We've written before about how cats need full bellies to stay happy, as their digestive systems aren't designed for long term food storage, unlike dogs. Additionally, the quality of the food you give to your feline friend is so important, and will help determine how long you can expect your cat to live.

So many cat owners don't take the topic of cat nutrition seriously, probably because cat food seems to be a "buy a bag and be done with it" concept. In reality, there's a lot of variation between types of cat food and what they can do for your pet. Few people take time to learn how to supplement and enhance their cat's diet for maximum health benefits.

Additionally, some foods take a few weeks of consumption before problems with the cat's health start to develop. Because their pet has been eating the same thing for weeks on end, many owners don't associate new health issues with food their cat or kitten has been consuming for a while.

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But a balanced cat diet also includes vegetables. The question is which vegetables are good for cats?

In small quantities, vegetable-based food supplements can really be beneficial for a cat. Even in nature, your cat might consume some veggies such as when they eat an entire mouse, which also has vegetables and berries in its stomach contents.

Vegetables suitable for cats include:

• root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips
• spinach
• potatoes (without the skin)
• zucchini
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• pumpkin
• peas

However, it is important to cook or steam the vegetables, as a cat's digestive tract isn't designed to process so much raw fiber.

You can also share some fruit from your garden with your cat if they seem interested, but best not daily, as cats cannot tolerate too much sugar. Grapes and raisins should not be given to the cat at all, as they can be lethal.

And always consult your vet for recommendations for your particular pet, in case they have special dietary needs or restrictions.

Want more information and stories about our feline friends? Just check out our Cats page!