare some ginger root tea for your furball. In either case, the plant can help with:
- Nausea
- Car sickness
- Indigestion
- Stomachache
Motion sickness or car sickness is typical for most cats out there. Indigestion is also common not only due to hairball built-ups, but also because cats have sensitive stomachs by default. Small amounts of ginger can help your pet fight off these problems. The tricky part is actually making your cat eat it. Because as we all know, felines can be quite finicky when it comes to their food.
How Much Ginger Can Cats Eat?
As it is with everything else in life, ginger should be consumed with moderation. Too much of it on regular basis can lead to serious gastrointestinal disorders in felines.
The safe dosage for ginger extracts depends on your pet’s breed, its weight, age and overall health condition. You must consult with a vet prior to administering ginger root or ginger extracts. Some cats won’t tolerate it at all, whereas others might actually like it. Each feline furball is unique on its own, so there is no ultimate formula on the exact dosage or on how to successfully make your pet eat it.
A few drops of unsweetened ginger root tea won’t harm your pet. The same goes for a tiny amount of grated ginger, mixed with its usual food. However, if the cat starts vomiting, acting out or showing any signs of physical pain, you should immediately call your vet’s office.
OK, But Can Cats Eat Gingerbread?
Ginger extracts are far different from gingerbread goods.
No, cat’s can’t eat them. The popular gingerbread treats associated with the holiday season should be kept out of your cat’s reach at all times.
Gingerbread goods are packed with sugar, spices, herbs and other harmful ingredients. They will mess up with your cat’s digestion, immune system and overall health. Furthermore, they’ll spoil its appetite. On top of that, giving your cat table scraps will spoil its behavior altogether.
Any types of sugar, molasses, chocolate and other sweet ingredients are toxic for felines.
Their bodies can’t break down the sugars the way our organisms can. As such, any gingerbread cookies, biscuits and other similar food items must be off-limits for your fluffy pal.
If you really want to reward your pet, stay away from foods manufactured for human consumption. Opt for cat treats if you want to treat your pet during the holiday season. They are not only tasty, but also specifically formulated to meet the feline organism’s special nutritional requirements.
How About Other Christmas Dishes With Ginger?
Apart from gingerbread cookies, the Christmas holiday meals often include crackers, gingersnaps, gingerbread cakes, ginger ale, beer, ginger spiced gravies, and so forth. Ale, beer and any other form of alcoholic beverage should be absolutely off-limits for cats. The same goes for ginger-based spices and baked foods.
Cats are carnivorous creatures. They can’t benefit from baked goods. What’s more, even if your pet really likes the way they taste, these food items can actually harm it.
Try to stick to a well-balanced feline diet, regardless of how much you want to spoil your furball. Cats have different dietary requirements than human beings. As such, feeding them with table scraps can lead to malnourishment, problematic behavior and ultimately to severe physical health-based problems.
