By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Chickpea flour, also called besan or gram flour, is used in pakoras, onion bhajis, socca, gluten-free baking and as a batter for frying. Cats usually come across it as spilled powder on the bench, a lick of batter or a fried snack left on a plate. The flour itself is not toxic, but each of those situations carries a different risk.
Key takeaways
- Chickpea flour is not a known cat toxin.
- Raw flour is a raw food. The US FDA notes flour can carry Salmonella and harmful E. coli, and processing grain into flour does not kill these bacteria.
- Raw batter often contains raw egg as well.
- Besan snacks such as onion bhajis and pakoras typically contain onion and often garlic and chilli. Cats are especially sensitive to onion and garlic.
- Plant flours offer cats nothing they need.
- Related reading: can cats eat onions, vomiting and diarrhoea in cats.
What is chickpea flour?
Chickpea flour is made by grinding dried chickpeas into a fine powder. It is naturally gluten free and is a staple in Indian and Mediterranean cooking. Cats show little interest in dry flour, but a lick of batter or a bite of a fried snack is a different story.
Raw flour is a raw food
It is easy to think of flour as a safe, dry pantry staple. The US Food and Drug Administration points out that flour is a raw food. The grains are grown outdoors and may be exposed to bacteria such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli, and grinding them into flour does not kill those bacteria. The FDA advises that cooking is the only way to be sure foods made with flour are safe, and that people should never eat raw flour, dough or batter.
The FDA's advice is written for people, but the same raw ingredients are in the bowl when your cat licks it. Batter for pakoras or socca may also contain raw egg. A small lick is a low risk for most healthy cats, but it is not something to offer.
Besan snacks and what they typically contain
- Onion bhajis are typically sliced onion bound with besan and spices, then deep fried
- Pakoras typically contain onion, chilli and spices, sometimes garlic
- Socca and chickpea pancakes are simpler, but are often salted, oiled and topped with onion or garlic
- Gluten-free baked goods made with chickpea flour may contain sugar, butter and other ingredients unsuitable for cats
The Merck Veterinary Manual describes cats as the species most susceptible to onion and garlic toxicosis, and notes that cooked onion is not safe. Merck notes toxicosis has been reported in cats after eating less than a teaspoon of cooked onion. An onion bhaji is mostly onion, so it is a genuine risk for a cat.
Deep fried foods are also rich in fat, which can upset a cat's stomach.
Why cats do not need chickpea flour
RSPCA Australia explains that cats are obligate carnivores and do not have some of the enzymes and body processes that other animals use to digest and convert plant nutrients. Chickpea flour is mostly starch, fibre and plant protein. In practice, the bigger risks are raw batter and the onion in besan snacks.
Signs to watch for
After raw flour or batter:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
After an onion bhaji, pakora or other onion or garlic dish, also watch over the next several days for:
- Pale or yellow gums
- Weakness or hiding
- Faster breathing or a racing heart
- Red or brown urine
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 onion bhaji, pakora or any besan food containing onion or garlic.
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day, if there is blood in the stool, or if your cat stops eating after licking raw batter.
Seek urgent care for pale gums, weakness, collapse or breathing difficulty.
Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what was eaten and how much. If onion was involved and the exposure was recent, they may make your cat vomit in the clinic, and may suggest blood tests over the following days. For a stomach upset after raw batter, they can provide supportive care and advice.
Keeping the kitchen cat safe
- Keep cats off the bench while you mix batter
- Wipe up flour and batter spills straight away
- Do not leave fried snacks on plates or the bench
- Soak mixing bowls where your cat cannot reach them
FAQ
My cat licked a bit of chickpea flour off the bench. Is that okay?
A small lick of dry flour is unlikely to cause problems. Watch for an upset stomach.
Is cooked chickpea flour safe?
Plain cooked chickpea flour is not toxic, but the foods made with it usually contain onion, salt or oil.
Can I bake cat treats with chickpea flour?
Talk to your vet first. Commercial cat treats are designed for cats and are usually a better option.
Is chickpea flour better or worse than wheat flour?
Raw flour of any kind carries the same bacterial risk. Neither is needed by cats.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got into the batter or a plate of bhajis, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide on next steps. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- US Food and Drug Administration. Handling Flour Safely: What You Need to Know.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- 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.