{"id":35080,"date":"2018-11-27T21:19:42","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T21:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/?p=35080"},"modified":"2019-01-21T21:25:25","modified_gmt":"2019-01-21T21:25:25","slug":"can-cats-eat-broccoli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/can-cats-eat-broccoli\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cats Eat Broccoli?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with many healthy foods like broccoli, <a href=\"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/can-cats-eat-celery\/\">celery<\/a>, or spinach, it is known they are a good choice for people who are trying to eat a healthy diet. You may be wondering if broccoli is also a healthy snack for cats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the most part, broccoli can be a fun treat for your cat, but it really shouldn&#8217;t be the main part of your cat&#8217;s diet. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article we\u2019ll cover the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats and Broccoli, What You Need to Know<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Cats Eat Broccoli?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Kittens Broccoli?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benefits\/Drawbacks to Cats Eating Broccoli<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy Alternatives to Broccoli for Cats<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Cats and Broccoli, What You Need to Know<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Originally cultivated by the people of the Northern Mediterranean, broccoli is a domesticated form of wild cabbage, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brassica oleracea<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Along with domestic cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collards, and kale, all are considered to be the same species as broccoli, though they look and taste different from one another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutritionally, broccoli contains high levels of vitamin C and K, along with many other important nutrients, though in lesser amounts. Broccoli is also very low in fat and calories, making it a good choice for people who are trying to lose weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although cats are primarily meat eaters, as the following video shows, many enjoy noshing on a bit of broccoli from time to time.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content-asset videofit\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THIS CAT ENJOYS EATING BROCCOLI. SOO ADORABLE\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qzV5Zqs28l0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best thing about that video is that all those cats wear ties to dinner!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Can Cats Eat Broccoli?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, your cat can eat broccoli! Broccoli can be a tasty and fun treat if your cat is interested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just don&#8217;t be surprised if they don&#8217;t actually eat the broccoli. Since cats are meat eaters, many will just rip it apart, leaving a mess for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, as you can see in the following video, some cats may just play with the broccoli:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content-asset videofit\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cat has mind blown by piece of broccoli\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5FHEBuiUSqY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>Can Kittens Eat Broccoli?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kittens tend to be even more susceptible than adult cats to most things because they are tiny and are not yet fully developed. Though rare, any pathogens on broccoli leaves are even more likely to affect a kitten than an adult cat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, kittens could be more sensitive to the bloating and laxative effects from the fiber in broccoli. This could cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, possibly leading to dehydration and a trip to the vet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of broccoli, why not try giving your kitten a healthy kitten food like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VrDBxG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blue Wilderness Kitten<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? This type of food has everything your kitten needs to grow up big and strong, and without anything that could cause harm.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Benefits\/Drawbacks to Cats Eating Broccoli<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While broccoli is usually a safe snack for your cat, you should know they won\u2019t really benefit nutritionally from eating <a href=\"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/cat-cats-eat-orchids\/\">plants<\/a>. This is because cats are <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/feline-nutrition.org\/answers\/answers-what-exactly-is-an-obligate-carnivore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obligate carnivores<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which means\u00a0all they really need to eat is meat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, cats don&#8217;t actually\u00a0need plants to meet their nutrient requirements as humans do. For example, humans don\u2019t produce enough vitamin C in their livers, so they must eat oranges, grapefruit, and other vitamin C-rich foods, like broccoli.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While cats need vitamin C to survive, they don\u2019t need any additional vitamin C added to their diets. This is because cats make plenty of vitamin C in their own livers, so they don\u2019t need to eat plant-based foods to get enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, broccoli contains significant amounts of fiber. In humans, these indigestible carbohydrates can cause bloating and flatulence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats don\u2019t need fiber in their diet. When a cat eats food containing fiber, it can have a laxative effect on the cat resulting in runny stools and messy litter boxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, while broccoli is not considered toxic to cats, foodborne pathogens have been found on broccoli. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listeria monocytogenes<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clostridium,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">E. Coli<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are all species of bacteria which have been found on broccoli or in broccoli sprouts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacterial contamination of broccoli is rare, and cats may not be affected in the same ways or as severely as humans. If you do decide to feed your cat broccoli, stay alert for any signs your cat may show from eating contaminated broccoli, such as the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though unlikely, in severe cases, life-threatening septicaemia and endotoxemia may develop and infections could spread to different organs causing pneumonia, meningitis, and abortion in pregnant cats. To be safe, make sure you thoroughly wash broccoli before giving it to your cat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Healthy Alternatives to Broccoli for Cats<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many healthy alternatives to feeding your cat broccoli. If you really want your cat to have plant nutrition in their diet, try a cat food that has been formulated with plants that meets the feline&#8217;s specific nutritional needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VqR3BQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organix Dry Cat Food<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0contains sweet potatoes along with real chicken so your cat can eat a healthy and balanced diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also try offering your cat some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CPHTHJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cat grass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Unlike regular <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/why-do-cats-eat-grass\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is completely safe for cats to munch on, so it&#8217;s a great way to add some greenery to your home that your cat can safely eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>So, Can Cats Eat Broccoli?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know cats can eat broccoli, many\u00a0cats may not be all that interested in the leafy plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide to give you cat broccoli, just follow these simple steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash the broccoli thoroughly before giving it to your cat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give broccoli to your cat in moderation as too much could cause your cat to have indigestion and loose stools for a day or two.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to incorporate vegetables into your cat&#8217;s diet on a regular basis, consider a high-quality cat food like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2R5Ci8W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organix Dry Cat Food<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which provides all the nutrients your cat needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a special treat, you can also try <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RqRi0F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purina Beyond Wet Cat Food<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0which contains <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/can-cats-eat-spinach\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spinach leaves<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and can satisfy the cravings of even the most finicky cat.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any questions or would like to share a story about your cat and broccoli, please tell us in the comments below. We\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As with many healthy foods like broccoli, celery, or spinach, it is known they are a good choice for people who are trying to eat a healthy diet. You may&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":35083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":5,"label":"Nutrition"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Can-Cats-Eat-Broccoli.png",800,578,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Phil Ruth","author_link":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/author\/ruth_phil\/"},"comment_info":2,"category_info":[{"term_id":5,"name":"Nutrition","slug":"nutrition","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":108,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":5,"category_count":108,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nutrition","category_nicename":"nutrition","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35080"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35080"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35080\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catkingpin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}