Vegetable
Can cats eat tofu?
A small piece of plain tofu won’t harm a cat, but cats need animal protein and nutrients such as taurine that tofu doesn’t provide.
Why Salt and alliums in marinades
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
- Wind and bloating
- Loose stools
How much, how often
A tiny piece, if at all.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Plain, firm tofu
- No soy sauce, garlic or onion
- Treat it as a treat, not a meal
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Plain tofu is safe for most dogs in small amounts, but it isn’t a substitute for meat-based protein. Avoid marinated tofu with garlic, onion or soy sauce.
How much: A few small cubes, occasionally.
Can dogs eat tofu?Cats In moderation
A small piece of plain tofu won’t harm a cat, but cats need animal protein and nutrients such as taurine that tofu doesn’t provide.
How much: A tiny piece, if at all.
The details
Soy is a common ingredient in commercial pet foods, and plain tofu is not toxic. Owners interested in vegetarian diets for their pets should talk to a veterinary nutritionist: dogs can be fed carefully formulated plant-based diets, but home-made versions are very easy to get wrong. Cats are obligate carnivores and should not be fed vegetarian diets.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat tofu?
A small piece of plain tofu won’t harm a cat, but cats need animal protein and nutrients such as taurine that tofu doesn’t provide.
How much tofu can a cat have?
A tiny piece, if at all.
What makes tofu risky for cats?
Salt and alliums in marinades.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
wind and bloating, loose stools.
What should I do if my cat ate tofu?
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 tofu safe for dogs too?
Plain tofu is safe for most dogs in small amounts, but it isn’t a substitute for meat-based protein. Avoid marinated tofu with garlic, onion or soy sauce.
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
More foods for cats
Carrots
Cucumber
Sweet potato
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Mushrooms
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation