Can Cats Eat Horseradish? [Risks]

Horseradish is a spicy root that has a strong smell and taste. Its unique smell and taste are an acquired indulgence.

Once you give it a chance, you’ll be adding it to your meals! Those of you who’ve eaten horseradish know how to describe its taste.

Let’s say it is pretty….intense or overpowering? Well, you sure feel that way, but how about your cat?

Can cats eat horseradish?

It is not recommended to feed horseradish to cats. Horseradish is not toxic to cats but isn’t the ideal food for them either. When cats eat enough horseradish, they can suffer specific symptoms. Horseradish can result in abdominal distress, mouth infections, and gastrointestinal irritation in cats. So, limiting the amount of horseradish your feline friend eats is vital.

Cats are picky eaters. It is unlikely that they will acquire the taste of horseradish and try to sneak a taste.

But if your feline friend somehow consumed a little horseradish, it shouldn’t cause too much problem. Continue reading to understand how horseradish affects cats! 

Cats Eating Horseradish: What to Know 

As we mentioned above, overeating horseradish can be harmful to cats. Horseradish is not toxic to cats. But this doesn’t mean they should eat it. There are certain risks associated with cats eating horseradish. So, it is best to keep it out of their reach. 

If you’ve had dinner with horseradish as a side, please ensure it is out of your cat’s reach. Please keep the quantity as minimal as possible if you really want to share some horseradish with your feline friend. The most you’ll observe your cat experience is mild abdominal discomfort. Other than that, it should be fine. 

However, this can quickly go south if your cat overeats horseradish. Horseradish can also induce allergic reactions, itching, extreme sneezing, hives, etc. 

When cats eat enough horseradish, it causes increased drooling. You may notice them pawing away at their face. They may suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, but it is short-lived. You will see your feline friend back in action in about half an hour! 

If your cat eats horseradish, their drooling or lack of interest in food may increase.

Horseradish mainly affects the oral and gastrointestinal tracts. We’ve listed some symptoms to look out for. It is advised to contact your vet if you observe any of the following in your cat:

• Loss of appetite
• Gastrointestinal irritation 
• Mouth and throat irritation
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 

My Cat Ate Horseradish: What to do?

If your cat took advantage of you not being around and snuck a taste of horseradish, it will mostly be okay. Your cat can most likely handle minimal quantities of horseradish.

In most situations, horseradish will not cause highly adverse effects on your cat. You may observe increased drooling and stomach upset.

But it’s not worrisome as these are temporary symptoms you’ll only see initially after your cat ingests horseradish. Again, they’re most likely to recover from this on their own.

Sometimes, your cat may experience difficulty breathing, which is when you should get worried. Please do not try to make your cat throw up the horseradish. It is only wise to do this on your vet’s orders. In a situation like this, we advise you to contact the vet immediately to understand the following action plan.

Can horseradish kill cats?

Yes, horseradish has the potential to kill cats. Horseradish does not harm cats in small amounts, as we discussed earlier. However, it also depends on the part of the plant your feline has ingested.

Eating dangerous parts of horseradish, even in small portions, can severely affect cats. So, please keep in mind to check which part of the horseradish plant your cat has ingested. It can result in severe cases of vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

Sometimes, horseradish can have more severe effects such as respiratory failure and death. While this is uncommon, it is still essential to know this as a cat parent.

We recommend you contact your vet as soon as this happens. In some cases, leaving your cat untreated can leave the toxins from horseradish in your cat’s body. These toxins can cause further complications in cats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can cats eat wasabi?

Yes, cats are safe to eat wasabi. Please keep in mind not to add it to their regular diet and restrict it to being an occasional treat. Wasabi doesn’t offer any significant health benefits to cats. So, you can serve wasabi to your feline as an occasional indulgence. 

Can I give my cat soy sauce?

No, cats should not eat soy sauce. Minimal amounts of soy sauce may not do anything adverse to your cat, but it should be kept away. Soy sauce has high levels of sodium. If cats eat ingest too much sodium, it can dehydrate them. Overeating sodium can result in salt poisoning.

Can I give my cat ginger?

Yes, cats can safely eat ginger. Ginger can sometimes be just as healthy for cats as it is for humans. But they can only enjoy the benefits of ginger if they are fed in moderation. Overeating ginger can lead to abdominal pain in cats to a certain extent.

Can I give my cat horseradish sauce?

No, it is not recommended for cats to have horseradish sauce. Cats consuming large quantities of horseradish could lead to various health problems like stomach pain, GI irritation, etc. Please ensure that the sauce doesn’t contain any extra ingredients harmful to cats.

Can my cat eat garlic?

The member of the Allium family, such as garlic, onion, and chives, are considered toxic for cats. In fact, garlic is way more dangerous to cats than onions. So, garlic should be kept away from cats at all times.

Can my cat eat sushi?

No, it is best to keep sushi away from cats. Eating sushi can result in abdominal distress and other gastrointestinal issues in cats. Thiaminase is a thiamine-breaking compound present in raw fish. A deficiency of thiamine in cats can cause various neurological conditions, including convulsions. 

Conclusion

Now, to the end of the post! Horseradish is enjoyed by many of us with dishes such as roast beef, steak, and various other meats.

As a cat owner, it is only natural to want to share everything you enjoy with your feline friend. Unfortunately, horseradish is one of those human foods that is best kept away from cats.

Horseradish is not considered toxic to cats, but it can be harmful. The horseradish plant’s leaves, flowers, and roots can be harmful to cats if consumed in large quantities. Please look out for vital signs and contact your vet immediately in such situations.

When cats eat minimal amounts of horseradish, the most you’ll observe is mild abdominal discomfort and other short-term symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Not to worry, your cat will be up and about in no time! 

Thanks for reading!