Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern food enjoyed by many Americans. You can enjoy hummus as a dip, dish, or spread, and if you enjoy eating it in your home, you probably wonder if your cat would like it as well. The short answer is no. Cats cannot eat hummus regularly, but keep reading while we discuss the reasons why.
Is Hummus Bad for My Cat?
Your cat is a carnivorous animal that requires a high protein diet teat is high in animal proteins and very low in carbohydrates.
Chick Peas
The primary ingredient in hummus is chickpeas. Chickpeas provide protein, but it lacks many important amino acids that you can only find in animal proteins, like taurine. A cat would develop nutrient deficiencies and health problems on a vegetable protein diet.
Chickpeas are also full of empty calories that your cat doesn’t need and will only serve to put your cat on a path to obesity. Like corn and soy, there is little value in eating it, and your cat’s digestive system cannot break them down, so it may get diarrhea or other digestive problems.
Tahini
Tahini is another ingredient in hummus, which is ground sesame seeds. These seeds are high in fat and oil, which can upset your cat’s digestive system leading to diarrhea and vomiting. Sesame seeds can also increase the cat’s body temperature, and you should not feed them to a pregnant cat.
Garlic
Many recipes also contain garlic, which is dangerous for cats to eat. It belongs to the Allium family along with onions, chives, and leeks. Eating too much garlic can cause a condition where the blood is incapable of dealing with the toxins that it contains. Cats have smaller bodies and are more susceptible to garlic effects than dogs, which can also suffer negative effects.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is also often an ingredient in hummus that can be harmful to your cat. It can cause your pet’s blood pressure to fluctuate, increases blood flow to the lungs, and reduces contractions in the intestinal tract causing digestive issues,
Sodium
Another ingredient in many hummus recipes is salt. While not as bad for your cat as other ingredients on this list, it can cause problems if your cat has heart disease and can cause your pet to retain water. It may also make your pet thirsty and cause them to use the litter box more often.
Is Hummus Good for My Cat?
Chickpeas
Chickpeas do provide protein even if the protein is not complete, and they also contain a small amount of fiber that can help ease the symptoms of constipation by adding bulk to the stool and fluid to the intestines.
Tahini
The fats and oils present in Tahini are very high in beneficial omega-6 fats. It also has protein and antioxidants, which can help your cat fight disease.
How Can I Feed My Cat Hummus?
If your cat likes hummus, we recommend giving only small amounts occasionally. Recipes that don’t contain hot sauce or garlic are a better choice, but even then, they should only eat a small portion. Chickpeas aren’t especially bad, but they can cause indigestion and diarrhea, especially if they eat a lot.
The best food to feed your cat is high-quality dry cat food with real meat like chicken or turkey listed as the top ingredient. Dry, crunchy food is perfectly balanced to provide your cat with complete nutrition that will help prevent digestive problems and promote good health. It also helps to scrape away plaque and tarted, which leads to dental decay. There is also plenty of healthy cat treats that can provide useful protein and a flavor it enjoys without contributing to obesity or causing health problems.
Summary
We hope you have enjoyed this in-depth look into the safety of feeding your cat hummus. If your cat eats some by accident, it will probably be fine. However, we recommend sticking to ordinary cat food and treats to keep your cat healthy, which means more hummus for you. If we have helped answer your questions, please share this guide to feeding your cats hummus on Facebook and Twitter
