Why Is My Cat Eating Salad; Can My Cat Eat Lettuce?

If you are reading this, then my guess is sure that you have only found out that your cat is interested in sharing your bowl of vegetable salad, and you are wondering whether or not your furry friend can have some.

It is not news that cats are attracted to green. Cats love to play in the grass, and sometimes they eat some of it. However, most cats throw up after ingesting grass. More so, weeds might not be the best option of greens for your cat because of the toxic chemicals that are used in treating lawns and other houseplants.

So, if you notice that your cat wants to eat some greens, you must ensure he/she eat only those that are safe.

Which Greens Are Safe For My Cat?

Lettuce, which is a healthy and highly nutritious leafy vegetable for the human body is one of the greens your feline can eat safely. Though, you might want to feed your cat little amounts only, especially in the beginning to allow the body system to adjust to the ‘new’ diet addition. And like every other leafy vegetable, and even fruits, lettuce contain a lot of dietary fibre which is good for digestion. But when taken in large quantities, the high level of fibre content in lettuce can have purgative effects on the cat who is naturally a carnivore.

Some other greens your cat can safely eat and also gain some nutrition from are:

• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Kale

However, keep in mind that these vegetables are only safe for cats when eaten in small quantities. Cats are carnivorous; they need meat to survive. Hence, greens should only serve as snacks. Also, it will be a good idea to steam some of the vegetables like spinach and broccoli, before feeding them to your cat.

Are There Any Benefits For Feeding Your Cat Lettuce?

Besides being a highly nutritious and tasty leafy vegetable, lettuce offers a lot more other benefits to your cat. Some of them are:

• Lettuce leaves have a high level of water content, and this makes it an excellent source of hydration, especially for cats that do not drink enough water. But, you must know that lettuce alone cannot cater to hydration needs. Hence, you should ensure that your cat is drinking enough water to maintain proper hydration.
• Lettuce, like most vegetables, is rich in dietary fibre which aids digestion. Therefore, your feline can reap some benefits from the added fibre in its diet.
• Your cat may learn to ignore other unsafe greens if you feed him/her lettuce now and then.
• Feeding your cat lettuce is a safe way to introduce variety into his/her diet.

A Few Trick For Feeding Your Cat Lettuce

• Lettuce comes in broad leaves that are attached to a head, and your cat may find it difficult or cumbersome to take a bite out of the lettuce head. Therefore, you have to find a way to present the vegetable to make it more appealing to the sensibilities of your cat. Cutting or tearing the lettuce into smaller pieces will do the trick.
• When introducing lettuce to your cat’s diet, place a few pieces of the cut lettuce by the feline’s meal. Doing this may help your cat to get to try some.
• If your cat refuses to eat the lettuce you served, try another type to find the one that appeals to your feline’s taste.

Now that you that it is safe and beneficial to feed your furry friend a little bit of lettuce, go ahead and let him/her have some.