Being an obligated carnivorous species, Cats thrive on animal protein and practically do not need carbohydrates and vegetables in their diet. They are usually versatile when it comes to food and can eat leftovers and various kinds of treats.
But to be on the safe side, you should find out before feeding your cat something that isn’t a part of their daily diet. This article tackles one such question – can cats eat garbanzo beans?
Can Cats Eat Garbanzo Beans?
Garbanzo beans, also called chickpeas, are not safe for cats to eat. As you are aware, cats have no middle ground between carnivores and omnivores. They are strictly carnivores, even the domesticated ones. Their instinct to hunt will never desert them.
So, your cat has a digestive system that cannot handle plant foods well. Therefore, cats do not get any nutrients from eating vegetables and hummus as their digestive system cannot break down such foods.
If you want, you can feed your cat plant foods in small amounts. However, don’t feed them large amounts as their body is not designed to break down plant matter.
Chickpeas are especially not safe for cats, even though they are not toxic. The problem lies in not being able to provide the necessary nutrients that your cat needs. Plus, they are not easy to digest.
Garbanzo beans contain oxalic acid. Therefore, if your cat is prone to allergies, itching, rashes, and other skin problems, your cat should not eat foods that have a high concentration of oxalic acid.
Can I Feed My Cat Chickpea Flour?
No, you shouldn’t feed your cat chickpea flour, even though you might see it as an ingredient in dog food. This is because dogs are omnivorous to the extent of eating chickpea flour in small amounts.
But that’s not the case for cats, as they are fully carnivores. So, your cat won’t benefit from eating chickpea flour in pet foods or some other form.
What Are the Risks of Feeding Chickpeas to My Cat?
If your cat does not have a sensitive stomach, you can feed her chickpeas in small amounts. According to a study, going beyond a certain limit gives rise to a lot of problems-
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Allergies
If your feline is predisposed to allergies, you should avoid feeding them chickpeas. Chickpeas contain oxalic acid, which, study shows, aggravates allergies in cats.
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Causes Obstruction in The Stomach
Raw garbanzo beans are very hard and might get stuck in the digestive tract of your cat. This might lead to a whole lot of complications.
Can My Cat Enjoy Any Nutritional Benefits from Chickpeas?
Chickpeas have some nutritional value, even if it is not a good suggestion for your feline. It contains lecithin, which according to research, enhances cell production in your cat. It also has magnesium which is very important for the cells.
The presence of potassium in chickpeas is vital for the essential organs. It also has copper that aids in the production of iron in cats. Plus, the chickpeas’ textures help in curing indigestion.
Chickpeas have ample amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin B-Complex, and antioxidants that help prolong the lifespan of cells and reduce the chances of cancer in your cat.
Summary
Simply put, can a cat eat garbanzo beans? – no, they cannot. So, you should avoid feeding them to your cat. Instead, you can get the health benefits provided by chickpeas from numerous other safer sources. If you want to feed your cat chickpeas, do so in small amounts and infrequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Feed My Cat Hummus?
You should not feed your cat hummus. It is more harmful than chickpeas.
Hummus contains salt that can induce poisoning, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, thirst, and incoordination in your feline. In addition, the onion and garlic present in hummus are very toxic for cats. They contain disulfides and thiosulphates that can affect a cat’s red blood cells, causing anemia.
Hummus in small amounts might upset your cat’s stomach. They don’t need this food in their diet, and there are many safer treats available. You should immediately take your furry friend to a vet if you suspect she has ingested something from the Allium family.
What Are Some Alternatives to Chickpeas?
Chickpeas are healthy because it has fibers. You can feed your cat lettuce, cucumbers, apples, and carrots for the necessary fiber intake and to combat constipation. But their quantities should be small.
Can My Cat Get Any Health Benefits from Chickpeas?
Most professionals have a unanimous opinion that garbanzo beans are not suitable for a cat’s diet. But, irrespective of that, chickpeas do provide a few health benefits to cats.
Chickpeas are rich in protein which humans require for building and maintaining muscles. But this protein is of no help to your cat as it lacks the right amino acids needed for cat diets. But chickpeas’ texture aids indigestion.
