Click to Skip Ahead
Potatoes can be delicious, particularly when in hash brown form. Hash browns are a fixture for many breakfasts and brunches for humans, but has your cat seemed interested in your hash browns too? You may wonder if it’s safe to give your cat any.
Properly cooked potatoes on their own are safe enough if offered in strict moderation every now and then, but you need to avoid giving your cat hash browns. They include ingredients that are unhealthy for cats, such as oil, salt, and other seasonings. They also sometimes contain onions, which are toxic to cats.
We’ll have a closer look at hash browns and why it’s best not to offer any to your cat.
What Exactly Are Hash Browns?
Hash browns vary depending on where you get them from and who made them. Some suggest the first printed use of the term, “hashed brown potatoes,” was in 1888 by Maria Parloa, but the “hash browns” phrase that we know today may have been first used in 1911 as part of a slang lunch counter term, although the exact years remain under debate in the culinary world.
They were a popular breakfast side dish in the 1890s in New York City and were served in upper-class hotels. How times have changed, considering that they are a staple of the greasy-spoon diners today!
Traditional hash browns are typically boiled potatoes that are diced and combined with onions and shortening and made into a potato cake before being fried. Many times, people add leftovers to their hash browns. They can be shredded, diced, served as a patty, or put into a casserole.
Hash browns are high in fat and salt and have limited nutritional value, even for humans. They are tasty treats for us and not something that should be given to animals.
Cats and Hash Browns
A small amount of plain and properly cooked potato is fine for cats on occasion, but they are not a necessary part of their diets. Moderation is key here, as allowing your cat to eat potatoes too much or too often can make a cat’s diet unbalanced and lead to weight gain over time.
However, hash browns are more than just potatoes with unhealthy ingredients for cats. In general, if a cat eats hash browns, they may experience lethargy or an upset stomach, which can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, depending on the amount they ate.
Oil
It’s common for hash browns to be combined with some kind of oil or fat, like shortening. They are also fried in oil and sometimes butter. Too much fat that comes from oils can potentially result in stomach upset in cats. There’s also the chance of a cat becoming obese if excess carbs and fats are fed to them regularly.
Cats do need a certain amount of fat in their diets, which is typically derived from animal protein, but vegetable oils contained within human foods will not benefit your cat in any way.
Salt
The Pet Poison Helpline has named salt as an ingredient that is toxic for cats and dogs when eaten in excess and without fresh water available. Luckily, salt poisoning in cats and dogs is rarely reported and would require them to ingest a large amount of hash browns, making it highly unlikely to be a risk factor here. However, excess salt may cause abdominal discomfort and a stomach upset, as well as increased thirst and urination.
Onions
Members of the onion and garlic family (leeks, chives, etc.) are toxic to cats and dogs. This can also include the onion and garlic powder used as seasoning in your food.
The more serious outcomes include oxidative damage to the cat’s red blood cells, leading to the cells rupturing, which then results in anemia. For this, cats would need to eat a significant amount of onions or garlic, which again is less likely when it comes to hash browns, but not impossible.
- Pale gums
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Inability to exercise
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Collapse
Onions and garlic can also lead to gastroenteritis, which can cause:
- Nausea
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mouth irritation
- Stomach pain
Unfortunately, the signs of a cat having eaten onions or garlic are usually delayed by a few days. If you witnessed your cat eating any of these ingredients or any food that contains these ingredients, don’t wait for the signs to show up. Take them immediately to your vet or an emergency clinic!
If you want to speak with a vet but don't want to leave home, you can head to PangoVet.com. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your cat — all at an affordable price!
A Cat’s Diet
Other than all the unhealthy and toxic ingredients, another reason that giving your cat hash browns is a bad idea is due to a cat’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and their diet is based on animal protein.
This also means that cats can have a much harder time digesting and absorbing the nutrients of vegetable and plant matter.
Most commercially made cat food is a balanced diet of animal protein in addition to the right amounts of other nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Fillers like corn, soy, grains, and animal by-products may have limited value, besides the source of carbohydrates and fiber.
This short look at a cat’s diet is meant to showcase that cats don’t really need treats outside of their usual food that has been specifically formulated for them. Treats are fine once in a while but be sure to keep them to just that — once in a while.
Now that you know what you can safely feed your cat, it’s just as important to find a bowl that supports their health and well-being. With whisker-friendly bowls and a wide tray to catch any spills, our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite option.
- NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
- WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
Conclusion
The final word here is that you definitely shouldn’t give your cat any hash browns — at least not intentionally. If you accidentally drop a piece of a hash brown on the floor and your cat quickly scarfs it up, chances are that they will be just fine. If onions or garlic are part of the seasonings, though, consult your vet just to be safe.
Hash browns tend to be full of additives and have been heavily processed if you have any from a fast-food restaurant or as a frozen product. So, please avoid giving these to your cat, and speak to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s diet.
Your best bet is just to stick with food and treats designed for cats, and you’ll have a healthier and happier cat.
Related Reads:
- Can Cats Eat Sushi? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition & Safety Guide
- Can Cats Eat Pomegranates? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: jreika, Shutterstock
