If you are a cat guardian, you might have, at some point, made the mistake of thinking that cat nutrition is similar to human nutrition. Based on this, you might have wondered, āCan cats eat broccoli?ā
Luckily for you, we answer this question in detail in this guide. We address common concerns you may have about feeding vegetables to your furry pal and also talk about how safe it is to feed broccoli to your cat.
Is Broccoli Safe for Cats?
The quick answer to the question āCan cats eat broccoli?" is yes. You can feed your cat broccoli, in moderation. Broccoli contains several nutrients, such as fiber and antioxidants, that can benefit your cat. It also contains tons of plant protein, which cats need plenty of. Most importantly, broccoli does not contain any ingredients that are toxic or harmful to cats.
However, just because something isnāt harmful to your cat does not necessarily imply that it is also great for them.Ā
First, you must remember that cats are obligate carnivores. This means they need more protein instead of carbohydrates and fiber. In the wild, cats hunt small animals and birds, and that is also how you must feed your domesticated cat. A majority of your catās protein needs to come from animal meat. Secondly, cats are not able to properly digest certain vegetables easily and that includes fiber-rich veggies like broccoli. Whatever your cat cannot digest does not yield much nutrition to their body.Ā
However, if your kitty seems to enjoy a piece or two of broccoli, you need not deny them that pleasure. Simply practice moderation and make sure to lightly steam or par-boil small pieces of broccoli (without any spices or seasoning).
Here are some health benefits of feeding cats broccoli in moderation.
Benefits of Feeding Broccoli to Cats
Fiber for Digestive Health
Cats need fiber to keep their stools soft and bowel movements regular. The good thing about feeding cats broccoli is that this vegetable contains a ton of fiber. 100 grams of broccoli contains almost 2.9 g of fiber, which can prevent constipation in your domestic cat. Fiber maintains your catās digestive health by adding roughage to the stools, promoting regular bowel movements, and supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
Antioxidants
Broccoli contains vitamins C and E. These antioxidants protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are rogue molecules that result in inflammation and even cancer. Broccoli also contains flavonoids like quercetin, which is also anti-inflammatory. Moreover, it contains lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that can contribute to better eye health in your cat.
Weight Management
Cats and broccoli go hand in hand, especially as a snack for obese or overweight cats. You can feed a tiny piece of lightly steamed broccoli to your hungry cat, and they might think they are getting a special treat. Broccoli, as mentioned earlier, contains a ton of fiber, which keeps your pet full for longer. This can help in weight management.
Risks and Precautions
Possible Digestive Issues
Broccoli is a type of cabbage, and like cabbage, it can cause flatulence or gas in cats. In excess, it could also result in diarrhea due to its high fiber content. Like cabbage, you should only feed it steamed or blanched to your cat, since it becomes easier for them to digest this way.Ā
Oxalic Acid Content
For young cats, the answer to the question āIs broccoli good for cats?ā is no. This is because it contains a high amount of oxalic acid, which binds and interferes with calcium absorption. Therefore, you must only feed broccoli to kittens in tiny amounts.
In large quantities, oxalic acid can also form urinary stones in cats, resulting in painful urinary blockages.
Choking Hazards
In rare cases, a cat or kitten could choke on the large, round florets of broccoli, especially if it's raw and not cut into manageable-sized pieces. Broccoli has a hard texture and if a cat does not chew it properly, there is a chance that they could choke on it.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction
In rare cases, your cat could show signs of a broccoli allergy, and these could include skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and other infections.
Skin issues stemming from broccoli allergy include overgrooming or licking to soothe itchy, inflamed skin, patchy hair loss, redness, blisters, etc. Gastrointestinal issues include scooting to soothe anal itch, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or flatulence. Other signs of broccoli cat allergy are infected ears, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, excessive lethargy, or discomfort.
How to Serve Broccoli to Cats
Raw vs. Cooked Broccoli: Which Is Better?
Lightly steamed broccoli is way better than raw broccoli when it comes to feeding your cat.Ā
Raw broccoli, as mentioned earlier, could result in a choking hazard. Moreover, raw broccoli is usually more difficult to digest and can cause gastrointestinal issues in cats. Lightly steamed or boiled broccoli is easier on your petās stomach, and many cats love its tender-yet-crunchy taste.
Steamed, Boiled, or Pureed Broccoli
Steaming or boiling chopped broccoli helps reduce choking hazards in cats and kittens. These methods soften the large, firm florets and make it easier for cats to swallow and digest them. They also preserve or retain most of broccoliās nutrients, such as vitamins C and folate.
You can also puree steamed or boiled broccoli and add it as a food topper over your cat's or kitten's food. Pureeing makes broccoli easier for cats to digest. However, pureeing tends to also destroy certain vital nutrients in broccoli.
Recommended Portion Sizes Based on Your Catās Weight
Use these guidelines from the experts at PetMD, should you choose to feed your cat broccoli:
Start small. Chop or break the large piece of broccoli floret into a small piece, no bigger than your thumbnail.
If your feline pal eats it without any issue (no flatulence, diarrhea, etc.), you can start adding a few pieces of broccoli to their diet, once or twice a week. Slowly increase the quantity to about the size of your thumb, always chopped or pureed, once or twice weekly.
Most cats like parboiled, steamed, or pureed broccoli, although some may like it raw.
If, at any point, you notice signs of diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset, stop feeding this vegetable.
As always, check with your vet, especially if this is the first time you are adding something new to your catās diet.
Other Vegetables Cats Can Eat
Cats donāt eat veggies in the wild, so your cat does not need too many vegetables. You can, however, feed vegetables like carrots and squash in small quantities to your kitty (grated raw if carrots and pureed if squash). These orange vegetables are rich in beta carotene and fiber, and these nutrients are beneficial for cats in many ways. You can also feed zucchini and spinach in small quantities to your feline friend.Ā
Note that too much plant material can make your catās urine alkaline and cause painful stones in their urinary tract. Certain vegetables can also be hard to digest and result in gas or diarrhea.
If you want to feed vegetables to your cat, they should not be more than 10% of their diet ā preferably much less, as compared to 40% fats and 30% proteins from chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish.
Never feed vegetables like onions, garlic, and mushrooms, as these can be toxic to your pet.
Conclusion: Should You Feed Your Cat Broccoli?
Broccoli is one of the safe vegetables you can feed your cat, in moderation. Cats are carnivores by nature. Sure, they eat prey that feeds on grains and vegetables, but these items are found in small quantities in these creaturesā digestive systems.
If you wish to feed broccoli to your cat, chop it into tiny pieces after steaming or boiling it. Do not add any salt or seasoning. Make sure that broccoli does not exceed more than 10% of your catās daily calorie intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats have broccoli and spinach?
Your cat could eat small quantities of broccoli and spinach as long as these vegetables are prepared properly, and you feed them alongside a balanced feline diet.
Do cats like broccoli?
There have been instances where cats are known to refuse food unless it is topped with broccoli! But no two cats are the same, and just because one cat loves broccoli does not mean another will too.
Is it okay to feed cooked vegetables to cats?
In the wild, cats do not eat vegetables. Even domesticated cats do not need vegetables as much as they need meat. So, you donāt need to feed cooked vegetables to your pet.
Reference List
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/cats-are-carnivores-so-they-should-eat-like-one/
https://basepaws.com/cat-insider/can-cats-eat-carrots
