Can Cats Eat Peas?

Yes, cats can have a small amount of plain peas. 

Fresh peas, thawed frozen peas, and plain cooked peas (steamed or boiled) are the best and safest versions to share. These preparations are simple, easy to chew, and don’t contain ingredients that could upset your cat’s stomach. 

Skip canned peas with sodium and pea dishes made with butter, cream, garlic, onion, or heavy seasoning. The extra ingredients can be hard on your cat’s stomach or even toxic. 

If you’d rather opt for something made specifically for cats instead, here are a few crunchy cat treats that include peas: 

Cats don’t need vegetables to stay healthy—they get the best nutrition from meat-based foods. That said, plain peas can have a few nutritional upsides. 

Peas contain: 

• Fiber: Peas have a small amount of fiber, which can help support normal digestion and healthy bowel movements. 
• Vitamins and minerals: Peas also offer nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese, but cats should get the bulk of their nutrition from a balanced meat-based cat food. 

A few plain peas here and there is fine for healthy cats, but large portions or seasoned versions can cause some problems.  

Here’s when peas can become bad for cats: 

• Your cat eats too many at once. Eating too many peas at once can be more than your cat’s digestive system is used to. This may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or an upset stomach. 
• The preparation is too rich. Some pea dishes have butter, cream, cheese, and oil that can add extra fat and calories. They can be harder to digest and more likely to cause weight gain.  
• They’re made with toxic seasonings. Peas are often served in dishes that contain garlic, onion, or seasonings made from them. These can be toxic to cats and can damage red blood cells. 
• They have too much salt. Canned peas contain more sodium than plain fresh or frozen peas, and that extra salt is unnecessary for cats. In severe cases, too much salt and not enough water can lead to salt poisoning. 

Peas should only be an occasional treat, and all treats combined should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s daily diet. For most healthy adult cats, 1 teaspoon of plain peas once or twice a week is plenty. 

If it’s your cat’s first time trying peas, start with just one or two and monitor for any signs of digestive upset, such as vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or a decreased appetite. If they tolerate the peas well, you can work up to a teaspoon. 

If you want to share a few peas with your cat here and there, keep these tips in mind: 

• Use plain or frozen peas only. 
• Thaw or cook the peas until they’re soft. 
• Skip butter, salt, cream, and seasoning. 
• Stop if your cat shows signs of stomach upset. 

Plain peas aren’t toxic, so if your cat ate too many, they’ll probably just end up with an upset stomach. 

Watch your cat for signs such like: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Gas or belly discomfort 

In most cases, these symptoms will resolve on their own within 24 hours, but call your veterinarian if they don’t or if: 

• The peas were combined with onion, garlic, or other potentially toxic ingredients. 
• Your cat ate a large amount. 
• Your cat doesn’t eat their normal food for more than 24 hours. 

If you’re worried and can’t reach your vet, you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). They have experts available all day and night who can help you decide what to do next. 

Can cats eat green peas? 

Yes, cats can eat green peas in small amounts. Just make sure they’re cooked and plain—skip the butter, salt, and seasonings. 

Are peas safe for cats? 

Yes, peas are generally safe for cats when they’re served plain and not mixed with butter, salt, or toxic seasonings. You should still consider them an occasional treat though—be careful not to give your cat too many. 

Can cats eat canned peas? 

It depends. Most canned peas contain a lot of salt, and some have additional seasonings that can be bad for cats. Plain, no-sodium canned peas are fine, but fresh or frozen peas are the better option. 

Can kittens eat peas? 

It’s best to save treats like peas until your kitten is at least a year old. Growing kittens have very specific nutritional needs, and every bite counts when they’re developing. Their calories should come almost exclusively from a carefully formulated kitten food.