5 Vegetables Cats Can Eat (And 5 To Avoid!) - All About Cats (2024)

FAQs

What vegetable can cats eat? ›

Superb vegetables to offer your cat are chopped carrots, peas, frozen corn, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, winter squash, and pumpkin. This produce should be cooked (steamed is best) since felines, just like us humans, lack a sufficient way to break down plant cell walls.

Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients.

In the same way that chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, some fruits and vegetables are too. Onions, garlic, wild mushrooms, avocado, and rhubarb are all poisonous to pets, and corn is also a common allergen. You should also avoid feeding grapes and raisins to your pet, as they can cause kidney damage.

Cats are Obligate Carnivores – No Veggies Required

Unlike dogs and humans, who are omnivores, cats are obligate carnivores – meaning that they need a source of animal protein to survive. There is also the need for the Amino Acid Taurine.

Cats react because cucumbers look like snakes

To a feline's eyes a cucumber can look similar enough to the pesky reptile to elicit their fear response and make them jump a few feet in the air to avoid being bitten.

It's safe for cats to eat carrots as long as they're prepared properly. Any carrots you feed your cat should be cooked, but you shouldn't use any seasonings as certain seasonings may be harmful to cats. Because carrots are rich in vitamins, they can be good for cats in relatively small amounts.

Onions, garlic, chives, shallots, leeks, and scallions are in the Allium species and cats are notoriously sensitive to some of their chemical compounds. Ingestion of these plants can cause destruction of their red blood cells resulting in anemia, lethargy, pale mucous membranes, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

So, can cats eat tuna? Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently.

Safe Vegetables for Dogs and Cats. As many people may know, vegetables can be hard to digest, but cooking helps make them more digestible. Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) are easier on a pet's digestive system when boiled or steamed before serving.

The short answer is, “Not recommended.” According to ASPCA, tomatoes have something called solanine which is not only toxic to cats, it's also harmful to horses and dogs. If the stems and leaves are ingested, they are at risk of stomach issues, lethargy, slower heart rate and more.

Can cats eat cucumber? ›

Like other fruits that are safe for cats, cucumbers are a safe snack for your kitty.

Can cats eat sweet potatoes? Cats can eat sweet potatoes, but only in moderation. Although sweet potatoes are not toxic to felines as they don't contain solanine, there are much better cat treat options for your pet.

Plain boiled, mashed, or baked white potatoes are fine occasional treats for your kitty. Cats can even eat instant mashed potatoes. As long as potatoes are cooked, Hills says, they're non-toxic.

Potato toxicity can be fatal. If your pet has ingested parts of a raw potato or potato plant, including peelings, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting, however, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to.

Experts have a few theories as to why cucumbers give cats a fright, but so far there's no definitive answer. Most agree that cats' fear has less to do with cucumbers themselves than what the cucumbers represent or how they “magically” appear. One of the most popular explanations is that cucumbers remind cats of snakes.

Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.

Fruits that are safe for a cat's diet include: Apples (peeled apples may be easier to digest) Bananas.

Cheese is not a natural part of a cat's diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only get necessary nutrients from meat. But even though cheese is also high in protein, it can upset a cat's delicate digestive system. The reason for this is that cats don't tolerate dairy very well.

While many "people foods," like chocolate, are toxic for cats and other pets, and they should be avoided altogether, bananas aren't toxic to pets. It is one of the fruits that cats can eat safely in small portions.

Broccoli has numerous nutritional benefits for humans, but can cats eat broccoli, and is it safe for cats? The answer is yes, and it's healthy for them as well. Broccoli is packed with vitamin C & carotenoids, is rich in dietary fiber, and is an excellent source of antioxidants for your cat.

What is the number one killer of cats? ›

The number one infectious disease killer of cats in the United States today is Feline Leukemia Virus, or FeLV.

Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.

Cats shouldn't eat ice cream for the same reasons it's not exactly healthy for humans: Ice cream tends to contain lots of sugar and fat that is unnecessary for the feline diet.

Meat. Cats are carnivores and need meat in their diets to survive (sorry vegans, but you can't put your cat on a plant-based diet). Give your kitty some cooked beef, chicken, turkey, even deli meats from your local grocery store. Be careful and don't feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat sick.

Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.

The easy answer is yes! Your cat can eat salmon. However, like all good things, salmon should be fed to your cat in moderation. If you feed them too much salmon, they may decide they like it so much, that they won't eat anything else — and that's no way to feed your cat a healthful, balanced diet.

Yes, cats can eat lettuce but only in moderation. This is not a food that cats need for a balanced diet, but it doesn't belong on the toxic cat foods list. As long as you don't go overboard, this is a snack that can be offered to an interested feline.

Yes, cats can eat spinach! In fact, there are even commercial cat food diets that include spinach as one of their ingredients.

Yes! The pumpkin that's safe for cats is plain, cooked pumpkin. You can find it canned, or bake a fresh squash in your oven. If you go the canned route, be sure you're not choosing pumpkin pie filling as it's often seasoned.

Can cats have pasta? ›

Cats can eat pasta, but it doesn't provide the essential nutrients that kitties need to thrive. Like bread, pasta is a source of empty calories, as it doesn't contain any of the vitamins, minerals, or amino acids crucial for feline health. Feeding pasta to your furry friend can lead to: Obesity.

Can Cats Eat Bread? As is the case with many human foods, small amounts of baked bread are generally OK for cats to eat in moderation. Cats shouldn't eat bread on a regular basis but, rather, reserve it for a once in a while treat.

Eating a bit of cooked pizza crust is most likely harmless for your cat. But you should never allow your cat to eat raw dough, as the yeast can cause a deadly expansion and create alcohol in the stomach. Chances are, your cat won't be very interested in either plain pizza crust or raw dough anyway.

So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.

In the home, cats are often scared of noisy household appliances, especially if they didn't become accustomed to them as young kittens. Vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, printers, washing machines and hairdryers are common culprits.

If you're wondering, can cats eat avocados in larger amounts? The answer is similar: It's not advised. It's not just the "meat" of the avocado that contains persin. In fact, every part of the avocado — from the pit to the flesh to the leaves — has the potential to poison your pet.

As obligate carnivores, cats, too, love meat and may be tempted to try a bite of your crispy breakfast side. The good news is that a little bite of bacon is safe to share with your cat, but we don't recommend feeding bacon to your cat on a regular basis.

Keep in mind—popcorn is okay, not great

Popcorn can be an occasional snack for healthy adult cats. They may like its texture or smell but wouldn't fancy eating too much of it. It's a nutritionally underwhelming product because corn is not a part of your feline's natural diet.

It may be a staple in many human diets, but can cats eat rice? It's safe for cats to nibble on some cooked rice now. You may also see rice in a number of cat foods since it can contribute to a nutritionally balanced cat food.

Yes, cats can eat celery! However, celery cannot replace a well-balanced diet. Pet parents should consider celery an additional treat rather than a significant part of a cat's routine diet. As obligate carnivores, meat-based diets for cats are a must.

Can cats eat green beans? ›

Cooked or steamed green beans are a good option for cats that are actually interested in eating greens (most aren't!). Certain veggies contain the added nutrients, fiber, and water that any cat could use, particularly for digestive issues.

The truth is that most cats are lactose intolerant so giving them cow's milk can actually cause significant health issues. Milk doesn't part of necessary cat nutrition and many cats suffer stomach upsets or other related problems because their owner thought that they were giving them a treat.

Cats are carnivores, but that doesn't mean they won't enjoy eating vegetables from time to time. Cats can eat peas, which is considered a safe and healthy treat for cats. Peas are some of the safest human foods to share with your pet, and many cats enjoy them.

All onions — whether cooked or raw or even free-dried — are a danger to your pet. It takes a small amount of onions to poison your cat or dog, with cats being more sensitive to onion's effect than dogs.

Bottom line: no, your pet shouldn't eat butter or any greasy foods, including margarine or butter substitutes made with oils. Instead, when you're having a snack, offer your pet a treat specifically made with their nutrition and body systems in mind.

Veggies. Not all cats like vegetables, and even fewer like fruits (felines can't taste sweet flavors). But they are a rich source of vitamins, and they're loaded with fiber and water to help with digestion. Try fresh cucumber or cantaloupe, steamed broccoli, or asparagus.

While cats, unlike humans, don't require veggies in their diet, they can be a safe and healthy treat. Your cat might nosh on some cooked carrots, but avoid raw ones as they may be a choking hazard.

Fortunately, yes. Rich in beta carotene and contains numerous vitamins and minerals (in particular vitamin A that is essential to felines), carrots are great for your cat's health.

Can cats eat sweet potatoes? Cats can eat sweet potatoes, but only in moderation. Although sweet potatoes are not toxic to felines as they don't contain solanine, there are much better cat treat options for your pet.

The short answer is, “Not recommended.” According to ASPCA, tomatoes have something called solanine which is not only toxic to cats, it's also harmful to horses and dogs. If the stems and leaves are ingested, they are at risk of stomach issues, lethargy, slower heart rate and more.

Can cats eat scrambled egg? ›

Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.

Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.