As a cat owner, it might be confusing to determine what foods to give your pet and what not. Since human food is not designed for cats, providing them with everything you consume will not work out. Hence, you need to put specialized care into determining your cat’s diet to ensure it gets all the necessary nutrients to stay healthy. Now, when the question comes to veggies like peas, the answer is yes, cats can eat peas, but in limited quantities. Too much of it may trigger unwanted health complications such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, etc. However, when served in moderate amounts and correctly, peas can improve your cat’s vision, immunity, bone development, fur quality, and overall health. Dig into this article to learn more about feeding peas to your furballs.
Can You Feed Peas to Your Cat?
Yes, you can feed peas to your cat. Though cats are carnivorous animals and should primarily survive on meat, you can add small ounces of vegetables to their diet, including peas, to maintain a healthy balance. Most cats are fond of snacking on peas; hence, if your one shows curiosity in consuming this tiny green ball-shaped vegetable, too, you can let them snack on it moderately.
What are the Health Benefits of Peas in Cats?
Following are the key reasons why feeding peas to your cat will be beneficial.
| Reasons | Health Benefits |
| Rich in vitamins | Peas comprise high amounts of vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, K, etc. These vitamins are greatly responsible for improving the health of your cat’s eyes, teeth, and bones. |
| Rich in carbohydrates and fiber | The carbohydrate and fiber content in the vegetable is beneficial for keeping them enthusiastic and lively, preventing them from turning lethargic. It also contributes to retaining a healthy body weight in cats. |
| Presence of linoleic acid | Linoleic acid, when consumed in regulated amounts, can create wonders for the immunity system of your cat. This acid present in peas is highly beneficial for keeping their skin and fur shiny and healthy. |
What are the Types of Peas You Can Feed Cats?
There are many variants of peas, among which only some are suitable for cats. You can readily feed your pet the following types of peas.
- Green Peas
Green peas or garden peas are the most common and safe peas you can provide your cat. You can offer it as a treat to your kitty occasionally.
- Snap Peas
Snap or sugar peas are another popular variety you can readily include in your kitty’s diet. However, as they are consumed distinctly compared to garden peas, you should feed them cautiously. Make sure your pet does not choke while swallowing the pea pod.
What Are the Types of Peas That Cats Should Avoid?
Not all peas are safe for them. These are the following types of peas that you should not provide your pet at all.
- Black-Eyed Peas
Due to their high sodium content, black-eyed peas are unsuitable for cats. Consuming it may cause immense trouble to their digestive system. Hence, you should avoid feeding it to your pet at all costs.
- Canned Peas
Store-bought canned peas are not suitable for cats. It contains additional substances such as oil, seasonings, toppings, etc., which might sound delicious to humans but are harmful to cats.
- Frozen Peas
Though frozen peas do not cause much harm, they may cause dental issues in your pet. Biting on a hard, frozen pea might lead to dental damage to your kitty.
What is the Best Way to Feed Peas to Cats?
While feeding peas to your cat, always remember that their digestive system is less developed than humans; hence, they should never be provided meals according to human preferences.
Avoid adding seasonings and dressing oils, as they can readily hamper their health by upsetting the digestive tract. Try to feed them peas devoid of any additional flavorings to keep the vegetable’s nutrients intact.
To add a twist, prepare a healthy and delicious pea soup for your kitty. Simply boil some peas and nutritious bone broth for the soup and watch your cat relish it with great satisfaction. You can make mushy peas without herbs and spices and add other vegetables.
However, peas should be provided only as sides or treats. Your cat’s platter should have a major portion of protein. You can cook meat at home or buy quality commercial proteinaceous cat food for its daily diet. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Wet Cat Food is a safe and nutritious option to boost your kitty’s overall well-being.
How Many Peas Can You Feed Your Furball?
With so many health benefits associated with peas, you might think it is safe to provide peas as a snack, which indeed is! But, the quantity of peas you provide to your cat should be strictly supervised. Otherwise, it may lead to multiple health hazards due to the high lecithin content in the vegetable.
Lecithin is a sugar-binding protein used as an insecticide. Though this sugar-binding protein is non-toxic to cats, its overaccumulation in the cat’s digestive tract can upset it considerably. Hence, ensure your pet consumes this vegetable in moderate amounts and never equivalent to a human portion.
It will be the best and safest option to feed your cat peas once or twice a week so that they make up only 10% of their entire diet to help their body retain its benefits while keeping them away from health hazards.
What to Do if Your Cat Falls Sick After Having Peas?
Though peas greatly benefit cats and elevate their immunity, they can fall sick by consuming excessive amounts. Also, many are highly allergic to peas. To learn whether or not your cat is allergic to this vegetable, start by feeding them only a tiny portion.
If your kitty shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, disorientation, scratching, weight gain, etc., it might indicate that your pet is allergic to peas. In such a situation, stop feeding them peas immediately and monitor them carefully for the next few days under the supervision of a certified veterinarian medical professional.
Conclusion
So, if you want to include peas in your cat’s diet, you can surely do that. Peas can be a great option if you want to find a healthy treat for your pet. However, ensure not to provide excessive amounts as it can adversely affect their health.
