If cats are curious by nature, they’re likely to try anything you serve.
Like all mammals, cats can consume chickpeas. However, since chickpeas contain some important nutrients, we advise against feeding them to your feline.
So, can cats eat chckpeas?
Yes, cats can eat chickpeas. However, feeding them too many chickpeas can cause them to become constipated. Additionally, chickpeas contain no nutritional value for cats, so they’re probably not a good choice for them to eat on a regular basis.
Since cats have a well-developed sense of taste, they can also tell the difference between legumes and animal products.
Since legumes tend to contain high levels of carbohydrates and very low levels of protein, most cats won’t touch them.
This is why it’s considered taboo to feed cats legumes like beans or peas. Nevertheless, cats can eat chickpeas and they probably will if you’re serving them as a side dish at a meal.
Can Cats Eat Chickpeas?
Cats can consume chickpeas and they are most likely to do so if you’ve served them as part of a meal or you’re giving them as a tasty treat.
Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber and is the ideal food choice for healthy adult cats who need a low fat diet.
It also has a lot of vitamins like B6 and C and folate which are very beneficial for cats and a good source of vitamin K which aids in the clotting of blood.
However, feeding too many chickpeas may induce constipation in cats and they can contain high amounts of carbohydrates which cause weight gain if fed regularly to overweight cats.
It’s also not advisable to feed a large number of chickpeas to adult cats and if they are being consumed as a snack, moderation is the key.
Chickpeas that are canned and without salt are ideal for serving to your cat as a snack and should only be given in small amounts as a special treat to your cat.
Are Chickpeas Good For Cats?
It’s no surprise that chickpeas are beneficial for cats; the high level of protein and fiber in chickpeas makes it an ideal food for cats with lower protein levels in their diets.
Chickpeas also contain soluble and insoluble fiber which work to cleanse the digestive tract, promote stomach health, regulate bowel movements and assist in weight loss in cats.
Chickpeas are rich in taurine, an essential amino acid important for joint and eye function and plays an important role in emulsifying the fatty acids in your cat’s liver.
If a nutrient deficiency is the cause for your cat’s hair loss or skin condition, feeding chickpeas may help these to be corrected.
Vitamin B6 promotes the formation of red blood cells and helps to regulate the immune response in cats.
As a result, this is extremely helpful for cats suffering from hair loss and skin infections.
Chickpeas include vitamins C and E, which help to protect both the skin and eyes of your cat from damage by free radicals, which are produced when your cat is stressed.
It’s also a fantastic source of protein, so will help to keep a cat’s hair coat shiny and healthy.
Chickpeas are also strong in antioxidants, which minimize the negative effect of free radicals on a cat’s body.
Because of the frequent consumption of canned tuna cat food in cats with kidney failure diets, such as ANF or Kidney Diets, it is suggested that you.
Chickpeas with Cats: Are They Safe?
Oxalic acid is contained in the aforementioned beans, and if your kitty consumes too much of this he may develop oxalosis or kidney problems as a result of it.
There seem to be no harmful ingredients in chickpeas for cats, other than excess consumption can lead to oxalosis and kidney problems.
Cats would struggle to digest chickpeas rather than other protein sources, such as chicken or fish.
Do Cats Enjoy Chickpeas?
Cats are obligate carnivores and wouldn’t consume chickpeas which are plant-based.
Some domestic cats may be intrigued by chickpeas, but they may not necessarily treat them as a snack.
Some may take a taste of your hummus, but that’s simply because they’re curious, they can not digest them.
Chickpeas are unlikely as a snack for cats and should be avoided instead as a treat by cats.
The best you’d get out of them is some curiosity as to how something can be so crunchy and bitter.
How Many Chickpeas Can My Cat Consume?
Don’t worry about feeding your feline friend a few beans as a treat every once in a while.
Chickpeas in their natural state are safe for your cat to eat, but should not be fed raw or should he consumed in large quantities.
Don’t give your cat chickpeas as a replacement to cat food (protein) or an everyday treat, for the same reasons you shouldn’t feed them to your cat.
Cats will never be vegetarians so it’s best to avoid feeding them vegetables of any kind especially chickpeas which are unlikely to be digested properly.
If you do give your cat a chickpea every now and then, try and avoid putting them in a raw state as it’s too hard to digest and can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Instead, cook them thoroughly or soak them overnight in salt water before cooking them.
This way you will kill off any potential bacteria present in the chickpeas.
Should You Give Your Cat Chickpeas?
Containing twenty percent protein by weight, garbanzo beans are also rich in fiber.
Despite their relatively high nutritional value and high levels of fiber and magnesium, cats do not seem to be big fans of chickpeas.
Cats require the majority of their protein and nutrients from meat sources, especially taurine which can only be found in animal sources such as meat, eggs and fish.
Can Chickpeas Really Kill My Cat?
Cats are likely to develop diarrhea or constipation after being given a high number of chickpeas over the course of a few days.
They are not poisonous to cats on an occasional basis but should not be eaten regularly or as a replacement for cat food as this can lead to digestive issues, diarrhea and vomiting.
One of the most serious issues that can develop in cats is pancreatitis which is a painful inflammation of the pancreas and is potentially life threatening when left untreated.
Beans are tough for a cat’s body to digest and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and indigestion leading to life-threatening pancreatitis in extreme cases.
The easiest way to introduce beans to your cat is to feed a small amount of canned beans without seasoning or providing them on its own without other food.
Beans are high in protein, but they take a long time to digest and are likely to cause vomiting and diarrhea which may lead to life-threatening pancreatitis in extreme cases.
They are poor in amino acids, which cats require from meat sources to produce healthy immune systems and tissues.
While chickpeas provide a few tiny health advantages, feeding them to your cat is unnecessary and may cause a serious health complication in extreme cases.
Finally, chickpeas contain compounds called phytates which can bind important minerals like zinc, calcium and iron and prevent them from being absorbed by the body.
In cats with sensitive skin, these substances can cause skin irritation.
It isn’t lethal, but it can cause some serious health problems in cats who are sensitive to it.
Furthermore, eating too many chickpeas might paint the fur of your pet with yellow patches similar to egg yolks.
Weight gain and diabetes are few other problems caused by consuming excess chickpeas.
Also See: Can Cats Eat Peas?
Conclusion
Cats can eat chickpeas but they’re probably not a great choice for them to eat on a regular basis.
Since cats have a well-developed sense of taste, they can also tell the difference between legumes and animal products.
Since legumes tend to contain high levels of carbohydrates and very low levels of protein, most cats won’t touch them.
This is why it’s considered taboo to feed cats legumes like beans or peas. Nevertheless, cats can eat chickpeas and they probably will if you’re serving them as a side dish at a meal.
Cats, on the other hand, should not eat chickpeas on a regular basis and this food is not particularly healthy for them to consume.
The occasional mushy chickpea treat is fine, but it shouldn’t be a staple in their diet.
