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Believe it or not, there is a way to help your finicky cat get healthier. Adding a few select vegetables to their diet is a great way to give them more selection, while sneaking in additional healthy vitamins, minerals, and fiber as well. Keep in mind that a cat’s diet should never consist of purely veggies. Cats by nature are carnivores, and their systems are developed to include meats and fish. If you have a specific question regarding your cat’s dietary needs, be sure to check with your vet before adding something new. In the meantime, here is a list of six good veggie options for your furry feline friend.
iStock.com/Frank Angeletti 1 Cooked CarrotsCarrots are an excellent source of a lot of different vitamins and minerals, including healthy beta-carotene. Just be sure to cook the carrots before feeding them to your cat, and chop them up into small, easy-to-digest pieces to avoid choking.
2 PeasInclude peas in your cat’s regular diet for an additional healthy blend of proteins and carbohydrates.
3 Broccoli FloretsSteamed broccoli is an easy way to distract your cat from chewing on any of the other tempting leafy plants you may have around the house. The antioxidants found in broccoli can also be an added benefit to your furry friend’s diet.
4 Green BeansGreen beans are another one of the few approved veggies that are okay to feed to your cat – especially if they happen to be overweight. A great source of fiber, this food makes a good substitute for more traditional kitty treats.
5 ZucchiniAs a popular ingredient in many commercial cat food options, zucchini is harmless for cats, and the magnesium, potassium and manganese are healthy for them, as well.
iStock.com/Yulia Gusterina 6 Winter SquashPlain, un-spiced winter squash contains fermentable fiber that, when eaten in moderation, can actually help normalize your kitty’s bowel environment and relieve constipation or diarrheal issues. By: Cheryl Locke Reviewed by: Dr. Sarah Wooten
Can cats eat vegetables, or should you avoid them in your furry friend’s diet? Cats are obligate carnivores, so their meal plan should consist of meat and pretty much nothing else. As vegetables are mostly fibre and carbs, they aren’t nutritionally appropriate for your feline, who requires mainly protein and fat in their diet. That’s why your kitty should never be a vegan. Veggies have various micronutrients beneficial to humans, but cats cannot absorb most of them properly because their digestive tract is designed to process meat. Other than being mostly useless, some veggies are also extremely toxic to cats. Untamed explains which veggies are safe and what your cat should and shouldn’t eat to help you create the best tailor-made plan for your furry friend.
I don’t like green stuff. Give me some yummy and crunchy bacon, please! Source: kingkronoscat Vegetables cats can eatFelines absorb all necessary nutrients (vitamins and minerals included) from meat and fish. Vegetables have excellent nutritional value, but your cat won’t benefit much from them. While vegetables aren’t necessary in your cat’s diet, some can help with digestion and bowel movement, so you can give them as a snack occasionally. Let’s check out which veggies are safe for cats! BroccoliYou can serve broccoli to your cat to support healthy bowel movements and calm an upset stomach, but you must cook it and let it cool. Gently steaming broccoli preserves the highest amount of nutrients and makes it soft. Offer broccoli as an occasional treat because it may lead to diarrhoea. PumpkinSmall amounts of cooked pumpkin might help your kitty with constipation. Some vets recommend including pumpkin in a cat’s diet if they have a sensitive tummy and frequent indigestion. If you decide to offer a bit of pumpkin, you must cook it before serving. Remove the seeds because they can obstruct your kitty’s airways and cause choking. Chop the veggie into small pieces or prepare a pumpkin puree and add it to your feline’s food from time to time if they like it. PeasPeas are safe for feline consumption. Many manufacturers include it in cat food as a filler, but it doesn’t mean that your furball should eat too much of it. Give peas in small quantities, and exclude them altogether if your furry friend’s food already contains them. Some nutritionists claim that peas support a cat’s digestive system and healthy bowel movement, but the vegetable can also cause diarrhoea if consumed in large quantities. Make sure you cook peas before you feed them to your cat. Kittens shouldn’t eat peas, so serve this vegetable to adult and senior cats only. CucumberSome vets suggest that cucumber can be an excellent source of moisture for kitties. Cucumber is one of the few vegetables that can be served raw, but you must remove the skin and wash it thoroughly. If your cat likes this veggie, serve it in small amounts and only occasionally. Eating too much cucumber can result in diarrhoea. CarrotCooked carrots are safe for cats, while raw ones present a choking hazard. If you’re serving carrots to your kitty, make sure they’re bland. After you boil or steam the carrot, wait for it to cool before offering it to your feline companion. Carrots are rich in vitamins A, K, B6, potassium, and fibre, so some cat parents add shredded cooked carrots to their felines’ regular meals, but there are no relevant studies that prove cats can benefit from this vegetable. AsparagusCats can eat asparagus, and sometimes it can even prevent them from chewing on house plants. According to some vets, asparagus may help with an upset stomach and accompanying symptoms, such as diarrhoea or constipation. The vegetable is high in fibre, so overconsumption can lead to gastrointestinal and urinary problems. If you’re feeding asparagus to your furry companion, cook it properly because it represents a choking hazard when eaten raw. As this veggie is highly alkaline, large amounts can compromise your cat’s immune system. It can also affect healthy bacteria levels in their urinary tract, causing urinary infections. ZucchiniZucchini is low in calories and high in water, and it does not pose a threat to your feline's health. It doesn’t mean that you should feed this vegetable to your cat every day, but it can be an occasional treat. You must cook the vegetable and let it cool before feeding it to your feline companion. PotatoesWhile potatoes aren’t toxic to cats, they don’t really benefit from this veggie, so you don’t need to include them in their diet. If you decide to offer your cat potatoes, make sure they’re thoroughly cooked and unseasoned. Keep in mind that potatoes are high in carbs so they should be an occasional treat, not a part of your cat’s regular meals. Fried potatoes can cause health problems and obesity in cats, so don’t give them to your furry friend. CornSome manufacturers use corn as a filler in cat food. It is safe, but cats cannot get any nutritional benefits from it. You should opt for products with meat as the main ingredient and not inadequate substitutes, such as corn. LettuceLettuce mostly consists of dietary fibre. As per some cat nutrition specialists, a small amount might help your cat with digestion or constipation. Too much lettuce can lead to diarrhoea, so if you’re feeding leafy greens to your furball, make sure not to overdo it. One small serving per week is more than enough. To avoid choking incidents, chop the lettuce into small pieces. You don't have to cook it. All types of lettuce are safe for cats, including: SpinachSpinach can be safe for cats, but only if they don’t suffer from urinary tract diseases. This plant contains calcium oxalate, which can contribute to the development of struvite crystals. The accompanying symptoms are:
If your cat has a healthy urinary tract, you can safely feed them spinach in small amounts.
What is that green delight? Can I try some, hooman? Source: siamesecheese Vegetables cats cannot eatSome vegetables are so toxic to cats that even the tiniest amount can cause severe poisoning and death. If your feline friend has eaten the following vegetables, contact your vet immediately. GarlicGarlic is the most toxic of allium vegetables as it can destroy your cat’s red blood cells. Consuming even a clove of garlic can lead to hemolytic anaemia and severe gastroenteritis. If these conditions aren’t treated immediately, the outcome can be significant organ damage and death. TomatoesTomatoes contain solanine, a natural pesticide highly toxic to cats. Not even cooking can reduce solanine to safe levels, so cats shouldn’t eat tomatoes. You should also avoid sauces and soups containing this vegetable. If your cat happens to take a piece of tomato, monitor them for the next 24 hours. In case they exhibit any of the following symptoms, take them to the vet: OnionsOnions are highly poisonous to felines in any shape and form—raw, cooked, and powder. Onions attack feline red blood cells and break them down, potentially resulting in death if not treated quickly. Signs of onion toxicosis include:
If your cat eats onions, take them straight to the vet.
Allium vegetables are highly toxic to cats because they attack their red blood cells. Source: Markus Spiske If veggies are mostly safe, can cats eat fruit, too?Yes—cats can eat some fruit if served in small amounts. The following items are safe for feline consumption: StrawberriesYou can safely feed strawberries to your kitty, but be careful not to overdo it. High sugar levels in strawberries can lead to diabetes. Remove stems and leaves before serving this fruit to your furball. BananaBanana is a safe treat if served in small amounts. Most cats will reject it because they can’t taste sweet, and the aroma isn’t particularly enticing to them. AppleCats can safely eat apples, but you should remove stems and seeds before serving. Don’t forget to cut the fruit into small pieces. Seedless watermelonFelines can eat small portions of watermelon flesh. It must be seedless as seeds are a choking hazard. Too much watermelon can cause bloating, so make sure that you don’t overfeed your kitty. BerriesAll berries are safe for feline consumption. They are high in antioxidants and fibre, so some vets say that berries can help cats lose weight. If you decide to give them as a treat, make sure to cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces before you serve them to your feline companion. MangoYou can occasionally offer small cubes of mango flesh to your furry friend but avoid the skin and seeds. As kitties can’t taste sweet, they probably won’t like mangoes. If your kitty enjoys this fruit, give it in small amounts. PineapplePineapple can be served to your cat if it’s fresh. Avoid canned pineapple as it is often packed with sugary syrup and preservatives. Be careful to remove all leaves, thorns, and rind before feeding pineapple to your furry companion. CantaloupeCantaloupe is relatively low in calories, so it might be good for kitties who need to lose weight. Some cats find cantaloupe irresistible because its scent resembles the aroma of meat proteins. If that's the case with your feline, serve the fruit in small bite-sized cubes occasionally. Fruits cats shouldn’t eatNot all fruits are safe for your kitty. Cats shouldn’t eat the following:
Cats get all the necessary macronutrients from meat. Image (c) Untamed What should an ideal cat diet consist of?Check out the table below to see the ideal nutrient ratio in a cat’s diet:
Your cat’s diet should mostly consist of animal protein because it contains essential amino acids, such as taurine and arginine, crucial for good eyesight, seamless digestion, heart muscle resilience, normal pregnancy, and efficient immunity. Animal protein also provides the necessary calories cats need for energy. The best cat food products fit the nutritional requirements presented in the table. Wet food is the closest to your cat's natural diet, but the same cannot be said for semi-moist or dry cat food. Cat kibble is high in carbs because it’s usually made from meat derivatives, veggies, and grains. Keeping your feline companion on a dry food diet can lead to diabetes and obesity. Biscuits can also cause dehydration because they don’t contain enough moisture. Since most cats are not avid water drinkers, they won’t drink water to compensate for the lack of moisture in their bodies. Dry food can be good for oral hygiene, so you may combine dry with wet or semi-moist cat food to help your kitty retain their dental health while staying hydrated and fit. Make sure that wet food servings correspond with your cat’s weight, age, and lifestyle. The best treats for your furry friendVegetables probably aren’t your kitty's favourite snack. Cats prefer deli meats, such as ham and bacon, and organs (e.g. liver) which are also safer treats. Keep in mind that deli meats tend to be high in sodium, so serve them sparingly. Offer poultry, fish, or seafood (e.g. chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, sardines, prawns) because they are super tasty and healthy for your feline companion. You can also opt for B.A.R.F. treats, but they carry the risk of bacterial infections and should be handled according to strict sanitary protocols.
This smells incredible! Thank you for buying the perfect food, hooman! Image (c) Untamed Untamed—the best wet food for your furballIf you’re looking for a true delicacy, Untamed ticks all the right boxes. Our nutrient-packed jelly and gravy meals are prepared with premium cuts of human-grade meat, completely free of animal or vegetable derivatives and other fillers like grains and sugar. Untamed dishes are:
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Untamed contains twice as much protein as the industry standard. Image (c) Untamed Why cat parents love UntamedHere’s what you can expect after switching your cat to Untamed:
How to order UntamedTo give Untamed a go, visit our online cat food store and follow the steps below: We will deliver the tailor-made taster pack to your door within a day with no additional shipping costs. If your furball likes Untamed, we will deliver your supplies around the same date each month. With our handy cat food subscription in place, you won’t have to worry about pet pantry shopping any longer. You can postpone, alter, pause, or cancel your order at any time! What not to give to your catThe following popular products should be off your kitty's menu:
Check out our other guides to what cats can or cannot eat: |
What vegetables can cats eat
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