Tortillas are go-to meals when you don’t have anything else ready or you just don’t have time for some more demanding meals. Mix up anything you have in the pantry and it will make a perfect combination with flour tortillas. But before you go ahead and make double portions, can cats eat flour tortillas?
We often share food with cats because sharing is caring, right? Sometimes, cats biting down on our food will bite us in the face! The reason is that felines and humans have different needs and therefore, different ways of fulfilling them.
Cats can eat flour tortillas as can any other human food, but the question is always the same: Can they get away with it without any consequences? You know how you sometimes eat something and it makes your stomach upset? The same can happen to cats, especially when eating human food that’s not made to meet their needs.
It’s always best to consult with your vet when introducing any new foods to your cat’s diet. A few mistakes and your pet’s greed can cost a lot. We know how expensive those vet trips can be. To be sure no such thing happens, see for yourself how can tortillas affect cats.
Are flour tortillas dangerous to cats?
If your pet munched down on some flour tortillas, don’t freak out because they aren’t harmful to cats. There’s nothing poisonous in flour tortillas, but it doesn’t mean it’s a healthy choice for your furball.
Plain tortillas are a safe snack for your kitten, unless there are some added condiments and sauces. To be honest, cats are finicky and will often be disinterested in your food. But, if they see something they like, you’ll probably be manipulated into sharing it.
Tortillas are the type of food you can eat almost everything with. So, there are many choices available when having tortillas, which can be tricky for your cat. We will list some of the main ingredients usually contained in flour tortillas and whether cats can eat them.
What is flour tortilla made of?
I think the answer is pretty obvious. Flour, salt, and water are the main ingredients found in a flour tortilla. There’s nothing harmless in this, right? It’s true, but any large portions can easily make your cat sick.
Cats have a more sensitive stomach than humans and some foods can irritate it. It’s important to introduce tortillas slowly so your cat has time to adjust to these ingredients.
You guessed it: flour
Raw flour isn’t especially recommended for your pet. It’s not poisonous, but your cat shouldn’t eat it because it has no nutritional value and won’t help her in any way. This ingredient just doesn’t meet her dietary needs and therefore, is an unnecessary part of it.
Flour dough, on the other hand, is a different story and something to be concerned about. For example, flour dough rises, and if consumed, it can cause your cat to get bloated, which in some cases can be fatal. Many cats have had to undergo surgery to get it removed from their intestines.
However, the flour in the tortilla is completely safe for your cat and unlikely to produce any negative effects. So, a few bites of this isn’t alarming, but don’t make it a habit.
You will often find grain-based ingredients in cat food, serving a purpose of filler. If you want to share some tortillas with your fluff, it’s best to see what type suits them more.
What about salt?
Salt is another main ingredient found in flour tortillas. A bit of sodium won’t hurt your cat and certain amounts are required in their daily diet. However, any large quantities of this mineral can harm your feline.
If your cat eats excessive amounts of salt regularly, she may develop salt toxicity. This can be a great threat to your cat’s health and you should immediately seek a vet’s advice.
Sodium poisoning in cats can be recognized through some common signs like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and excessive thirst and urination. In severe cases, it can result in seizures, tremors, and even coma.
Refrain from feeding your feline too many tortillas. Keep it an occasional bite or two. But if she shows any signs of gastrointestinal discomfort, make sure to leave these off her menu.
Can cats eat flour tortillas with side dishes?
This is where your cat’s options come to an end. Side dishes that are added to flour tortillas can be a threat to your cat. Many of them are hot and contain a variety of substances that might cause stomach pain.
So, it’s not only important to get an answer to the question “Can cats eat flour tortillas?”. You also need to pay attention to all of the side dishes that usually go with this flat-style bread.
Humans are capable of digesting spicy meals; however, cats are not. Spicy food might make felines nauseous and develop signs of a stomach upset such as diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.
Similar symptoms, along with increased thirst, indicate that your cat has consumed something poisonous. If this is the case, we strongly advise you to take your pet to the veterinarian right away!
Therefore, it’s best to stick with plain tortillas. That way, you will ensure your cat has a safe snack without it keeping you on your toes.
Can cats eat flour tortilla chips?
Cats are permitted to eat tortilla chips without additional dishes or spices, just as they are with unsalted and unseasoned tortillas. It may not sound appealing to us, but it’s the only option for cats to have chips.
Although these chips are not harmful to her health, your cat shouldn’t consume them in large quantities. And due to the hazardous saturated fats and salt, plain flour tortillas are preferable over chips.
Salt, seasoning, and spices are commonly included in tortilla chips, and this is harmful to your pet for a variety of reasons. Salt is harmful to her in high doses, and an overabundance of it can be fatal.
Saturated fats are unhealthy types of fat that can’t benefit your feline. It can cause high cholesterol levels that eventually lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
Mexican foods made with flour tortillas
Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, and many more have the same foundation: tortillas. However, they also have some differences: fillings. Plain tortillas are no reason to worry, but any of these mentioned foods are potentially risky to felines.
These dishes are served with fillings such as tomatoes, lettuce, and beans. Next to veggies, we have dairy products like cheese and sour cream. And of course, one of the main ingredients in many of these is meat.
Besides these ingredients, rice and a variety of sauces such as guacamole or pico de Gallo all enhance the aromas of these Mexican foods.
Is it dangerous to felines?
While meat is a perfect choice of protein for your feline, it can be detrimental due to the additional seasonings. For example, a sprinkle of black pepper is no threat to your cat, but chili can be dangerous. Try some canned tuna with flour tortillas, your cat will go feral for it!
Vegetables are in most cases safe like lettuce and beans, but raw tomatoes can be tricky. Just like eggplant, tomatoes can be toxic to felines.
Contrary to popular belief, dairy products aren’t welcomed in the cat world. Felines are lactose intolerant and can have a hard time digesting flour tortillas with added dairy ingredients. Their lack of enzymes needed for breaking down lactose can result in vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Rice is safe for your cat to consume as long as she has her limits. It’s not highly nutritional to felines, though, so shouldn’t make up a great part of her diet. Also, it’s a common misconception that rice has healing abilities in felines.
When it comes to sauces, it’s a big no-no. We can’t begin to imagine what ingredients can be found in these that are a potential threat to cats. Just think about what salt can do, let alone chili. Many sauces, like pesto, contain toxic ingredients such as garlic.
The end
Cats can eat flour tortillas as long as you don’t include any extras like side dishes or sauces that are typically spiced and seasoned. These pose a health risk to your feline. The symptoms can go from mild to severe in just a couple of hours.
Excessive salt can be detrimental to your cat’s health and result in sodium poisoning. Other sauces found in Mexican foods like burritos and tacos are a reason for concern as well.
Remember to only give your cat tortillas on rare occasions. It’s not a good idea to make it a habit because cats are carnivores and won’t survive on a grain-based diet. Wheat is usually a filler in many commercial cat foods and should stay that way.
