Kidney beans are one of the healthiest variations of beans that one can eat. Many people love the addition of beans to their breakfast. These beans are also very high in nutritional value and are prevalent in Mexican cuisine. We cat owners are often looking for ways to spice up our cats’ meals and make them more nutritious.
You may have asked yourself this question at least once while cooking kidney beans for yourself, can cats eat kidney beans? Yes, your cat can ingest kidney beans only if they are adequately cooked and fed in moderation to reap the benefits of the vast amount of protein found in kidney beans.
Can Cats eat Kidney Beans?
Due to cats being carnivores, they get most of their nutrition from meat, so you should not make kidney beans their primary source of food. It is also essential to know that you must not feed raw kidney beans to your cat as they can be toxic to your cat.
Are Kidney Beans Good for Cats?
Proteins are a must for cats, and kidney beans happen to be filled with protein, proving to be a great way to up your cat’s protein intake. They may be suitable for your cats, but they might beg to differ as cats are very picky eaters and have one of two reactions.
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They will either ignore the beans completely or enjoy them. It is better to feed kidney beans to your cat alongside meat instead of it being a replacement for meat, as it is meant to complement the meat, not to replace it entirely.
Some of the benefits of kidney beans for your cat are:
- The presence of fiber makes digestion easier for your cats and helps your cat’s intestines operate smoothly, although too much of this can cause stomach pains and stomach cramps to your cats. Therefore, your cat should feed kidney beans in moderation to prevent these consequences.
- Kidney beans also have potassium, which helps improve your cats’ nerve and muscle functioning. These beans are good for cats with low potassium intake and weak muscles.
- Zinc is also an essential nutrient present in kidney beans that can benefit your cat by increasing their cell production and keeping your cat’s skin hydrated and healthy.
- Kidney beans also contain iron, which is vital in the prevention of your cat getting anemia.
- Kidney beans are also a good source of antioxidants, which are very helpful for cats as they prevent radical damage to cells. Antioxidants are vital for your cats because they will be more prone to getting diseases if they have weak cells. It is often said that the redder the color of the bean is, the higher number of antioxidants it contains.
Your cat can avail of all these benefits if you feed kidney beans in moderation because too much of these beans can negatively affect your cat.
Are Kidney Beans Bad for Cats?
Kidney beans may not be bad for your cat in general, but they can be bad for your cat in certain situations and have many adverse effects on your cat’s health.
If fed to your cat, raw kidney beans can prove toxic to your cat’s health, even if they eat as little as three to four raw kidney beans. It is not very serious in many cases, and your cat is expected to recover from this poisoning within four to five hours. Still, it is recommended for you to seek medical intervention as it may not always be this easy for your cat to recover.
As mentioned above, if kidney beans are not fed to cats in a moderate amount, they can face a series of problems such as stomach pain and bloat. Due to this, there are chances that your cat may not eat food at all and face nutritional deficiencies as they have a bloated stomach. Another issue caused by an excessive intake of kidney beans is diarrhea and vomiting.
Therefore, if these conditions are met and kept in check, kidney beans will prove to be of no harm to your cats, but the consequences can be pretty unpleasant if they are not.
Can Cats Eat Canned Kidney Beans?
It is recommended that you do not feed your cat kidney beans out of a can as, like most canned food, canned kidney beans are also made only for human consumption. Most canned kidney beans contain various spices and flavors, which are safe for humans to consume, but they can be harmful and even toxic for your cats.
Therefore, you should avoid feeding canned kidney beans to your cat. Canned kidney beans often contain a large amount of salt, which can be harmful to cats as they can cause problems such as excessive thirst and dehydration. If not kept under check, this large amount of salt can also prove fatal for your cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cats Eat Cooked Kidney Beans?
Yes, that should be the only way your cat is fed kidney beans because, as mentioned above, if they are fed raw kidney beans, they will experience several health problems such as stomach pains and even poisoning.
Can Kittens Eat Kidney Beans?
Kittens may be able to consume kidney beans. Still, it is recommended they are not fed kidney beans as kittens are more susceptible to all the toxins and the adverse effects from the beans because they have yet to mature, and their bodies are under-developed.
Do Beans make Cats sick?
Yes, beans can make your cat sick if they are not fed in moderation, these illnesses include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach bloating. Kidney beans can also make your cat sick if fed to your cat raw.
Conclusion
Kidney Beans are safe for cats to consume in moderation and only if cooked; otherwise, they can have severe consequences. Kidney beans are an excellent way for your cat to receive protein if you convince your cat to eat them with their meat because cats are pretty picky about what they eat.
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