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What Vegetables Can Cats Eat and What Should They Avoid?

Reviewed by Jessica Gilliam, DVM

While your feline friend relies on animal protein to survive, you may wonder if cats can also eat vegetables. The short answer is yes, but only certain kinds and in small amounts.

If you want to share a healthy veggie snack or treat your cat, stick to the safe list, which includes carrots, peas, and green beans, among others. Keep in mind, however, that some vegetables are toxic to cats and must be avoided entirely.

In this guide, we’ll discuss which vegetables are safe for your feline friend, which to avoid, and how to incorporate them responsibly into your cat's diet.

Note: Always consult a veterinarian before introducing human food to your cat. The amount your cat can handle depends on several factors, including age, weight, overall health, and existing dietary requirements.

If your cat is on a prescription diet for a medical condition, giving them vegetables may interfere with treatment and compromise their health. Never offer human food without approval from your veterinarian.

Key Takeaways

Small amounts of these vegetables are generally safe for most cats: carrots, peas, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin, broccoli, spinach, celery, asparagus, and brussels sprouts.
Avoid these toxic vegetables completely: garlic, onions, chives, leeks, raw potatoes, and unripe tomatoes
Cats must have animal protein to meet their nutritional needs, so only give vegetables if it’s an occasional treat.
If you do give your cat vegetables, monitor them for digestive upset and consult your veterinarian if they have symptoms.

Safe Vegetables for Cats

Carrots

Carrots are rich in fiber for healthy digestion, beta carotene, and vitamin A for healthy skin and eyes, and vitamin K for bone health and mineral metabolism.

Carrots do contain moderate amounts of oxalates, which can bind with other minerals to form kidney and bladder stones. Avoid carrots if your cat has a history of either of these issues.

Peas

Peas are a good source of plant protein (which is different from animal protein), carbohydrates, and vitamins B1 and K.

Peas also contain potassium, which supports hydration and electrolyte balance. However, if your cat has kidney issues, avoid peas due to their natural purine content.

Green beans

Green beans are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great treat for weight management. They contain vitamins A, C, and K along with potassium to help your cat feel their best.

That said, green beans contain moderate oxalates (like carrots), so use caution if your cat has bladder problems.

Zucchini

Zucchini is very high in water content and low in calories. In addition, it contains vitamins A, B6, and C along with magnesium and potassium. This makes it a good choice for cats that need help maintaining a lean, healthy body weight.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin offers lots of fiber to support your cat’s digestion and regular bowel movements. It also contains vitamins A and C along with beta carotene, which may help with both constipation and diarrhea.

Broccoli

Broccoli is full of antioxidants and fiber (for immune health) and contains vitamins C and K along with potassium. To keep your cat’s digestion running smoothly, only offer small amounts of cooked broccoli as an occasional healthy treat.

Spinach

Spinach contains vitamins A, C, and K and minerals, including iron and magnesium. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help support digestion.

However, spinach does contain calcium oxalate. To keep your cat safe, avoid feeding spinach if they have a history of urinary tract or kidney issues.

Celery

Celery is mostly water, so it can be a great occasional treat that also provides vitamins A, K, and fiber for their day. Because it is very stringy, always chop celery into tiny pieces to prevent your cat from choking.

Asparagus

Asparagus is a fiber-rich snack that can help your cat maintain their digestive health (and may even help deter them from chewing on houseplants). But, because it has a high alkaline content, only give asparagus in moderation.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are loaded with vitamins A and C, as well as fiber to help with digestion. While they are a safe option for most cats, too many Brussels sprouts can cause an upset stomach. Always offer them in moderation and in small, cooked portions.

Vegetables Cats Should Avoid

Garlic

Garlic is highly toxic to cats and can cause serious harm even in very tiny amounts. It destroys red blood cells, which can cause a very dangerous condition called hemolytic anemia.

Symptoms of garlic ingestion include vomiting, lethargy, elevated heart rate, and collapse. If your cat eats any amount of garlic, contact your veterinarian right away.

Onions

Onions are dangerous in all forms, including raw, cooked, powdered, and dehydrated. Like garlic, onions can cause damage to your cat’s red blood cells, which can result in severe anemia.

In fact, all allium vegetables (onions, leeks, chives) pose the same risk. Symptoms of onion ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and bloody urine.

Chives and Leeks

Chives and leeks are part of the allium family, and contain toxic sulfur compounds which, even in small amounts, can damage red blood cells.

Always check food labels for chives or leek powder, and never share food from your plate that contains these toxic ingredients.

Like the other veggies on this list, ingestion of chives or leeks in any form requires immediate attention by a veterinarian.

Raw Potatoes

Raw potatoes contain solanine, a natural toxin that is very harmful to cats. In addition, potatoes provide no nutritional value for cats.

While cooked potatoes without their skin are safer, they are still not recommended. Skip this veggie altogether and stick to protein-rich treats instead.

Unripe Tomatoes

Unripe tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine, which are both toxic to cats. Tomato leaves and stems are also harmful.

While ripe tomatoes are less risky, they still aren’t ideal and should not be given to your cat. It’s best to avoid tomatoes completely, just to be safe.

When to Consult Your Veterinarian

Always talk to your veterinarian before adding vegetables or any new food to your cat’s diet, especially if they have allergies, medical conditions, or a sensitive stomach.

If your cat seems sick after a veggie snack, or if they accidentally eat a toxic food like garlic or onions (or any other toxic substance), get them to a veterinarian right away.

Choose Complete Nutrition for Your Feline Friend

So, can cats eat vegetables? Many of them can! But only certain ones, and only in moderation. While safe vegetables can be a fun, occasional treat for most cats, they cannot replace the essential nutrients found in a high-quality bowl of complete and balanced cat food.

NUTRO™ Cat Food takes the guesswork out of feline nutrition by using real protein sources as the very first ingredient. It also provides all the vitamins and minerals to support your cat’s everyday vitality.

Whether you have a playful kitten or a wise senior, NUTRO™ recipes has a cat food formula that is crafted for every life stage. With the complete and balanced nutrition NUTRO™ cat food provides, your cat will get exactly what they need to help keep them healthy and happy.

Explore our complete line of cat food recipes today!

Contributor

Jessica Gilliam is a veterinarian with more than 14 years of clinical experience, specializing in small animal medicine. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, mentorship, and education. Jessica serves as the Community Chair for the Tennessee Market at Banfield and oversees Mars Petcare’s PetConnect chat, which offers free educational support for pet parents. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and baking.

What Vegetables Can Cats Eat and What Should They Avoid?

Key Takeaways