Pancakes are just indispensable for a delicious breakfast. From small kids to seniors, everybody loves them. But cats love them, too! Can cats eat pancakes?
If you want to test if a food that includes animal products is indispensable or not, check if there is a common vegan recipe of it. Pancakes are so great that people are having a hard time letting it go, instead they make it the way they can eat it. Do you think there is a way for cats? Can cats eat pancakes?
Can Cats Eat Pancakes?
The short answer is cats can eat pancakes but in moderation. The answer to the common question: “are pancakes toxic to cats” is a no, pancakes themselves are not toxic to cats and a little bit of pancake won’t hurt your kitty. This being said, the more your cat eats pancakes, the more the health risks increase.
Toxicity is not the only thing you should worry about when feeding human foods to your kitty. So, what other things you need to be careful about?
Cats vs. Dairy Products
Now that we now the answer to can cats eat pancakes, let’s check the potential hazards. Two common ingredients in pancakes are milk and butter which are not really friends of your kitty’s digestive system.
Cats in general love milk and dairy products, but this doesn’t mean they are good for cats. On the contrary dairy products include lactose and almost all cats are lactose intolerant after they are weaned from their mothers.
Lactose intolerance means that feline digestive system can’t handle the lactose, and as a result, cats have stomach aches and get diarrhea. Although a small amount of pancakes is unlikely to cause digestive issues, all cats are different and sometimes even a few licks of milk can cause diarrhea.
Since you don’t want you little friend to suffer from a tummy ache, it is best not to risk it at all. But if the little troublemaker grabs a bite or two from your pancake when you are not looking, don’t panic. Just observe your kitty for a few hours to see if everything is alright. If not, call your veterinarian and ask what to do.
The Real Danger: Toppings!
Most of the common toppings we use on pancakes are toxic to cats. Chocolate, raisins, grapes and onions are just a few really toxic foods that you should definitely keep away from your cat. Especially chocolate can even be fatal if your cat eats a lot of it.
Another very common topping we like using on pancakes is pancake syrup or maple syrup. First of all, you should know that cats lack the taste buds to know what sweetness is. They just can’t taste sweet foods. Second, pancake syrup has lots of calories. More than an average cat needs on a daily basis.
The syrup can lead to feline diabetes and obesity if consumed regularly. Both feline diabetes and obesity are really the long-term enemies if you are living with a cat. Obesity is the cause of many other diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Under no circumstances feed sugary foods to cats.
Do Cats Benefit From Pancakes?
Since cats are obligate carnivores, they need animal protein. You may think that the dairy products and eggs in pancakes can benefit cats but their nutritional benefits to cats are little to none. Considering the extra calories and the risks involved with consuming dairy products, this very little benefit (if there is any) is just not worth it.
So, let’s ask again after all the information above. Can cats eat pancakes? Yes, in moderation, but what is the point?
Can cats eat vegan pancakes?
Cats are obligate carnivores, and they need animal protein to survive. Vegan pancakes have nothing in them that can benefit cats. Vegan pancakes are just empty calories for kitties therefore it is illogical to feed it to cats.
If you must feed vegan pancakes to a cat, you can give it in moderation occasionally. But never make it a regular part of a cat’s diet.
Can cats have pancakes?
Pancakes are not toxic to cats, but they are not beneficial either. So, if your cat really wants to grab a bite, just give it in moderation. Too much pancake can cause digestive issues. You have better snack options for your kitty such as cucumbers or blackberries.
My cat ate too many pancakes. What should I do?
You should observe your cat for diarrhea, vomiting or other digestive issues and call your regular veterinarian and act in accordance with the veterinarian’s directives. If there were any toppings on the pancakes, make sure you tell all of them to the veterinarian.
