Can Cats Eat Spinach?

Spinach! Love it or hate it, it’s widely regarded as a human “superfood,” packed with vitamins and minerals. But can our cats eat it too, and does spinach benefit cats’ health as it does ours?

The short answer is yes, most cats can eat spinach. It can provide some nutritional benefits, although is not necessary to be included in a cat’s diet. However, certain urinary and bladder issues in cats can be exacerbated by feeding spinach, so attention cat owners! Read on for more information before you offer any to your feline friend.

Toxic: No

Commonly Allergenic: No

Species Appropriate: No

How Often to Feed: Occasional

How Much to Feed: Supplemental

Summary of Content

While not toxic to cats, spinach is typically harmless for cats, but it should not be a significant part of their diet and should be avoided if they have a history of kidney problems.

Is Spinach Good for Cats?

Spinach is packed with goodness, so even a small portion of these leafy greens can provide a daily dose of various minerals and vitamins for cats. It is high in fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system and for reducing constipation. Spinach is also very low in calories for those cats who need a little help managing their weight.

Also Read: Making Cat Food: Homemade And Raw Cat Food Diets Explained

How Much Spinach Can a Cat Eat?

Cats are small creatures, and therefore their daily requirements for various vitamins and minerals are smaller than ours. Small amounts of spinach are therefore perfectly adequate, especially because vegetables should only be used as an addition to your cat’s main diet, which should be meat-based, as they are carnivores. Eating large amounts of spinach can be problematic, especially for cats with urinary or kidney problems.

How Often Can a Cat Eat Spinach?

Spinach, and other veggies, should not form a major part of your cat’s diet, and therefore should be only fed on occasionally.

Do Cats Like the Taste of Spinach?

Cats are usually most drawn to meaty or fishy smells and textures, and are often not hugely attracted to plant material as food. However, some cats are more curious than others and may fancy a try of some human food.

Also Read: Are Fruits And Vegetables Safe For Cats? What Every Cat Owner Should Know

Is Spinach Used in Commercial Cat Foods?

Yes, there are some commercial cat foods that contain spinach, included for its health benefits of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, as cats are carnivores, most commercial cat diets are made up mostly of protein sources such as meat and meat derivatives.

Fruit and vegetables are generally not well digested by cats, and so are usually not a major proportion of a feline diet. Large amounts of spinach can also be problematic for certain cats, so it is only ever found in tiny amounts in commercial diets.

Is Spinach Bad for Cats?

Spinach is not toxic nor poisonous to cats, but it can cause problems if fed in large quantities, or if your cat has any pre-existing urinary or kidney disease. Spinach contains a compound called calcium oxalate, which can cause stones to form in the urinary tract (either bladder stones or kidney stones), if eaten in large amounts, or if your cat is predisposed to urinary problems.

Raw spinach has the highest concentration of calcium oxalate than overcooked spinach. Small amounts of calcium oxalate will not be a problem in healthy cats, but if your cat has any known urinary problems it is recommended to avoid feeding spinach.

Signs Your Cat Has Eaten Too Much Spinach

Spinach should be perfectly safe in most cats, especially if given in small quantities. However, if you are concerned that your cat has eaten a large amount of these leafy greens, or has underlying urinary problems, these are the signs of bladder stone and kidney stone formation to watch for.

• Difficulty passing urine, straining to urinate, or vocalizing when trying to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Fever

These signs are very unlikely if your cat has only a small amount of spinach on an occasional basis, which should be perfectly safe.

What Happens if Your Cat Eats Spinach?

In the vast majority of cases, eating spinach will only provide beneficial nutrients to your cat. However, if your cat is prone to urinary issues, or has eaten a large amount of spinach, monitor for the above symptoms and call your veterinarian if you are concerned.

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