It would come as a shock to most cat owners if their feline companions began to enjoy sauerkraut. Many cats have an adverse reaction to sauerkraut because it contains ingredients that aren’t usually part of their diet.
Some felines are picky eaters, but others will eat anything, including human foods like potato chips and pizza. If your cat has a taste for sauerkraut, don’t worry about giving it to it in small amounts.
Can Cats Eat Sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is safe for cats to eat, but it’s not part of a balanced diet. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, which isn’t necessary for a cat’s diet. Therefore, they don’t need it as part of their daily nutritional intake.
Whether or not your cat actually wants to eat sauerkraut is a more pressing concern than whether or not it can. Many cats might not be open to trying sauerkraut because fermented foods have such a strong odor and flavor.
Small, consistent offerings of fermented foods like sauerkraut have proven fruitful for some people.
They gradually increase the amount they offer until their cat decides it’s a tasty treat. If your cat shows no interest in eating sauerkraut, there’s no need to force feed it to them.
What is sauerkraut?
Raw cabbage is chopped or shredded, salted, and then fermented in an airtight container to create sauerkraut.
It goes through a natural pickling process thanks to a lactic acid–producing bacteria strain, but it may smell and taste like vinegar was added.
Apples, beets, and caraway seeds are a few examples of optional add-ins. You can eat sauerkraut raw, or you can cook it and eat it warm with things like pork.
Is Sauerkraut Healthy For Cats?
Cats don’t need sauerkraut, but it’s good for them for a few reasons. The presence of beneficial bacteria in sauerkraut is its most notable feature.
All fermented foods contain these probiotics, which have been shown to aid digestion.
In the long run, feeding your cat sauerkraut may help their digestive health. Immunity and general well-being can both benefit from a balanced microbiota in the gut.
In addition to its beneficial bacteria, sauerkraut contains many other beneficial nutrients. Potassium, copper, iron, folate, manganese, vitamins C and K can all be found in reasonable amounts in this food.
Sauerkraut is traditionally not preserved in vinegar, so make sure to only give your cat plain sauerkraut.
This will guarantee the highest possible concentration of beneficial bacteria in the sauerkraut for your cat. Unpreserved sauerkraut, especially once opened, does not keep for very long.
A yeasty smell, a change in color, or a change in texture are all signs that it is rotting and warrant close attention.
Is sauerkraut bad for cats?
The popularity of fermented foods like sauerkraut is on the rise due to their health benefits, but are these benefits extended to pets?
Dogs, being omnivores like humans and less finicky than cats, are easier to feed healthy options like sauerkraut to.
The smell of sauerkraut is enough to make most cats run for the hills, but what if yours actually likes it?
The high sodium content of sauerkraut is the main reason to avoid eating it. While the taste of salt may be appealing to some felines, cats should never consume large amounts of salt.
Seizures and coma are possible outcomes of salt poisoning in feline patients. While a trace amount of salt won’t kill your pet, it’s best to keep it away from them altogether.
Can cats eat cabbage?
Sauerkraut is made primarily of cabbage and seasoned with salt. Can cats eat that without getting sick? A small amount of cabbage, like many other foods, probably won’t hurt your cat, but giving it too much could.
Your cat may experience uncomfortable gas and bloating because cabbage is a high-fiber vegetable.
Overconsumption of cabbage has been linked to thiamine deficiency and thyroid problems. This could be an issue if your cat consumes large quantities of cabbage, but that’s highly unlikely.
What are the bacteria in sauerkraut?
Fermentation of sauerkraut occurs due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria, most notably Lactobacillus.
Can these bacteria be dangerous for cats? Several types of bacteria can cause serious illness in a cat’s digestive tract. Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium are the most common causes of gastrointestinal distress.
Cats shouldn’t be worried about the lactic acid bacteria in sauerkraut. The bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus was discovered to have positive health effects in cats.
Probiotic pet supplements are becoming increasingly popular. Inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive issues in cats may benefit from probiotic supplementation.
Probiotic supplements for cats typically include bacteria other than Lactobacillus, such as Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus.
Only use a high-quality probiotic that has been specifically formulated for cats. Probiotic supplements are not the same as feeding your cat sauerkraut.
Before giving your cat any kind of supplement, including probiotics, you should consult with your vet.
How Much Sauerkraut Should I Feed To My Cat?
You need not worry about giving your cat an excessive amount of sauerkraut because it is a low-calorie food. This makes them a good pick if you’re trying to keep your cat’s calorie intake in check.
Because of their high calorie content, most cat treats are easy to overfeed. Keep in mind that it contains sodium before giving it to your feline friend.
If you want to improve your gut health by feeding sauerkraut, begin with a small amount and gradually increase it every day. Two teaspoons of sauerkraut per day is the recommended amount for most cats.
If you feed your cat too much sauerkraut, it may consume too much sodium. Increased thirst and urination are symptoms of sodium overload, which can also worsen cardiovascular health.
Sodium can be toxic in large enough quantities.
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, and loss of appetite are all symptoms of sodium toxicity in cats. Never give your cat unrestricted access to sauerkraut because it can cause seizures, tremors, coma, and death.
What vegetables can cats eat?
Cats, as we’ve established, are strict carnivores that must consume meat and other animal products. Cats, on the other hand, have been known to snack on grass and other plants.
Is it possible to supplement a cat’s diet with vegetables, given that most felines probably won’t eat sauerkraut?
Indoor cats frequently benefit from cat grass, which is grown from a kit by their owners. It has been hypothesized that cats eat grass to aid in the passing of hairballs. They may consume it in an effort to supplement their diet with chlorophyll.
Pumpkin is another food item commonly given to cats in an effort to prevent hairballs. Constipation and hairballs can be alleviated by eating plain canned pumpkin. Some cat foods also include it as an ingredient.
However, some veterinarians advise against eating too much pumpkin and instead suggest alternatives, such as fiber supplements.
Vegetables like pumpkin and others that are commonly found in cat food are considered to be completely safe for feline consumption. Carrots, peas, rice, and spinach are among the most widely consumed.
Vegetables are not necessary in a cat’s diet. Some felines may enjoy them while others might not. Most vegetables are perfectly fine to eat in small amounts.
If your cat enjoys the flavor and aroma of sauerkraut, giving it a small amount on occasion is fine, but most felines will likely avoid it.
In Conclusion
Some cats may benefit from including sauerkraut in their diet. When your digestive system is healthy, your body as a whole benefits, as does your immune system. This is because sauerkraut contains natural probiotics.
However, your cat does not need this food to maintain a balanced diet. The food you feed your cat should provide all the nutrients it needs. You should take your cat to the vet if you suspect it needs help digesting food.
If your pet is having digestive problems, a trip to the vet can help ensure that infections and parasites aren’t to blame. Sauerkraut is not a magic bullet for your cat’s digestive and health problems if you just add it to their daily diet.