Can Cats Eat Quinoa?

The good news is that quinoa is far from dangerous for cats – in fact, it can be healthy as an occasional snack.

However, you should be aware of the risks of feeding cat quinoa and food intolerance and allergy symptoms.

A cat’s obsession with foods high in carbs may also indicate a problem with its nutrition, so consider reviewing your pet’s diet to ensure it meets its needs.

Is Quinoa Safe For Cats?

The short answer to “Is quinoa safe for cats?” is – yes. Quinoa doesn’t contain elements toxic to felines and doesn’t cause poisoning. Cats can eat boiled, steamed, or otherwise cooked quinoa.

However, this only refers to plain quinoa without add-ons. Sodium is the most common flavor enhancer in cooked foods, including quinoa.

Although sodium is integral to a cat’s diet and necessary for maintaining proper fluid metabolism, sodium surplus in the body is dangerous.

Too much salt in a cat’s body may result in weakness, seizures, internal bleeding, and liver failure, so ensure that your pet’s daily sodium intake doesn’t exceed 41 milligrams. Don’t share your quinoa if you prefer salty foods.

Most popular herbs and spices are safe for felines in moderate amounts, with a few exceptions.

Spices and herbs toxic to cats include clove, allspice, garlic, chives, oregano, lemongrass, bay leaf, and tarragon – they can even lead to death if ingested in large amounts.

Of course, a bowl of quinoa is unlikely to contain a lethal dose of salt or chives for a cat. Still, even a small amount ingested can have severe consequences without timely treatment.

Another pitfall of feeding cats quinoa is the high carb content. Quinoa consists of 72% carbs, while the carb content in a cat’s diet shouldn’t exceed 20% of the overall daily calorie intake.

Occasional consumption of quinoa in moderate amounts won’t cause harm to a cat’s health.

However, frequent consumption of grains and other foods high in carbs may lead to digestion problems, muscular degradation, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic medical conditions.

Carbs are necessary for humans, cats, and other species to boost energy and fuel vital organs, including the nervous system and brain. Unfortunately, cats can only digest so many carbs, and the rest go towards extra fat.

Overall, quinoa is only safe for healthy adult cats. It isn’t an appropriate snack for cats with underlying health conditions, kittens, neutered cats, and senior felines susceptible to weight gain.

Quinoa muesli, bread, cookies, breakfast bars, and chocolate aren’t as safe for cats and can be straight-up dangerous.

Sugar isn’t toxic to cats but can spike blood sugar levels and make a cat hyperactive, and chocolate is a poison for felines.

Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Cats Quinoa?

Quinoa is widely recognized as a superfood, packed with nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but is quinoa healthy for cats? After all, felines have different needs from humans.

Despite quinoa’s high carb content, it doesn’t lack health benefits for felines. The most apparent advantage of quinoa over other grains for cats is the relatively high protein content.

Unlike other plant-based foods, quinoa is rich in amino acids necessary for the proper functioning of the feline body. Fatty acids are vital for feline bone, muscle, skin, and cardiovascular system health.

And since a cat’s body can’t produce amino acids on its own, quinoa is an excellent source.

Quinoa is also rich in fiber, a carb essential for regulating feline digestion. A cat that isn’t getting enough fiber from food may suffer from constipation.

However, the fiber content in a cat’s diet should never exceed 10%, or it may have the opposite effect. Additionally, fiber reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, while antioxidants regulate red blood cell count.

Iron in quinoa helps to carry oxygen throughout the body, fueling the organs, and copper is vital for the formation of collagen that maintains skin and joint elasticity.

Another healthy element in quinoa is thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, necessary for feline metabolism. Additionally, quinoa contains magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc, all beneficial for feline health.

The caveat? Cats eating dry food formulated specifically for felines don’t need supplements. Quinoa in small amounts can prevent vitamin and mineral deficiency in cats, but frequent quinoa consumption poses more risks than benefits.

How Much Quinoa Can a Cat Eat?

Moderation is crucial with any food – this rule is equally relevant for humans and cats. Quinoa certainly isn’t the worst treat for a cat, but how much quinoa can a cat eat without adverse effects? Let’s do the math.

An adult cat’s diet should consist of at least 50% protein, 30% fat, and 20% carbs, assuming the cat doesn’t have underlying medical conditions requiring a special diet. The recommended carb content can be as low as 5% for some cats.

Veterinarians state that treats should account for under 10% of a cat’s total calorie intake, which is 22-30 calories per pound of body weight. So, a ten-pound cat can only eat treats for about 22-30 calories.

Quinoa consists of 14% protein, 14% fat, and 72% carbs. A one-ounce serving of quinoa contains 106 calories, 76 of which come from carbs.

A ten-pound cat can eat less than one-third of an ounce of quinoa, based on the recommended calorie intake, which equals a tablespoon. However, one-third of an ounce of quinoa contains about 25 calories from carbs.

If a cat is on a low-carb diet, even such a tiny amount may be excessive. So, the owner should consult with a vet before giving quinoa to their cat.

Possible Side Effects

The potential side effects of quinoa for cats are primarily gastroenteric, including vomiting, diarrhea due to high fiber content, flatulence, bloating, and stomach discomfort.

The symptoms usually occur within an hour of ingesting quinoa but may take more time if a cat’s metabolism is slow. Mild symptoms pass after 12 hours at most without special treatment, but severe symptoms may require veterinary help.

How to Spot a Food Allergy

Some cats can develop an allergy to quinoa. Allergies to foods not intended for feline consumption aren’t uncommon, so the owner should monitor the cat’s reaction throughout the entire day after feeding the cat quinoa for the first time.

Symptoms of food allergy in cats are similar to gastroenteric upset but may also include respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and topical reactions.

In the case of moderate to severe allergies, cats may experience skin irritation, ear infections, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, seizures, and asthma attacks.

The easiest way to manage food allergies in cats is to eliminate exposure to the allergen, but sometimes, the cat may also need to be administered antihistamines or steroid injections.

Tips For Feeding Cats Quinoa Safely

If you decide to feed your cat quinoa, follow safety precautions to minimize the risks. Start by consulting with a vet. Perform a complete physical examination of your cat, make a blood test, and urinalysis to check the blood sugar levels.

Assuming your cat has no underlying conditions that could worsen from quinoa consumption, calculate the appropriate quinoa serving.

A cat’s dietary needs may differ from the recommended depending on its age, sex, activity level, and other factors.

Check the nutrient content on your cat’s food pack and find out your cat’s weight. Then, do the math. Remember to start with a smaller serving to ensure your cat doesn’t have quinoa intolerance or allergy.

Always boil or steam quinoa before giving it to your cat, and never use oil, salt, spices, or herbs. Plain quinoa may seem unappealing for humans, but extra calories, sodium, and fats are unnecessary for cats.

People can eat raw quinoa as it isn’t as hard as buckwheat or lentils, but cats shouldn’t. If a cat can’t chew the grains, it may choke on them.

Don’t give quinoa to a cat with gastroenteric upset because extra fiber can worsen it. You also shouldn’t give quinoa to kittens under four weeks because they can’t yet digest solid foods.

Why Does My Cat Eat Quinoa?

Unlike humans, who are omnivores, cats are obligate carnivores, so their taste buds have developed differently. Cats can’t sense the sweetness of carbs, so if your cat is interested in whipped cream, it likely seeks the fats.

For this reason, cats are rarely attracted to foods simultaneously high in carbs and low in fats, like quinoa.

Simply put, quinoa has nothing to appeal to a cat from an evolutionary standpoint, which makes the answer to why a cat wants quinoa even less apparent.

Most cats trying to get a taste of quinoa are simply curious about the new flavor and lose interest after trying a bit. However, if a cat craves carbs, it may not be getting enough nutrients from the food.

Quinoa isn’t the worst solution to the problem, but consulting with a vet before incorporating the grain into a cat’s diet can reduce the odds of health problem development in the long term.

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