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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Helping animals is noble. Many people feed street cats, especially in winter, or leave something tasty for hedgehogs in the park or yard. But not everything that seems "good" is actually beneficial. Some products can do more harm than good.
We explain what and how to properly feed street cats and hedgehogs to give them strength, not problems.
What to feed street cats
What can be given:
- Dry or wet cat food (even budget-friendly — better than table scraps).
- Boiled meat (chicken, beef, turkey) — without salt, spices, and skin.
- Boiled liver — in small amounts.
- Boiled vegetables — carrots, zucchini, pumpkin.
- Porridge made with water (for example, rice or buckwheat) with meat.
What should not be given:
- Milk — many adult cats cannot digest lactose, which can lead to diarrhea and dehydration.
- Bones — especially cooked ones. They can splinter and get stuck in the throat or damage the intestines.
- Fried, salty, smoked — this is poison for cats.
- Fish — in excess can cause vitamin deficiencies and kidney diseases (better rarely and without bones).
What to feed hedgehogs
What can be given:
- Cat food — the simplest and safest option (preferably wet).
- Boiled meat — chicken, turkey, beef, without salt and spices.
- Boiled egg — a source of protein.
- Boiled vegetables — zucchini, pumpkin, carrots.
- Seeds — a little unsalted sunflower or pumpkin seeds (without shells).
What should not be given:
- Milk — hedgehogs, like cats, cannot digest lactose.
- Bread, pastries, sweets — not digestible, causes bloating.
- Raw fish or meat — may contain parasites.
- Fruits with pits — plums, apricots, cherries — are toxic.
- Mushrooms, fried, salty — dangerous for digestion.
Water is just as important as food
For both cats and hedgehogs, clean water is essential. Without water, even the best food can harm. Place a bowl of water that is easy to clean and refill.
Never give milk — only water!
In the heat, water prevents dehydration; in winter, it helps digest dry food.
Feeding street animals is not just about food, but about care, empathy, and respect for life. If each of us shares a piece of kindness — the world will become a little warmer, even in cold times.
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