Seasonal vegetables offer low-calorie treat for our felines

Fall turns our thoughts to vibrant colors, fun outdoor activities and comfort foods we don't usually eat in the summer, including seasonal vegetables.

Would you be shocked to learn that seasonal vegetables can also be given to our felines as low-calorie treats?

Their benefits range from antioxidents, to weight loss, inflammation reduction to hairball relief. I suggest low-calorie treats with a caveat - consider them as an addition to your feline's daily calorie count if you have a chunky feline. More is not better, even if your feline loves these new treats.

Any new treats or wholesome foods must be introduced slowly to avoid digestive track upsets. That translates to litter box mess and stomach upset.

Some of these vegetables can be offered raw or cooked. When dealing with felines, cooked is the preferred method, even if it would be safe to offer raw.

The cooked version allows you to add some coconut oil or organic butter. If you buy organic vegetables for yourself, buy them for your cats, too, since they don't need the pesticides added to their diet.

The No. 1 fall vegetable you should looking to add is pumpkin, which is rich in beta carotene, high in fiber, moisture and vitamins A and C.

The moisture can aid in kidney function and the fiber can assist in digestion. A half teaspoon is a safe place to start. You can safely go to a full teaspoon if you get the desired result. That means you have conquered either the hairball issue, incontinence issue or weight loss problem without creating an upset stomach.

Pumpkin needs to be offered cooked. You can roast, bake or grill it with coconut oil or butter. If you are not that adventurous, you can buy the canned, pureed variety, as long as it is not a pumpkin pie mix. Our felines can only tolerate pure pumpkin (no spices). If you cook your own, don't forget to remove the seeds.

Pumpkin is also an ingredient in premium treats and canned foods. You will find these at smaller specialty pet food stores and some big-box pet stores in the gourmet aisle.

Squash is another vegetable you can cook for your feline. Cooking is essential because your feline cannot break down the benefits in the raw form. Squash can aid in both inflammation and digestive issues.

Next, lets cook up some zucchini, which is rich in vitamins A, B and C. That is all the good stuff our felines need for a healthy coat. It also promotes healthy eyesight and has anti-inflammatory properties (good for our senior felines)!

Again, if cooking is not your thing, look for quality feline food that has added the vegetables. My thinking is as follows: If you are already cooking these vegetables for yourself or your family, then you can cook them for your beloved feline, too.

Since we are talking about fall colors, the two featured felines, Gemma and Rudy, share the colors of fall.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.