Do you know popeye, he got his superhuman strength from spinach. However, it does not mean that you or your cat would also get the same strength from spinach.
Want to know can cats eat spinach? Then you are at the right place! I also had the same question in my mind, but I did Some research & experience with my cats.
Here in this article, I have shared my experience & knowledge that I gained from other cat owners with you in this blog.
Do you know that Spinach contains oxalates (oxalic acid), that might harm your cat in the long run?
Read the complete article to save your cat from kidney stones!
Can Cats Eat Spinach?
The short answer would be, yes, cats can eat spinach. It is non-toxic for cats, but many of you know that cats are obligate carnivores. Saying this they get 70%-75% of their nutrition from prey. There is no rule that you cannot supplement your cat’s diet with fruits & vegetables. In fact, fruits & vegetables are very beneficial for both humans & cats.
There are many studies & research based on feeding spinach to cats. One of the most popular studies is done on geriatric cats & it did show that supplementing spinach in cats’ diet did improve lean body mass & improved their kidney function.
Can Kittens Eat Spinach?
As I mentioned before spinach is not harmful to cats. However, kittens do not have a good digestive system like an adult cats which means they are far weaker. Till certain age, the kittens should be kept on their mother’s milk. You can also get the kitten’s starter food pack it might be a good option instead of spinach.
Is Spinach Good for Cats?
Yes, spinach is good for cats, you may see many pet food companies use a small amount of spinach in their food products.
The spinach is loaded with vitamins & minerals, it is also high in vitamins A, K, B6, B2, E, and C. Moreover, you will find it is high in magnesium, folate, calcium, and potassium.
There are many advantages of spinach, and let me tell you one of them. As you might know, they eat other animals, right. Meat contains these vitamins & minerals but in very less quantities.
If you are feeding your cat a perfectly balanced diet then it might fulfill the body’s mineral vitamin requirements.
Adding a good amount of fibers to your cat’s diet might help them improve their immune system, However, you know the spinach has a moderate amount of fiber.
Also Read: Are Carrots Safe For Cats to Eat
Can Cats Eat Cooked Spinach?
There are many cat owners who have any questions related to cooked spinach. Yes, cats can have a small amount of spinach in their diets.
I had talked with many veterinarians, they only have one concern, spinach contains oxalates (oxalic acid). If spinach is consumed in a larger quantity & for a longer time it may increase the risk of kidney stones.
However, if you cook spinach then it may decrease the number of oxalates, So if you are feeding spinach to your cat then you can add cooked spinach to their diet.
You have to make sure that the cooked spinach dies not to contain any salt or oil. Moreover, you should cook spinach on a very low flame, as it might burn all the nutrients present inside.
Can Cats Eat Raw Spinach?
If you are feeding your cat raw spinach then it might be beneficial for them as it is high in vitamins & minerals. Here you may see both cooked spinach & raw spinach have their own pros & cons.
As the raw spinach has high amounts of oxalates & it may cause kidney stones in your cat. If your cat has a history of urinary tract stones then you might avoid feeding them spinach.
Is Spinach Bad for Cats?
You might know that spinach is not bad for cats, but you might know that everything consumed within a limit is good for everyone. Whatever you feed to your cat in addition to your cat’s diet then you should exceed more than 10% of her daily calorie intake.
If you are feeding them too much then it might harm your furball in the longer run. Always try to provide them with a balanced diet, an unbalanced diet can lead your cat toward nutritional deficiencies Or obesity.
How Much You Spinach You Can Feed Your Cat
The calories for your cats are decided by the weight & age of your furball. In most cases, cats need 200 calories to maintain their body weight. As I mentioned earlier in this blog, you can only provide 10% of treats to cats. So it means that you cannot exceed 20 calories per day, however, one leaf of spinach contains less than 3 calories.
You should not exceed more than 20 calories as it might lead your cat towards calcium oxalate stones. You should try different fruits & vegetables if you want to provide your cat with good nutrients regularly. I would suggest you before feeding any fruit or vegetable to your cat you should consult a veterinarian.
FAQs
Do my cat really needs spinach in my diet?
If you are a cat owner then you might know that cats belong obligate carnivorous family. They get the majority of nutrients from meat, so giving them spinach in their meals might not help you or them.
It is not necessary to give spinach to your furball as it is not beneficial for them.
What should I feed my cat raw or cooked spinach?
If you want to feed your cat spinach then you can go with cooked spinach. If you want to know more then you can check the raw spinach & cooked spinach section in the blog article.
Whatever you feed your cat it should be within limits, moderation is key to a healthy cat lifestyle.
How much spinach can a cat have?
You can feed 10% of their daily calorie intake, you will have to check the weight of the cat & age of the cat, then you can find out the exact calories of your cat.
I have provided the complete section on how much spinach can feed your cat. You can have a look in that section of the blog to know more about the quantity.
Final Verdict
So I would like to end this blog right here! I hope that I was able to clear all the questions you had related to Can cats to eat spinach.
I would say spinach is a super healthy and nutritious vegetable. However, it is more beneficial for humans not for cats, you may get an amazing alternative for spinach.
Before you feed anything different from their diet then you should visit the veterinarian & seek advice.
Make sure you provide them with fruits & vegetables in very small quantities, as it might be good for your furball. If still, you have questions related to can cats eat spinach then you can comment down below.
If you are feeding your cat spinach, then do share your experience in the comment section below! we all would love to hear from your stories.
Also Read: Cats Eat Apricot | What Vegetables Can Cats Eat?
Reference
- What pets can and can’t eat — Community Care College
- Frozen spinach contained higher thiamine content after storage — National Library of Medicine
- Protein digestibility in cats — NCBI