Despite being such a good addition to human meals, it’s not usually the case for our feline friend´s diet, being they have so delicate digestive systems. Questions arise: Can cats eat microgreens? Are microgreens safe for cats?
Yes, cats can safely eat microgreens in moderation. (But never as a replacement for any meal). They are not labeled as toxic, so as long as we follow the same guidelines we would with microgreen’s mature counterparts, our feline friends should be safe if eating it as an occasional treat!
Did you know some microgreens pack 40 times more nutrients than their mature versions? Definitely, a superfood that makes for a valuable addition to our human diet.
There are some potential risks you need to know before serving them this superfood. So, Do not serve your cat a bowl of microgreens just yet!
In this guide, We will go over:
- How to properly introduce microgreens to your cat
- The best microgreen options for them
- How to serve
- Potential risks and benefits you need to consider.
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Microgreens: What Are They?
Since the 1980s, microgreens have greatly increased in popularity thanks to chefs from high-end restaurants in California starting to include them in their foods. This made some people discover the amazing benefits behind this superfood, and in most recent times, they rose in popularity.
Microgreens are young vegetable greens that are around 1-3 inches tall. They are grown from a variety of vegetable seeds and are harvested in between one to three weeks, in the cotyledon stage, which is when the true seeds emerge.
They come in various shapes and colors depending on the seed chosen. Each one of them has their own unique growing habits.
Microgreens should not be confused with sprouts. The latter are harvested before any leaves are visible, and growing methods also differ. Microgreens fall right in the middle between sprouts and baby greens.
Microgreens are nutrient powerhouses, some of the benefits found are:
- Up to 40 times more vitamins and antioxidants than their mature counterparts
- Rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper
- Rich in vitamins K, E and C
- Numerous health benefits: Helps with Heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and even some types of cancer.
Are Microgreens Safe For Cats?
We can talk all day about what is known about the huge benefits of including microgreens in our diets. But, can we share them with our furry friends? Luckily, most microgreens are safe for cats, and none are labeled as toxic for them by any respectable organism.
How cats can benefit from eating microgreens:
- Great source of fiber: since they were out in the wild, cats have eaten grass to ease stomach upset or gastrointestinal discomfort. This is thanks to the fibers it contains, and microgreens are excellent just for that. Plus, fiber can help cats to lose weight since ingestion makes cats feel fuller, therefore keeping their heads out of the food bowl a little longer.
- Safer to consume than their mature counterparts: Younger plants have fewer toxins that cause upset stomachs than older leaves. This makes them safer to consume as they are Non GMO.
- Self-regulated intake: Cats are no veggie fans, so they eat just what they need (in most cases)
- Source of vitamins and antioxidants: While this is a controversial topic in the sense that we don’t know exactly how much nutrients can cats actually get from vegetables, the smallest amount they can absorb is just enough for their small bodies.
Some of the safe and recommended varieties of microgreens for cats include:
- Pea Shoots
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Wheatgrass
- Alfalfa
Do Cats Need Microgreens?
Cats don’t necessarily need microgreens to have a healthy, balanced diet. It’s important to know that cats are considered to be obligate carnivores. This means cats get most of all the nutrients they need from meat-based diets. However, if they can access it cats already eat grass when they need some. If you live in an apartment, this can prove difficult. We recommend you always have some cat grass at your cat’s disposal in case they need it, you can also try with microgreens!
Potential Risks Of Feeding Microgreens To Cats
We already went through explaining how good this superfood can be. But not everything in life is perfect. So, what are the downsides of giving microgreens to our feline friends?
- Dangerous variations: While most microgreens are safe for cats, some variations could be dangerous. The microgreen space is a blue ocean: a big, mostly untapped space. There is a lot to discover yet, and while the most popular variations of microgreens are not toxic to cats, some less common ones should be. Do not experiment with onion, garlic, tomato, or eggplant microgreens. They are not common, but if you plant your own microgreens and are curious about new variations, keep these away from your cat!
- Toxicity: While this point is hard to reach, since cats aren’t big enjoyers of vegetables, eating too much microgreens can have the opposite effect, resulting in gastrointestinal issues, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Bacteria Risk: As it’s with almost any vegetable, there is a risk of contamination. Always wash microgreens thoroughly before serving to your cat. If you are buying them, avoid purchasing pre-bagged microgreens, as the sealed environment promotes bacterial growth.
- Choking Hazard: some microgreens have thicker stems than others. Always serve them chopped or cut into small pieces to avoid any issues and make it easier for your cat to eat.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions could occur to your feline friend while eating microgreens. Whenever serving them a variation they never have eaten before, stay close to monitor their reaction.
Alternatives To Microgreens
We already talked about the pros and cons of microgreens. If you want to stay 100% safe while giving your cat a reliable source of fiber, you can try cat grass.
There are some great cat grass kits that include everything you need to start offering your cat
You can also feed your cat full grown vegetables, check our full guide on what vegetables are safe for cats to eat (and the ones you should avoid!) If you are planning to start growing your own microgreens, it can serve as a guide for you to know the ones you could share with your furry friend.
FAQ’s
Q: Can kittens eat microgreens?
A: No, kittens should never eat microgreens or anything outside your vet’s suggested diet. Kittens only a few weeks old should stick to consuming only their mother’s milk.
Q: Are all types of microgreens safe for cats?
A: While most microgreens are safe for cats, we need to know what vegetables are not, so we can avoid microgreens that can be toxic to cats, such as onion or garlic.
Q: Can cats eat arugula microgreens?
A: Yes! Arugula microgreens are safe for cats and their mature counterpart too. It also contains beneficial vitamins such as B9 (folic acid) and many other antioxidants that can be beneficial if consumed in small amounts, especially when talking about microgreens.
Q: Are raw microgreens safe for cats to eat?
A: Yes. Microgreens are generally eaten fresh, and there are no risks with giving them in said form to cats. As microgreens are not thick or hard, they can be easily ripped off by a cat without the need of softening them up.
Conclusion
Now you know you can share this superfood with your feline friend!
Learned something valuable? we invite you to take a look at our safe vegetables for cats to eat list, which combined with this article, can help you obtain some deep, useful knowledge for feeding your cat the best way possible.
Always introduce microgreens slowly to your cat to avoid any unnecessary stomach upset or early rejection. As they are obligate carnivores, avoid offering it as a substitute of any meals. Even if microgreens are nutrient powerhouses, they don’t specifically fit a cat’s dietary needs.
