The short answer to the question can cats eat tortillas is YES but the real question is should they eat tortillas and how much tortillas can cats eat.
Tortillas are among the most popular breads around the world. In addition to being tasty, they are easy to make and require only a few ingredients. But having easy access to a food means that your little kitty also has access to it. Considering cats are curious by nature, you can imagine that they will want to taste it. But, can cats eat tortillas?
Can cats eat tortillas?
Cats can safely eat tortillas provided that a few conditions are met. Thr tortillas should not be seasoned and any kind of toppings should be avoided. Also, since the daily recommended limit of salt intake for cats is only 42 miligrams, tortillas should be given in moderation and unsalted tortillas should be preferred. However, cats are carnivores so tortillas can only be given as occassional treats and they should not be a part of a cat’s daily diet.
The main issue with tortillas is salt. A typical medium sized tortilla contains about 130 mg of sodium which is a lot for a cat. Sodium-ion poisoning (or salt poisoning) is a real thing in cats which means excessive salt intake may cause issues for your little friend.
The symptoms of salt poisoning can include;
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- decreased appetite,
- lethargy,
- incoordination,
- excessive thirst or urination.
These symptoms may not look serious at first but salt poisoning may even become fatal if untreated therefore whenever you suspect that your cat ate salty food and show these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately and act in accordance with the veterinarian’s instructions.
Can cats eat flour tortillas?
Just like regular tortillas, flour tortillas do not have anything toxic to cats except for the salt which is actually needed by cats in very small amounts. Therefore cats can eat flour tortillas however like corn tortillas, they need to be given in moderation as an ocassional treat and should not replace the daily diet of a cat because cats are obligate carnivores and they need meat to survive.
Are tortillas healthy for cats?
Tortillas are not really healthy for cats. Although corn and some other grains are already in almost all commercial cat foods, they are there as fillers and not because your cat really needs them. Cats can eat plain and unsalted popcorn or boiled sweetcorn without any seasonings so corn itself is safe but the other ingredients such as salt or oil are not really healthy food for cats especially if they are given in excessive amounts.
Also, what we put on top of our tortillas are almost all the time bad for our kitties. We use garlic or onions in our foods which are toxic to cats. We also use a lot more salt than the digestion system of a cat can handle. So if your cat insists on getting some tortilla of your plate, please give it a small piece without any toppings or seasonings.
What to do if a cat eats too many tortillas?
The best thing to do in such an occassion is to call your veterinarian and explain the situation in detail: what was on top of tortilla, how much tortilla the cat has eaten, when it ate the tortillas, etc. If your cat ate only plain tortillas observe your cat for any allergic reactions and/or adverse affects and act in accordance with your veterinarian’s instructions.
Conclusion – Can cats eat tortillas?
In Cats can eat tortillas but they really shouldn’t because tortillas are human food and not a part of any kind of feline diet. Since cats are carnivores, they need meat to survive and the health benefits they get from carbohydrates are generally minimum to none. The nutrients they need other than meat are already included in their regular cat food whether it is dry or wet.
