Can Cats Eat Carrots?

The short answer: Yes, but in moderation.

The long answer: Carrots don’t just add crunch and texture to your cat’s meal. They are excellent sources of vitamin K1, B6, potassium, fiber, and beta carotene. Beta carotene is linked to multiple health benefits such as maintaining skin and eye health, helping slow down cognitive decline, and fighting off lung cancer. Plus, carrots help improve your cat’s immune and digestive systems.

However, too much of this root vegetable may be harmful for your cat. Carrots contain carbohydrates, which cats do not really need. Frequent feeding of carrots may lead to obesity and diabetes. Symptoms of the latter disease include excessive thirst, constant urination, lack of appetite, inability to jump, and vomiting.

How to feed carrots to your cat: Avoid giving raw carrot to your cat. The uncooked vegetable may be too tough for your cat to eat and can easily turn into a choking hazard. Cooked carrot, on the other hand, can be safely consumed by your cat as long as it is not prepared with salt, seasoning, or sauces. You should also not mix it with onion, garlic, or other vegetables that are considered toxic for her.

Wash and scrub your carrot properly before you boil, steam, grill, or bake it. Slice the carrot into bite-sized pieces before feeding one to three small pieces to your cat.

Here are three ideas for carrot treats your cat will love:

Kitty will love this treat made out of carrots and catnip!
This cat-friendly potato cup recipe has carrots in it.
Chicken and carrots are a no-fail combination.

In summary: Cats can eat carrots as an occasional treat and reap its health benefits. Just make sure her intake of this vegetable snack does not go beyond the recommended 5% of her total calorie intake. To be on the safe side, consult with your veterinarian to guarantee that your cat can safely eat carrots.