Is It Actually Safe for Humans to Eat Cat Food?
It’s not uncommon to wonder if cat food is safe for humans to eat. Maybe you’re curious what cat food tastes like, or you think it could be a source of protein in a pinch. However, there are important risks to consider before taking a bite of your feline friend’s kibble.
Nutritional Content
Cat kibble is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for cats, whereas human food often lacks essential nutrients cats need. Dry cat food typically contains 25-45% protein, 15-35% fat, and 25-50% carbohydrates, with precise amounts varying by brand and formula.1 In contrast, common human foods like bread, rice, and potatoes are high in carbs but low in protein and fat. Meat contains more protein and fat, but not the full amino acid and vitamin profile cats require.
The high protein levels in cat food support muscle growth and maintenance, while the fat provides concentrated energy. Carbs also supply energy but are not an essential nutrient for cats. Too many carbs from human foods can lead to obesity and diabetes in cats. Overall, human food is unlikely to have the nutrient balance cats need, even if the calories seem similar.
When it comes to wet cat food, the moisture content is higher compared to dry, but it typically has a similar distribution of protein, fat, and carbs. Canned food ranges from 40-60% moisture, 6-14% protein, 2-12% fat, 2-8% fiber, and 20-35% carbs.2 This shows commercial cat food is nutritionally optimized for felines, while human food does not provide complete nutrition.
Ingredients
Cat kibble contains a variety of ingredients that provide nutritional value. The main ingredients are meat, grains, and added vitamins and minerals.
Meat is the primary source of protein in cat food. High-quality protein ingredients include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish. Meat meals, like chicken meal or turkey meal, are concentrated sources of meat protein that have had most of the moisture removed. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet high in animal-based proteins.1
Grains like corn, wheat, rice, and oats are commonly used as carbohydrate sources in kibble. They provide calories for energy. Some cat foods also use starchy vegetables like potatoes or peas instead of grains. While cats don’t have an essential need for carbohydrates, they can utilize them as an energy source.2
Added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients help create a complete and balanced cat food. Important vitamins like vitamin A, B vitamins, and taurine support eye health, metabolism, heart function and more. Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium promote bone health. Antioxidants from ingredients like tomatoes and cranberries help maintain a healthy immune system.
Benefits
Dry cat kibble provides a number of benefits for cat owners and their feline companions. First, dry food is very convenient – it can be left out all day for free-feeding cats to nibble as needed. Kibble requires no refrigeration and has a long shelf life when stored properly in an airtight container (https://tikipets.com/the-benefits-of-dry-cat-food/). This makes it easy for owners to keep their cat’s food fresh and accessible at all times.
Kibble is also an affordable way to provide balanced nutrition. The ingredients are formulated to give cats complete proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in one compact nugget. This allows owners to conveniently feed their cat without having to purchase multiple foods or supplements (https://tikipets.com/the-benefits-of-dry-cat-food/). The kibble format helps clean cats’ teeth, while also satisfying their natural instinct to chew and crunch.
Overall, dry cat food offers an efficient and economical source of total and balanced nutrition for cats. Its convenience and affordability makes it a staple food item for many cat owners.
Risks
Eating cat food poses some health risks for humans that should be considered. One potential risk is choking. Many cat foods contain small, dense kibbles that could present a choking hazard if not thoroughly chewed [1]. The hard texture and small size of cat kibble makes it easy to accidentally swallow whole pieces that could become lodged in the throat.
Another risk of eating cat food is vitamin toxicity. Cat foods are formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of cats, which differ from human requirements. In particular, cat foods tend to be very high in vitamin A and vitamin D to meet feline needs. However, excessive consumption of these fat-soluble vitamins can cause vitamin toxicity in humans. Symptoms like bone pain, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting could result from regularly eating cat food over an extended period [2].
While an occasional nibble likely won’t cause harm, these risks demonstrate why cat food should not become a regular part of the human diet. Consulting with a doctor before significantly changing dietary habits is always wise.
Taste
Cat food generally has an unappealing taste to the human palate. Many describe the taste as fishy, briny, and pungent according to one cat food reviewer who sampled cat food (source). Others on Reddit have characterized the taste as bland but with a strong smell, and crunchy in texture unlike any human food (source). On Quora, another reviewer described the taste as “fishy, pungent and strong,” like cheap cat food smells (source). While cats may find the taste appealing, most humans would find cat food unpalatable due to its intense fish flavors and pungent aromas.
Digestibility
Cat food is formulated to be easily digested by cats, but can be more difficult for humans to properly digest. Cats have a shorter digestive tract than humans, so cat food is designed to be broken down more rapidly (Kane, 1981). One study found the total tract crude protein digestibility of cat food to be around 82%, while protein digestibility for humans is typically 95% or higher (Golder et al., 2020). The protein in cat food contains different ratios of amino acids compared to human nutrition requirements (Bos et al., 2023). Cats also produce the enzyme taurine aminotransferase, allowing them to synthesize the amino acid taurine, whereas humans cannot produce enough taurine and must obtain it from food sources (Kane, 1981). Overall, the ingredients, texture, and nutritional makeup of cat food make it challenging for the human digestive system to fully break down and absorb the nutrients.
Alternatives
While cat food may seem like an easy snack option, there are many other convenient and affordable foods that are actually made for human consumption. Healthy snacks don’t have to be expensive, and many can be purchased or prepared in bulk for efficiency.
Fresh fruits and vegetables make for simple, nutritious snacks. Produce like apples, carrots, celery and berries can be prepped ahead in batches and grabbed on-the-go. Canned or frozen options like peas, edamame and bananas also keep well. Smoothies, lettuce wraps and yogurt are satisfying snacks that can be made cheaply in big portions.
Whole grain crackers, rice cakes and air-popped popcorn offer crunch. Natural nut butters and hummus can be paired with fruits or veggies for protein. Hard-boiled eggs are a handy high-protein choice. Baked kale or veggie chips can stand in for greasy potato chips. Oatmeal, cereal bars and homemade granola are wholesome morning snacks.
With some easy prep and creative thinking, many wallet and health-friendly human snack foods are readily available.
Expert Opinions
According to Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian specializing in nutrition, “Cat food should not be considered as an option for human consumption. While it won’t kill a human, we lack long-term studies to prove it is safe for lifetime consumption.”
Veterinary nutritionist Cailin Heinze states, “Cat food is not formulated to meet human nutritional needs. There are risks associated with long-term consumption for people.” She advises speaking with a doctor before trying cat food.
Nutritionist Lisa Freeman warns, “Cat foods have much higher protein levels than humans require. This can put stress on human kidneys over time.” She strongly advises against humans routinely eating cat food.
“Though cat food won’t immediately make a person sick, I would not recommend eating it regularly,” says Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian specializing in feline health. “The long-term effects have not been studied in humans.”
Conclusion
To recap, while cat food may seem like an easy snack for humans, it does come with some risks. Cat food is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats, which differ from human needs in a few key ways.
The main nutrients in cat food – protein, fats, carbohydrates – can be safe for humans when consumed occasionally in small amounts. However, the vitamin and mineral content may be excessive or insufficient for human needs. There are also concerns about bacteria and parasites being transmitted from raw meat diets.
In terms of taste and digestibility, cat food is often reported as unpalatable for humans. The high protein and fat can also lead to gastrointestinal upset when consumed in large quantities.
While not recommended as a regular part of the human diet, the occasional bite of cat food is unlikely to cause harm. For those seeking an alternative snack, there are better options available that are designed for human nutrition.
When in doubt, consult your physician about any dietary concerns. For optimal health, humans should stick to food and treats made for people.
