Can cats eat Tofu? This thought might have occurred to you while you were cooking a meal using some of the popular soy-based protein substitutes. Can cats eat tofu?
There is no one-size fits all answer.Tofu can be eaten by cats. Technically, it’s not toxic to cats, but it also won’t provide the amount of protein that they need in their daily diet. It can cause diarrhea in cats due to the way it is digested.
As always, Ask your regular vet.Before you share any human food with your feline friend, Here’s what you need to know about tofu and cats.
Is Tofu okay for cats to eat?
Tofu isn’t toxic or poisonous to cats. It is not necessary to immediately alarm your feline if they have ingested a small amount of the tofu.
If you discover that your kitty shows a taste for tofu, always make sure that it hasn’t been cooked with any extra spices or ingredients, like garlic, that are known to be toxic to cats.
Also, cats should only be fed human food in moderation. If your feline is averse to something like tofu it might cause them to become reluctant to eat regular cat food.
When is Tofu Bad for Cats
Cats are obligate meat-eaters, meaning that most of their diet must contain meat. Tofu is classified as an incomplete protein, so even though it’s often used in human dishes as a meat substitute, it will not provide the nutrition your cat needs to stay healthy.
Secondly, the way a cat’s body works to digest tofu means that if they eat too much of it, they may suffer from a series of side effects. These side effects are most common:
So while feeding your cat a small amount of tofu as the occasional snack should be safe, it’s best to avoid the temptation to make it a main part of any feline’s daily diet.
Is your cat ever tempted to eat tofu? Have you ever given tofu to your cat as a snack? We’d love to hear all about it in our comments section!
