The smell of roast turkey means most cats will be circling the kitchen on Christmas Day. But even though it might be tempting to save them a bowl of turkey, gravy and pigs in blankets, it’s important to know which seasonal foods cats can eat safely.
Read on to find out how to safely provide Christmas dinner for cats – and which festive foods are out of bounds.
Not in the same way as we do. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their digestive systems are designed for a diet made up of mostly meat.
A complete, balanced cat food should always be the main part of their diet. But if you want your cat to join the festivities, the best option is to make a simple Christmas dinner or some homemade treats using cat-friendly ingredients.
For a quick Christmas dinner for cats, shred a small amount of plain cooked turkey. Just be sure to remove any fatty skin and carefully check for small bones before feeding. You can feed this to your cat on its own, or mix it with their usual wet or dry food.
Even if you have lots of leftover turkey, don’t feed your cat too much at once. Stick to small portions and watch out for any signs of digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhoea. If your cat is on a prescription diet or has any existing health conditions, it’s best to check with your vet before introducing new foods.
Another option is to make some homemade festive treats for your cat, using ingredients like turkey or chicken plus small amounts of catnip, eggs, vegetables and oat flour. Alternatively, check your local pet store to see if they stock any Christmas dinner cat food.
In addition to a small Christmas dinner, it can also be fun to make your cat a Christmas stocking full of toys and treats, and include them in the festivities in this way.
During the festive season, there will likely be more food and drink around your house than normal. Make sure you know which of these are safe – and which are poisonous to cats.
Be especially mindful of:
If you’re concerned your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t have, speak to your vet straight away. If you have cat insurance with Petplan, you can always use our Pet Expert Chat feature to ask for nutrition advice – just log in to your My Petplan account and head to the MySupport area.
Use these tips to keep your cat safe at Christmas.
If family and friends are visiting over Christmas, make sure they know not to feed your cat.
Instead, suggest visitors spend some time cuddling or playing with your cat. Some cats can find it stressful to have extra visitors and noise in their home, so make sure they have somewhere quiet and safe to retreat to. Remind visitors to let your cat approach them, rather than seeking your cat out.
Don’t give your cat any fatty leftovers like turkey skin or pigs in blankets. These can be difficult for your cat to digest and may contain too much salt.
Avoid giving your cat any other leftovers, too, including potatoes, stuffing or vegetables – especially if they contain butter, salt, garlic and other seasonings. It’s always a good idea to keep plates, leftovers and drinks out of reach.
We might indulge over Christmas, but it’s best to keep your cat’s diet as normal as possible. Too many rich or unfamiliar foods can cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you’re giving your cat a small Christmas dinner or some homemade treats, remember to reduce their regular food to account for the extra calories.
Christmas decorations make your house feel festive – but it’s a good idea to keep these safety tips in mind.
Cats can eat small amounts of plain, cooked turkey. Avoid gravy, pigs in blankets, stuffing, turkey skin and anything containing onions, garlic, chocolate, alcohol, raisins and sultanas.
You can make a simple, homemade Christmas dinner cat food using plain cooked turkey mixed in with your cat’s usual wet or dry food.
Cats shouldn’t eat everything we eat at Christmas dinner, because many ingredients can cause digestive issues. Instead, give them a small amount of shredded plain cooked turkey, with the skin and bones removed.
No, cats shouldn’t eat gravy as it often contains onion, garlic and high levels of fat.
Yes, cats can eat a small amount of plain, cooked turkey. But before feeding, remove the skin and bones. Don’t feed your cat turkey that’s been seasoned or covered in gravy. If your cat is on a prescription diet or has health issues, check with your vet first.
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