The curiosity of cats can make your pet try to act abnormally or exhibit some habits. Some of these habits include attempting to eat anything that comes their way. There are times the cats can be lucky to eat something beneficial, or unlucky to eat poisonous foods or stomach irritants like spicy food.
Generally, all mammals have the receptors for capsaicin, but only humans enjoy the burning sensation of spicy foods. Cats and other mammals won’t eat spicy foods because their brain interpret a bad sensation. This does not mean cats do not eat spicy foods; some do and are just fine after eating, while some cats show negative reactions like drooling and diarrhea after eating spicy foods. The reaction depends on the cat’s tolerance to spicy foods.
There is a lot of information you should know about feeding cats and cat foods, particularly on the subject of spicy foods and other foods cats should not eat or are encouraged to eat. This article is your handy guide, and it’s here to help you.
Are Spicy Foods Safe For Cats?
Cats generally should not eat spicy foods. If your cat does, trust me, he/she is just being mischievous. A cat’s digestive system is not adapted for spicy foods. Cats typically lack the ability to effectively metabolize and process the compounds found in spicy ingredients like chili peppers, cayenne, and other hot spices. This is why digestive disorders is common in cats that ate spicy foods.
In addition, cats’ taste receptors are much more sensitive to these pungent flavors of spicy foods compared to humans. You may have seen your cats occasionally lick or bite a little of spicy foods, this attempt may not cause serious harm. However, consuming significant amounts of spicy foods like human food with hot spicy sauce can lead to digestive distress and potential health issues in cats.
Why Spicy Foods Are Problematic for Cats
Before you admit that spicy food is not entirely safe for cats, you should know why. If you do not ask, I will tell you…
Spicy foods contain a compound called capsaicin; capsaicin gives foods their characteristic heat and spicy flavor. Unlike humans, cats lack the ability to effectively metabolize and handle these spicy compounds, making them more susceptible to gastrointestinal irritation and discomfort. Remember I said something about the good and bad sensations of spicy foods in humans and mammals like cats.
Capsaicin is the active ingredient found in chili peppers and other spicy foods; it can cause significant irritation to a cat’s delicate digestive tract, particularly in cats under 3 months. A cat’s digestive system is not designed to handle such intense spices. When a cat eats spicy foods, it causes intestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, and even stomach ulcers have been reported in cats under 3 months.
In addition, capsaicin is responsible for the burning sensation experienced when spicy food is eaten. As humans experience the burning sensation, so do cats too, and it is very severe in cats because their taste buds are more sensitive than those of humans. Spicy foods make cats experience excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, and general distress, as the cat tries to alleviate the discomfort.
So if spicy food can make you (a human) experience a watery tongue, you can imagine how an innocent cat would feel. Extremely hot, isn’t it?
Signs of Spicy Food Consumption in Cats
If your cat has eaten spicy foods, these are the signs to look out for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling or hypersalivation
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
The severity of these signs can vary depending on the age of the cat, the amount and type of spicy food consumed, as well as your cat’s tolerance level to spicy foods. As earlier revealed, cats lack the taste receptors to perceive spicy flavors, which is why your cat accidentally has a bite or lick spicy food unknowingly.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Spicy Food
If your cat has ingested spicy food, do not panic. Your cat would be fine if you took the following measures:
- Offer Water: Water is a universal solvent and tranquilizer; water will help to dilute and flush out any remaining spicy substances from the cat’s
- Provide a Bland Diet: At first, your cat would avoid food. This is because of the burning sensation; when your cat is ready to eat, offer a bland diet such as boiled chicken or turkey and plain, unsalted rice for the next 24-48 hours to help soothe their digestive system and prevent further irritation.
- Monitor for Symptoms: Monitor your cat closely for any signs of discomfort. Observe if the cat is excessively drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, having diarrhea, or feeling lethargic. These symptoms may indicate irritation or inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Contact Your Veterinarian: Reach out to your veterinarian if your cat displays severe symptoms, such as persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of abdominal pain. Spicy food ingestion can lead to pancreatitis or other serious conditions, and professional medical attention may be necessary.
Remember, cats can cope with a small amount of spicy foods, so if you see your cat licking spices or having little bites of spicy foods, don’t assume it is right. Repeated exposure can lead to more severe consequences.
Spicy Food Ingredients to Avoid
The commercial cat foods usually have a list of ingredients that make up the whole food; this is to inform cat owners of the kind of ingredients in the feed and enable cat owners to select their choices. You should have this idea at the back of your mind if you want to give your cats human food; any food that contains these spices should be avoided.
- Chili peppers: Contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for the burning sensation in spicy foods. Capsaicin can cause irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats.
- Onions and garlic: Both of these aromatic ingredients from the Allium family can damage red blood cells in cats, leading to anemia.
- Black pepper: While not as potent as chili peppers, black pepper can still cause gastrointestinal upset in cats.
- Mustard: The pungent taste and smell of mustard can be unpleasant for cats, and some varieties contain spices that may irritate their digestive system.
- Curry powder: This is a blend of chili peppers, cumin, and turmeric; curry powder can be too intense for a cat’s sensitive palate.
- Hot sauce: With a concentrated dose of chili peppers and other spicy ingredients, hot sauce should be kept well away from curious feline tongues.
- Wasabi: The intense heat and pungent flavor of wasabi can be overwhelming for a cat’s delicate sense of taste and smell.
Be wary of what you feed your cats and ensure you keep these spicy foods out of the reach of your cats to avoid intestinal and digestive complications from deliberate or accidental ingestion.
Safer Food Choices for Cats
I assume you know what cats love to eat, so stick with that. Cats eat wet or canned food and dry food, or kibble. Occasionally, you can give your cats treats to encourage positive behavior. Commercial cat foods are made from natural ingredients, which are usually listed on the food label. The purpose of this is to ascertain the ingredients in the food.
Alternatively, homemade cat food is also encouraged; most of these commercial cat foods are incredibly expensive. The concern with homemade cat food is the ingredients; you need to be sure that what you are feeding your cat is actually beneficial to them because cats have different nutritional needs than humans, and their digestive systems are not equipped to handle certain ingredients and foods, for example, the spices and spicy foods.
If you are making homemade food for cats, either as main food or treats, consider these foods:
- Plain, cooked chicken or turkey (without seasoning)
- Small amounts of cooked fish (avoid fish with high mercury levels)
- Plain, low-fat yogurt
- Cooked eggs
- Small pieces of cooked sweet potato or pumpkin
- Cat-safe fruits like bananas, blueberries, or melon (in moderation)
Don’t misconstrue me!
I have not said that the above list of food options should make up your cat’s diet. No! Feed them as supplements and treats that should be fed in small quantities alongside the main food. The nutrient requirement of cats can only be met by feeding specialized cat food. Remember, cats are obligate carnivores and require a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
How To Prevent Accidental Spicy Food Ingestion
If you have spicy foods lurking around your kitchen or your living area, your cat will deliberately or accidentally eat from them. In order to prevent this from happening, do the following:
- Keep Spicy Foods Out of Reach: Store all spicy foods, condiments, and seasonings in secure cabinets or on high shelves where your cat cannot access. Cats are naturally curious and may try to investigate any enticing smells or leftovers left out.
- Use Cat-Proof Containers: Transfer spicy foods to airtight, cat-proof containers when storing them. Cats have an excellent sense of smell and may be tempted to investigate open containers or packages.
- Supervise During Meal Times: When preparing or eating spicy meals with your family, keep a close eye on your cat and ensure they cannot sneak bites. It is best to confine your cats in a separate room during mealtimes.
- Clean Up Promptly: After meals, promptly clean up any spilled or leftover spicy foods. Even small crumbs or residues can be tempting for a curious cat. Do not overlook it.
- Offer Treats and Toys: Provide your cats with treats after their main meals; this will make them satisfied and discourage them from sniffing around for food out of hunger. Aside from treats, keep your cats busy with toys.
- Consider Taste Deterrents: Stubborn cats can be kept off spicy foods by using safe pet taste deterrents. These products make foods unappealing to cats without causing harm.
Conclusion
Spicy foods are not good options for cats, though your cat may resist all your efforts to keep it away from eating spicy foods, you should show dominance and authority by being deliberate about keeping it away. By taking proactive measures and being vigilant, you can ensure your cat does not eat spicy foods either deliberately or accidentally.