Terminology:  The term sugar is used in this article to describe sucrose (composed of fructose and glucose), rather than the complex carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates and fiber, all of which are often referred to under the umbrella term, “sugars.” If we are discussing carbohydrates, this is clarified.

You are wondering if your cat can eat sugar. But what you might really be asking is, is sugar toxic to cats? The answer is no, sugar is not toxic to cats, but adding it to their diet isn’t necessary or good for them.

Not only do cats lack the ability to appreciate sweet foods, they are strict carnivores, meaning that they don’t benefit much from simple carbohydrates, like sugar.  They can, however, digest carbohydrates fairly efficiently, even though they have evolved to use protein and fat as their main energy sources.  A cat would much prefer a protein rich snack over a sugary one.

Sugar Is Non-Toxic

Simple sugar, as it is, is non-toxic to our cat friends. That means if they tip over the sugar bowl and have a few licks, you don’t have to worry about rushing them to the emergency room. However, it’s not healthy for them either.

Sugary snacks should be reserved for humans only, and to be honest, it’s not very good for us either! So even though sugar is non-toxic, we’re going to suggest that we steer clear of adding it to the diet of our feline friends.

Sugar Is Not Necessary for Cats

You may wonder, is sugar bad for cats? What happens if a cat eats sugar? Sugar is not a natural part of a cat’s diet and therefore should be avoided, but it’s not going to do them any damage on the odd occasion (provided they are not already diabetic).  Cats won’t seek out sugary foods, due to their inability to taste it, so keeping sugary snacks from your cat shouldn’t be too arduous. High amounts of sucrose in cats can result in diarrhea, but these amounts have to be quite high (>7g/kg body weight).

Cats Cannot Taste Sweetness

You might think you’re doing your cat a favor by giving them a delicious sweet treat. After all, isn’t a delicious piece of candy exactly what lights up your day sometimes?  For your cat, however, it is not.

Although cats have taste buds on their tongues, just like we do,  the receptors responsible for detecting sweetness are not very sensitive.  If your cat is attracted to any kind of sweet, you can bet that it isn’t because of the sweet taste you experience.  It is more likely to be because of the fat content of the treat, rather than the sugar content.

Common Misconceptions of High Sugar Diets in Cats

Obesity

Obesity is a very large concern among house cats. When your cat is young, they naturally want to exercise and develop their predatory instincts. However, once they start reaching adulthood, especially after they are spayed or neutered, much of this activity tends to decrease.

It was once thought that feeding cats a high carbohydrate diet was contributing to an increase in obesity, but it has since been found that obesity is related to the fat content of the food and the popularity of ad-libitum feeding, where food is left down all day, allowing them to graze. The increasing palatability of food is also a driving factor behind cats eating larger portions and demanding more food, more frequently.  Obesity is due to more calories going in than are being burnt, so the quantity of the food being ingested (alongside other reasons mentioned above) rather than the carbohydrate content of the food is the real driving force behind obesity.

Obesity is a gateway to many different health issues in cats, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.  But, a high sugar diet is not believed to be a direct cause of obesity.

If you worry that your cat is packing on a few extra pounds, get them to your vet so they can give you a precise diet plan and portion measurements for your individual cat. Increasing your cat’s daily exercise will also help them to lose weight. Use tools like body condition scoring to help you assess your cat’s weight, and always feed them portions based on their ideal weight, not their current weight.

Diabetes

Sadly, diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common disease in our pet cats, due, in the most part, to the feline obesity epidemic; 63% of cats in developed countries are considered obese. There is a common misconception that high-sugar diets cause diabetes mellitus in cats but this is incorrect; the main culprit is obesity. Increased body fat causes the cat’s cells to become insulin-resistant, meaning that the cells are unable to use the glucose that is available to them, causing blood glucose levels to rise to dangerous levels.  Obesity is a significant risk factor in cats developing diabetes mellitus, not a high-sugar diet.

It is true, however, that if your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, then a low-sugar diet (ie. a low carbohydrate diet) is recommended in order to improve blood sugar regulation.  There are specific diets recommended for diabetic cats, and your vet will help you choose the right one for your pet.

Signs of diabetes include:

If you notice any of the signs above, take your cat to the vet.  If you can collect a urine sample from your cat before going to the vet (easier said than done, we know), this will be extremely helpful.

Dental Disease

As children, we are often told that candy will make our teeth rot.  Our parents are often referring to the development of dental caries or cavities, which are commonly seen in humans who eat too much sugar.  Dental caries in cats are extremely uncommon, for a number of reasons;

So, dental caries isn’t a factor to worry about when discussing high-sugar diets in cats.

What Should You Feed Your Cat Instead?

There are plenty of alternatives to sweet treats. Since your cat is an obligate carnivore, lean meats are a very good snack to add as a topper to their food or serve as a standalone treat. You can also add in cat-specific baked treats, store bought cat treats, and broths.

Just be careful about the calorie intake. Always measure your cat’s meals appropriately and make sure not to overfeed them. Overfeeding contributes heavily to obesity, which as we’ve discussed, is a gateway disease to diabetes mellitus, arthritis, heart disease and cancer, amongst other illnesses.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, your cat doesn’t need simple sugar added to its diet.  It serves no real benefit to them and therefore it’s best to steer clear of it.

Keep in mind that cats don’t even have the taste receptors necessary to enjoy sweets, so they are unlikely to pester you for a candy. They’d prefer a piece of cooked chicken or turkey any day of the week! If you have any further questions about sugar for cats, consult your veterinarian for further guidance.

The post Can Cats Eat Sugar? Nutrition Facts & FAQ (Vet Answer) by Dr. Alice Athow-Frost BVM BVS MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Roughly 66% of American households have a pet, with cats ranking second among the most popular animals. Shelters have come a long way toward making the process more streamlined so more cats can find forever homes. Fostering pets is an excellent bridge in the process that makes the success rate even higher.

Many organizations require prospective foster caregivers to apply for the position. Remember that the cat’s welfare is their primary concern. After all, irresponsible pet ownership is one reason these animals need this extra care. If you’re considering fostering shelter cats, here are 10 tips to keep in mind before bringing one home.

The 10 Tips on How to Foster Shelter Cats

1. The Responsibility

Bringing a pet into your home is a responsibility you shouldn’t take lightly. It’s not a whim. The cat’s welfare and well-being need to be foremost in your mind before taking in a shelter animal. They have additional concerns than other pets. However, the overall care begins at the same point. Therefore, we suggest understanding what you’re committing yourself to when making this choice.

2. Financial Commitment

Caring for a cat is a financial commitment even if you only keep them for a short time. Food will likely be your biggest investment. It can be spendy if the animal has a pre-existing health condition that makes a special diet necessary. You must also get a box and litter for your kitty.

3. Interaction and Playtime

Interaction and playtime are vital for any cat. However, depending on this history, it’s a critical factor for shelter animals. Many pets may have had traumatic experiences before entering the shelter. Your job for fostering is to help build trust again so that the kitty can ease into their forever home with the least amount of stress. These interactions provide crucial mental stimulation, enrichment and bonding opportunities.

4. The Care Importance

Gentle care is necessary for a shelter kitty. Life before you’ve brought them in has likely been filled with many unknowns. That spells much trauma and stress. Some pet owners relinquish their cats for personal reasons, such as health or financial concerns, and others may have been removed from abusive or unsafe homes.

5. The Pet’s History

The takeaway is that every shelter cat has a story. It may have good and bad parts that affect how the animal interacts with you and your family. You’ll likely get filled in with the information that is known to the shelter. Ensure that everyone in your household knows the score. All should handle these animals with kid gloves to help them deal with any issues.

6. The Risk of Zoonotic Conditions

Cats can transmit some diseases and parasites to humans. A shelter cat that has been outside or feral in their previous life has a greater risk of exposure and, thus, transmission. The rescue facility likely had a veterinarian check the animal over before releasing it to you but they may need some follow-up care, such as worming and vaccinations. Common-sense hygiene will help to protect you and your family. However, we recommend teaching your kids to wash their hands after handling any animals, but especially an animal with an unknown history.

7. The Importance of Patience

All pets require patience to learn the house rules. It’s challenging enough to go to a new home. It’s even harder with a cat that has a history. Building trust is a slow process. It will have its ups and downs. Cherish the good times. Remember that it’s some of the most rewarding aspects of being a foster family. The fulfillment of this commitment is priceless.

8. The Step to a Forever Home

A foster situation is the next step to a forever home. Your job is like triage. You’re helping the cat get through the upheaval in their life. One of the most important outcomes is stress relief and restoration of some sense of peace. You can use your time to create a routine that can follow the cat to their forever home.

9. The Effect of Change

Even in the best of times, cats don’t like change. It’s instinctive since it can affect their hunting success and, thus, their survival. A shelter kitty might be in total survival mode because of everything that has happened to them from their time before the shelter, when they were there, and placement in your home. That’s a lot for an animal to endure.

10. Adult Cat: Pros and Cons

Kittens separated from their mothers and littermates before 8 weeks old are more likely to be fearful and will need more work to settle into a new environment. That can make an adult cat preferable to some fosterers. However, adult cats often come with their own issues, as they have experienced life already, and we don’t always know what that life was like. Depending on their background, they may find settling into a new home easier or more difficult than a kitten might.  Some traits are more common in certain breeds. For example, Russian Blues are more likely to show fearfulness when new people come into the house, whereas a Siamese is likely to be more sociable.

Tips for Making Your Pet Comfortable

You should prepare a small, quiet room for your shelter cat to help them adjust to their new home. Remember that the animal’s first instinct will be to hide. Research has shown that providing a box in which your new cat can hide will help lower stress levels in shelter cats. Giving them a scratching post allows them to mark their territory, making them feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings.

Cats are very food motivated. Treats can help build positive associations and trust during the critical first days in their foster home. You should keep your kitty on the food they received in the shelter to minimize digestive upset. We recommend keeping any family pets separate from the shelter animal at first. They’re dealing with enough change without the added stress of introductions.

We suggest instructing your kids to give the cat space when they eat or sleep. Let them feel comfortable in their new home before they have to deal with lots of people, new smells and noises. Start a daily routine with a set time for meals and downtime to help your cat adjust to the family’s schedule.

Conclusion

Fostering a shelter cat is an admirable task. Patience and gentle care are imperative in making the transition as smooth and stress free as possible for the kitty. Don’t overwhelm the animal with too many new changes in a short time. Change is never easy for cats, so going into a new home is a huge deal for them. However, with patience, and allowing your cat to go at its own pace, you’ll likely find it a rewarding experience for you and your family.

• See also: Cage-Free Cat Shelters: Are They a Good Thing? (Vet-Approved)

Featured Image Credit: Balazs Rezmanyi, Shutterstock

The post Fostering Shelter Cats: Our Vet Shares 10 Tips Before You Bring One Home by Dr. Alice Athow-Frost BVM BVS MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.