Can cats eat broccoli? Maybe you’ve had this thought if your cat begs for a bite while you’re preparing some broccoli as a side vegetable for part of your dinnertime meal. If humans can eat broccoli, can cats safely it too?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat broccoli. In fact, there are a number of potential health benefits that can come with feeding your cat some broccoli; although, it should not be a main part of a cat’s daily diet as it will not provide the protein a feline requires.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your beloved kitty. Here’s what you need to know about broccoli and cats.
When Is Broccoli Okay For Cats To Eat?
Broccoli is not toxic or poisonous for cats. As a matter of fact, cats can get a number of health benefits from eating it.
Some of the most useful nutritional benefits of broccoli include:
- It’s high in antioxidants
- It contains a good amount of fiber
- Broccoli can lower levels of cholesterol
If you notice that your cat enjoys trying to snack on your houseplants, you might also be able to tempt them to snack on some broccoli instead as a way to satisfy their chomping instincts.
If you decide to start feeding broccoli to your cat, make sure to abide by a couple of simple precautions.
First of all, make sure that you feed it to your cat either raw or steamed/boiled in plain water. Do not give your cat any broccoli cooked with extra spices or oils that might be toxic to your kitty.
Secondly, only feed broccoli to your cat as a snack or a supplement. Ask your vet about a recommended portion size if you’re interested in adding it to your feline’s diet.
When Is Broccoli Bad For Cats?
While broccoli is not poisonous to cats, it also shouldn’t make up the majority of a feline’s meals. This is because cats are obligate carnivores and need most of their nutrition to come from proteins like meat.
If you feed your cat too much broccoli, you could be depriving them of a sufficient level of protein in their diet, which in turn could result in health complications.
So if your cat seems to show an interest in snacking on some broccoli, feel free to give them a taste, but make sure it’s only in moderation.
Does your cat like to eat broccoli? How do you make sure you safely serve broccoli to your kitty? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
