Edamame beans are a very popular snack that has recently gained a lot of reputation as a superfood. They are eaten raw, boiled, blanched, or stir-fried. Since Edamame are so healthy for humans, do they also provide the same health benefits for cats as well? More specifically, can cats eat Edamame?
Cats can safely eat Edamame without any problem. Edamame doesn’t contain any toxic compounds that may harm your cat. The key here is to give your cat only a few beans as a treat rather than a full meal. Even though Edamame is a healthy food, it is not part of a cat’s natural diet.
What is Edamame?
Edamame is simply immature soybeans in the pod. Soybeans that are still young and haven’t ripened when picked.
Edamame is generally found in cuisines with origins in East Asia. They can be eaten in a variety of ways like steamed, fried, blanched, stir-fried, or raw as in salads.
They are cooked in the pod itself and later eaten by sliding the bean from the pod.
Are Edamame or soybeans bad for cats?
There have been studies that show that soybean or Edamame are not harmful to cats.
Soybean is used as a common source of protein in various cat foods available in the market. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they have a higher protein requirement than other mammals.
To meet this protein requirement, it is common for pet food manufacturers to use soybean as a protein source. Protein from animal sources is expensive so to keep costs low, manufacturers resort to using plant-based protein sources and soy tops the list.
The main cause of concern about Edamame is that a cat’s digestive system is simply not capable of digesting plant protein. This is because cats being carnivores should source their proteins from meat.
Does Edamame have any health benefits for cats?
- Edamame is a bean and hence rich in fiber. This can be helpful in case your cat is suffering from constipation.
- Edamame is a good protein source so it can help supplement some of your cat’s protein requirement but it should not be made the sole source.
- Edamame is rich in minerals like Magnesium, Iron, and Calcium which play an important role in the health and well-being of your cat.
How to serve Edamame to cats?
Though raw Edamame is not known to cause any negative side effects, it is best to serve cooked Edamame to your cat.
Studies have shown that cooked soybeans increased nutritional benefits and reduce any health risks in animals[1].
Ensure you serve cooked Edamame to your cat, preferably boiled or blanched.
Is It Safe for Cats to Eat Dried Mango?
Cats and dried mango may not be the best combination. While cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need a diet primarily composed of meat, some fruits might intrigue them. However, mangoes can be risky for cats due to their high sugar content. Additionally, the dried form is often preserved with sulfites, which can be harmful to felines.
Edamame allergy in cats?
While Edamame allergies in cats are rare, it is not uncommon for cats to develop allergies to the food they have been eating all their life.
It is important to keep an eye on sudden occurrences of signs. These can be but are not limited to,
- Diarrhea
- Gurgling sound in the stomach of your cat
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Inflamed or itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Excessive scratching
Take your pet to a veterinarian when you see any of the above symptoms or anything different from the usual.
Conclusion
Cats can definitely eat Edamame but in limited quantities. It can be included as part of your cat’s daily diet but more of as a treat.
Cats are generally driven by their instincts and may not be necessarily eating Edamame to fulfill their dietary requirements. As such, giving just a few beans and that too not very frequently will ensure that your cat doesn’t depend entirely on it as a food source.
