Cats can eat arugula (or rocket lettuce). When cats eat arugula, they get plenty of health benefits. The peppery greens contain potassium, folic acid, calcium, and vitamins A, C, K. Being a vegetable, arugula contains a lot of fiber. Therefore, cats can eat arugula to help with digestive problems. More than that, arugula also helps with obesity.
However, arugula cannot constitute a major part of your cat’s diet. As healthy as it is for cats, they are not herbivores. Cats are carnivores and this means that their diet is meat-based. Hence, cats should eat arugula in moderation. The nutrients in the peppery green are obtainable from other food sources too. Cats can eat arugula as an occasional treat only. It is good to seek an expert opinion from your vet if you are unsure of what to do.
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Table of Contents
Is Arugula Safe For Cats?
Yes, the vegetable is not toxic to cats. When cats eat arugula, they get a myriad of health benefits. We have mentioned some vitamins and minerals that cats get from the vegetable. You should know that cats can attempt to relieve themselves of certain health conditions by eating arugula. An example of such conditions is hairballs. Other leafy greens can serve this purpose too.
However, cats should eat arugula only once in a while. Being carnivores, their diet is meat-based. They do not have the required enzymes to process fruits and vegetables well enough. Excess vegetable intake in them can lead to some digestive problems. This happens even with non-toxic vegetables like rocket lettuce. They can have problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating as a result. Do not neglect these problems if they happen. See a vet immediately. If left to linger, they can cause more serious issues. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Hence, the bulk of a cat’s diet cannot be based on veggies.
Cats should eat arugula only once in a while. Being carnivores, their diet is meat-based. They do not have the required enzymes to process fruits and vegetables well enough. Excess vegetable intake in them can lead to some digestive problems.
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How Often Can I Give My Cat Arugula?
Give your pet arugula an occasional small treat. Once or twice a week is ok. Pick out a leaf and feed it to them and that should do. When you are doing this, ensure that the vegetable is washed. It must not have any salad dressings or added sauces. Rocket lettuce can help relieve some of your cat’s digestive problems like constipation. In excess, it can also cause digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea. You want to avoid that for your pet.
Another issue with excess arugula in cats is the potential for excess vitamin A. Always act with caution when feeding your pet food that contains vitamin A. An overdose of vitamin A causes toxicity in cats. The commercial food formula you feed your cat should contain healthy doses of the required nutrients. Fruits and vegetables come in only as of the occasional supplement.
Excess arugula in cats is the potential for excess vitamin A. Always act with caution when feeding your pet food that contains vitamin A. An overdose of vitamin A causes toxicity in cats.
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Arugula Benefits For Cats
Arugula contains many vitamins and minerals. It is very rich in potassium, folic acid, calcium, and iron. It also contains vitamins A, C, and K. Potassium acts in the conduction of signals through muscles and nerves in the body. It also plays a role in salt conduction, limiting the risk of hypertension in your pet. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that will boost your pet’s immune system and prevent diseases. Vitamin K and calcium are very important for proper bone and teeth development. Folic acid is a key component of genetic material. Your vet can recommend the vegetable if your pet is suffering from some nutrient deficiency.
Cats eat arugula and other green vegetables because it helps their digestive tract. Constipation is relieved when they feed on the fiber-rich food. They can even eat grass to get relief from conditions like hairballs. Hairballs are non-digestible and fiber stimulates bowel movements. If your pet has problems keeping a healthy weight, rocket lettuce is a great way to help.
| Vitamin/Mineral | Amount (in 20g - One leaf) | Benefit To Your Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin-C | 3mg | Keep the immune system healthy. |
| Potassium | 74mg | Potassium may help reduce blood pressure and water retention, protect against stroke and prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones |
| Fiber | 0.3g | Helps maintain bowel health |
| Protein | 0.6g | Increases your pet strength, lower the blood pressure, and speed-up the metabolism |
| Calcium | 32mg | Calcium is a mineral and considered an essential nutrient for cats, meaning cats must consume it in their diet. The Association of American Feed Control Officials say that adult cats need 0.6% of their total diet to be calcium. |
| Sugar | 0.4g | Try to avoid sugar as much as you can for your cat. |
| Vitamin-A | 480IU | Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for cats, which means it must be part of their diet in order for your cat to maintain optimal health. Skin, coat, muscles and nerves all require vitamin A for proper function. |
| Vitamin-E | 0.08mg | Vitamin E supplements may prevent coronary heart disease, and support immune function. |
| Magnesium | 10mg | It Has Anti-Inflammatory Benefits. It Reduces Insulin Resistance and will help lower blood pressure. |
| Floate | 20mcg | Folate is one of the B-vitamins and is needed to make red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. |
Related Questions
Can Cats Eat Lettuce?
Yes. Lettuce is very healthy for your pet. Remember, moderation is key with fruits and vegetables. There are many types of lettuce. These include butterhead, iceberg, loose-leaf, and romaine lettuce. Note that darker lettuces are richer in nutrients. Iceberg lettuce is not one and may contain fewer nutrients. Hence, other lettuces are better for your pet, arugula included. Sometimes, your cat may show little or no interest at first. Keep offering until it decides to eat. Try to slice the lettuce into smaller pieces for the cat. You can do this vertically in a way that it looks like grass leaves. You can always offer your cat a different kind of lettuce if it rejects one kind. Another way to give your pet lettuce is to add it to its regular meat.
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Can Cats Eat Spinach?
Yes, they can. Spinach is rich in many vitamins and minerals. That includes vitamins A, K, B6, B2, E, and C. It also has magnesium, folate, calcium, and potassium. Being a vegetable, it also contains fiber although it is less when compared to other veggies. Nevertheless, it helps to maintain good digestive health. The low-calorie content of the vegetable means that your cat can keep a healthy weight with spinach in the diet. Although it is low compared to fish or fish oils, spinach contains a beneficial amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Spinach can cause some problems in your pet too. If your pet has urinary problems, avoid feeding it spinach. The calcium oxalate content of spinach can lead to the development of harmful crystals in its digestive tract. Like every vegetable, offer it in moderation only.
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Final Thoughts
When cats eat arugula, they enjoy an immense amount of health benefits. All you need to do is feed them little portions of the vegetable once in a while. Once or twice a week is ok. Arugula contains a variety of important vitamins for your cat, you can see in the benefits section the exact details. Arugula also has a high water content that ensures your cat is well hydrated. Of course, it is no substitute for water. Moreover, it is taken only occasionally. Lastly, the leafy vegetable is a good way to add some variety to your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that it can also cause digestive problems when given in excess. Consult your veterinarian if you need assurance about feeding your pet arugula or not.
