Can Cats Eat Curry?

It is not recommended for cats to eat curry powder as well as dishes made with it.

Curry is a sauce-based dish made using various spices. The spices used depend on which country it is from. Best eaten with rice, the flavour-packed dish can be accompanied by meat, seafood, and vegetables including onions. A curry dish can be mild or spicy, depending on the preference of the cook.

According to Wikipedia, the key ingredients used to make curry powder include garlic, ginger, and turmeric. In the US, they can also contain any of the following: coriander, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, and cardamom.

Because of its ingredients, it is not advisable for cats to eat curry whether in powder or dish form. Garlic and onion contain compounds that are harmful for your feline pet. Just a small amount of these seasonings can damage your cat’s red blood cells. This can lead to Heinz body anemia, hemolytic anemia, and/or methemoglobinemia.

Spicy curry can also have chili powder, which can instantly affect your cat. The capsaicin and capsaicinoids found in them can leave a burning sensation in your pet’s gastrointestinal system. In addition, the compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, indigestion, runny nose, stomach pain, diarrhea, dehydration, excess salivation, and watery eyes.

Milk is also present in some curry dishes, which adult cats cannot digest properly. Too much of it may result in diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, or intestinal cramps.

What to do if your cat accidentally eats curry: Contact your veterinarian immediately. Give details regarding what your cat ate, what the ingredients were, and how much she consumed.

Also, keep an eye on her for any symptoms of poisoning. Signs may vary depending on the amount of toxic ingredients present in the dish. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, twitching and fitting, difficulty in breathing, shock, and collapse. They can also manifest as inflammation or swelling of the skin, depression or coma, and changes in her drinking, urinating, and eating habits.

In summary: Spices may be safe for humans to eat, but cats are a totally different matter. If you are really intent on adding curry powder to your cat’s food, be sure to speak with your vet beforehand to get his approval. As for the curry dish, it’s ideal to avoid giving it completely to reduce health problems from developing.

Instead of curry, find out which vegetables, fruits, herbs, and legumes you can safely feed your cat. Explore our blog’s “can cats eat” category.