Vegetable
Can cats eat spinach?
Only a little, and not at all for cats with a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, because of its oxalate content.
Why Oxalates (soluble oxalic acid)
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhoea after a large amount
How much, how often
A small cooked leaf, rarely.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Steamed, chopped and plain
- Avoid creamed spinach and dishes with garlic or onion
- Skip it for pets with bladder stones or kidney disease
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
A little is fine. Spinach is nutritious, but it is high in oxalates, which can bind calcium and, in large or frequent amounts, contribute to kidney or bladder problems.
How much: A few leaves occasionally, not every day.
Can dogs eat spinach?Cats In moderation
Only a little, and not at all for cats with a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, because of its oxalate content.
How much: A small cooked leaf, rarely.
The details
Spinach is not dangerous in the amounts a pet would usually eat. The concern is regular, large amounts, especially for dogs and cats that have had calcium oxalate stones. Leafy greens with fewer oxalates, such as lettuce or cucumber, are easier choices for daily treats.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat spinach?
Only a little, and not at all for cats with a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, because of its oxalate content.
How much spinach can a cat have?
A small cooked leaf, rarely.
What makes spinach risky for cats?
Oxalates (soluble oxalic acid).
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting or diarrhoea after a large amount.
What should I do if my cat ate spinach?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Is spinach safe for dogs too?
A little is fine. Spinach is nutritious, but it is high in oxalates, which can bind calcium and, in large or frequent amounts, contribute to kidney or bladder problems.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
