Cucumbers and cats. Cats and cucumbers. This combination has been the inspiration behind a ton of internet videos that showcase cats getting scared by them, but now others have made rounds of cats eating cucumbers – so the question begs, is it safe for cats to eat cucumbers?
Can Cats Eat Cucumbers?
The short answer is yes! Cats can indeed eat cucumbers, as they aren’t toxic to either cats or dogs. It is perfectly safe to offer your cat a slice of cucumber from time to time. They can actually be a great source of dietary fiber, though they don’t really provide a lot in terms of minerals, key vitamins, and amino acids.
However, be cautious about overdoing it. The last thing your cat needs is a bout of diarrhea from eating too much of something their system isn’t used to. You should also make sure to peel the cucumber first, as the skin could contain toxins or pesticides.
What Other Fruits and Vegetables Can a Cat Eat?
If you’re curious about which fruits and vegetables are safe for a cat to eat, you can consider the following. Just keep in mind that cats can’t taste sweets the way we do, so if they enjoy fruit, it isn’t because of the sweetness.
You should also keep in mind that you don’t really need to feed your cat fruits or vegetables, and this is mostly something to keep in mind if your cat happened to consume any of the following:
- Cucumber (duh)
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Celery
- Corn
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Peaches
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Green bell peppers
What Should You NEVER Feed Your Cat?
While the foods mentioned above are okay in small portions, you should never feed your cat onion, raisins, grapes, garlic, apple seeds, chocolate or avocados as they can be toxic. The same goes for any sort of medication that might be within your cat’s reach, such as the spare Tylenol you tucked away without a thought into your bag.
Since we’re on the subject, if you’re a fan of essential oils, you might want to read our article about how essential oils can be toxic to cats. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
