By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Amaranth is a tiny seed cooked like a grain, popped like popcorn, or ground into flour for gluten-free baking. It has a reputation as a "superfood" for people. For cats, the honest answer is that plain cooked amaranth is not known to be toxic, but it is not something they need, and the old advice to feed it to cats in teaspoon portions was not well founded.
Key takeaways
- Plain cooked amaranth is not a recognised feline toxin.
- Cats are obligate carnivores and gain little from starchy seeds and grains.
- Raw, dry seeds are hard to digest and may pass straight through or cause vomiting.
- Amaranth dishes and snack bars often include onion, garlic, dried fruit, chocolate, nuts or sweeteners.
- If you want to give a treat, a small piece of plain cooked meat is far more suitable.
- Related reading: can cats eat flaxseeds, vomiting and diarrhoea in cats.
Why cats do not need amaranth
Amaranth is mostly starch with some plant protein and fibre. That suits people well. Cornell's Feline Health Center explains that cats evolved eating prey that is high in protein, moderate in fat and contains minimal carbohydrate, and that their diet still requires those general proportions. RSPCA Australia adds that cats need specific nutrients from animal sources, including certain amino acids, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A, and cannot use plant foods the way dogs can.
The plant protein in amaranth is not a substitute for animal protein. A complete and balanced cat food already provides everything a healthy cat needs.
Is a small taste OK?
A few grains of plain, well-cooked amaranth are unlikely to harm a healthy adult cat. Some cats may get a soft stool or vomit. There is no reason to make it a regular part of the diet, and Cornell suggests treats in total should stay within 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories.
Avoid giving amaranth to:
- Diabetic cats, as starch adds carbohydrate
- Overweight cats on a weight plan
- Cats with sensitive stomachs, food allergies or chronic gut disease
- Kittens, who need a complete kitten diet
Raw seeds and popped amaranth
Raw amaranth seeds are tiny and hard. A cat that gets into a spilled packet may vomit or pass them unchanged. Popped amaranth is lighter, but is often sold coated in honey or syrup or mixed into bars.
Amaranth dishes that carry more risk
Most cats meet amaranth in something else. Check for:
- Onion, garlic, chives or leek in savoury porridges, pilafs and salads. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes cats as the species most susceptible to Allium poisoning.
- Stock or salty seasonings. The ASPCA warns that excessive salt can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors and seizures.
- Dried fruit such as raisins or sultanas in breakfast bowls and bars, which RSPCA Australia lists as harmful.
- Chocolate or cacao in snack bars and cereal clusters.
- Nuts and nut butters, which are fatty. RSPCA Australia lists nuts, including macadamias, among foods to avoid.
- Milk or yoghurt, which many adult cats cannot digest well.
Amaranth in the garden
Amaranth plants are grown as ornamentals and some related species grow as weeds. We could not find a reliable veterinary source specific to cats and garden amaranth. As the ASPCA notes, eating any plant material can cause vomiting and stomach upset. If your cat has chewed a garden plant you cannot identify, take a photo to your vet.
Signs to watch for
After plain amaranth:
- Soft stools, mild vomiting or wind
After a seasoned dish or snack bar:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
- Excessive thirst
- Restlessness or tremors (chocolate)
- Pale or yellow gums, weakness or reddish-brown urine a few days later (onion or garlic)
When to call a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline
Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) if your cat ate an amaranth dish containing onion, garlic, raisins, chocolate or macadamias, or a snack bar with unknown ingredients.
Contact your vet the same day if vomiting or diarrhoea continues, your cat stops eating, or seems flat.
Go to an emergency clinic for collapse, seizures, breathing difficulty or a painful, swollen belly.
Do not make your cat vomit at home.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what was eaten and look for dehydration or abdominal pain. Plain grain exposures usually need only monitoring. Toxic ingredients may call for decontamination, fluids and blood tests. Bring the recipe or label.
Prevention
- Store grains and seeds in sealed containers.
- Clean up spills quickly.
- Keep snack bars in bags or cupboards, not on low tables.
FAQ
Is amaranth a good grain-free alternative for cats?
Cats do not need grains or grain substitutes. Choose a complete commercial cat food suited to your cat's life stage.
Can amaranth help with constipation?
Do not use it for that. See your vet, as constipation can have serious causes.
My cat ate some cooked amaranth from my plate. What now?
Check whether it was seasoned with onion or garlic. If it was plain, watch for mild tummy upset.
Is amaranth flour safe in cat treats?
Small amounts in a commercial treat are not a concern. Homemade baking is a different matter, as recipes often include risky ingredients.
Talk with a vet
If you are unsure whether a food your cat ate is a problem, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you weigh up the risk. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. Do cats have special nutritional requirements?.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.