Are you curious about what vegetables your cat can eat? Such as cabbage that is known for its crunchiness and that is commonly used in green leafy salads. It’s completely normal to wonder, “Can cats eat cabbage?”
We know that cats eat carrots, sweet potato, cucumbers, and peas. They’re nutritional and faster to digest. So what about cabbage?
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A Crunchy Treat for Cats
Here’s the thing: cabbage doesn’t have a unique taste. It mostly tastes bland and has no different kind of smell even. But what sets it apart from other vegetables (spinach for example) is that they’re crunchy. But only when eaten raw!
Now, this may sound like a bad thing for your cat. As it is harder to digest and can cause dehydration. The best thing to do is to cook the cabbage before feeding it to the cat. That’s right; cats can eat cabbage but only cooked.
Cabbage contains no harmful ingredients or toxins. It’s a cruciferous vegetable along with cauliflower or broccoli. So it’s better to steam or boil or cook them before. And for a cat, you can also puree or mash it for better digestion.
Consider slicing the cabbage into shreds and boiling it. Cats do enjoy food that is softer to chew and mushy. So cabbage is the best type of cooked treat there is for your cat to enjoy feeding time.
You can also add cabbage shredding over wet or dry kibbles. It’s a good way to introduce cabbage to your cat when he/she is a picky feline. Lots of cats are picky about what they want to eat. And it’s not enough that you want them to eat it. It’s just the way it is.
Also, even though cabbage is safe for cats. Serving large quantities is a bad idea. Simply because it’s not cat food! It lacks the essential, everyday nutrients your cats need to grow and thrive. Feed only small quantities of cabbage; just like a side dish.
It’s awesome that vegetables are a part of your cat’s diet. But it shouldn’t be the only thing your cat gets as they require animal proteins as their main source.
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Can Cats Eat Cabbage: What’s Good?
After all, cabbage is a green and cruciferous vegetable. It contains plenty of nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.
Fiber is the number one savior for cats who get frequently constipation. In small servings, of course, dietary fiber can regulate smoother digestion. It helps in the passing of stools, avoids diarrhea, and treats constipation.
Antioxidants reverse the negative effects of aging and immune damage. If your cat has a weak immune system and falls sick a lot. Feeding small quantities of cabbage is essential. Free radical damage is present in all stages. Such as heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and other significant diseases.
So by reversing cell damage, chances and signs of your cat falling sick are less likely.
On a more serious note, though vitamin acts as an antioxidant in cats. Feeding too much of it can cause gas and bloat. Too much of anything unfamiliar in cats can lead to a response. This suggests that feeding your cat too much cabbage is the wrong thing to do.
You don’t know how your cat will respond to food that isn’t animal protein. And nutrients like magnesium, vitamin, and fiber aren’t a part of it. However, moderation is the key to prevent diseases, free radical activity, and indigestion.
Feeding Your Cat Cabbage: What’s Not Good?
Have you heard of the substance called Thiocyanate? Well, you guessed right! It’s a substance which affects the thyroid function. In humans, an overload of this substance in the body can disrupt normal thyroid function.
It’s the same in cats as much as it is in humans. Too much of thiocyanate in the body can cause thyroid dysfunction. And if your cat already has a thyroid condition, it’s wise to steer clear of cabbage.
But if your cat doesn’t, don’t overthink it. It’s impossible that your cat will eat a lot of cabbage. So much that it might lead to a thyroid condition.
However, do you plan on feeding your cat vegetables daily? Then keep rotating between other types of vegetables and fruits along with cabbage. This will prevent your cat from eating cabbage every day.
Don’t get me wrong. Feeding your cat cabbage won’t send him/her to the hospital. It’s not like feeding cats grapes or mushrooms or onion. Cabbage is 100% non-toxic and safe. However, if your cat refuses to eat it, don’t force it.
Final Thoughts
Cats can eat cabbage – that we know now! But can cats eat cabbage daily? The answer to this question is not likely. Something like cabbage is safe and non-toxic for cats. But that doesn’t mean they need to eat it every day. And for many reasons!
You don’t want your cat to get bored with cabbage, do you? Cabbage contains antioxidants and fiber. They help fight diseases and regulate softer bowel movements. But too much of anything is bad.
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Cats are not designed the way humans are to process high carbs or fiber or vitamins. It can lead to loss of hair, indigestion, and acidity in cats. You want to limit the consumption of thiocyanate for maintaining proper thyroid health.
So it’s safe to say that cabbage is a nutritive but occasional treat for cats. It’s best to include this crunchy vegetable once in a while so your cat enjoys it completely.
Do You Want to Know More Tips and Trick on TopTipsForHer?
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Sources:
1. https://cats.how/can-cats-eat-cabbage/
2. https://allpetmagazine.com/can-cats-eat-lettuce-cabbage/
3. https://www.petconsider.com/can-cats-eat-cabbage-safely/
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