Can Cats Eat Spinach?

Yes, cats can have a small amount of plain cooked spinach. 

Avoid creamed spinach, spinach dips, and spinach made with garlic, onions, or butter. Those add-ins can add a lot of fat and calories that can contribute to weight gain. Some can also be toxic. 

If you want to give your cat something specifically formulated for them, you can opt for cat food that include spinach instead. Here are a couple of good options: 

While spinach is one of the human foods cats can eat, leafy greens still don’t offer much nutrition compared to a meat-based diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they really do best with animal protein. 

That said, spinach can provide some small health benefits: 

• Antioxidants: Spinach contains antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein, which help protect cells from damage and support a cat’s immune system. However, cats don’t need spinach to get antioxidants because a well-formulated cat food already providesthe nutrients they need. 
• Low-calorie snack: If your cat happens to enjoy spinach, a leaf or two adds very few calories compared to many commercial treats. 

But spinach isn’t the right choice for every cat, and there are a few situations where it can cause problems. 

Here are the biggest concerns: 

• Seasonings and rich add-ins: Cream, butter, dressings, and sautéed aromatics can turn a healthy vegetable into a much less cat-friendly food. Garlic and onions are especially concerning because they’re toxic to cats. 
• Too much at once: A nibble here and there is one thing, but a larger portion can be harder for your cat to digest. Too much spinach can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach. 
• Salad toppings: If your cat swipes a bite from your salad, the spinach probably isn’t the biggest concern. Cheese, bacon, nuts, croutons, and dressings often add extra fat, salt, and other ingredients that aren’t a good fit for cats. 
• Certain urinary conditions: Spinach contains naturally occurring compounds called oxalates. Because of this, cats with a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones or certain urinary tract issues may be better off skipping spinach altogether and sticking to a veterinary diet. 

When it comes to spinach, think garnish—not side dish. Spinach is a treat and all treats combined should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. 

For most healthy adult cats, about 1 teaspoon of plain cooked spinach or one small spinach leaf once or twice a week is enough. 

The first time you offer spinach, start with an even smaller amount and see how your cat responds. And if your cat gives you a look that says, “Absolutely not,” don’t worry. Cats don’t need spinach to stay healthy, so they aren’t missing anything important. 

Spinach isn’t likely to become your cat’s favorite food, but if you’d like to share a bite, keeping it simple is the best approach: 

• Use plain cooked spinach or a very small piece of plain fresh spinach. 
• Wash spinach thoroughly before serving. 
• Skip butter, cream, oil, dressings, garlic, onions, and other seasonings. 
• Cut or tear it into small, bite-size pieces. 
• Stop if your cat shows any sign of stomach upset. 

If your cat helped themselves to a large amount of spinach or got into a seasoned spinach dish, you may notice some digestive upset. 

Watch for signs such as: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Belly discomfort 
• Lethargy 

Call your veterinarian if: 

• The spinach was part of a seasoned dish that contained garlic, onions, or other potentially harmful ingredients. 
• Symptoms are severe or don’t go away within 24 hours. 
• Your cat has a health condition and you’re unsure whether the spinach could be a problem. 

If you can’t reach your vet right away, you can call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for advice. 

Can cats eat cooked spinach? 

Yes, cats can eat a small amount of plain cooked spinach. In fact, cooked spinach can be softer and easier to chew than raw spinach. Just skip butter, garlic, and any other seasonings.  

Is spinach safe for cats? 

Spinach can be safe for cats when it’s served plain and in very small portions. The biggest issues usually come from spinach dishes made for people, which often contain ingredients that aren’t cat-friendly. 

Can cats eat creamed spinach? 

No. Creamed spinach may be delicious to humans, but it’s not a good choice for cats. Between the cream, butter, cheese, and seasonings, it packs a lot of extra fat and ingredients that can upset your cat’s stomach. 

Can kittens eat spinach? 

Leafy greens like spinach are better saved until your kitten is at least a year old. During the first year, kittens should only eat a complete kitten food to properly support their growth and development.