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If you’re a cat owner who loves sushi and its perfect garnish, wasabi, you may notice your cat acts a little curious while you’re eating it. It’s normal for our pets to want to investigate the things we enjoy. When it comes to our kitties, however, curiosity does not mean a food is safe or appropriate for them to eat. Despite their persistence, it is neither necessary nor advisable to offer cats a taste of everything we enjoy. We all know how dominating those little fiery felines can be. With this being the case, you may be wondering, can cats eat wasabi? Wasabi is not recommended for cats, even though a very small accidental taste is unlikely to be life-threatening. Its strong pungency and chemical irritants pose unnecessary risks without any nutritional benefit.
Read on below to learn more about cats and wasabi so you’ll be prepared the next time you decide to have a bit of sushi for lunch or dinner. You’ll know why it is best to avoid intentionally offering wasabi to your cat and how to protect their health if exposure occurs.
Is Wasabi Toxic to Cats?
This is where things get tricky. Wasabi is not classified as a classic plant toxin in cats, but it contains isothiocyanates that are potent mucosal and gastrointestinal irritants. These compounds can cause oral burning, hypersalivation, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Wasabi is a member of the Brassicaceae family of plants. Plants in this family are known to cause irritation in cats, with severity depending on dose and concentration. This includes horseradish, a plant closely related to wasabi, and is considered unsafe for cats due to its strong irritant effects.
Even when prepared at home, wasabi offers no health benefit to cats and still poses a risk of gastrointestinal upset. Unfortunately, wasabi from restaurants or bought in the store may not be true wasabi. It’s common for manufacturers to mix other plants from the Brassicaceae family, such as horseradish and mustard, when making their wasabi. These additives increase the likelihood of adverse reactions, especially oral pain and vomiting. For this reason, cats should not be intentionally offered wasabi in any form, homemade or commercial.
Do Cats Like Wasabi?
If your cat’s curiosity is getting the best of them, it is safest to redirect them. Most cats instinctively avoid wasabi after smelling it. Wasabi, whether it is real or fake, includes isothiocyanate. This chemical makes wasabi hot but is also considered a natural repellent for cats. Thanks to this, cats typically react with avoidance, head shaking, drooling, or gagging, and it is unlikely to become one of their favorite treats.
Is Wasabi Beneficial for Cats?
Wasabi doesn’t provide your kitty with any special benefits. Cats are obligate carnivores. This means meat or protein is their main source of nutrition. Greens and veggies can provide them with additional nutrients but aren’t necessary. While giving your kitty a taste of wasabi may help end their curiosity for your dinner plate, it introduces unnecessary gastrointestinal risk without nutritional reward.
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Wasabi and Kittens
While adult cats should avoid wasabi, it is especially inappropriate for kittens. Kittens have immature digestive systems and heightened sensitivity to irritants. Exposure can result in vomiting, drooling, oral pain, and dehydration. To avoid this issue, it’s best to keep all spicy or pungent foods completely out of reach of kittens.
Cats and Horseradish
Now that we’ve learned that wasabi is unsafe for cats, let’s take a look at why you shouldn’t trust “fake” or manufactured wasabi in your cat’s bowl. As we’ve discussed, it is common for manufacturers to use horseradish when making wasabi due to the difficulty of cultivating the wasabi plant. Horseradish is a gastrointestinal and oral irritant in cats, and its ingestion can still cause significant discomfort and injury.
Unfortunately, there is no part of the horseradish plant that is considered safe for a cat. You should always avoid giving your cat any foods with it included in the ingredients. While a small amount is unlikely to be fatal, larger exposures may result in severe oral pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and esophagitis. If your cat accidentally ingests horseradish keep your eyes open for excessive drooling , pawing at the mouth, vomiting, or refusal to eat. If any of these signs occur, take them immediately to your veterinarian for treatment.
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In Conclusion
Wasabi, spicy and yummy as it is, isn’t a food that will benefit your cat in any way. Please avoid giving your cat a taste in hopes of derailing their ongoing pursuit of sharing your dinner. If your cat shows interest, redirect them with a species-appropriate treat instead. Don’t be surprised, however, if after an accidental taste, your cat turns its nose up; their biology is simply not designed to handle spicy plant compounds.
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Featured Image Credit: sasazawa, Shutterstock
