Can Cats Eat Asparagus?

Asparagus is a flowering plant, but it’s mostly known by its young shoots that are cultivated as a spring vegetable. Blanched, grilled, raw, or roasted, it's a delicious spring side dish or fresh ingredient. Like many curious cat parents, you may be tempted to offer a shoot to your kitty while preparing dinner. After all, sharing is caring!

So, can cats eat asparagus? The answer is yes! Cats can eat asparagus in small amounts, it’s not toxic or poisonous for them. Since cats are carnivores, however, it’s not an ingredient that you’ll see very often in cat food or cat treats. Although asparagus is an uncommon thing to feed your cat and not an essential part of their diet, it could offer them a few health benefits if it's fed as an occasional treat. 

Asparagus is a vegetable that some cat parents have reported their fur-baby enjoying. But what cats like and don’t like can be pretty unpredictable. Since they don’t have any sweet taste receptors, they may turn their nose up at a juicy piece of fruit and choose to chomp on a vegetable like asparagus instead. The texture of asparagus could feel good on their gums, especially if they’re suffering from any gum disease or gingivitis.

Another reason cats might like asparagus is instinct. Cats don’t eat fruits or vegetables in the wild, but they may occasionally chew some grass. This is commonly believed to help with an upset stomach and induce vomiting. Some researchers believe that cats eat grass to increase muscle activity in their digestive tract and expel parasites. Even though asparagus has the folk name “sparrow grass”, it’s not officially part of the grass family. Still, there’s a possibility chowing down on some asparagus could be instinctual. 

Like most vegetables, asparagus has a lot to offer in terms of health benefits. It’s low in calories but high in nutrients. Let’s take a look at some of the ways asparagus could benefit your feline friend. 

Helps with digestion 

Asparagus is high in dietary fiber, which can be good for your cat's digestion and help facilitate a healthy bowel movement. The fiber can help with constipation, diarrhea and even help move hairballs down the digestive tract. 

Aids in managing weight 

Asparagus can make your kitty feel full longer because of the fiber it contains. It’s also very low in calories. This makes asparagus an ideal green to chop up and add to your cat’s meal if they’re a little on the chubby side. 

Good source of nutrients 

Asparagus is also rich in all kinds of nutrients that can help keep your cat balanced. For example, Vitamin C gives your cat’s immune system a boost. Vitamin A helps with vision, and vitamin K helps prevent blood clots. There’s a high amount of the mineral folate too, which helps your feline’s muscles contract. 

Half a cup (90 grams) of cooked asparagus contains:

• Calories: 20
• Protein: 2.2 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Fiber: 1.8 grams
• Vitamin C: 12% of the RDI
• Vitamin A: 18% of the RDI
• Vitamin K: 57% of the RDI
• Folate: 34% of the RDI
• Potassium: 6% of the RDI
• Phosphorus: 5% of the RDI
• Vitamin E: 7% of the RDI

When feeding your cat anything new, you should only start with a very small amount, and when in doubt, give your vet a call first. Asparagus can be fed raw, but it’s better to soften it by boiling or steaming it to prevent choking. Never give your cat seasoned asparagus, as the excess excess salt in their diet or other seasonings such as onion or garlic could be dangerous. 

One cooked asparagus spear is only 3 calories! Even though that seems very low, you should still limit your cat’s intake to a teaspoon or two per serving. Because of its high alkaline content, too much asparagus could eventually affect the pH of your cat's urine, which can lead to bladder stones. If your cat has had a urinary tract infection or cystitis, you may want to steer clear of asparagus. 

Giving your cat asparagus should be similar to how you give treats. A great way to calculate the right amount of treats your cat should be getting is using the 90/10 rule: 90% (or more) of their calories should come from cat food and 10% (or less) from treats. The Pet Nutrition Alliance offers a handy online form that helps determine your cat’s caloric requirements.

Asparagus fern, also known as lace fern, asparagus grass, ferny asparagus or climbing asparagus, is toxic to cats, dogs, and even humans. The leaves and berries of the plant shouldn’t be eaten, or it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain. If you think your cat has gotten into some asparagus fern, it’s a good idea to call your vet or the pet poison helpline. 

Overall, asparagus is a nutritious, low-calorie veggie you could incorporate as an occasional snack in your cats diet. It could help curb their hunger and keep their digestion on track. Why not see if they enjoy the crunch?