Do you consider Tofu as a small treat yet problematic for your feline companions? If your curious mind also wants to know “can cats eat tofu”, then you’ve just landed in the correct spot.
Simply answered, though Tofu is not toxic for your cats, it is not healthy either. Tofu is enriched with protein and fat, but it fails to fulfill the higher demand of protein in your feline’s everyday diet. That’s why it’s not a good option for cats.
Still in confusion whether you should give your cat Tofu or not?? Don’t worry, I’ve laid down tons of info about this topic below.
So, without giving a second thought, let’s get started!!
Can Your Cats Have Tofu? (Explained)
Tofu is not a recommended source of food for your pet cats as it does not provide any nutritive value. But a small amount won’t create any havoc!
Let me tell you how Tofu is made then you will understand why it is not an ideal food for your cats.
First, boiled soybeans are mixed with soy milk and solid pulp. Then, in order to separate the curds from that particular whey, Sulfates, Calcium, and Magnesium Chloride are used one by one. In this way, tofu is made up.
Mind you, it is one kind of cheese that became popular during the time of the healthy lifestyle movement in Europe.
Let me tell you an interesting fact about cats. By birth, felines lack the necessary enzymes to digest the two sugars — raffinose and stachyose present in Tofu. Plus, this not-so-nutritive food can cause diarrhea to your furry friends! That’s risky.
So, you can’t allow your cats to eat an ample amount of Tofu.
Can Cats Be Allergic To Tofu?
It has been researched that 10% of cats are allergic to soy which is the main ingredient of tofu! So, if your feline companion has the same issue, then don’t go for tofu.
The more it consumes Tofu or soy-made food items, the worse the allergic reaction will get! Remember that you should also avoid soy-formulated cat food in order to save your furry friends from itching and skin-burning problems.
Moreover, soy contains phytates that not only hinder the digestion of minerals but also obstruct the necessary enzymes to absorb protein. In addition, soy often helps in liver damage to cats.
Can Cats Eat Cooked Tofu?
What about cooked tofu for your cats? The answer is absolute no! Let me tell you why!
To cook tofu, we use spices like onion, garlic, and chives which are harmful to cats.
Remember, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, even a small amount of garlic, onion, and chives can create problems for red blood cells and that will consequently pave the way for anemia to death.
Hence, you must avoid cooking tofu for your pets!
How To Tackle The Risks Of Feeding Tofu To Your Cats?
If your cat has consumed a little amount of tofu that is not mixed with any toxic herbs, then don’t worry! But you must observe your kitties for the next 24 hours.
On the other hand, if they have eaten an ample amount, then there will be symptoms of itching, loose stools, and suddenly becoming restless within 6 to 8 hours of consumption.
However, if your four-legged friend looks normal, then you can rest assured that he is out of danger. But if the situation is getting worse, then you must take advice from a vet and there are also chances of taking your cat to the clinic.
So, the bottom line is to avoid offering tofu to your cats to prevent any kind of unexpected difficulties.
Also Read: Can cats eat ginger snaps?
Benefits ✅
Tofu contains iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc but these are not beneficial to your felines. So there are no benefits for cats by eating Tofu.
Risks ❌
Let’s talk about the risks of giving ample amounts of Tofu to your cats at a glance!
- Eating a higher amount of tofu can cause Diarrhea as it upsets the tummy of your cats.
- This also causes vomiting.
- Cooked tofu can cause anemia by disturbing the balance of red blood cells.
- This may invite gastrointestinal problems.
- Allergic reactions can be seen like itching and burning sensation because of soy milk.
So, these are the probable risks for your cats if they consume high amounts of Tofu.
Servings 🍽️
You can provide a small amount of tofu to your cats but that should not be done regularly. But if you are thinking of giving a generous amount, then it’s a BIG NO whether it is cooked or uncooked!
Wrapping Up
From reading this article, I hope you got all the answers to your question “can cats eat tofu”? So, before giving your pets Tofu, keep all the above info in your mind from now on.
Finally, I want to conclude by saying that you shouldn’t include tofu as a small treat in your cat’s diet regularly, let alone a bigger part of their eating habits.
Undoubtedly, you will try your heart and soul to save your pets suffering from any kind of poisonous situation at the cost of a quick snack, right?
Thank you so much for dropping in today, you guys are the bee’s knees! Have a nice day and peace out!
Hi, This is Parvez Khan. I’m the owner and chief editor of The PetLiker. I have couple of dogs as well as a cat. I’m observing those pets so closely over the years. On this website, I prefer to share all the experiences I gathered with my pets. Here I also like to explore the information that is relevant to pets.
Also, I write reviews about pet food and offer the best advice for keeping your pet healthy and active.
