When talking about healthy foods, most of us will think of green, leafy veggies. And probably one of the most popular leafy greens is the spinach.
Now, as a pet parent, you probably want what’s best for your feline. This is especially true if you just took a Bengal cat for adoption who’s probably been deprived of love and nutrient. So, you might be wondering if it is alright to give your feline bud a taste of these leafy greens when it’s a carnivore.
Can cats eat spinach?
Absolutely!
For a number of reasons, spinach is highly beneficial for your fluffy cats. AS a matter of fact, most cat food manufacturers even incorporate these leafy greens in their recipe.
Some of the benefits of spinach include:
- Vitamins and Minerals
Exploding in essential vitamins and minerals, spinach contains Vitamin C, A, E, K, B2, and B6 even in the tiniest portion. Not only that, but spinach is also rich in folate, magnesium, potassium, and calcium which are essential for your cats’ wellbeing.
- Low Calorie, High Fiber
Probably one of the best benefits of spinach is that it lacks in calories. That and the moderate amount of fiber can help in promoting weight management and good digestive health, particularly for Bengal kittens who tend to suffer from constipation.
- Omega-3
Although it is a low-calorie veggie, spinach contains a notably low amount f omega-3 fatty acids. Although it is not as good as fish oils or fish itself, it is still beneficial for your feline.
Can spinach be bad for my cat?
There are some cases where spinach can cause problems for felines. Although it is not a toxic ingredient to add to your feline’s diet, it can worsen specific pre-existing conditions.
Spinach should never be fed to felines suffering from urinary problems. This is because of its calcium olaxate content that can make your cat develop harmful crystals in the urinary tract and cause further complications.
But, if your furball is overall healthy and does not have any urinary tract problems, then the small amounts of calcium oxalate won’t cause any harm.
Wrapping Up
So, unless you have feline suffering from urinary problems, spinach is a great and healthy ingredient for your cat’s overall diet. With that said, don’t think that spinach is enough for your cat’s daily diet, even in huge amounts.
When fed in moderate amounts, this leafy green can bring a nutritional boost, but upping its dosage won’t make it more nutritious as it already is. Thus, it can’t be substituted for fish or meat as a primary food.
