Three foods cats shouldn't eat even though they're not toxic to them

Every week, hundreds of cat owners turn to Google, asking what foods are safe for their feline friends. 

Navigating the complex world of cat nutrition can be challenging for pet owners. 

Cats have specific dietary requirements and with so many human foods potentially harmful to cats, it's no wonder owners are cautious about what they can safely share with their furry companions.

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Here are three of the common searches.

Can cats eat dog food? 

Dog food is non-toxic but shouldn't be regular food for cats. This is because cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must consume a high percentage of meat protein to get sufficient quantities of the amino acids they require from their diet. 

Dogs are omnivores and eat more variety with animals and plants. Cats require more protein than dogs, and unlike dogs and humans, cats cannot synthesize taurine within their bodies, so they rely on a meat-rich diet to supply this. 

Feeding your cat the occasional meal of dog food should not harm them, but feeding dog food on a constant basis will result in nutritional deficiencies such as a taurine deficiency which can cause blindness or an enlarged heart.

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Can cats eat broccoli? 

Broccoli is generally considered safe for cats, but only in small amounts. 

Cats are 'obligate carnivores', so they need most of their diet to be meat-based. Broccoli contains some useful vitamins and fibre, but it can also be hard to digest and cause gas or diarrhoea, so it is not something a cat needs to eat. 

If you want to give it as a small treat, it should be steamed or boiled, served plain, and given no more than once or twice a week. Feed very small amounts to avoid tummy upsets.

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Is pineapple safe for cats? 

Raw pineapple is not considered dangerous for cats in small amounts, but it's not really good for them either. 

While cats can eat some plant matter, most of their nutrition needs to come from meat and they have a high demand for protein and fats and a lower requirement for carbohydrates. 

Cats don't usually eat sugary fruits like pineapple, so while a tiny amount is okay as a treat, it should be just left at that, an occasional treat.

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