Last updated on December 12th, 2021
Craving for pancakes? And it’s the weekend too? Well, why not make some and top it with luscious maple syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth? After all, it’s just the perfect breakfast you have waiting to try out with that new bottle of maple syrup.
But wait, are you planning to share it with your feline friend? While your cat watches you prepare the dish with utmost happiness the entire time, you might want to know whether pancakes are a safe option for cats to snack on! Surely, they will fall in love with the yummy maple syrup!
But the question is, can cats really eat pancakes with syrup? Is it safe for feline creatures?
The answer is both yes and no! Cats can only eat maple syrup in small quantities since this amount will not harm them, however, the problem with syrup is that it contains high levels of sugar content. Feeding your cat maple syrup on a regular basis will ultimately lead to weight gain and obesity.
Now, before you leave this blog thinking I am crazy, let me tell you that cats can eat syrup as it’s not toxic to them.
If you have been parenting a cat for some time now, your vet may have already told you not to let them eat excessively sugary items as it leads to weight gain.
Even if you are a newbie, your own doctor may have advised the same for you or someone in your family.
Yes, like humans, cats too start showing other health conditions after gaining weight. And what are they? Well, according to Vet Street, the list includes:
- High blood pressure
- Feline Diabetes
- Breathing problems
- Skin problems like skin fold pyodermas
- Increased risk of constipation
- Flatulence
- Decreased immune function
- Increased risk of some types of cancers
- Reduced lifespan
- Arthritic issues due to excessive pressure on tendons, joints, and ligaments.
But did I just scare you with such a terrible list of diseases? Apologies for that, but I was just trying to inform you about the worse.
Do you know that moderate consumption of sugar, is good for maintaining your cat’s energy levels? But too much of it is bad!
You may have seen a chubby and cute little kitten in your neighbor’s house. But now that you know it’s because of excessive sugar intake, you must talk it over with her owner.
So, to answer your question about whether you can feed your kitten pancakes with maple syrup, you can do so, but only in moderation!
If your cat eats sugary substances in small amounts, there would be no harm. Just watch out that she’s not able to get her hands (or rather, paws!) on sugar goodies herself when you’re not around.
Here’s Why Pancakes Are Not a Good Breakfast Choice For Your Cat.
Pancakes are not a good breakfast choice for your furry friend because it contains two specific pancake ingredients that are dairy products (milk and butter), which will be difficult for cats to digest as they get older and this happens as the lactase enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose will be consumed and diminished over a period of time.
However, this does not mean that you can’t give your feline friend a piece of pancake once or twice a week with a few drops of maple syrup as a tasty treat.
Apart from high amounts of sugar present in the syrup, other ingredients of the dish should be considered.
Milk and Butter
It’s surprising that we’re even considering the safety of milk for cats when they are so popularly associated with finishing up whole bowls of milk. At least, that’s what the cartoons like our favorite Tom and Jerry have been showing!
But just like humans, not all cats can tolerate milk and dairy products, like butter. Yes, some feline animals are lactose intolerant, which means having milk or other dairy products that are added to your pancake batter may upset their digestive system.
Feeding your cat with large portions of pancakes may lead to diarrhea.
Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t know that most adult cats suffer from lactose intolerance, which results in a lack of lactase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose in milk to make it easy to digest.
But a small portion of pancakes should be fine since it won’t have significant amounts of lactose.
If your cat is okay with milk and its by-products, they should be good with it. Otherwise, try making vegan pancakes for your four-legged friend.
But again, restrict the number of pancakes you feed your cat, even if it’s a vegan one.
Eggs
Eggs are another ingredient in pancakes that cat owners must be concerned about.
You may ask, eggs are a rich source of protein, a component that’s good for cats; so, why should they be a concern? But again, too much of it is harmful to your feline friend because you must be taking care of your pet’s calorie intake.
Limit the number of eggs you’re feeding your cat – little amounts of it won’t hurt.
In fact, let’s talk about the health benefits of pancakes with eggs for your cat. Eggs are, no doubt, rich in essential B vitamins, along with several others like A, D, E, and K.
But before letting your cat feed on pancakes containing eggs, I would advise you to consult your veterinarian or pet nutritionist first.
He or she would be able to tell the right amount of calories your cat can intake daily depending on her health conditions or body weight.
Also, raw eggs must totally be kept away from your kitty’s diet. It’s because the whites in raw eggs consist of high amounts of avidin, a glycoprotein responsible for preventing the proper absorption of essential B vitamins that cats need.
Therefore, cooked eggs can eliminate most of this avidin and also kill some harmful bacteria found in uncooked eggs, like E. coli and Salmonella.
The Pancake Toppings You Should Avoid
While sharing a little amount of pancake should not be harmful to your kitten, you must, however, avoid the following ingredients.
Grapes
Most cat owners are not aware of the fact that grapes and raisins are toxic to feline animals. They can lead to severe kidney damages and even kidney failures, which can be fatal!
Although research is still going on to determine which part of the grape causes toxicity in four-legged pets (both cats and dogs), it’s probably because of the animal’s inability to metabolize.
Besides, certain parts of the grape, like its chemicals, tannins, or even harmful pesticides and toxins present on its skin can be good reasons for this toxicity and kidney damage.
Avoid offering your cat any part of the grape or its by-products, including raisins, fruitcake, grape juice, or wine.
If you suspect your pet had grapes or raisins in any form, immediately rush her to a professional veterinarian and begin the necessary treatment without wasting a second!
Chocolate
Chocolates may seem irresistible, but they are extremely dangerous for our feline companions.
Not only because it contains high sugar levels, but also because it has caffeine and theobromine, which are another two harmful and toxic ingredients for cats.
Large amounts of caffeine intake may also result in increased heart rates and even seizures in cats.
Similarly, high quantities of theobromine may result in chocolate poisoning in your favorite pet.
Nuts
Nuts, especially macadamia nuts, must be kept away from cats. This kind of nut may cause vomiting, lethargy, tremors, and hyperthermia in feline creatures.
Other nuts like walnuts, too, can be highly toxic to cats. Sweet almonds, on the other hand, are not toxic to kittens, but since they are not included in their regular diet, having them suddenly may cause digestive issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and even pancreatitis.
Coming to peanuts, they too are not toxic to cats, but you should ensure that it is offered to them in small quantities, preferably in the raw and unsalted form.
Too many additives may again lead to digestive issues, however, we advise that you discuss this with your veterinarian before letting them consume peanuts or sweet almonds.
The Pancake Toppings You Can Add
Now, let’s discuss the good toppings that are suitable for your cat to eat. They include fruits like apples, blueberries, bananas, and watermelons.
You should test these ingredients first by providing them in small amounts to check if your cat is okay with these.
Many cat-friendly pancake recipes include healthy ingredients like sirloin (a good quality beef that’s cut from the loin) and oatmeal.
Some delicious pancake toppings for your cat may include pieces of tuna fish or chicken. You will be amazed to see your cat feeds heartily on such a gratifying meal to the point where they may fall asleep and wake up stretching out their back legs!
Can Cats Eat Vegan Pancakes?
Cats can eat vegan pancakes as they are an excellent alternative to traditional pancakes since it consists of nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and water which are essential for metabolizing vital nutrients while eliminating toxins, however, vegan pancakes doesn’t contain an adequate amount of vitamins such as vitamin A, thiamine and other fat-soluble vitamins.
It’s important to know that vegan pancakes don’t provide a sufficient amount of essential nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and water) in one meal that is needed to supplement your cat’s dietary needs.
Vegan options can be seen as healthy pancakes, however, cats are carnivores that need large amounts of protein in their diet and vegan pancakes are clearly not a sufficient source of that.
Simply feeding your feline pet on these dishes that lack proper nutrition would potentially deteriorate their health.
Try experimenting by providing little amounts of it first.
Try to keep it plain and don’t overdo it with excessive toppings. Still, as mentioned earlier, avoid feeding this dish to your cat regularly, no matter how delicious it may be for us humans!
