Carrots and broccoli for cats? Yes!
While cats get their primary nutrition from a carnivorous diet which includes fish, chicken, turkey and other meat, cats can benefit from some vegetables.
Cats still need vitamins which they can get from some vegetables, said Emily Parker in “Best Vegetables For Cats: Can They Eat Them? Benefits And Side Effects” in Catological website.
Parker noted that a balanced diet must consist of vegetables and fruits that are good for. Parker stressed however that vegetables and fruits can not replace meat. They can only be added to a cat’s diet.
“Vegetables are rich in a plethora of healthy ingredients like potassium, riboflavin, antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamins. All of these things are essential for cats of all breeds, regardless of their age,” said Parker.
But refrain from giving vegetables and fruits that are toxic to cats. Some of these bad vegetables are onion, garlic and mushrooms. For a full list of bad vegetables and fruits, please see previous columns or articles in Sunday Pets page.
Here are the vegetables which are good for your cats, according to Parker:
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the best superfood for cats.
Broccoli florets are rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.
“Constipated felines or cats with digestive system disorders can benefit from additional fiber intake. And on top of that, the abundance of antioxidants will also be beneficial to every single furball out there,” Parker said.
You can mix the streamed broccoli florets in your cat’s canned or dry food. Include the water.
But Parker warns too much broccoli can cause diarrhea due to the fiber content.
Carrots
Carrots are also a superfood for cats due to the many health benefits.
“Carrots are low of fat, which makes them a great snack for overweight furballs. What’s more, they offer potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and B6. On top of that, this vegetable is an excellent source of beta-carotene,” said Parker.
“You probably don’t know this, but many cat food manufacturers use carrots in their recipes. Since the feline organism can’t process this veggie like the human organism can, you should feed only moderate amounts of carrots to your furry companion. The best way to do so is to offer grated or finely chopped carrots and only when they’re cooked. This will make them easier for digestion and it will also prevent the cat from choking with larger chunks,” she added.
Peas
Green peas are very healthy for humans and cats.
Peas are found in dry or canned cat food.
Magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, copper and phosphorus are the vitamins found in green peas.
They also contain good amounts of vitamins A, K, B1, B2, B6, and C.
Parker suggested that a cat owner mix up some steamed peas in the kitty’s food. You can also puree the peas prior to serving to cats.
Beans
Beans are good for cats, specially for overweight cats.
“They are 100% safe for the feline organism and are rich in dietary fiber, as well as in protein, “ Parker said.
“Cooked green beans can serve as a healthy substitute to traditional cat treats. They are rich on thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, B6, C, and K. As long as the cooked beans are unseasoned and don’t have any dressings, they will be perfectly safe for your kitty. Similarly to peas, you can serve them whole or pureed, but only in moderate amounts,” Parker added.
Zucchini
Zucchinis are also good as weight loss food for obese cats, Parker said.
Diabetic or overweight pets can also benefit from eating zucchinis as they are low on calories, Parker added.
They are also healthy as they contain high amounts of vitamins C, A, B6, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber.
Finely chop steamed zucchinis and hide it inside wet canned cat food, Parker suggested.
“If your own feline pal is too finicky, you can mash the zucchini into a puree before mixing it with the food, “she added.
Parker reminded cat owners that cats are carnivore. Vegetables are just additional health food or can serve as treats
“Regardless of the type of vegetables you’re feeding your cat with, keep in mind that the kitty is a carnivore. A well-balanced feline diet features meat as a primary food item, whereas vegetables must be serving only as an additional bonus. They can’t substitute the essential ingredients in real meat products. And if your cat is thriving on a vegetable-based diet, it will suffer from malnourishment, which will lead to a number of health problems,” she stressed.