Can Cats Eat Zucchini?
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Cats are obligate carnivores and need animal protein to survive. This doesn't mean they cannot eat other types of food. In fact, fruits and vegetables can help provide health benefits for felines. Not all fruits and vegetables are beneficial. In fact, some can be toxic or cause other problems if not provided in an appropriate way. This leads AnimalWised to ask can cats eat zucchini?
Yes, cats can indeed eat zucchini. This is only appropriate when it is cooked and raw zucchini is contraindicated. We also need to include it as part of a balanced diet that prioritizes animal protein, meaning zucchini should never be given in large amounts or with too much regularity. For this reason, we explain how much zucchini to give cats and how to incorporate it into their diet in a health way.
Can cats eat raw or cooked zucchini?
Sometimes known as courgette, zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is a type of marrow which can vary in appearance. It is most commonly found green, but you can find yellow, striped and other cultivars. It is a vegetable belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes pumpkin and cucumber. It is used in various culinary preparations, whether roasted, grilled, spiralized or even used in breads and cakes. It is mild in flavor and low in calories.
Whether we can include a food into a cat's diet is largely dependent on its nutritional value and what compounds it contains. Zucchini is not toxic to cats when cooked. Raw zucchini is not considered toxic to cats, but it should be avoided. The reason for this is because it contains cucurbitacins, compounds which can provide a bitter taste and agitate the stomach if eaten in large amounts.
It is important to note that cats cannot eat vegetables as the main part of their diet. Not only will it mean they lack the nutrients they need, but the excessive amount of non-animal products can cause digestive problems. For this reason, zucchini needs to be provided in moderation.
Can cats eat zucchini in dishes?
While we can provide cooked zucchini to a cat, we need to be very careful when it comes to dishes made with zucchini. Although this vegetable is cooked when used in soups, other ingredients are added such as garlic and onion are added. These are toxic vegetables to cats and can cause serious issues if eaten in large amounts. Other dishes may have large amounts of salt, fat, sugar, additives or preservatives which are also harmful for cat health.
Learn about the other types of fruits and vegetables which cats can eat in our related guide.
Benefits of zucchini for cats
zucchini is a healthy vegetable which is low in calories and high in nutrients. Not all of these nutrients are necessary or beneficial for cats, but some of them can help them to have a balanced diet. When eaten in small quantities and with sporadic consumption, the following zucchini benefits for cats can be provided:
- Extra hydration: zucchini is a vegetable that contains a large amount of water, helping our cat get the daily fluids they need to prevent dehydration.
- Source of fiber: fiber promotes digestion and intestinal transit, something which can help with constipation by improving motility.
- Low in calories: a small piece of cooked zucchini can be used as an occasional substitute for other high-calorie snacks for cats, helping to prevent them becoming overweight or obese.
- Vitamins: zucchinis include vitamins such as vitamin A, B vitamins (including folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B2) and vitamin C.
- Minerals: it is noted for its potassium content, which plays a role in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance. It also provides calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
- Antioxidants: such as zeaxanthin and lutein, beneficial for the eye health of the small feline.
If you want to know whether other vegetables are suitable for felines, take a look at our articles asking can cats eat potatoes and can cats eat broccoli?
How to give zucchini to a cat
The ideal way to offer zucchini to our felines is cooked, especially by steaming or boiling. This preferred over other methods which use oil or other fats to cook the vegetable. Never give deep fried zucchini to a cat as the high fat content will be detrimental to the cat's health. Cut the zucchini into small pieces to avoid choking hazards. Another option is to offer it in puree or soup form, but only if there are no harmful ingredients.
Whether boiled, steamed or mashed, the first step is to completely remove the skin. This makes the food easier to eat and prevents the ingestion of toxins such as pesticides used in zucchini farming. However, zucchini skin is not toxic to cats and can be eaten in small amounts.
How much zucchini to give to a cat
As we have mentioned, we should not offer our cats large quantities of zucchini. In addition, it should not be given daily, but occasionally. About once a week should be sufficient. The amount of zucchini we provide should not exceed a couple of teaspoons or a tablespoon for an adult cat of average size. In the case of kittens, it should not exceed a teaspoon. For very large cats such as the Manie Coon, it should not exceed three teaspoons.
Side effects of zucchini for cats
Zucchini is not toxic to our cats, so no side effects should be expected after consuming it. Only in cases where a very large amount is consumed, since this can be aggressive to a cat's digestive system. This can cause adverse effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Some cats may also be allergic to zucchini, although this is not at all common.
If you want to know more about what human foods can be given to cats, check out our related article.
Contraindications of zucchini for cats
Being a vegetable rich in fiber, zucchini is not recommended for cats that suffer from any problem that causes increased intestinal transit or diarrhea. This would be counterproductive to improving their health. It should also not be given to cats that are allergic to this vegetable.
Now that you know that cats can eat zucchini and how, don't miss this video our video on the best vegetables for cats:
If you want to read similar articles to Can Cats Eat Zucchini?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.
