can cats eat bread

Cats can eat a small bite of plain, baked bread safely, but it is not recommended as a regular part of their diet. Bread provides empty calories with little to no nutritional value for cats, who are obligate carnivores and need meat for proper nutrition. Cats should never eat raw bread dough because the yeast can expand in their stomachs, causing bloating, and produce toxic ethanol alcohol that could lead to serious health issues such as seizures or respiratory failure. Bread with added ingredients like garlic, onions, raisins, or chocolate is harmful to cats and should be avoided. If giving bread, it should be plain, small in quantity, and without any toppings or additives. Bread can also be used to hide medication for cats who like it, but in general, bread should not replace a balanced cat diet.