Safe and Unsafe Vegetables For Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on animal-based proteins as the main part of their diet. However, vegetables can provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber to supplement a cat’s health. When introducing vegetables, be sure to only choose and prepare those that are safe.

Photo bySafe and Unsafe Vegetables For Cats

How Vegetables Benefit Cats

While cats don't digest plant matter as efficiently as meat, the right vegetables can still boost feline health. Vitamins, antioxidants and fiber support digestion, immunity, skin, coats, bones and more. Always slowly introduce new veggies.

Guidelines for Feeding Vegetables

When preparing vegetables for cats:

• Wash all produce thoroughly
• Chop/mash/grind into bite-sized pieces
• Cook when necessary to remove toxins and aid digestibility
• Mix with food or broth for better palatability
• Only feed a small amount at first to check for tolerance
• Consult your vet before making any major dietary changes

Best Vegetables for Cats

These veggies provide the most nutritional bang for buck. Follow the above guidelines to prepare.

Cabbage

• Excellent source vitamin C and vitamin K
• Provides potassium, fiber and some calcium magnesium
• Serve finely chopped, cooked cabbage

Artichoke

• High in fiber, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin K
• Contains prebiotics to support healthy gut flora
• Feed only cooked artichoke hearts finely chopped

Asparagus

• Loaded with vitamins A, C, E, K and B vitamins like folate and thiamine
• Offers antioxidants plus chromium to balance blood sugar
• Chop cooked spears into small, soft pieces

Beets

• Excellent source of manganese and folate
• Provides vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus
• Grate raw beets finely or cook and mash for digestion

Bok Choy

• Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium and potassium
• Contains antioxidant power to prevent cell damage
• Chop raw leaves and stems small or cook thoroughly

Broccoli

• Supplies vitamins C, E, K, fiber, folate, manganese and phosphorus
• Rich source of glucosinolates, support detoxification
• Always cook completely; chop florets into tiny pieces

Brussels Sprouts

• Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, manganese, folate and potassium
• Contains sulforaphane, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
• Chop cooked Brussels sprouts very small

Carrots

• Full of vitamin A, biotin, potassium, vitamin K and fiber
• Rich in antioxidant compounds like carotenoids
• Grate finely or boil and cut carrots into nickel-sized bites

Cauliflower

• High amounts of vitamins C, K and B vitamins like folate and niacin
• Offers antioxidant support with sulforaphane and indoles
• Chop thoroughly cooked florets small

Celery

• Contains vitamin K, potassium, folate and some fiber
• Natural diuretic to prevent urinary tract infections
• Chop finely to avoid choking

Chard

• Extremely high in vitamins A, C, E and K
• Excellent source of magnesium, iron, copper and manganese
• Chop stems and leaves finely before serving

Collard Greens

• Rich in calcium, manganese, fiber, folate and over 15 amino acids
• Has isothiocyanates to lower inflammation and fight cancer
• Chop finely raw or cooked

Corn

• Provides complex carbs, fiber, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin C
• Contains lutein and zeaxathin pigments for eye health
• Only feed kernels cut from the cob

Green Beans

• Supply vitamin C, vitamin K, silicon plus carotenoid antioxidants
• Improve hydration and digestive health
• Chop completely before feeding

Kale

• Extremely high in vitamins A, C, K, potassium, manganese and calcium
• Also rich in antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol
• Chop young leaves and tender stems finely

Lettuce

• High water content keeps cats hydrated
• Romaine supplies vitamin A, folate and chromium
• Dark leaf varieties offer more nutrition

Mushroom

• Source of protein, copper, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid in addition to antioxidants
• Always cook thoroughly to remove toxins; then chop

Peas

• Loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins C, K, folate, phosphorus and magnesium
• Contains peptides for antioxidant effects
• Only feed fresh or frozen peas, not canned

Potatoes

• Provide vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, iron, potassium and some zinc
• Offer antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids
• Only feed thoroughly cooked and mashed

Pumpkin

• Extremely high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber
• Has omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
• Always cook fresh and mash before feeding

Radish

• Excellent source vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and fiber
• Enhances liver function and bile production
• Grate finely or cook and mash

Spinach

• Highly nutritious with vitamins A, C, E, K plus iron, folate and thiamine
• Contains glycolipids to protect the digestive tract
• Chop thoroughly raw or cooked

Squashes like Butternut and Acorn

• Rich in vitamin A from beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and fiber
• Has cucurbitacins to fight inflammation and cancer growth
• Cook completely and mash consistency before feeding

Sweet Potatoes

• Full of vitamins A, C, manganese, copper, fiber and pantothenic acid
• Aid digestion with easy-to-digest carbs and nutrients
• Always cook and chop or mash bite-sized

Turnips and Parsnips

• Provide immune-boosting vitamin C, B vitamins, copper, fiber and manganese
• Parsnips offer more nutrients than turnips
• Peel, cook, then chop/mash thoroughly

Zucchini

Zucchini makes an excellent hydrating snack for cats. Provides vitamin A, manganese, folate and phosphorus. Grate or chop small raw. Also safe cooked and mashed.

Unsafe Vegetables

These vegetables are toxic and dangerous:

• Onions, garlic, chives - Contain poisonous compounds that damage red blood cells
• Raw potatoes - Have toxic glycoalkaloids solanine and chaconine
• Tomatoes - The leaves and stems contain toxic alkaloids
• Raw rhubarb leaves - Full of oxalates that can cause kidney failure

So stick to the recommended safe vegetables. Introduce new additions slowly. If you're ever uncertain about which vegetables are suitable for your feline friend, consult your veterinarian or consider reaching out to a Catheist—they are professionals specializing in providing information about cats and can offer valuable insights into the ideal vegetable choices for your furry companion.