We all know that cats are carnivorous and most of their diet consist of meat. A small amount of vegetables once in a while is good but remember that not all green leafy vegetables are safe. There are only few which can be given such as carrots and peas. What about spinach? Is it safe?

Spinach can be quite uncertain though it is not very toxic for cats when given in a small amount. Owners must be extra careful and shouldn’t overfeed with it. Some cat owners are enjoying feeding their beloved friend with human food without taking any considerations.

Their digestive system is different from us humans and they’re incapable of digesting a certain type of food. To prevent this risk, it is just right to know if spinach is good for cats?

Is Spinach Good for Cats?

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable which is loved by humans and quite popular in almost all types of food. As a matter of fact, it is known to initially come from the ancient Persia and later on became favored from all over the world. Spinach can be used in different ways from smoothies, salad, pasta, meat dishes and even some major cuisine.

Feeding your cat with spinach is safe but not those that have urinary or kidney problems. In this case, you should not give them spinach. It has a substance called calcium oxalate which can cause crystallization in the urinary tract. If too many crystals are formed in the body, it can lead to stones which results in various health issues.

Pet owners must understand that cats are born carnivores so they really need meat most of the time. Fruits and vegetables can only be given once in a while or as a treat including the spinach. But it shouldn’t be a part of their daily diet.

Nutritional Qualities of Spinach

Spinach is a digestible plant which originally comes from Persia before spreading across the world after the 12th century. It is low in fat and cholesterol. Literally, spinach is popular for its nutritional health benefits.

It is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is also a great source of vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Vitamin E. According to some studies, it consists of healthy ingredients that include calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and manganese. It also has an average amount of fiber.

Although spinach has all these good qualities, it still contains a huge amount of oxalate. The truth is, spinach is known to be one of the healthiest vegetables for humans but not so much for cats. If you’re thinking about feeding your beloved friend some spinach as a treat, you can do that because as mentioned earlier, it has lots of good benefits.

Spinach helps manage the stool movement due to vitamins and minerals. It also helps the digestive system from possible inflammation and boosts the immune system for cats. For overweight cats, spinach can be given once in a while to help her with the diet.

Replacing your cat’s fat treats with spinach can be a great way to keep her healthy all the time. However, do not use this as a regular diet and should not be given to cats that have kidney and urinary problems.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones for Cats

The following are symptoms of kidney stones for cats:

• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Blood in urine
• UTI
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of energy
• Sudden weight loss
• Vomiting
• Increase or decrease urination

If you think your cat is suffering from kidney stones, contact the vet immediately. This condition is not treatable at home.

Can Cats Eat Spinach? Can Kittens Eat Spinach?

The answer is no. Kittens should not be given spinach. There is no enough reason to do this. Kittens are in the development process and depending on you to give them the best health care they need. The best food to give them is a healthy kitten food which can be purchased at any pet stores.

You can also add some healthy vegetables to their diet like peas but make sure to let them get used to eating a cat food all the time. If they grow up eating various type of food, sooner or later they’ll become picky eaters.

1st time Eater

Is this the 1st time your cat will be trying spinach? If yes, just be very careful and start with a small amount. Watch your cat’s reaction to eating. Also, assess for any possible allergic reaction like diarrhea and vomiting.

If any of these signs are present or noticed some digestive issues, stop the feeding. If your friend is enjoying it, use it as a treat and should be given occasionally.

How Much Spinach is good for Cats?

As long as you do not overfeed them with spinach, they’re fine. Overfeeding them will cause digestive issues since their system is not the same as us humans. Giving the spinach as a daily treat is not also ideal since it can lead to urinary and kidney problems, so it’s better to give them once in a while.

Because of its high content of calcium oxalate, there are alternatives available that also has vitamins and minerals your cats need. These options are broccoli, peas and lettuce.

Although spinach can be given, it should never replace their daily meal.