Cats are true carnivores and require at least 70% meat proteins to stay healthy. However, broccoli is a veggie with health benefits for your furry friend.
Steamed or boiled broccoli is suitable for your cat. It contains many good free radicals, roughage, lowers cholesterol, and antioxidants. It can also ease an upset tummy. So if you see your cat eating quite a bit of grass, then try some broccoli to help ease their upset stomach.
Broccoli is beneficial for your cat’s digestion and overall health. Still, you must make sure that you clean it thoroughly and cook it as raw broccoli has compounds that may cause stomach upset, constipation, or kidney failure.
What vegetables can my cat eat
Broccoli has a very special enzyme called myrosinase, released when you cut it to cook. Myrosinase reacts to the other compounds and creates Sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is known to kill cancer cells. Another good reason for humans and cats to eat broccoli, although cats only need small amounts of broccoli.
Not all veggies are suitable for your cat; indeed, some veggies are toxic and can cause serious illness for your furry friend. For example, if your cat likes broccoli and develops a taste for leafy greens, you will have to keep some plants out of their way. Such as:
- Philodendron
- Corn plant
- Aloe Vera
Vegetables can be used to boost your cat’s health and in place of cat treats to aid in weight loss for your pet.
- Peas – steamed or boiled. Peas are often included in quality pet food.
- Cucumber – cut into thin slices and remove the skin for easy digestion.
- Asparagus – cut into small bite-sized pieces and steamed.
- Carrots – cut into small pieces and steamed or boiled. Raw carrot is undigestable for cats.
- Winter squash – cut into small cubes or slices, steamed or boiled.
- Green beans – cut into small pieces and steamed or boiled.
- Alfalfa sprouts – fresh, cut into small pieces.
Can cats eat vegetable meat substitutes
Your cat may prefer a veggie burger to plain steamed broccoli. Most vegetable meat substitutes taste and smell like meat. However, you will have to check the ingredients to ensure they don’t contain onion or garlic, as they are toxic to your cat.
What vegetables should cats avoid
Some vegetables are beneficial to cats. However, there are some veggies that you definitely should not feed your cat!
- Garlic – breaks down the red blood cells – can cause anemia, shortness of breath, weakness.
- Onion – breaks down the red blood cells – can cause anemia, shortness of breath, weakness.
- Chives – breaks down the red blood cells – can cause anemia, shortness of breath, weakness.
- Potatoes – uncooked can cause stomach upset. Green potatoes can cause hallucinations, paralysis, or cardiac arrest.
- Spinach – can cause crystals in the urinary tract and kidney problems. So if your cat has current urine issues or kidney problems, spinach is to be avoided.
My Cat Doesn’t Like eating vegetables; Will They Be Healthy
Not every cat likes vegetables or fruit. Cats are true carnivores and only require meat proteins to stay healthy. My cat has no interest in vegetables, so I don’t give him any.
My cat has good quality cat food that he eats daily and occasionally has some fish, chicken, or tuna to stop him from getting bored with his meals.
He is a healthy and active ten-year-old cat with no negative impact from not eating veggies. So, in all honesty, if your cat doesn’t like veg, it is nothing to worry about. It is not necessary for them. They are carnivores.
I hope that you found this article helpful.
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