Everyone loves curry, am I right? There aren’t really that many people that don’t like the flavor of this sauce. But can cats eat curry?
I haven’t seen many felines that favor a sauce or some spices over a nice plate of meat. Perhaps there are some weirdos out there, but should that concern me?
You see, our pets are individuals, just like us. They have their own personal preferences and likings towards things. However, there’s a tricky part which is deciding whether their preferences are the right choice.
Usually, their instincts work really well and tell them what’s off-limits and what’s not. But what if these instincts sometimes fail to kick in? Is it possible that your feline will make a mistake?
Cats have a good sense of smell and taste. This pretty much gives them an idea of what’s the dish like and if they should indulge in it.
Still, they’re not humans and they can’t really make a clear judgment sometimes. Especially when they smell something nice and tasty. I can’t blame them; I’m the same when it comes to food. Incredibly delicious food with various spices and seasonings.
But cats aren’t humans, right? We might tend to forget that a lot of the time because we spoil them so much. It’s okay to think of your feline as a family member, as they are. However, we can get carried away with our love for them…
People tend to make these mistakes where they will offer everything to their cay without doing further research. Unfortunately, some of our good intentions can actually turn out to be quite harmful to our lovely feline companions.
Sad, but true. Maybe one of these intentions was curry so let’s see; can cats eat curry at all?
What’s inside curry?
Curry is a dish that comes from Asia and its cuisines. This being said, you might expect a lot of spices and seasonings.
Who doesn’t love curry? Well, perhaps your cat doesn’t. It’s a dish that can even be a bit too much for some people, let alone cats.
However, we can’t deny the fact that it’s widely popular all over the globe and many people have it as a staple in their households.
You can eat anything and everything with curry, especially if you prefer a lot of seasonings, spices, and herbs. Because of this, I know just how your cat might be able to get a taste of this dish.
Mine does it so stealthily that I don’t even notice when something’s missing from the counter. It also implies that I miss those soft pawprints that are left behind every time!
Can cats eat curry ingredients?
It’s no secret what makes this perfect combination called curry. You slice up some veggies, meat, and add a bunch of spices and seasonings.
Voila! You have yourself a perfect dish for every occasion. But what when you’re met with those dashing pair of eyes staring at you from across the table?
I know how judging our pets’ eyes can be. I’ve seen it before. I see it every day actually, whenever I’m having lunch, dinner, or a snack.
They’re always somewhere in the corner, lurking in the shadows, waiting for your next meal. If I didn’t know her better, I’d think my cat is starving!
This unique combination of different ingredients is just what makes this meal so magnificent. But can cats eat curry because of all these different compounds?
1. Meat
The meat that’s usually used in curry is chicken, although it might be anything else. It’s a personal preference really.
There’s nothing wrong with chicken tight? You’re totally right. Felines love this poultry and will do anything to grab a hold of it.
It’s a good source of protein, amino acids, healthy fats, and other nutritional benefits. Its vitamins and minerals help keep your cat’s immune system in check.
Protein and amino acids aid in various bodily functions such as tissue repair, bone and muscle growth, and so on.
Moreover, protein is one of the primary sources of energy. If your pet’s been bouncing around at 3 am, it’s likely she gets more than enough of this essential nutrient.
2. Veggies
As for the veggie part, it really isn’t something that will thrill your cat. But who am I to judge, really? You just never know.
For instance, my fluffed devil will eat anything and everything she comes across. It doesn’t matter whether it’s meat or vegetables. She will simply gulp it all down.
Veggies can be good for your feline, especially if they’re packed with protein. Some are, which is good news for your pet, just like beans.
However, others might present slight trouble and danger for felines, such as tomatoes. Tomatoes can be found in curry which is bad news for cats.
It’s a member of the Nightshade family that includes eggplants and potatoes as well. The majority of these plants are toxic to felines, which is really sad.
The rest of this meal is the broth which is generally safe for your pet to eat. However, always consider each and every ingredient of the dish you’re giving your cat.
3. Can cats eat curry because of ghee?
Ghee is something that’s highly similar to butter. It’s almost an essential ingredient in making the perfect curry. However, it might be something that makes this meal very attractive for felines. Ghee is packed with salt, fats, and lactose, all of which can harm your pet.
Now all of a sudden, curry doesn’t sound so appealing, right? I tend to behave the same way, if I can’t share it with my fluffball then I don’t want it.
Unfortunately for cats, ghee is loaded with fats, most of which are saturated. These are known as unhealthy fats, and they tend to raise cholesterol in the blood.
This can be extremely dangerous as it can provoke blood clotting, and increase the risks of heart diseases and strokes. Not to mention how your pet could easily become overweight.
Another thing about ghee is that it’s a by-product of milk which makes it full of lactose. It’s bad news for felines who are lactose intolerant.
Just like some humans, cats can’t digest the sugar that’s found in milk. Therefore, they may have some trouble regarding their intestines, if you know what I mean.
Lactose can cause vomiting, diarrhea, as well as bloating, and gasses. Therefore, it’s best if you keep your cat away from dairy products.
4. Spices and seasonings
This is really what gives this famous dish its distinct flavor. Curry without its spices is nothing, just like we are nothing without our beloved pets.
People love spices and seasonings. They simply change the whole taste of the flavor and turn it upside down.
I wouldn’t really be able to imagine my life without spices because they make things so much better. In fact, I truly think we underestimate their power and value.
Can cats eat curry because of all the spices? To be fair, I’d probably say no. I know some people are saying how curry is beneficial even to cats but I wouldn’t risk it.
It’s packed with certain ingredients that are actually harmful to felines. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather play it safe than be sorry later on.
Some of the main ingredients of this magnificent meal are coriander, curcumin, as well as paprika. These all sound so delicious, but can cays eat curry because of them?
Cilantro or coriander is perfectly safe for your pet to eat, just as basil is. However, this herb doesn’t have many nutritional benefits from her. On the contrary, curcumin, which is also known as turmeric, has loads of health benefits for your furball.
It’s probably not as enticing and tasty to your pet, but it can surely help her big time. Turmeric is known for its healing properties.
It’s also what gives curry its distinct yellow color and smell. This ingredient is packed with antioxidants that can boost your immune system.
As for paprika, it shouldn’t be much of a hassle to felines if it’s not that spicy. If you come across one that is really spicy, it’s best if you leave it out.
5. Salt
When it comes to salt quantities, be sure that curry has loads of it. The meat, the veggies, and especially the whole combination wouldn’t be the same without it.
Even though we love it because it greatly adds to the flavor, cats shouldn’t consume it. It can, unfortunately, be toxic for felines.
High salt levels may cause vomiting diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain. Your pet may begin to exhibit some of these symptoms followed by more severe ones.
These include seizures, tremors, as well as coma. If she’s had some salt make sure you take a trip to the vet just in case to make sure she’s doing alright.
Aside from sodium, black pepper can also be added to this meal. Can cats eat curry because of it? When it comes to black pepper, it doesn’t pose a great danger to felines’ health as salt does. It can have some potential benefits but shouldn’t be incorporated into our cats’ food regularly.
6. Can cats eat curry because of garlic and onions?
These are the real cats’ enemies. They’re the ingredients you should be wary of. Even though curcumin and cilantro might be totally safe, don’t let them fool you.
Cats can’t eat curry because of garlic and onions. Other members of the Allium family such as chives are also greatly toxic to felines.
They ruin their red blood cells which can cause them a lot of trouble. Due to the loss of blood, felines may get anemia or even die.
7. Fats, calories, and carbs
It seems all of a sudden that all the bad stuff is in the curry. You’re not entirely wrong because cats can’t really digest this tasty dish.
Unfortunately, meals like these are packed with fats, calories, and carbs. Usually, fats are the saturated ones that can cause a lot of health problems.
Unhealthy fats may be the reason why your cat’s so obese and struggles to breathe. Perhaps it’s the reason she’s having issues breathing and developing heart disease.
In addition, curry is loaded with calories and carbs. We love these, but what about cats? Can cats eat curry because of all the nutrients found in it?
Felines don’t really require that many calories or carbs. Actually, they don’t require any carbohydrates. They’ll just make them gain weight and not give anything positive in return.
Too many carbs and calories can mean weight gain, diabetes, arthritis, poor overall immune system, and rest. The list really goes on.
Can cats eat curry powder?
In other countries outside south Asia, curry is considered a powdered spice mix. It’s made from the same ingredients, the difference is that it’s sold in powder form.
With this amazing invention, you can eat curry anywhere and anytime. Although turmeric and coriander are safe and actually good for your cat, the rest isn’t.
Next to garlic and onions, chili can also be a major part of this spice. Unfortunately, pets can’t eat anything spicy because of the compound called capsaicin. It is very dangerous to felines.
Bottom line
The overall conclusion is that cats cannot eat curry. It’s a really delicious dish with a lot of history behind it. l think that’s exactly what your cat should do.
She should consider leaving the curry somewhere behind her, in the past. Although we relish it, it can be too much of a hassle for our feline companions.
