For someone battling cancer, sometimes the greatest comfort comes from a pet. The comfort you feel when your beloved cat is snuggled up against you is priceless, isn't it? So when you're eating a meal, you might be looking into those loving eyes and thinking, 'Can I give some of this to my cat too?' This is very normal. But not everything we eat is good for our beloved cats. So today, let's talk about what foods are good for you and safe for your cat if you're living with breast cancer .
Why should you care about this?
When you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is very important to provide your body with the right nutrition. Sometimes, treatment can cause a loss of appetite. But you need nutritious food to keep your body strong. Meanwhile, some of the foods we eat, for example, onions, garlic, chocolate, and grapes , are very harmful to cats, meaning they can even be toxic . So we need to think twice before sharing our food with them.
As a general rule, it's not a good idea to feed cats human food, as their digestive systems are very different from ours. However, there are some foods that are good for both of them, and it's okay to give them a small bite or two.
Vegetables - good for you and your cat?
You've probably heard the saying, "Eat a rainbow of vegetables." It's true. Vegetables and fruits of different colors contain many antioxidants that are good for the body. Research has found that these help control the growth of cancer cells.
You can add vegetables like baby carrots, fish chili, and pumpkin to your food. Most of these vegetables are safe for cats. But remember, if you give boiled carrots, beans, and pumpkin, give them only a small piece without salt, chili, or anything else.
Important: Some garden plants can be poisonous to cats, so it's a good idea to do some research before giving a new vegetable to your cat. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian .
Grains and fiber-rich foods
Cancer treatment can cause constipation in some people. The best solution to this is to eat a diet rich in fiber. Something like breakfast cereal is a good option. But instead of the ones with a lot of sugar, choose a type that has more than 5 grams of fiber.
But if you eat cereal with milk, don't give it to your cat. Despite what you may have seen in cartoons, many cats have difficulty digesting milk. We call this lactose intolerance . If they drink milk, they can get an upset stomach.
Protein-rich foods - eggs, cheese, and tomatoes
Protein is essential to reduce the fatigue your body feels during treatment.
Boiled eggs
This is one of the best proteins you can give to both you and your cat. Boiling a few at a time and keeping them in the fridge makes them easy to eat when you're bored. But don't feed them raw eggs . Raw eggs can contain a bacteria called Salmonella . That's not good for you or your cat.
Cheese and crackers
Cheese is a good source of protein. However, as mentioned earlier, dairy products are not good for cats, so don't give cheese to your cat . Also, cats are obligate carnivores . This means that they need to get the protein they need from animal meat.
Tomato
Tomatoes are an easy food to eat when you're feeling low. Lycopene, a compound found in red fruits and vegetables, is also thought to help fight cancer cells. Tomatoes are safe for cats. However, the leaves and stems of the tomato plant can be poisonous , so be careful not to feed them.
Food that's good for you and your cat - a summary
This table will make it clearer to you what you can and shouldn't give.
| Food type | To you (people) | For your cat |
|---|---|---|
| Boiled chicken/fish (without salt or seasoning) | Very beneficial | Very good (small amount) |
| Boiled eggs | Very beneficial | Good (small amount) |
| Boiled carrots/pumpkin | Very beneficial | Good (small amount) |
| Milk, cheese, yogurt | Beneficial | Bad (may cause stomach upset) |
| Onion / Garlic | Beneficial | Very bad (poisonous) |
| Chocolate / Grapes | It's okay. | Very bad (poisonous) |
Be very careful not only with food, but also with this thing!
Friends and relatives may bring you flowers and houseplants to wish you well. That's a great thing. But there are some plants that are very poisonous to cats.
Lilies are extremely poisonous to cats. Never let a cat go anywhere where there are lilies. Even a single stamen from the flower can be dangerous.
If you suspect that your pet has eaten something poisonous, see a veterinarian immediately. If people want to know about a poisoning, they can call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . However, when it comes to pets, it is best to talk to a veterinarian.
Talk to your doctor about what diet is best for you, given your health condition. He or she will give you the advice that is most suitable for you.
Take-Home Message
- It's important to provide your body with the nutrition it needs during cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor about this.
- If you feed your pet cat the food you eat, think twice about whether those things are safe for them.
- It is generally safe to give small amounts of boiled chicken, fish, eggs, and some vegetables (carrots, pumpkin) without salt or spices.
- Never give cats things like milk, cheese, onions, garlic, chocolate, and grapes.
- Be careful about the types of flowers and plants you bring home. Especially keep lilies away from cats.
- It is wise to seek advice from your doctor about your diet and from your veterinarian about your cat's food.
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