Last updated on February 6th, 2023 at 03:39 am
Can cats eat french fries? We all know that French fries aren’t the healthiest option, but they’re tasty. Most cats enjoy investigating what we’re eating, and we may occasionally offer them a piece of food that we know is safe for them to eat.
Because French fries appear to be appetizing, it’s tempting to share this wonderful food with your cat because if we enjoy them, cats might as well. But are French fries healthy to eat for cats? The good news is that there’s no need to panic if your cat has previously eaten a French fry. While French fries are not good for cats, they are not harmful in little doses. However, giving your cat French fries should not be a regular or even semi-regular activity.
French fries are not hazardous, but in big quantities, they can be dangerous to your cat. While feeding French fries to your cat is not suggested, if they do steal one every now and then, they are not in immediate danger. Let’s look at the reasons why cats should avoid this deep-fried delicacy.
Nutritional Statistics of French Fries
See below for a breakdown of what goes into making one French fry (approximately 10 grams).
| Calories (kcal) | 20 |
| Protein (g) | 0.2 |
| Fat (g) | 1.3 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 1.9 |
| Fiber (g) | 0.2 |
| Sugar (g) | 0.1 |
| Sodium (mg) | 21 |
| Calcium (mg) | 1.8 |
| Phosphorous (mg) | 12.9 |
| Potassium (mg) | 57.9 |
The amount of protein in French fries is not very high, even though they are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Due to the fact that they are made from potatoes, they have a lot of starchy carbs instead of sugar.
Cooking and adding seasonings can often increase the amount of fat and salt in food. It’s important to remember that French fries with the potato skins still on them are healthier because the potato skins have more fiber, potassium, and vitamin B. Potatoes are a great source of many vitamins, like B6, C, and K, as well as antioxidants like carotenoids and anthocyanins. But of course, these nutritional benefits of potato does not work the same for our cats.
Are French Fries Toxic to Cats?
The answer depends on whether or not the French fries have been fried and cooked. Potatoes, salt or other seasonings, and oil are the typical ingredients that go into making French fries. When they are made in restaurants, they can have as many as 19 different ingredients, not all of which are appropriate for your cat to consume.
To begin, one serving of French fries has a significant amount of both calories and carbohydrates. Especially if you are already making an effort to keep an eye on your cat’s weight, your feline friend does not require any additional items of this kind. Because they are carnivores, cats must get the protein they need from eating other animals. If they consume fried potatoes, the only thing they are receiving out of the potatoes is empty calories and fat.
Second, never give your cat raw potato or uncooked French fries because they could be dangerous to them. Of course, French fries are meant to be fried, but before you fry your French fries, it comes in packaging. Inside the packaging are considered uncooked French fries. Your cat should not ingest any raw potato, including potato skins, potato flesh, or even the potato plant itself. In most cases, you will only need to be concerned about this when you prepare French fries at home. If you have raw potatoes lying around and your cat has a habit of stealing food off the counter, you should be aware of the potential danger that this behavior.
Potatoes that have not been cooked contain harmful alkaloids, one of which is called solanine, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset, cardiac problems, and brain disorders. This is especially the case if your cat consumes a portion of the potato that is green, indicating that it has been illuminated by the sun.
Also read: 10 Plants That Are Dangerous To Cats
Signs the alkaloids in raw potatoes are affecting your cat:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing or gagging
- Lethargy
- Difficulty walking
- Different sized pupils
- Muscle tremors
- Convulsions
- Stiffness of limbs
- Seizures
When you buy frozen French fries at the store to prepare at home, they are often cooked rapidly before being packaged; therefore, it is not an emergency if your cat gets a hold of one of these fries. In the event that your cat does consume a raw potato, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Why Are French Fries Harmful to Cats?
Humans are omnivores who eat a wide variety of meat, fish, and vegetables. If we chose to go vegan, we can get the protein and fat we need from plants. Cats are not the same. Cats do not really need carbohydrates since it is not an essential part of their diet. However, slap a plate of fries on the counter, and you might have their attention.
We’re sure you, like us, have occasional cravings for crispy, greasy, salty fries. While it is not advisable to include them in your daily diet, we can do so on occasion without harming our health. Cats are not the same. Changes in their diet, such as giving them fries, might result in digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
So, what exactly are the elements in fries that cause your cat’s stomach to turn?
Skins of potatoes
We’re not sure about you, but we like to leave the skins on our fries for added crunch and mouthfeel. The skin is beneficial to you, but not to your cat. It’s high in sodium.
Salt
Sodium is a major issue for cats, as it disrupts their natural mineral balance. Excess sodium in their diet results in high blood pressure, hypertension, and heart issues, much as it does in people. Your cat, on the other hand, has a lower body weight, and a deadly dose of sodium for your feline buddy is only 4 grams. In fact, your cat should take no more than 10.6mg/kg body weight of salt every day. To put this in context, 100g of fast-food french fries typically contain 210mg of salt. Obviously, your cat will not consume 100g of fries, but even one or two fries can bring them near their suggested daily limit!
Carbs
Cats just do not require carbohydrates. Their digestive systems are not entirely able to handle carbohydrates. Cats are given a combination of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates and frequently have undigested carbs in their digestive system. This is then partially fermented by the bacteria in the cat’s gut biome, resulting in unpleasant gas and diarrhea as a result of the undigested fermented carbs in their system.
Fats and oils
Cats require fat in their diet, but only around 10% of their overall macronutrient consumption. A plate of greasy fries increases the fat level, resulting in a runny tummy and vomiting. Your cat requires healthy Omega 6 and 9 essential fatty acids in their diet, and they acquire the majority of them from the meat and fish they consume. Fries’ harmful fats induce digestion issues and weight gain in your cat.
Ketchup
On a sunny day, a freshly produced cup of tomato sauce on a wooden cutting board surrounded by tomatoes. We also like to top our fries with tomato sauce and mayonnaise. Condiments are delicious with fries, but they are not beneficial for your cat. Onion and garlic powder are commonly used in ketchup recipes. Even in little amounts, these are harmful to your cat. They cause a specific type of anemia in your cat, which manifests as lethargy, shortness of breath, and fever and quickly leads to death. Ketchup, in addition to onion and garlic, contains sugar, salt, and other chemical preservatives. We’ve already explained why cats don’t need carbs (sugars) and should avoid salts, so ketchup is a no-go.
What Happens if My Cats Eat French Fries?
The high-fat content of French fries may cause your cat to suffer from pancreatitis. This is a condition in which the pancreas gland becomes inflamed, resulting in decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
Rich or fatty foods have been related to pancreatitis, so these should be avoided. Even if your cat does not get pancreatitis as a result of eating French fries, the fat may irritate its digestive tract and cause an upset stomach.
So what if your cat constantly pinches French fries and they appear to be fine? Even if your cat avoids stomach problems by eating French fries, the high calorie, fat, and carbohydrate content means it’ll gain weight. Obesity can lead to health concerns such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as making stiff joints more uncomfortable.
If taken in significant quantities, the high salt content of French fries may induce salt poisoning. Excessive salt levels, on the other hand, can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Aside from salt, additional flavors, garnishes, and sauces such as crispy onions or onion powder, ketchup, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce may induce digestive distress or even poison your cat.
Although it is rare that underripe potatoes would be unintentionally used for French fries, it is crucial to note that green or unripe potatoes contain solanine, which is harmful to cats. Raw potatoes might potentially pose a choking hazard to your pet. If you suspect anything bad, take your cat to a vet for further advice.
How Many Fries Can a Cat Eat?
With their high sodium (salt) and fat content, there are far better treats you may give your cat. As a result, it’s best not to feed your cat French fries at all. However, a limited proportion of French fries are non-toxic, so don’t be alarmed if your cat snatches one by accident. You should keep an eye on them for vomiting or diarrhea and take them to the doctor if you suspect they are ill. Large quantities of French fries, especially if generously seasoned, may cause salt sickness. However, your cat is unlikely to consume enough to cause this problem.
How Frequently Can Cats Eat French Fries?
You should never feed French fries to your cat. They are not a healthy option and may make your cat ill. While you shouldn’t be too concerned if your cat eats a French fry once in a while, it shouldn’t become a habit, and you should do your best to keep them out of your curious cat’s reach.
Conclusion
Your cats will not be harmed when they eat French fries occasionally. Raw potatoes, on the other hand, should be avoided entirely by cats. French fries’ ingredients, salt, and sauces might be detrimental to your cat. To be safe, cats should never be given any French fries. However, there’s no need to worry if they find a piece of one or steal it from your plate.
If your cat is continuously begging for food from your dish, distract them with healthy alternatives. You may share the dining experience with them while also keeping them safe by providing them with pleasant, healthy snacks that will not hurt them.
