Why can't kittens eat cat treats?

Kittens cannot eat cat treats for several reasons, such as causing bad breath, increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, and leading to malnutrition. Due to their young age, the development of their organs may not be perfect. If they regularly eat cat treats, they may experience discomfort and other physical problems. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed kittens with cat treats.

Bad Breath

Cat treats are a type of snack that cats love, and they have a strong smell. If kittens eat cat treats for a long time, the smell may remain in their mouths, causing bad breath. In severe cases, it may even affect the oral health of kittens. In this case, owners should take their kittens to a regular pet hospital for inspection and receive targeted treatment based on the examination results.

Increased Gastrointestinal Burden

Cat treats contain excessive protein and salt. Normal consumption of cat treats by kittens generally does not affect their physical growth. However, if the intake is too high, it may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, leading to disorders of gastrointestinal function, such as diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. In this case, owners are advised to take their kittens to a regular pet hospital in time for diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

Malnutrition

Cat treats have a good taste, and if kittens eat them long-term, they may develop picky eating habits, resulting in insufficient nutrition intake. This can lead to slow growth, thinness, and lethargy. To address this, owners should stop feeding cat treats to their kittens and instead choose cat food and canned goods rich in nutrition, low in salt and fat to meet their nutritional needs. This can effectively alleviate the symptoms. For severe cases, kittens should be taken to the hospital promptly to avoid delay in treatment and exacerbate the symptoms. In daily life, attention should be paid to the amount of food intake, avoiding excessive consumption. Implementing a small-meals-based diet can help kittens drink more warm water, accelerate their metabolism, and promote good health.