If you’ve ever been nauseous or had an upset stomach, you know how miserable it can be. In most cases, it’s temporary and you understand what’s going on, you can take something, such as ginger ale or pepto bismol, to calm your stomach and relieve your symptoms. In fact, ginger is a well-known treatment for upset stomach and nausea. Some people use actual ginger root to soothe nausea. But can cats eat ginger?
Can Cats Eat Ginger?
Sure, they can if you offer it to them in a way that they can eat it. When a cat is nauseous or has an upset stomach, they don’t know what’s going on. You may see them eating blades of grass or other strange things in an attempt to ease stomach discomfort. Ginger has also been proven to help alleviate mild anxiety and motion sickness. If you have a cat that gets anxious during trips to the vet or thunderstorms or own a cat that throws up during car rides, ginger may actually provide some relief.
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How Much Ginger Can Cats Eat?
It’s best to consult with your vet about the amount of ginger cats can eat. Every cat is different and ginger root tea or ginger extract is typically given to cats according to weight. Just because it’s an all-natural herb remedy doesn’t mean you can give your cat as much ginger as it will eat. Too much ginger can cause major gastrointestinal discomfort for your cat.
Consult your vet and follow their recommendations for dosage. Make sure you discuss the form of ginger you intend to use. You can grate ginger root into your cat’s food, make ginger root tea, or even buy ginger in capsules and other forms from a holistic vet or a health food store.
If your cat experience abdominal discomfort after eating ginger in any form, contact your vet for advice. Ginger should be used only as a treatment for occasional stomach problems or nausea due to travel. If your cat exhibits symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal problems, see your vet to rule out other serious causes.
Can Cats Eat Ginger Snaps and Ginger Bread?
Cats are curious creatures to be sure. If you are baking, your curious furry friend may decide they want to investigate to see what you’re making. When it comes to whether cats can eat ginger snaps or ginger bread, the answer will largely depend on what other ingredients are in the baked goods. Ginger is safe for cats in small amounts but anything with chocolate is highly poisonous for cats.
Nutmeg in large amounts can irritate your cat’s stomach. Molasses are okay for cats but only in small amounts because they cannot break down sugars in the same way as humans do. Clove is toxic for cats. It has a numbing effect. It’s best to leave cloves out of your gingerbread recipe if you will be sharing with your cat.
Allspice, another commonly used baking ingredient is also best avoided. If your cat exhibits strange behavior after ingesting any baked goods, especially those containing clove, cinnamon, or allspice, seek the advice of a vet for treatment.