What Vegetables Can Cats Eat?

Cats are definitely carnivores, but that doesn’t mean they have to avoid veggies altogether. Vegetables can enhance a cat’s diet by providing specific nutrients they may not get from their everyday meals - or may need more of! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we reiterate that cats are carnivores. Feline diets must consist primarily of meat-based proteins and fats (they don’t process carbs well). However, adding certain vegetables to their routine can be a great way to deliver healthy treats to your kitties—if they’ll eat them.

VCA Hospitals says it’s important to consider a cat’s life stage when determining diet. Senior cats and newborn kittens have very different needs. Cats with chronic or acute health problems may also require specific nutritional adjustments based on the way their bodies process foods.

After kittens are weaned off a mama cat’s milk (typically around eight weeks), their nutrition goals are strong immune systems and steady growth into young adulthood. This means lots of protein, some healthy fats and a little bit of calcium. At this early stage, it’s not a great idea to toss vegetables into your kitty’s diet. Kitten food formulas are designed to encourage growth at an optimal rate and messing with their systems this early could backfire.

Young adult and adult cats (usually between the ages of one and ten) are much more flexible when it comes to exploring new diets. They should be drinking lots of water and getting high amounts of protein. Some fat is still good, though it might be a good idea to add fiber into their diet. VCA Hospitals says this is smart for sedentary cats because it helps them feel full and avoid overeating. Keep in mind, your cat’s breed will determine how long they remain in kittenhood. Some, like Maine Coons, aren’t considered fully grown until almost three years of age.

Senior cats (ages 11 to 14) and geriatric cats (ages 15 and higher) need very specialized diets based on their general health. Since many cats develop bladder or kidney issues later in life, you may need to start feeding them foods to support these organs. The same goes for ailments like arthritis, cancer and heart disease. Older cats also tend to become less mobile while also losing body mass, so it’s imperative you check in with your vet about how to find a healthy balance.

In fact, always check in with your vet when determining what to feed your cat and how often they should eat. We’ve found vets resoundingly recommend timed meals instead of free feeding. In other words, portioning out your cat’s food at the same meal time(s) every day rather than leaving a heaping pile for them to graze as they please.

Never feed your cat veggies that have been sauteed in oils, seasoned with fancy herbs or covered in sauce. Vegetables should be served raw or steamed (or baked) so they’re soft and chewable. Make sure you’ve chopped them into safe chunks, too. The last thing we want is your cat choking on a carrot!

If you get the go-ahead to add vegetables into your cat’s diet, here’s a list of the vegetables cats can eat. Consider where your kitty could use a boost, then hit up the produce aisle!

Pro tip: Start with a tiny amount of any vegetable and monitor your cat for two days to see if they experience allergic reactions. Look for itchy skin, vomiting and diarrhea.