Can Cats Eat Spinach? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

Small amounts of plain spinach are safe for most cats, but it is high in calcium oxalate. Cats with a history of bladder stones (especially calcium oxalate stones) or kidney disease should not eat it.

Spinach for cats at a glance

Can cats eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 1 kcal per 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach
Main benefit	Vitamins A, C and K
Main risk	Calcium oxalate can contribute to bladder or kidney stones
Kittens?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs

How much spinach can a cat eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach has about 1 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if spinach were the only treat.

Cat weight	Daily treat budget	Max spinach per day
6 lb (2.7 kg)	18 kcal	17 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach
8 lb (3.6 kg)	22 kcal	22 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach
10 lb (4.5 kg)	26 kcal	26 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach
12 lb (5.4 kg)	30 kcal	29 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach
14 lb (6.4 kg)	34 kcal	33 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Vitamins A, C and K
Iron and antioxidants
Low in calories

Risks

Calcium oxalate can contribute to bladder or kidney stones
Not suitable for cats with urinary or kidney problems
Creamed spinach and dips contain dairy, garlic or onion

How to feed spinach to your cat

Offer a small piece of plain steamed spinach occasionally
Chop finely
Skip it for cats with urinary issues

What if my cat ate too much spinach?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your cat seems unwell.

Check your cat's full daily needs with the cat food calculator.

Spinach and cats: FAQ

Can cats have spinach?

Is spinach bad for cats with kidney disease?

Yes, it is best avoided. Oxalates can be a concern for cats with kidney or urinary problems.

Can kittens eat spinach?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete kitten food.

More "can cats eat" guides

Browse lists: all vegetables cats can eat · human foods cats can eat · foods cats can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult cats. Cats with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Cats Eat Spinach?