If you’re wondering whether or not your cat can eat cumin, you’re not alone! This super-spice has been around in the culinary world for thousands of years and is used in cuisines worldwide. It adds subtle, earthy flavors to stews, soups, and sauces — but does it have the same effect on cats? Read on to find out if cumin is safe for kitties!
Can Cats Eat Cumin? All You Need to Know
Cumin—a popular spice in many cuisines—has many benefits, but can cats eat cumin? This spice has long been used as an ingredient in many traditional medicines and food dishes, but it’s not always as harmless as you might think.
If you want to know if your cat can eat cumin, keep reading! Here’s everything you need to know about this spice and its effects on felines.
Is Cumin Harmful For Cats?
Cumin is a herb that originates from northern Africa and southwestern Asia. It’s trendy in Indian cuisine, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas. You may also see it used in Persian and Turkish dishes as well.
Several claims online state that cumin is harmful to cats, but after looking into it further, I found that most of these reports were false alarms. To help you learn more about whether or not cumin is suitable for your cat, we put together a list of all the facts below! Continue reading to find out if you should give cumin to your cat!
Why Cumin is Good for Cats
Cumin treats various diseases in Ayurvedic medicine, including flatulence, jaundice, and dysentery. It also strengthens stomach muscles, improves digestion, and stimulates appetite. Some people even believe that cumin is good for arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory disorders. If you’re unsure whether or not your cat can eat cumin safely, take her to see your vet right away.
Most cats can eat small amounts of cumin without any problems—be sure not to give them large quantities all at once. If your cat does have digestive issues after eating cumin, try cutting back on her portion size for a few days before giving it to her again.
What Kind of Cumin Is Best For Cats
There are several different types of cumin, and not all of them are great for cats. Look for whole seeds with a pungent smell; these seeds will often have an orange tint. This means they’ve been ground relatively recently. Many older cumin seeds (black or white) will be bitter, so it’s best to stay away from those who favor fresh ones.
Once you’ve purchased your cumin seeds, please place them in a food processor or coffee grinder and grind until they’re finely ground. At that point, sprinkle about 1⁄4 teaspoon over your cat’s dry food as a treat once per day. Make sure you don’t give any more than that amount to avoid health issues.
How Much Is Too Much?
Overdosing on cumin is rare, but as with anything, you want to limit your cat’s intake. While you don’t have to worry about your kitty dying if he gets into a little extra cumin, you may be worried about his digestion. Too much spice can upset a cat’s stomach, and cumin is no exception.
If your cat gobbles up a large portion of her food sprinkled with extra cumin, she may have diarrhea or vomiting. Contact a veterinarian if your pet consumes too much cumin (or anything else). Even though most symptoms pass quickly and easily in pets, it’s always better safe than sorry when it comes to their health.
What Are The Benefits Of Cumin For Cats?
Cumin is a popular spice traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It’s also known for having diuretic, laxative, and appetite suppressing properties. Even though cumin can be harmful if your cat overeats it in one sitting, they don’t have any adverse effects in small amounts.
According to WebMD, ingesting more than 1⁄4 tsp per pound can cause irritation or allergic reactions in cats, so there are precautions you need to take if you decide to feed your cat cumin or ground cumin.
How To Use The Spice Properly In Cat Food
Cumin is a spice widely used in Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian cuisine. Traditionally, cumin seeds are rubbed between palms and sprinkled on top of foods. Here’s why you might want to add cumin to your cat food: Cumin contains an antioxidant called thymoquinone (also known as TQ).
There are anecdotal reports that cats with diabetes might benefit from a diet containing TQ. Some people even recommend it for feline heartworm prevention since some animals can develop resistance or immunity to preventatives like Frontline or Heartgard Plus.
Common Questions About Supplementing Cats With Spices
Cumin is a spice that, like many others, might cause an upset stomach for your cat if they don’t typically eat foods containing it. Adding cumin to their diet might be a good idea, but check with your vet first to ensure there aren’t any underlying health issues that could lead to problems from supplementation.
If you get a green light from your vet and your cat seems open to new foods, try adding cumin into their regular meal plan in small doses over time. Sprinkle half of a teaspoon onto some wet food for one meal and see how they handle it before increasing amounts of switching flavors.
Keep An Eye On Them And Take Action If Necessary
If you’re worried about your cat becoming ill from eating cumin, oversee them and contact your vet if they show any symptoms of discomfort. It is unlikely that cats will eat large quantities of cumin; however, if they are in an environment where people regularly consume it, it’s worth taking action.
Ensuring cats can’t access food containing cumin should prevent illness caused by ingestion of the spice. Call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately if a pet ingests large amounts and shows signs of poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea, or discolored urine).
Are There Side Effects?
Cumin can cause significant stomach upsets in some animals. If your cat gets sick after eating cumin, take it to a vet immediately to be sure that’s what caused it and ask about an antidote if it is. Not only will you save money on expensive tests, but you could also save your pet’s life.
Since cats are so delicate and don’t always display symptoms, cat owners often misdiagnose them with common food issues like an upset stomach or a hairball. If your cat gets sick hours after eating cumin or displays signs of an allergic reaction like swelling or difficulty breathing, seek emergency veterinary care immediately before doing anything else.
Precautions That Need To Be Taken While Giving Your Cat Cumin.
While cumin is considered safe for cats, it poses some risks you must consider. For one thing, cumin can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in felines.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach or a history of digestion problems, you’ll probably want to avoid giving her any amount of cumin. Likewise, if your cat is pregnant or has diabetes, she shouldn’t eat at all as her blood sugar levels could rise.
I read that Cumin is good at repelling fleas. Is there any truth to this?