Can Cats Eat Mustard

We all know that cats need protein in their diet. Without protein they become lazy and unhealthy. But the cats are curious creatures and love to eat what their owner eats. When we come towards mustard as a caring pet owner we must think that Can cats eat mustard?

A little bit of mustard would be a tasty addition to their meal, but in a regular diet it can be more harmful than good for your cat. Additionally it contains extra material that is toxic to the cat. In this guide we will discuss all the things you need to know about cats consumption of mustard.

So, don’t waste the time and start to know:

What is mustard?

Mustard is found around centuries and used in a variety of ways. The ingredients used in mustard are garlic, lemon juice, wine, vinegar and various spices all upset the cat’s stomach. Mustard is used as a condiment for burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches and often used as sauce, dressing and marinade for various dishes.

Mustard is spicy and all spicy foods are not safe for cats so various ingredients in mustard such as lemon juice and vinegar can create health issues like diarrhea and vomiting in cats. Mustard has a strong smell and tangy flavor which cats don’t like so  you should keep mustard away from them.

Can cats eat mustard?

Your cat  is watching when you are dipping mustard on your sandwich and you realize it’s the  innocent habit of my cat to want everything, but is mustard safe for my cat the answer is yes. A little bit of mustard is not dangerous for your cat but larger quantities result in diarrhea and vomiting.

While cats just need protein and more protein in their diet and when there is lower protein in their diet it makes them miserable, cranky and upset. So it’s not advised to give them too much condiments such as mustard.

Is Mustard bad for Cats?

If your cat occasionally eats mustard it is not poisonous for them, but ingredients used in commercial mustard like, preservatives , Additives, alcohol, vinegar and many other ingredients are not considered healthy for cat consumption. Mustard as a food itself has almost no nutrition for cats. Mustard green has vitamins that could be the only reason you should give your cat mustard. Cats are carnivores and meat completes all their nutritional value. But still you can feed your cats mustard on rare occasions as a change in flavor.

Some Benefits of Mustard for Cats

• Improving Heart Health 

Like humans, cats also suffer from various cardiovascular conditions. Mustard reduces the risk of heart attack which is the trigger of heart diseases. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acid which is the acid responsible for improving cardiovascular diseases.

• Fighting Uterine Cancer

Mustard seeds have immense chemopreventive potential that could offer protection to old and middle age female cats against cancer.

• Improving Bone Health

Mustards help in improving the strength of your cat bones .Mustard seeds contain large quantities of selenium, a compound that is known to make bones stronger and more durable. Selenium could also improve the health of your cat’s teeth, hair and claws.

• Instrumental in Red Blood cell Formation

Mustard contains iron and copper which is very important in the formation of red blood cells in cats. One tablespoon of mustard increases 6% of the iron that is recommended for cats.

•  Fighting Psoriasis

Mustard is beneficial  to cure lesions and inflammations that occurred due to psoriasis.

• Promoting Healthy Skin and Fur

Mustard seeds are rich in anti-bacterial properties which help to cure skin lesions and rejuvenate skin and keep it moisturized. Mustard is rich in vitamin E vitamin A omega 6 omega 3 fatty acids and calcium contributing directly towards radiant skin and stronger fur.

• Relieving Insomnia

Like humans, cats have sleep disorders and mustard is high in magnesium content which helps in sleep duration and relief from insomnia.

Mustard Green and Cats

Mustard green are leaves of the mustard plant. Mustard green is a common ingredient which is used in different cuisines across all over the world. Mustard green is not toxic to cats but causes an upset stomach and is bitter so it’s not recommended to cats.

Cats are carnivores having different enzymes for breaking and digesting food. Mustards have oxalates which form bladder and kidney stones if eaten in large quantities. So cats should be given mustard green in small amounts and on rare occasions.

Disadvantages of Mustard Greens

Mustard greens have oxalates which cause kidney stones and kidney disease. The only way cats can eat mustard green is when the leaves are cooked because cats are carnivores. They cannot eat raw leaves.

While mustard green has vitamin and fiber in them which is good for humans but cats don’t need these nutrients in their diet. Cats can taste mustard once or twice but you should not make mustard part of their regular diet because its ingredients such as garlic, lemon juice and wine have negative health impacts on cat’s health.

Yellow mustard and cats

Yellow mustard is the mildest mustard commercially available. Its main ingredient is yellow mustard seeds which like mustard greens are not poisonous to cats likewise mustard yellow is also not toxic but issues such as  digestion may arise which leads to  diarrhea and vomiting. Ingredients that are used in yellow mustard such as garlic, salt and various spices are reasons for gastric distress in cats.

Spicy brown mustard

Spicy brown mustard is the second mustard variety because it is created with coarsely crushed brown mustard seeds. It is hotter and spicier than the yellow mustard variety. The brown mustard variety is considered more dangerous than other types of mustards because it contains more seasonings.

What happens If my Cat eats Mustard?

If your cat has eaten mustard it would be licking her paws and face and trying to take it out of her jaws because she doesn’t like its taste. While you should keep it hydrated.

It is a fact that it is very difficult to force cats to drink anything but you have to try because cats tend to isolate themselves. It’s in their nature. The consequences of cats eating mustard is that they would have diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours.

Side effects of cats eating mustard

• VOMITING

If your cat eats mustard seeds it may start vomiting for long times. Mustard seeds have some chemicals which are difficult to digest for your cat so you should be extremely cautious if your cat is showing signs of weakness and frequent vomiting she may need medical assistance.

• Indigestion

Mustard causes digestive problems in cats. If your cat is licking her claws repeatedly it means she doesn’t like the flavor. The tummy of the cat would make strange noises but don’t worry it happens when cats eat a lot of spicy food.If you provide them with medicine it would make it better  for them in a few  hours.

• Diarrhea 

Mustard causes infection in your cat’s stomach. In worst cases infection leads to diarrhea. In which your cat needs a lot of attention and medicine and may affect your cat’s immune system.

Conclusion

Mustard has varieties ranging from mild to very spicy, The Fact is all spicy foods are hard to digest for cats.  All varieties of mustard are unsafe for cats because of their ingredients such as garlic, lemon juice, wine and various spices.

 Mustard is not poisonous for Occasional tasting for cats but regular eating may cause health issues such as vomiting and diarrhea and causes gastric distress. So it’s recommended to keep mustard away from your cats.

FAQs About Can Cats Eat Mustard

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