When you think about how to enrich your cat’s diet, and what vegetables could you include, has spinach ever came to your mind? If you have wondered can cats eat spinach, just keep reading this text.
You will not only find information about whether cats can eat spinach but also why different types of vegetables are good for them, which vitamins and super ingredients they contain.
You will also learn about the best way to prepare vegetable and serve it to your pet friend and are there any vegetables that can be toxic to your pet.
What makes spinach good choice for your cat?
Spinach has low caloric values and is rich in vitamins and minerals. That’s why spinach is a great choice when deciding which greens to include in your cat’s diet.
You may have heard that spinach contains glycolipids. Glycolipids are substances that act protectively on the mucous membrane of your pet’s digestive tract in the case of an inflammatory process.
How spinach affects cat’s health?
No wonder can cats eat spinach if you know how it will improve your cat’s health. As healthy for us as it is for our cats:
- Spinach provides oxygen to cells and tissues. You’ve probably heard by now – eat spinach if you’re anemic. Spinach has iron, which affects the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transport and storage of oxygen in our body.
- For stronger muscles, it is important to eat spinach, just like in the cartoon.
- It has few calories, so it is also great for cats that have a problem with being overweight
- Spinach fiber helps the intestines work better
- Thanks to antioxidants, it strengthens immunity and protects against diseases
- Restores energy and enhances vitality
What great ingredients spinach has?
Spinach can also be called a super food. Let’s list what it all contains:
- Vitamin A, C, E, K, B6, B2
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Fiber – great for digestion
- Omega 3 fatty acids – in small but sufficient amounts•
- Nitrates – help maintain normal blood pressure•
- Carotenoids – lutein (1) and zeaxanthin (2) are good for eyes and prevent cataracts
It is low in calories and excellent for maintaining body weight
Can cats eat raw spinach?
So far, we have studied the good sides of feeding spinach to a cat, but the way you prepare this vegetable is also important.
Can cats eat raw spinach – the answer is NO. One of the ingredients of spinach – oxalate can make crystals in the urinary tract. The crystals later become kidney stones.
Maybe your cat has a problem you didn’t know about, so it’s best not to give raw spinach.
Can cats eat cooked spinach?
Yes they can.
Cooked spinach is good for your cat. It is very important how you cook the spinach, without losing all the precious substances.
Boil or steam spinach for your cat. Don’t add spices and make sure that your pet gets a small amount of spinach mixed with its food, so it doesn’t even notice it at first.
How much spinach to give to a cat?
Cats are very picky when it comes to food. Don’t expect your cat to run when it smells spinach, no matter how good it is for her.
What quantity is sufficient and good?
Small.
Put a small amount of cooked spinach in the food that the cat likes to eat and monitor its reactions.
If she likes spinach, great, but don’t overdo it. One to two cooked leaves will be quite a sufficient amount.
Can Kittens Eat Spinach?
Kittens are more sensitive, so you should think twice or consult a veterinarian before giving it spinach.
Can spinach be toxic for cats?
It’s not toxic to cats but in some cases it can be bad for them.
Spinach is not for those cats that have a problem with urinary tract infections. Spinach oxalates are bad when combined with some minerals (iron, magnesium, and potassium).
Oxalates affect the reduced absorption of calcium, and to avoid that, be sure to boil the spinach a little.
In which situations are cats not given spinach?
- If your cat has a urinary problem or a tendency to form kidney stones, do not give her spinach
- If you suspect that spinach could harm your cat, ask your veterinarian for advice
Can cats eat kale?
It is a complex question can cats eat spinach and kale. So far we found out cats can eat spinach but what about kale?
Kale has gained great popularity in human nutrition. It is low in calories, healthy, and available.
Kale contains vitamins A and C, calcium and iron, lutein, and dietary fiber. It has large amounts of potassium and is seven times richer in beta carotene than broccoli.
No matter how healthy kale for a human’s diet is, it is not good for cats. Kale in cats can cause Heinz body anemia (3).
Which vegetables are not good for cats?
Cat owners often forget or do not know that the digestive system in humans and cats differs in many ways. For that reason, experts discourage owners from giving food that they eat because some vegetables can be toxic to your cat.
We have previously written about kale, which we do not recommend for cats. Kale is not the only vegetable that you should avoid giving to your furry pet.
What leafy greens can cats eat?
Cat eating spinach can become normal practice at your home but there are other vegetables that are definitely not for cats. So let’s talk about which vegetables are toxic to cats.
So when it comes to leafy greens can cats eat spinach?
Yes. Can cats eat lettuce? No.
Be careful when choosing the right vegetable and avoid garlic and lettuce. Your cat can get diarrhea from lettuce, and the garlic can cause anemia.
Veterinarians do not recommend potatoes and zucchini either. These vegetables contain a lot of carbohydrates that cats do not need. Excessive amounts of starch will cause a metabolic disorder in a cat, a problem with hormones, and even diabetes.
Every nutritionist will tell you it is not good to cook food for too long. This also applies to the food you prepare for your pet. High temperatures destroy all the good in your food, including vitamins, enzymes, etc.
Vegetables that are good for your cat
Instead of giving industrial treats, offer your cat some vegetables.
Vegetables are not a substitute for a meal because a cat is basically a carnivore.
Give your cat a small amount so you don’t overload her with carbs.
Broccoli
Is a vegetable well known for its exceptional composition. Broccoli contains vitamin C, antioxidants, strengthens the immune system. This great vegetable also has fiber. A great choice for your cat, it is important to cook the broccoli before use, but not too much. Forget about spices because they can disrupt your pet’s digestion.
Carrots
As important as it is in our diet, it is important in your pet’s diet. Cook the carrot, cut it into small pieces, and add it to the cat food.
Carrots are great for eyesight, have antioxidants, and protect against cancer.
Green beans
Another vegetable you can give your cat is green beans. It is completely safe, so feel free to cook it and add a portion of food to the machine.
And What About Appetite Stimulants for Cats?
Some owners have trouble feeding a cat that is constantly wanting to eat, others have trouble feeding it.
In what ways can you stimulate your pet’s appetite? We are bringing some ideas for appetite stimulant for cats.
- Feed your cat from the hand and it will surely attract her attention. Caress your furry friend, talk to her slowly and try to get her to eat
- Give it the food she loves the most
- Add some canned tuna liquid to their food part (when they smell it, they are not going to refuse food)
- You can give them meat that babies eat
- Sometimes it is enough to heat the food and make it smell stronger and attract your pet. There is a food irresistible to cats – food full of proteins, especially oily fish, will certainly attract them
Bottom Line
Cats are persistent when they want something especially if it is about food. It is hard to resist them, just be wise enough to get sure the food is safe for her.
In our conclusion, we want to remind you – your cat is a carnivore and it could not survive without meat.
It’s not a matter of serving your cat a big steak every night, but meat must make up most of its diet. Approximately five to ten percent of a cat’s diet should be lightly steamed vegetables.
So if you decide to include nutritious vegetables, leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, in your cat’s diet, it is a great choice. Cook it properly and give it to your cat in small amounts.
Next time you meet a cat owner that wonders can cats eat spinach or which vegetables are toxic to cats, show them this article.
