I make and eat a lot of homemade pickles so my cats have a lot of chances to snatch them. But what happens if they get some? Can cats eat pickles?
Pickles aren’t really very interesting to cats and given the opportunity they may just smell them and don’t even lick them but not all cats are like that. Some cats are somehow drawn to pickles. The question is what happens if a cat eats pickles? Can cats eat pickles?
Can cats eat pickles?
The short answer to the question “can cats eat pickles” is NO. Cats should not eat pickles. Although the cucumber itself is not poisonous to cats and may have some health benefits for our little friends, the amount of salt in pickles is at dangerous levels and most pickles include garlic which is toxic to cats.
According to NutritionData an average small pickle which is 37 grams include 324 mg sodium which is about 8 times more than the recommended daily sodium intake for cats. Although there are studies showing that no negative effects are observed for healthy aged cats that took 3 times the daily recommended sodium intake for two years, 8 times is simply too much.
It should also be kept in mind that there are also other studies showing that a small amount of extra salt is dangerous so the topic is still open for debate in the scientific community. Until the sodium intake issue is solved for sure, it is best to keep your cat away from salty foods.
With that kind of sodium level, pickles carry the risk of causing salt poisoning for cats even if salt is found innocent up until a certain level because salt poisoning can be very dangerous and can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and even a seizure.
Also pickles are most often contain garlic which is very toxic to cats and should be avoided at all times. So there are two very important risks involved with cats eating pickles.
What should I do if my cat eats pickles?
Since pickles are very dangerous for cat consumption and the effects might even lead to a stroke or even death, you should consult your veterinarian immediately and observe your cat for any kind of adverse reactions or unusual behaviors.
Sometimes the adverse affects are not visible immediately so continue observing your cat. The symptoms you may be looking for are:
- decreased appetite,
- lethargy,
- incoordination,
- excessive thirst or urination,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- or upset stomach.
At this point it is very important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
Is dill in pickle OK for cats to eat?
Dill itself is not dangerous for feline consumption and can even have some health benefits however dill in the pickle jar absorbs a lot salt and even the toxic substances from garlic so if you want your cat to eat some dill, stay away from the dill in the pickle jar and choose fresh dill.
Can Cats Eat Pickles – Conclusion
After all these information, let’s ask one more time. Can cats have pickles? The answer is a huge NO! Cats should not be given any amount of pickles due to the extremely high amount of salt and toxicity of the garlic it may include.
If your cat snatches and eats some pickles that may drop to the ground while you are enjoying your burger, please observe your cat for any immediate adverse effects such as vomiting and call your veterinarian. Please do not forget to mention the amount of pickles your cat has eaten.
Considering how dangerous pickles are for your cat, follow your veterinarian’s instructions and do not try to act on what you read on the internet. In the end, your veterinarian is a trained professional with a lot of experience on such issues and veterinarians have the chance to examine your cat, not the people on the internet.
