Cats can eat cheese puffs and a lot of them will, but it’s not good for their health and you can be sure your vet would advise against it. The best advice is to keep the human foods to yourself and cat treats for your cats.
Are Cheese Puffs Bad for Cats?
I’m not trying to put you off eating cheese puffs, I certainly think they’re tasty and eat them myself from time to time.
I think you’ll agree that they’re not exactly a healthy snack though, and for cats, they’re even worse.
Cats are obligate carnivores and require a diet rich in animal proteins and other nutrients that they can only get from needs and formulated cat foods.
The exact recipe will vary slightly from brand to brand, but cheese puffs are basically made by heating corn dough and then coating them with cheese-flavored chemicals.
They contain sugar, which is very bad for cats, along with preservatives, additives, E numbers, and other chemicals that are also not good for cats.
The bottom line is that cheese puffs are not good for cats. There are plenty of kitty treats that are specially formulated to help meet a cat’s complex nutritional requirements, you should always stick to those!
You don’t have to be too concerned about a little nibble here and there, but it’s better to avoid letting your cat get a taste for things like cheese puffs in the first place.
Can Cats Eat Cheeto Puffs?
If you’re a Cheeto Puff fan, it’s probably going to come as no surprise to you but they’re equally as bad for cats as cheese puffs.
Cheeto Puffs are very similar to cheese puffs. They have some different varieties, like their crunchy’s, but they’re essentially the same thing in terms of nutrition.
Related – Here’s what you need to know about feeding cats pretzels and Goldfish crackers.
Can Cats Eat Cheese Balls?
Cheese balls are also very similar to cheese puffs from a nutritional standpoint. So the same applies, they are not good for kitties!
I had a cat that used to love playing with cheese balls on the floor. So, if they have anything going for them, their round shape will make for a good toy.
I’m not sure how we found this out, I wouldn’t have deliberately thrown a cheese ball on the floor to find out!
What Snacks Can I Give My Cat?
If you want to share human foods with your cat, there are plenty of foods that are safe for them to eat.
You do always have to keep feeding human foods to an occasional treat though, as they need the nutrients in formulated cat foods.
Some foods I bet your cat would be more than happy to nibble on includes:
- Fish (Read more about tuna and salmon skin here.)
- Meat
- Whole grains
- Cooked eggs
- Some fruits and vegetables
When giving cats human foods keep in mind, the less processed the better, and without any preservatives or flavorings if possible.
Ideally, though, you should be giving your cat kitty treats that are specifically formulated for them. This is a much safer and better idea in the long run.
What Foods Are Toxic to Cats?
You have to be careful when giving cats any human food. Cats have complex dietary needs which are met by eating formulated cat food, not human foods.
Not many foods are toxic or potentially dangerous, but here are some of the most common foods that are known it’s very dangerous and should be avoided:
Garlic and Onions – On the plus side, I’ve never met a cat willing to go near either of these strong-smelling vegetables. On the bad side, both garlic and onions are highly toxic to cats.
Even in small amounts, either of these vegetables can damage a cat’s red blood cells. This can lead to anemia or worse health issues.
Grapes and Raisins – These pose a serious threat for dog and cat owners. Even ingesting a small amount of either raisins or grapes can cause kidney failure in cats, never let them come into contact with your kitty.
Raw Eggs – I’ve never known a cat to break an egg open, but if there is a chance they can eat any raw egg you should put a stop to it.
There is a small risk of bacteria like E.coli and salmonella if they find bad eggs. Eggs also contain a protein that is known to cause a vitamin deficiency.
Dairy Products – Despite what you see on TV, cats should not drink milk, eat cream, or consume any other dairy products as they are lactose intolerant.
This means they can’t digest the sugars in dairy products and will have some gastro issues like diarrhea, vomiting, a gurgling stomach, and so on.
Alcohol – Cat’s are crafty and may help themselves to any drinks left unattended, Don’t ever leave alcoholic beverages unattended though as even a small amount of alcohol is incredibly dangerous to cats.
Related – Read more about why cats shouldn’t eat candy like gummy bears or caramel.
In Summary
Sharing treats and other foods with our cats is always fun. It’s also hard to resist with some persistent cats!
But the bottom line is that cheese puffs – along with most human foods – are not good for cats and can be detrimental to their health in the long term.
The best advice is to keep cheesy snacks and other treat foods to yourself. Keep a pack of cat treats in the cupboard for when your fluffy friend has the munchies and you’ll both be happy.
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Image credits – Photo by kazuend on Unsplash
