Chicken noodle soup is a classic winter warmer, but it’s also great for when you just need a little pick-me-up. It’s only natural to want to treat your cat to some of that delicious chicken as well. The question of whether or not cats can eat chicken noodle soup must be answered before you offer your feline friend a bowl.
Chicken noodle soups are unsafe for cats to consume. Most chicken noodle soups contain ingredients and spices that are toxic to cats and can cause a variety of health issues, including the fact that cats have a hard time digesting the noodles and vegetables found in the soup.
However, you can still indulge your cat’s desire for chicken treats. The harmful components of chicken noodle soup will be discussed, along with possible solutions and instructions for making cat-friendly versions.
I say, “Shall we?”
Can I Give My Cat Chicken Noodle Soup
Your cat may want some of your chicken noodle soup, but you shouldn’t give it to it. Even a small amount, like a piece of chicken or a spoonful of broth, could be fatal.
Garlic, onions, and spices are largely responsible for that. Cats shouldn’t eat any spices; garlic, onions, and many others are especially dangerous.
It’s important to keep in mind, as a pet owner, that many of the interesting flavors we omnivores enjoy, plants evolved to prevent animals from eating them. Included are alliums like onions and garlic, as well as capsaicin-containing plants like chili peppers and cayenne.
Cats are unable to digest many of these foods, and even if they could, they would likely be poisonous to them.
Even if you leave out the salt, pepper, onions, and garlic, a full bowl of chicken noodle soup is still probably not a good idea. The reason for this is that the calorie and nutrient content of your chicken noodle soup for cats will be off if you don’t measure the ingredients very carefully.
What’s In Chicken Noodle Soup
Although there is some variation in chicken noodle soup recipes, it is helpful to have a standard list of ingredients from which to work. Some of the most typical components of a bowl of chicken noodle soup include the following:
- Chicken
- Noodles
- Broth, either chicken’s or veggies’
- Onions
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Salt
- Pepper
- Additional Flavoring, to Taste
Please note that this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of ingredients, and that using your own preferred method of preparing chicken noodle soup is perfectly acceptable. Keep reading, and we’ll probably still talk about why your cat shouldn’t eat chicken noodle soup.
Is Chicken Noodle Soup Safe For Cats
Garlic, onions, and other common seasonings in chicken noodle soup make it unsafe for cats to consume. If you use a store-bought broth or a salted broth, even an unseasoned soup can be harmful to your cat’s kidneys.
Chicken noodle soup, in general, has a lot of ingredients that your cat can’t have or digest, such as vegetables and noodles. It’s not good for your cat’s health, but that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.
Is Chicken Noodle Soup Bad For Kittens
Yes. Kittens shouldn’t eat chicken noodle soup because they have a lower salt tolerance and a more difficult time processing the toxins in the garlic and onions. To mature and flourish, kittens require a very particular range of calories, proteins, and nutrients.
Can Cats Eat Chicken Broth
The ingredients in chicken broth and chicken noodle soup are slightly different. Your cats can safely consume chicken broth in its purest form. It’s not something you should feed your cat every day, but it makes for a nice treat or a way to make sure they drink plenty of fluids if they’re under the weather.
If you want to feed your cat chicken broth, make sure it has no salt, no onions or garlic, and as few other ingredients as possible. Chicken stock is typically made by boiling chicken, vegetables, and seasonings together. Chicken broth typically consists of just two ingredients: chicken and water.
If chicken broth is part of your cat’s regular diet, it’s best to make your own so you know exactly what’s in it and can avoid potentially harmful additives.
Is Chicken Broth Good For A Sick Cat
Both yes and no can be true. Your sick cat may prefer chicken broth, which can help it consume more calories and nutrients. That’s crucial if your kitty has trouble keeping water down throughout the day or is losing too much weight due to illness.
Some foods can be made more manageable by adding a small amount of chicken broth, and the broth itself can be used as a vehicle for medicines and supplements meant to help your cat recover.
Chicken broth with added salt, spices, or other additives may have the opposite effect. Chicken broth given to a sick cat should be as uncomplicated as possible. In this way, it can serve as a healthy addition to your cat’s diet rather than a potential poison.
Things To Consider
Chicken broth can be a healthy addition to your cat’s diet, but you should still make sure they are getting plenty of other high-quality foods as well.
High-quality protein is essential for a cat’s health, as are some grains for fiber and limited carb content. Your cat will benefit greatly from a varied diet that includes a wide range of foods.
Water can’t be substituted with chicken broth, either. In a pinch, watered-down chicken broth can help your cat stay hydrated, but it’s better to find ways to get your cat used to drinking water on a regular basis.
Even though chicken broth is great for soothing your sick cat’s stomach, you should still take him or her to the vet if you notice any signs of illness.