Cats aren’t shy about sneaking a chew of unattended meals, and whether or not it’s a sizzling canine, burger, or turkey sandwich, there’s a superb probability that they had a little bit of mustard within the combine. Mustard is just too frequent a condiment for a cat to overlook in the event that they incessantly partake in human fare. However whereas it’s seemingly not a difficulty in the event that they seize the occasional tiny style, mustard just isn’t an ingredient cats ought to eat.
What’s the issue with mustard, and what occurs when your cat takes an unintentional chew? Discover out as we discover if cats can eat mustard and the problems of overindulgence.
What Is in Mustard?
Distilled vinegar and mustard seed are the first parts of most forms of mustard. Further components embody salt and numerous spices, comparable to:
A few of these could be poisonous to cats, and subsequently mustard shouldn’t be fed to cats. Many sorts may incorporate taste enhancers like sugar, honey, citric acid, and tartaric acid. Dijon mustard provides white wine to switch a few of the vinegar content material, giving it a novel style. The important distinction between any mustard model is the kind of mustard seed they use. Spicy brown mustard, for example, makes use of extra pungent and warmer brown mustard seeds for added kick.
Can Cats Eat Mustard?
Even placing the poisonous components apart, the condiment may cause gentle to extreme gastroenteritis. The irritation of the abdomen and intestines isn’t unusual with new meals, and mustard is way from a cat’s typical weight-reduction plan. You could discover some irritation even when your cat hasn’t eaten a lot. Indicators of gastrointestinal upset from consuming mustard could embody:
Monitoring your pet for a number of hours after they unintentionally ingest mustard is important in making certain they don’t have a life-threatening response. Contact your vet in case your cat displays indicators of extreme ache or meals poisoning.
Do Cats Like Mustard?
Thankfully, a cat vegging out on mustard-covered meals isn’t terribly seemingly. Mustard’s spiciness and taste aren’t notably interesting to obligate carnivores wanting primarily for meat. The highly effective aroma advertises its warmth, so your cat could not even dare to attempt mustard when given the prospect.
What Ought to I Do If My Cat Eats Mustard?
Monitor your cat for behavioral modifications or GI upset for a number of hours after consuming mustard. When your cat vomits or has tender stools or diarrhea, preserve recent water out there and encourage them to drink to keep away from dehydration. In the event that they don’t present enchancment after a number of hours, comply with up along with your vet.
Last Ideas
Mustard is way from the worst thing your cat could ingest, and on the similar time, it’s not wholesome, may cause gastrointestinal points, and should comprise poisonous components. Don’t sweat your cat consuming a small quantity of it, however don’t encourage its consumption. Your cat gained’t recognize the flavour, nor will you benefit from the potential mess and vet go to that follows, making it nicely value your time to maintain your cat away from the mustard basically.
Featured Picture Credit score: Aleks shutter, Shutterstock
