Fennel can be found in almost all phases of human history as it has been used in different kinds of medicines since the beginning of time. In the modern era, fennel is widely used in salads and different kinds of foods in almost all regions of the world. The bulb, seeds, and almost all forms of fennel are considered edible and quite beneficial in their respective areas as well.
When a person gets to know about the benefits and positives that come with eating fennel, they ask the same question, can cats eat fennel? Once you get the answer to this question, you may wonder, whether fennel is safe for cats to eat? Or how much fennel is good for cats to eat? Well, just continue reading this article as you will have all your answers as soon as you complete the article along with a lot of related useful information.
Table of Contents
Can cats have fennel?
Yes, cats can eat fennel, directly or mixed with any other meal. The only condition is that it should be given in very little quantities and once in a while.
The reason why you can feed them is that fennel is categorized as a non-toxic food and experts claim that fennel is not toxic in any way.
However, this is a truth that some forms of fennel are not suitable to feed cats and fennel oil is one of them.
As long as raw fennel or fennel bulb is concerned, you are good to go and feed your cats but only as a supplement.
Can cats eat fennel bulbs?
The original form or first form of fennel is known as the fennel bulb as it is almost like a light bulb. The good thing is that your cats can eat fennel in its bulb or raw form and it will also bring benefits. It can be said that you can feed fennel to your cats in almost all forms except for its oil.
Can cats eat fennel seeds?
Yes, cats can flawlessly eat fennel seeds without worrying about anything except for the quantity and frequency.
Feeding fennel seeds to your cats is not only good to satisfy their nutritional needs but also helps them cure various digestive problems.
Experts claim that feeding fennel seeds to your cats will wipe off the side effects of gastric discomfort which is usually caused after eating the wrong foods.
Is fennel safe for cats?
Fennel is completely safe for cats to eat as they only get benefits and there are minimum drawbacks. The drawbacks can only occur if you feed too much fennel to your cats. The thing can be proved by the fact that fennel is not included in any category of toxic foods on the ASPCA list.
But if you look into the additional information by ASPCA, they clearly stated that fennel should only be fed in small quantities because this is the basic condition that makes this food safe for cats.
Is any part of the fennel poisonous for cats?
Fennel is one of the few foods that are considered completely safe for cats to eat. Experts claim that not a single part of fennel is toxic or poisonous to cats.
The only thing is that some forms of fennel may cause issues but that probability is also very little.
So, it can be said with complete surety that cats can eat stems, seeds, bulbs, leaves, or any other part of the fennel without facing any kinds of health issues.
Can fennel hurt cats?
No, fennel can never hurt cats because of their composition, minerals, or vitamins. The only thing that can lead to hurting cats is feeding too much fennel to your cats.
Also, fennel should only be fed to cats as a supplement instead of a proper meal. Some cats may not like eating fennel directly, in this case, you may add fennel into any other food that will be given as the next meal.
Benefits of feeding fennel to cats:
- A good source of Vitamin C.
- Reduces the chances of constipation because of high fiber.
- Helps the digestive system to function efficiently.
- Improves the immune system.
Risks of feeding fennel to cats:
- Can cause issues to pregnant, young, or cats who are breastfeeding or have digestive problems.
How much fennel is good for cats to eat?
The answer to this question varies from cat to cat and their varying interests, likes, dislikes, and behavior. Many experts recommended fennel as a snack which means that once in a while and in extremely small quantities.
Although this claim is supported by the agreement of a wide community, some people also claim that they use to feed their cats about 1-3 pieces of fennel once a week or two and they haven’t faced any kinds of health issues in their cats.
How to serve fennel to cats?
- The best way is to add fennel to cats’ any other meal.
- Doing so will make it easy for them to eat and those cats who don’t like eating fennel will also take it inside their body unknowingly.
- Ensure that the quantity is extremely low.
- You should start with 1-2 pieces and keep on increasing if your cat is liking the food and not showing any bad signs as well.
Nutrition Facts of Fennel:
Before you move on to feed anything to your precious cats, it is better to have a look at the nutrition facts.
Doing so will give you a clear idea of whether this food is good for the cats to eat or you will dip into more risks as compared to the benefit that may come.
Below are the detailed nutrition facts of the fennel.
| Raw Fennel (100 grams) | Nutrition Facts |
| Calories | 31 |
| Saturated fat | 0.1g |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0.1g |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.2g |
| Sodium | 52mg |
| Potassium | 414 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 7.3g |
| Net carbs | 4.2g |
| Sugar | 3.9g |
| Fiber | 3.1g |
| Protein | 1.2g |
| Vitamin A | 48μg |
| Vitamin A IU | 963IU |
| Vitamin C | 12mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3mg |
| Vitamin K | 62.8μg |
| Calcium | 49mg |
| Iron | 0.7mg |
| Magnesium | 17 mg |
| Phosphorus | 50mg |
| Zinc | 0.2mg |
| Copper | 0.1mg |
| Manganese | 0.2mg |
| Selenium | 0.7μg |
| Niacin | 0.6mg |
| Folate | 27μg |
| Choline | 13.2mg |
| Water | 90.2g |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fennel oil safe for cats?
No, most experts and vets claim that concentrated fennel oil should be avoided at all costs. The claim is that such kinds of oils are directly connected to photosensitive dermatitis. In a nutshell, feeding fennel oil to cats will bring more health issues than positives or benefits. Some common health issues include:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Vomiting
Is sweet fennel poisonous?
Fennel is not poisonous whether it is sweet or not. All the bad effects that your cats may face are either because of eating too much or if you are feeling it too frequently. If fennel is not given in moderation, your cat may face health issues like
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Avoidance of food
- Dizziness
- Laziness
Can kittens eat fennel?
It is better not to feed fennel to young or small cats. The basic reason is that kittens have a really sensitive stomach which is in its development phase. Feeding anything other than specific cat food can lead to various health issues where digestive problems are most common.
Can cats eat wild fennel?
A wild funnel is usually identified by its unique smell. The original wild fennel smells just like licorice. If you are sure that it is wild fennel and has been proven with its smell, you are good to go because this is non-poisonous and can be safely eaten by cats.
The unique literary talents of Dr. A. Barton are well known throughout the veterinary profession. He is a regular contributor to the New York City Veterinarian and his professional articles have also appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Small Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Veterinarian and Philadelphia Medicine. He is the only veterinarian ever to have had an article published in the human medical publication, What’s New.
