Can cats eat tofu? You might have had this thought while hanging out in the kitchen and preparing a meal that uses some of the popular soy-based meat substitute. If humans can eat tofu, can cats safely eat it too?
There is no short yes or no answer to whether cats can eat tofu. Technically, it’s not toxic to cats, but it also won’t provide the amount of protein that they need in their daily diet. Additionally, the way cats digest it means that they might experience a bout of diarrhea.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your beloved feline. Here’s what you need to know about tofu and cats.
When Is Tofu Okay For Cats To Eat?
Tofu isn’t toxic or poisonous to cats. So if you notice that your feline has snacked on a small piece, it should not be a cause for immediate alarm.
If you discover that your kitty shows a taste for tofu, always make sure that it hasn’t been cooked with any extra spices or ingredients, like garlic, that are known to be toxic to cats.
Additionally, always feed human foods to cats in moderation and as a snack. If your feline develops too much of a taste for something like tofu, you might find that they start to shy away from their regular cat food.
When Is Tofu Bad For Cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that the majority of their diet needs to consist of meat. Tofu is classified as an incomplete protein, so even though it’s often used in human dishes as a meat substitute, it will not provide the nutrition your cat needs to stay healthy.
Secondly, the way a cat’s body works to digest tofu means that if they eat too much of it, they may suffer from a series of side effects. Some of the most common of these side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach problems
So while feeding your cat a small amount of tofu as the occasional snack should be safe, it’s best to avoid the temptation to make it a main part of any feline’s daily diet.
Does your cat ever try to get a taste of tofu? Have you ever fed some tofu to your kitty as a snack? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
