Perhaps you’ve wondered if your cat can safely eat lasagne because she keeps staring longingly at your plate or because you were inspired to try it after seeing the overweight, orange lasagne-loving feline, Garfield, on television.
The answer to the question of whether or not lasagne is safe for cats to eat depends on the specific ingredients used in the dish’s preparation.
If you’re wondering whether or not you should feed your cat lasagne, and if not, when, and why, you’ll find all the information you need right here.
Is Lasagne Safe for Cats To Eat?
Pastry sheets used to make lasagne are safe for your cat to eat, but other ingredients, such as spices, may be harmful.
Because of their high protein needs, cats shouldn’t eat lasagne because it is mostly made of carbohydrates.
Despite what the hilarious Garfield the cat eats, cats should not be fed lasagna on a regular basis.
Cats can safely eat human lasagne as long as it contains a lot of meat (such as mince) and is free of spices, additives like garlic and onion, and tomato paste or sauce.
Your cat may experience digestive distress because they are unable to break down the spices and other additives.
Tomato paste or sauce is also very acidic, which can lead to stomach problems for your cat.
Even if you strip a lasagne down to its component parts of pasta and meat, you’re still left with the problem of pasta.
Due to their nature as carnivores, cats benefit greatly from a diet rich in meats and free of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are unnecessary for cats and can even be harmful.
Is Lasagna Poisonous To Cats
In and of itself, lasagna is not harmful to felines. However, some variations of lasagna contain potentially lethal ingredients. Garlic is the main offender because even trace amounts are toxic to cats.
Your pet may not be able to handle the high sodium content of lasagna, as well as the various spices and ingredients found in the sauces.
The specific components of a lasagna dish vary from cook to cook, but the following are typically included:
- Meat
- Cheese
- Tomatoes
- Pasta
- Garlic
- Salt
- Chives
Your cat probably won’t have any problems digesting the meat in the lasagna, but the cheese could be a problem.
Your cat may enjoy the flavor of cheese, but she shouldn’t be eating it. While it’s common knowledge that cats love drinking milk, your cat probably won’t tolerate the lactose in milk. That they don’t stock any cheese is for the best.
In general, lasagna has a fairly high salt content. Even less good for felines than salt. Although your cat probably won’t die from eating a little lasagna, keep in mind that felines have low salt requirements and human food can be quite salty.
The combination of ingredients in lasagna could be fatal for your cat. I mean no offense.
Why Is Lasagna Bad For Cats
The pasta itself isn’t dangerous for cats, but some of the toppings you might put on it are.
Even if your grandmother’s secret family recipe makes the best lasagna in the world, that doesn’t mean your cat should get a taste.
Not that this Italian dish is bad or anything. Avoid feeding your pet lasagna because it may contain ingredients that are bad for them.
The combination of salt, garlic, sauce, and dairy from the cheese is too much for a cat’s digestive system to handle.
Your favorite leftovers may taste great to you (and, truth be told, perhaps your cat), but they aren’t the healthiest or most appropriate diet for your cat.
Can Cats Eat Lasagna Without Garlic
While lasagna without garlic may be slightly better for your cat, you still shouldn’t risk it getting into the dish.
If you’re like me, you probably didn’t know that cats shouldn’t eat garlic. What’s the big deal if a cat enjoys a little garlic, seeing as how it’s a human favorite?
Cats should not be around garlic at all. Garlic causes a frightening form of anemia in cats by destroying their red blood cells at a faster rate than they can reproduce.
Generally speaking, it’s safe to give your pet small amounts of most foods and treats, but garlic is an exception.
Garlic can be toxic to cats in a variety of doses, so it’s best to avoid it altogether. Your cat may be able to handle only a fraction of a clove of garlic.
Is Meat Good For Your Cat
Meat is healthy for your cat because cats are carnivores. As long as it is cooked properly, your cat can eat the same kinds of meat that you can.
Perhaps the only ingredient in your lasagna that isn’t bad for your cat is the meat. However, that doesn’t mean you can feed your cat lasagna. Still, the meat is mixed in with the pasta, sauce, and cheese.
You may be led to believe that the positive effects of the meat will outweigh those of the other ingredients, but this is not the case. Don’t risk harming your cat.
Before combining the meat for your lasagna, set aside some plain meat for your cat.
Is It Safe For Cats To Eat Pasta
Although cats can safely eat pasta, it is not a particularly healthy choice for their diet.
Pasta is safe for your cat to eat, but it isn’t something you should feed your cat regularly. You shouldn’t feed your cat pasta because, like many human foods, it provides no nutritional value.
Your cat would not benefit in any way from eating pasta. Even if they take a noodle from your nearly empty plate, you shouldn’t feel bad about it.
The pasta sauce is probably the source of the problem. Most people don’t eat their pasta plain, so you probably put some sort of sauce or seasoning on it. This could be harmful to your cat’s health.
You can bet that there are tomatoes involved, as they are in just about every pasta dish. Small amounts of tomatoes are safe for your cat, but you shouldn’t make it a habit.
Tomatoes aren’t the best thing for your cat to eat, but they’re not terrible, either, especially when given in moderation.
The tomatoes in your lasagna probably aren’t fresh, and that’s the main problem. Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce are widely used, despite the fact that they contain many more additives than fresh tomatoes.
Cats shouldn’t eat too much tomato sauce because of the high concentration of salt and other spices.
When Is Lasagna Okay For Cats To Eat?
You might be able to safely feed your cat lasagna if you make sure it contains a lot of meat and no potentially toxic ingredients (such as garlic or spices) in the sauce or seasonings.
You may or may not be meeting your cat’s protein needs, depending on the type of meat you use.
Serve human food to cats in moderation, as you would with any other pet. Don’t give in to the temptation of making human food your cat’s primary source of nutrition.
When Is Lasagna Bad For Cats?
While meat and pasta, the main lasagna ingredients, may not be toxic to cats, there are likely to be many other ingredients that could be toxic or cause digestive issues depending on your exact recipe.
Cats should never be given garlic or any food containing garlic.
As obligate carnivores, cats need a diet high in protein even if you manage to disassemble a lasagna down to the parts that are safe for them to eat.
If your cat gorges on lasagna noodles, it may consume too many carbohydrates. Obesity in cats is a potential outcome, which can lead to further complications with their health.
Considering the time and effort required to prepare a lasagna, it’s understandable if you’d rather not worry too much if your cat sneaked in a tiny bite of the noodles or the meat component of the dish on occasion.
What Should I Do If My Cat Eats Lasagna
Call your vet just to be safe if your cat eats lasagna, but chances are it won’t be a problem.
There may be cause for alarm, depending on the quality of the ingredients used in the lasagna or whether it was purchased from a restaurant or grocery store. Your cat may become ill if exposed to even a small amount, but they won’t suffer any long-term effects.
Obviously, your cat is not the same as your dog. Your cat probably won’t finish off your painstakingly prepared lasagna before you get to it. They may sample a bite or two, or lick the sauce off the plate.
Your cat probably didn’t eat enough lasagna to cause any serious problems, so you shouldn’t worry too much if this is the case. Even so, keep an eye on your feline friend because they may be experiencing stomach distress.
If you’re a worried cat owner, you can always call the vet, who will likely tell you to keep an eye on your pet for the next few hours.
What Do People Think About Cats Eating Lasagna
Because of Garfield, the famous comic strip cat, many people assume that cats might enjoy a plate of lasagna.
Just because Garfield enjoyed lasagna doesn’t mean your cat will too. Unlike Garfield, your cat exists in the real world.
But I already know your mind. You’re a lifelong Garfield fan, and the sight of him dangling over a dish of lasagna will never get old for you. I share your affection for Garfield, but please don’t feed him any of your cat’s favorite foods.
Look it up on Google if you have no idea what I’m talking about. Laughter is possible!
Even if your favorite comic strip from your youth suggested otherwise, lasagna isn’t the best option for your cat’s dinner.
You obviously care about your pet, so why would you risk making them sick by giving them something you know is bad for them? Pop open a can of cat food right before you sit down to dinner so your cat can join you.