Butternut squash, pumpkin, squash… Cucurbits have many benefits for our cats. Rich in fiber, they promote good intestinal transit and provide better satiety in our (too) greedy little companions. And the little bonus, they are low in calories!
In the fall, squash season is in full swing. Pumpkin, squash, pattypan squash, butternut squash are all varieties of cucurbits that arrive on our market stalls. Good news for gourmets; in soup, gratin, puree or simply grilled in the oven, these fruits (yes, squash are botanically fruits) can be enjoyed in a thousand and one ways. A pumpkin soup with chestnut and hazelnut oil. Yum, yum, yum. Just writing these lines makes us want to run to the greengrocer and get cooking.
In addition to being delicious, squashes, of which there are more than 800 species (pumpkin, butternut squash, pattypan squash, squash, potimarron) offer many benefits for our health. Pumpkin, for example, is full of beta carotenes, sources of vitamin A which are powerful antioxidants. It is also rich in vitamin B9, potassium, calcium and magnesium. So many vitamins and minerals that it would be a shame to deprive ourselves of, and especially, not to share them with our beloved cats!
Yes, squashes are beneficial for us humans and are just as beneficial for our felines!
Why give squash to your cat?
The importance of vegetables in your cat's diet
First of all, let's remember that our cats are strict carnivores, which means that they cannot live and stay healthy without animal proteins in their diet. That said, they cannot only consume proteins. Our little balls of fur also need other nutrients in their food to feel good on their paws.
Our cats must also find in their bowl lipids (essential fatty acids), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc.), vitamins (especially group B) but also fibers essential for good transit. Fibers provided in particular by vegetables.
As explained in our article on preconceived ideas about feeding your cat , in the diet of a wild cat, it is the skin and digestive contents of the mouse or vole, combined with the consumption of a little grass, which ensure this role. Now domesticated, our cats today have a very different diet. Even if they hunt outside (or not at all for a majority of cats), they need to find these famous fibers, provided by the vegetables in their pâté in particular.
Be careful though, not all vegetables are equal. Some foods can be toxic for your beloved cat , such as leeks, cabbage and turnips. Spinach is also strongly discouraged for cats; sources of oxalic acids, it can cause urinary problems. Conversely, several vegetables (or fruits) are particularly recommended, such as zucchini and squash. Both from the very large cucurbit family, they are very rich in fiber and water!
Here, for example, is the composition of butternut squash (pulp, cooked):
To find out more, please consult the Anses fact sheet .
The benefits of squash for your cat
Squash is obviously a food that cats wouldn't eat in the wild, but it's considered a healthy addition to our whiskered ones' diet.
Squash aids digestion
One of the main assets of squash is that it is indeed very rich in fiber, which contributes to good intestinal transit. Highly digestible, squash is above all an ally against constipation! If your cat tends to be frequently constipated, squash will provide him with the fiber necessary to find a little comfort in his little belly. And vice versa!
In addition to fighting constipation, squash also provides consistency to loose stools, as soluble fiber absorbs excess water. It can also be effective against diarrhea in cats .
Squash, an ally against hairballs
Another benefit of fiber is that it eliminates hairballs from your cat's digestive system. These clumps called "trichobezoars" are common in our little companions who, during their many daily toilets, swallow quantities of hair. And when these become too large, our cats can no longer eliminate them, and vomit them. If your cat is particularly prone to these obstructions, squash, like zucchini, can relieve it.
The squash is appetizing
Butternut squash, pumpkin or even zucchini are particularly appreciated by our fine gourmets. A good point for fussy cats and/or those with a lack of appetite.
Squash satiates
Another advantage of squash is that it is filling . Being rich in water , it adds volume to the cat's stomach, without the calories that go with it! Just like zucchini, squash is low in calories . If your cat is very greedy, it will be satisfied quickly and for a long time, and will be less likely to suffer from obesity, a pathology that can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes , osteoarthritis or even kidney failure in cats .
Its high water content is also ideal for your cat. Remember that in nature, cats are small drinkers. They are animals native to the desert! The water they absorb comes mainly from their prey. Although they have become kings of sofas and other soft places, cats have kept this habit of hydrating themselves through their diet and drinking little. However, water is essential for the proper functioning of their organs, for their life! Rich in water, squash provides this necessary hydration.
Squash is a source of vitamins and minerals for your cat
Finally, squash contains calcium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium - minerals essential to the good health of your cat - as well as vitamins A, C, E and B1. Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is essential for the proper functioning of the cat's body. This water-soluble vitamin is concentrated in the heart, kidney, liver and brain. It is mainly found in chicken and pork meat, egg yolk, offal, brewer's yeast , but also in small quantities in squash, including butternut squash.
How to give squash to your cat?
As you will have understood, squash offers many benefits to your cat. If you want to give your mustachioed cat squash, make sure it is well cooked and pureed , without seeds. Remember to remove the skin. Even cooked, it is not very digestible for our cats.
Do not give your cat raw squash! Even if it is finely cut, it can swell in your cat's stomach and block its already sensitive intestines. And above all, be careful with the quantity. Squash fights constipation, but can also cause the opposite effect (diarrhea) if given in excess. It is also important to remember that squash contains carbohydrates! A teaspoon is enough.
Before making your own food, ask your veterinarian for advice 😺
If your cat is constipated, you can give him a teaspoon until his bowel movements return to normal. But again, consult your veterinarian. Constipation is certainly common in our whiskered ones, but it should not be taken lightly, especially if it lasts more than 48 hours. As explained in our article on constipation in cats , this intestinal disorder can be a sign of another pathology. Accompanied by vomiting, fever and anorexia (when kitty no longer eats), it can mean an intestinal occlusion.
Finally, if your cat suffers from diabetes, kidney failure or another pathology requiring special diet and monitoring, also seek the advice of your veterinarian.
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