Can cats eat curry?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
Onion and garlic toxicity plus spice and salt make it dangerous.
Why
Curry contains toxic onion and garlic and hot spices, so avoid it for cats.
Can cats eat curry, and why?
Curry contains toxic onion and garlic and hot spices, so avoid it for cats. Onion and garlic toxicity plus spice and salt make it dangerous.
Cats are obligate carnivores: they must get most of their nutrition from meat and need nutrients such as taurine that only animal products provide. They lack some enzymes for processing plants and carbohydrates, so fruit and veg offer little benefit and can upset their stomach; many cats are also lactose intolerant.
Warning — what to watch for
Onion and garlic toxicity plus spice and salt make it dangerous.
If your cat has eaten curry, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
More foods cats might eat
Make treat time better
Handy kit for feeding cats well:
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat curry?
Unsafe. Curry contains toxic onion and garlic and hot spices, so avoid it for cats.
What happens if my cat eats curry?
Onion and garlic toxicity plus spice and salt make it dangerous. If your cat has eaten curry, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is curry poisonous to cats?
Unsafe. Curry contains toxic onion and garlic and hot spices, so avoid it for cats.
Check curry for another pet