Can Cats Eat Carrots?

Yes, cats can eat a little plain carrot. The ASPCA lists the carrot plant as non-toxic to cats, and the root is the part we eat. But cats do not need carrots. They are meat eaters, so think of carrot as an occasional snack, never a meal.

Is carrot safe for cats?

The ASPCA’s plant list says the carrot plant (Daucus carota var. sativa) is non-toxic to cats. It also notes that the root, called the taproot, is the common garden carrot that people eat. So a bite of plain carrot is not a poison risk.

That does not make it a useful food for cats. The Cornell Feline Health Center says cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that cats can adapt to some plant carbohydrates, but they do not need them, and there is no dietary need for fiber in cats.

Does carrot give cats vitamin A?

No, and this surprises many people. Carrots are full of beta-carotene, which people and many animals turn into vitamin A. Merck says cats cannot do this, because they lack an enzyme in the gut that does the job. Cats must get ready-made vitamin A from animal foods, such as liver or fish oil.

So carrot will not add the nutrient it is famous for. A complete cat food, one labeled as meeting all of a cat’s needs, already has the right amounts.

How do I serve carrots to my cat?

Vet sources do not give detailed serving rules for carrot, so these steps are simple common sense built on what they do say:

• Keep it plain. Skip salt, butter, oil, and every seasoning. Never use carrot from a dish that has onion or garlic.
• Make it soft. Steam or boil a small piece until tender. Hard raw carrot is tough for a small mouth.
• Cut it tiny. Use pieces about the size of a pea or smaller.
• Start with one piece. If your cat throws up or gets diarrhea, stop. Call your vet if it does not clear up quickly.

If your cat has a health condition or eats a special diet, ask your vet before adding any new food.

What carrot dishes should cats avoid?

Carrots often come mixed with other foods. Check what else is in the dish first.

Soups, stews, and roasted vegetable trays often have onion or garlic. The ASPCA warns that these can irritate the gut and damage red blood cells, and that cats are more sensitive to them than dogs. Salty, buttery, or sugary carrot dishes are not a good idea either.

Other kinds of carrot

Raw carrot

Raw carrot is not poisonous. But no vet source we read says it is a good treat for cats. Cooking it until soft and cutting it small is the easier choice.

Cooked carrot

Plain cooked carrot is the better option, as long as nothing else was added to it. Let it cool first.

Carrot tops and carrot flowers

The ASPCA says the carrot plant is non-toxic to cats. It also says the plant has psoralens, natural chemicals that have been known to cause skin irritation. It is best to keep your cat from chewing on the greens and flowers in the garden. Call your vet if your cat seems unwell or the skin looks irritated.

How many carrots can a cat have?

No vet source we read gives a set amount of carrot for cats. Cornell’s guideline is that treats should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories, and they should be given only once in a while. A few tiny pieces fit easily inside that.

Carrot should never replace your cat’s regular food. For the foods cats should never have, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats. If you want a treat with more protein, our guide to whether cats can eat eggs is a good next read.