The short answer: It is not recommended.
The long answer: Also known as chickpeas, garbanzo beans are legumes that are commonly used to make salads, soups, stews, and curry. Though they contain good amounts of protein, it is not recommended for you to feed your feline pet these beans because they are difficult to digest and do not contain the nutritional benefits that she needs. Garbanzo beans also contain oxalic acid, so if your cat is prone to itching or has skin problems, she could end up with rashes or allergies from eating them. Aside from cats with sensitive skin, cats with arthritis, rheumatism, gout, kidney stones, or hyperacidity won’t benefit from eating chickpeas since these might trigger or aggravate their conditions.
This legume is also found in hummus, masala, falafel, and chole. These are dishes that cats should not consume because they are mixed in with ingredients such as onions, garlic, and chives, which are considered lethal for them.
What to do if your cat accidentally eats garbanzo beans: Observe your cat for any changes. Find out if the garbanzo beans she consumed were raw, cooked, or canned, and if they were mixed in with any toxic ingredients.
Hard raw garbanzo beans may cause obstruction in your cat’s stomach, while its unwashed form may carry E.coli or Staphylococcus. Meanwhile, canned garbanzo beans are packed with high levels of salt—another toxic human food for cats.
In summary: Cats are obligate carnivores who don’t need to have garbanzo beans in their diet. Although these beans contain lecithin, potassium, magnesium, and folate, you’re better off feeding your cat with high-quality cat food that meets her dietary needs. Instead of garbanzo beans, discover which human food cats can safely consume in our “can cats eat” category.
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