Can Cats Eat Pickles, Are They Safe?
Last updated on March 23rd, 2023 at 09:03 pm
Reading Time: 4 minutes
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Cats and Pickles Everything You Need To Know
Cats and Pickles! Sounds like a television show right? If you have a cat then you know what I’m talking about. Has your cat ever gnawed or tried grabbing your sandwich filled with delicious pickles?
Quick Answer
Yes, cats can eat pickles. However, it’s not recommended. They contain a lot of salt, garlic and onion which can be harmful ingredients to cats.
You may be wondering whether cats can have pickles? So that you may serve your little friend something tasty. What harm could pickles do to cats? We, humans, eat them all the time! So let’s get into a detailed answer on whether it’s safe or even if they can.
Let’s dive in!
Can Cats Eat Pickles?
Yes, they can. However, it’s not recommended. They contain a lot of salt, garlic and onion which are harmful ingredients to cats.
Even though they can should they? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Well how come? Let’s go over those reasons as to why it’s such a bad idea to feed your cat pickles.
Reasons to not feed your cat pickles
- Lot of salt is added to pickle juice for the fermentation of cucumber. A cat’s body is different from that of a human. For cats, a single pickled cucumber contains 8 times the daily nutritional requirement of sodium. For obvious reasons, this makes pickles highly dangerous for your feline friend.
- In addition to salt, the pickle juice also contains garlic and onion, both of which are classified as toxic for cats by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
These ingredients are toxic. So when it comes to pickles, even though they are safe they should be not eaten by cats.
So, now that you have the answer, you should not feed your cat pickles even though they can eat them. What if you find your cat eating them? Or worse your cat has ate pickles?
Continue reading to find out
Is Pickle Juice Safe For Cats?
Pickle juice is practically what turns cucumbers into pickles. It contains all the toxic ingredients that are harmful to cats. The pickle when the juice is not in is a cucumber which is super beneficial to cats.
So when it comes to pickle juice cats should stay away from it. It’s not safe for them in any way.
What Are the Effects and Dangers of Pickles for Cats?
I have never met a cat in my entire life that has willingly shown interest in eating pickles. If you have been on the internet recently then you may have seen videos of cats getting scared of pickles.
However, unlike dogs, cats are very secretive and you never know what’s going on in their mischievous little heads. If you find your cat eating pickles at any point then you should stop it from eating any further and call your vet to seek their assistance.
If you weren’t able to stop it. Or weren’t around and know they ate pickles. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms. Your cat may show if they ate to much.
If your cat shows any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that it has salt poisoning from pickles:
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased Heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Blood in Urine
- Seizures
– If any of these symptoms are present. Call your vet as soon as you can and ask whether your cat needs any immediate medical attention.
What About Homemade Pickles? Are They Safe?
Some people are not big fans of store-bought pickles, so they make their own at home.
Homemade pickles can be super appetizing and the taste can be tailored to you. If you want to feed your cat homemade pickles, then make sure none of the ingredients listed were added to it as these are the main toxic ingredients in pickles that harm cats.
- Salt
- Garlic
- Onion in the pickle juice
Vinegar is fine for cats, but they are not keen on vinegar as well.
Cute Video Of a Cat Eating a Pickle
Conclusion – Can Cats Eat Pickles?
In conclusion, the reasons why it’s not recommended for cats to eat pickles is because they contain a lot of sodium, onion, and garlic.
We made sure that you know exactly what symptoms to look for if your cat is experiencing sodium poisoning. Always seek medical help with your vet in case of an emergency.
Continue reading – Can Cats Eat Pepperoni
Till next time Meow!
About The Author
I'm a content writer and researcher. But bottom line, I loveee animals. I had my first animal which was a guinea pig at age 8. Later had a bunny, dog and a lot, a lot of fish. Writing about what I know about pets will allow me to share my knowledge and love for them with everyone else. Dealing with dogs my entire life, I know a lot.
