Cats are obligate carnivores. The implication is that cats feed basically on animal meat and fish because the bulk of their nutrients can only be found in the animal flesh. Therefore, cats are better at digesting meat than plant products like fruits and vegetables.

Cats sometimes eat their preys whole and obtain plant-related nutrients from the stomach content of their prey. Doing this helps them digest vitamins and minerals gotten from plants. It is therefore understandable why cats generally avoid plants like zucchini. Besides being a plant product, zucchini resembles a snake.

Although your cat is unlikely to love zucchini, this plant contains nutrients that are beneficial to cats. Cats are also rarely allergic to zucchini. Zucchini is healthy and can aid weight loss, although you should watch for any reaction or side effect when feeding your cat zucchini or consult your veterinary doctor first.

Nutrients Found in Zucchini That are Essential to Your Cat

zucchini

Aside from being essential for weight loss, zucchini possesses precious nutrients that your cats need. They include:

  • Manganese: Manganese is vital for the well-being of your cat. It helps the mitochondria release the energy needed by the cat. Manganese also bolsters fat and carbohydrate metabolism, cell and connective tissue formation, and calcium absorption. Lastly, manganese helps keep the bones and cartilages in form while aiding normal brain and nerve function.
  • Phosphorus: Potassium is essential for pets as it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases by controlling the nerves and muscles of the cat. Little or no potassium in your cat may lead to sluggishness and even heart problems. Heart problems should be avoided as it poses a considerable danger to the health of your cat.
  • Magnesium: This is very important in reducing constipation and urinary problems in cats. Your cat risks having fur balls, constipation, and urinary crystals if it is low in magnesium.
  • Antioxidants: These substances aid in protecting the cells in cats and fighting off cancer and heart diseases.
  • Fiber: Fiber helps in bowel movement, help to lower cholesterol level, controls sugar level and help to get a healthy weight.

How To Arrange Zucchini For Your Cat

zucchini

It is okay if your cat is not interested in the vegetable at first. This is expected of most cats as they are not always genial to plants. Slowly introduce zucchini to your cat's diet until it becomes a routine. You may mix it with cat food to ease the process. Your pet may also be interested at first in the squash than the fruit, and that is fine.

The process of preparing zucchini for your cats include:

  • Washing of the vegetable to prevent germs.
  • Peeling the zucchini to prevent the cat from detecting the bitter taste it gets from eating green vegetables.
  • Cutting up the zucchini into small pieces that the cat can eat up.
  • Cooking the vegetables and avoiding adding spices to them.

Feed the zucchini to your cats. If you are adding zucchini to dry food, make sure to strain first to reduce water content. If being added to wet food, a small quantity of water would not harm. You may also want to mash up the zucchini if your cat is selective. It is okay to store some Zucchini by freezing and defrosting later for the cat's consumption.

Conclusion

There is nothing like too much zucchini for your cat, although you might want to watch out for allergies in some rare cases. Zucchini is one healthy vegetable that humans can share with their loved pets. It is very affordable, nutritious, and is an excellent means of controlling your cat's weight.