Cats are known for their playful, playful nature.
If your favorite feline isn’t up for exploring the latest new pet store, he’s likely just up for some fun. Some cats love mochi, a gelatinous Japanese treat made from Real sugar.
You can give them mochi as a snack or in cute edible form such as ornaments. So, can cats eat mochi?
Cats can be finicky at times, and not all are interested in treats or foods made of meat or fish. However, if your kitty misses eating snacks, he’ll love something sweet like mochi.
The first concern is that mochi can spoil quickly. If your kitty likes licking the treats off your fingers or out of your bowl, it’s best to keep the treats in the refrigerator or freezer so they don’t spoil quickly and attract other bugs or animals.
The texture of mochi is also a concern for some cats. While mochi can be soft or firm, the former may be too chewy for some kitties.
Can Cats Eat Mochi?
Mochi contains lots of sugar, which is a common cause of upset stomach in cats.
Some cats are allergic to the sugar found in mochi and can develop gastrointestinal problems as a result.
However, if your cat has eaten mochi without problem in the past, the chances are he’s not allergic to the ingredients in the treat and you can continue to give him mochi in small quantities as a treat or an occasional snack.
While mochi is high in sugar, it does contain a small amount of protein in the form of soybean paste.
So, if your kitty is allergic to soy or can’t eat any foods containing the ingredient, it’s best not to give him mochi as a snack or treat to cut down on his risk for allergic reactions.
If you have a cat, you may want to keep it out of the cat’s reach to avoid them having toxic reactions or digesting the treat improperly.
What Is Mochi Made Of?
Mochi is made from cooked rice that’s pounded into an even consistency and then pressed into molds or cut into shapes.
It’s then fried in oil and cooled again before being cut into pieces or wrapped into individual serving packs.
As a result, mochi is a good source of carbohydrates, which are a source of energy that the body converts into glucose for energy as needed. However, mochi also contains fats and proteins.
Proteins are important for building muscles and tissues and providing energy to the body. The fats in mochi are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats called MUFAs and PUFAs.
Some studies suggest that MUFAs and PUFAs may help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure in cats.
Carbohydrates are also necessary in providing energy for the body during exercise or in supplying the brain with glucose with high activity levels.
Finally, mochi contains trace minerals such as iron and copper, as well as vitamins such as vitamin B-12 and riboflavin.
While cats love the sweet taste of mochi, it’s also high in sugar content that may cause digestive upset if a large amount is consumed.
Different Type of Mochi
Mochi Ice Cream
Mochi is a Japanese dessert that comes in a wide variety of flavors from strawberry to chocolate to banana pudding.
In Taiwan, a popular shop named “Ice Cream Italy” has invented a delicious mochi ice cream that is readily available in its shop as well as online. This mochi ice cream is different from a typical ice cream in a few ways.
First, it has a chewy texture that is more similar to a thick cake than an ice cream consistency. Second, the ice cream is topped with crunchy bits of nutty cereal that add a nice contrast in flavors and textures to contrast with the ice cream itself.
Mochi With Strawberry Filling
Mochi comes in a variety of flavors including chocolate, green tea and strawberry.
The strawberry flavor is among the most popular types, and it’s easy to see why — it’s sweet with a perfect balance of tartness and juiciness from the fresh strawberries blended in with the sweetened rice batter.
After being steamed and dried, the mochi is sweet and tasty and can be eaten on its own, with toppings or as an ice cream sandwich.
Mochi Rolls
Mochi rolls are a type of Japanese dessert that is popular around the world.
It starts with mochi rice cakes that are formed into an oblong shape and then wrapped with sesame seeds and bean paste paste.
The rice cakes are fried to make them softer and smell more delicious before they are filled with bean paste.
Once that is done, they are wrapped with more sesame seeds and rice cakes before being cut into bite-size portions for serving.
The bean paste and the sesame seeds give the mochi rolls flavor and texture and make them perfect for snacking or dessert dishes like ice cream sundaes.
Why Do Cats Like Mochi?
Mochi is soft and chewy and can be cut into slices or easily picked up and consumed in one bite to savor a flavorful snack that is also sweet and fun to eat.
The chewy texture of mochi also makes it a fun toy to play with as cats can knead it into solid shapes and get rid of stress through playtime.
Mochi has a unique sweet flavor that cats love and many cats will request it by name when offered as a snack or treat.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Tofu?
How Do Your Feed Your Cat With Mochi?
First, introduce mochi to your cat in small amounts and under supervision in case he does have an allergic reaction to the treat or doesn’t react well to the texture.
Never feed your cat any food that falls on the floor or has been dropped which may have been exposed to germs or bugs.
Regular feeds of mochi as a snack or treat should not exceed the recommended daily amount or your cat may develop nutritional deficiencies or experience gastric upset from too much starch in the treat.
Second, hide mochi from your cat, since some cats are know to prefer hiding treats and stealing them away from other cats in the household.
Don’t overfeed your cat since he can develop obesity or blood sugar levels from eating too many snacks in too little time.
You can feed the treats together as a combo snack or opt for a few mochi treats a day and less of the other foods in a cat’s diet to make up the difference for calories and nutrients.
Third, house your cat indoors so he can enjoy being petted and played with by other humans and pets and not have to compete with other cats for food.
Finally, start to feed your cat mochi as an occasional treat or snack and build up his intake slowly to avoid digestive upset or loss of nutrition from eating too much of a high carbohydrate food like mochi.
If you have a cat who’s a fan of mochi, you don’t need to look for it in stores — you can make your own homemade treats for your cat and save a bundle in the process.
Some cats are picky about their food, but since mochi is high in protein and fiber and low in fat, most cats should be pretty satisfied with this treat.
Conclusion
While mochi may be enjoyed by some pets and people, it’s not an ideal treat for all cats and humans.
If your favorite feline is a treat-lover, try molding soft mochi into different shapes or freezing it for your kitty to lick later.
So , say no to the regular store bought mochi and make your own homemade treats for your cat so you can control the ingredients and save money in the process.
