Ginger has many bioactive compounds like phenols which make it beneficial for human consumption. But can cats eat ginger? Yes. Besides being safe for cats to eat, ginger may have several health benefits. However, you should not provide ginger-flavored products like gingerbread, beer, biscuits, and other products when feeding cats. Let’s discuss more about the safety of ginger to cats.
Can Cats Have Ginger?
Cats can consume ginger, but they should only have a small amount as directed by your veterinarian. Some of the factors determining the amount of ginger a cat should eat include its general health status, age, weight, and size.
Averagely, a cat should have an ⅛ or ¼ of fresh ginger or ginger powder. If you are feeding ginger in the form of capsules, the amount should range between half to a whole pill. In the case of ginger extract, give them 2-5 drops. You can also provide them with a ¼ of a cup of herbal tea.
Even though ginger is not harmful to cats, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, especially on an empty stomach. In such instances, it would be best if you mixed the ginger with water or food.
With the peppery, zesty, and spicy taste, your cat might refuse to eat it or drink it. If you realize this is happening, try to hide it in soft treats or food.
Can Cats Eat Ginger Roots?
Yes, ginger root is not toxic to cats, but instead, it is safe. However, you know how tough ginger roots are, and you do not expect your cat to chew and fail to get chocked. Therefore, if you want to feed ginger roots to your feline, grind the seeds into a powder and pour it on the kitty’s food.
Also, you can prepare ginger tea and serve it to your cat by smashing ginger roots and using them to prepare tea.
Can Cats Feed on Ginger Flower?
Yes and no—it depends. There are different types of ginger flowers, and not all are safe. For example, the white ginger flower, otherwise known as the white ginger lily, Garland flower, or cinnamon jasmine, is safe for cats’ consumption. However, other types of lilies, like the true lily and daylily, are toxic to cats.
Ginger leaves are safe but ensure you serve in moderate portions.
Image Credit: EkaterinaSid, Shutterstock
Can Cats Feed on Gingerbread?
This is a common question, but unfortunately, cats cannot eat gingerbread. Gingerbread is made with different ingredients, some of which might be unsafe for your cat. Some of these ingredients include raw dough, artificial sweeteners, and spices. If you want to feed gingerbread to your cat, make your own and forego the cloves.
Can Cats Feed on Ginger Snaps?
Just like gingerbread, ginger snaps are equally toxic for your cat. However, their safety depends on how toxic the ingredients used during preparation are.
On a general note, you should avoid ginger foods made with spices like cloves, cinnamon, garlic, onions, etc. Also, ginger foods made with salts and sugars are a no for your cats.
Can Cats Feed on Pickled Ginger?
Pickled ginger contains spices and sugars, and as said above, you should avoid such foods.
Can Cats Eat Ginger Ale?
Cats should not eat ginger ale because it is made with a lot of sugars. Also, there are meager chances that your cat will be interested in the pungent smell produced by ginger ale. But are cats even pleased with the scent of the ginger itself?
Ginger already has a pungent smell, and by narrowing it down to ginger ale, the smell becomes even more concentrated since the two scents mix producing an even more unpleasant smell.
Your cat should also avoid nutmeg since it can irritate its stomach. You can occasionally feed them molasses but only in small amounts because they cannot break down sugars as humans do. You should avoid feeding cloves to your cat because it has a numbing effect.
What Do Cats Get From Ginger?
There are no proven studies on the importance of ginger to cats. However, animal hospitals outline that ginger has been used in pets to treat cardiovascular disorders and prevent vomiting. The most known pets to use ginger for these effects are cats and dogs. The use of ginger in dogs also treats bloat-GDV.
It also has some antiemetic properties and feeding 1-2 drops of ginger extract to your cats before traveling can help manage motion sickness symptoms like vomiting. The extract may serve other functions besides managing nausea.
Ginger also helps to calm your feline, reduces cancer risks, reduces arthritic pain, stomach ache, improves digestion, and helps treat bloats. Most cat supplements have ginger in them but if you are unsure, always ask your veterinarian about the one to use. Â The vet will also give further direction in case your cat has any underlying conditions.
Image Credit: gate74, Pixabay
Precautions
Ginger has a blood-thinning effect which leads to a drop in blood sugar and blood pressure. Therefore, you should not feed ginger to your felines immediately after they undergo surgery. If your cat is under medication whose aim is to reduce blood pressure or diabetes, you should also refrain from feeding it ginger. Likewise, felines with ulcers and gallstones should not eat ginger.
If your cat is taking any medicine, nursing or pregnant, consult with your vet first before giving it this spice. If you realize your cat is reacting to the ginger by vomiting, has diarrhea, or showing any lethargy symptoms, discontinue the use of ginger and ask for advice from your vet.
Conclusion
With all that we have said, can cats eat ginger? Yes, a little bit. There are many reasons why they should eat ginger and equal reasons why they should not. Always remember to consult a vet before feeding any form of ginger to your feline. Once the vet gives a greenlight, provide moderate amounts of ginger to your kitty.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
