The short answer: Yes, but in limited quantities.
The long answer: Broccoli is an edible green plant from the cabbage family. A cruciferous vegetable that can be safely eaten by cats, broccoli can help improve a cat’s digestion, lower her cholesterol levels, prevent cancer, and boost her immune system. However, Avondale Animal Hospital warns that giving too much broccoli to your cat may cause diarrhea, so it is best to give it in small quantities.
How to feed broccoli to your cat: Raw broccoli can be given to your cat. But it is highly recommended that you clean, cook, and chop it into smaller pieces before feeding.
Remove the hard parts of the broccoli (particularly the stalk) to prevent choking and intestinal blockage. Also, remember to steam, roast, or boil the vegetable without salt, onion, garlic, and other seasonings.
If your cat is trying broccoli for the first time, give her a small piece and see how her body responds to it. Contact your veterinarian if she vomits or has diarrhea.
Here are three ideas for broccoli treats your cat will love:
- Prepare a meal for Kitty made with salmon and broccoli.
- Feed her small pieces of freshly steamed broccoli as a healthy treat.
- Cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, steamed carrot, and chicken broth are all you need for this homemade meal.
In summary: When prepared properly, broccoli is a healthy vegetable that your cat can safely eat to complement her protein-rich diet. It is a good source of roughage, which can calm your cat’s upset stomach and improve her bowel movement.
References:
Fruits and Vegetables Your Pet Can Safely Eat
