Pasta is a popular food part of the Italian cuisine made from durum wheat flour, water, and eggs. It is usually formed or extruded into sheets, thin round strips like noodles or other shapes.
In some cases, rice flour, beans, or lentils may be used in place of durum wheat flour to yield a different texture, taste, or be gluten-free. Also, there may be other ingredients.
Popular types of pastas include tortellini, spaghetti, penne, fettucine, orzo, ravioli, macaroni, ziti, linguine, rigatoni, farfalle, lasagna, cannelloni, tagliatelle, among others.
Is a cat eating pasta ok?
Yes. Cats can eat pasta in moderation only if there is no topping that is harmful to these pets. Therefore, always check the various toppings or ingredients it has.
Common pasta dishes include Pesto alla Genovese, Orecchiette ai Cime di Rapa, Spaghetti/Rigatoni Alla Carbonara, Fettuccine alfredo, Tagliatelle al Ragù Alla Bolognese/Lasagna, Alla Norma, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana.
Usually, during its preparation, pasta is boiled in water that has salt and oil. Afterward, some toppings such as pasta sauce, meat, cheese, vegetables, mushroom, tuna, lemon, lime, butter, herbs, and spices, including onions, garlic, and so on, are present.
Avoid giving it to your cats if the toppings or source has onions, garlic, lemon or if cooked with wine as they are dangerous to your kitties. Also, avoid those that have dairy products such as cheese or butter since most adult cats lactose intolerant.
However, if it is plain boiled pasta without any toppings, it is safe for as an occasional treat and not as an essential part of their diet. A small amount will not cause any harm.
Nutritionally, pasta has protein, carbs, fiber, fats, minerals such as manganese, copper, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamins including niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and folate which these pets require.
However, since it is high in carbohydrates, it should only be given in minimal amounts. These pets are strict carnivores whose diets are often low in carbs and high in proteins and with a moderate amount of fats. They cannot handle plant food materials well.
Also, being highly calorific, feeding to much of it to you cats can make them gain weight and become obese besides the possibilities of causing stomach upset and diarrhea.
Cat foods with pasta
If your kitty likes it, opt for cat foods that have it since they are nutritionally balanced and meant for these pets.
For instance, Purina has some brands such as Purina Pro Plan Chicken, Pasta & Spinach Entree in Gravy Wet Cat Food. There is also an option for Tukey, as well as Trout & Pasta Entrée.
They are a better option as opposed to you, giving them the one prepared for human beings even if it does not have any harmful ingredients.
Can cats eat spaghetti and noodles?
Yes. Cats can be given a small number of noodles and spaghetti. Spaghetti is only a type of pasta that we have already looked at.
Some of the familiar noodle dishes include noodle soup, le mein, chow mein, rice noodles, miso ramen, Pad Thai, vegetable chow mein, Jap Chae, Malaysian chicken laksa, Yaki Udon, among others.
When to avoid noodles
Again, before giving your cat noodles, consider the topping or source and ensure it does not have anything poisonous to fluffy friends. Also, give them in moderation. A small piece is enough.
Do not feed them with instant noodles because they are often heavily salted (hence high in sodium), and some have monosodium glutamate (MSG) flavoring that may be harmful to your cat [1] as well as some seasonings and so on.
Conclusion
Cats should not eat raw pasta or noodles as it is difficult to eat and digest besides being unpleasant. Most kitties will not even like it while it is still raw.
Secondly, always look at the ingredients that are in any of these dishes before giving your fluffy friend some and give them a small amount occasionally. They should be only be given as a reward or treat.