As an avid baker and longtime cat parent, I’ve noticed cornstarch becoming a more ubiquitous ingredient in recipes lately. Whether it’s thickening up soups, binding meatloaf, or adding texture to sauces, cornstarch seems to be replacing all-purpose flour as the go-to thickening agent on my grocery list.
Naturally, this got me wondering: if cornstarch is safe for human consumption, is it okay for cats too? We all know our feline friends are always on the prowl for food scraps. But while an occasional lick of batter likely won’t do much harm, I wanted to understand if there were any risks to cats from eating cornstarch directly.
Don’t get me wrong—as a proud member of Team Cat, I know our furry pets have very different dietary needs than humans. Cats are obligate carnivores, designed to get their nutrition primarily from meat sources. And those big saucer eyes and soft meows make it so hard to resist their pleas for table scraps! Still, it’s my responsibility as a caring owner to make sure I’m not inadvertently feeding them anything that could be unhealthy.
So I decided to do some digging into the current research on cornstarch and cats. In this blog post, I’ll share what I learned about the digestibility, health impacts, and other uses of cornstarch, specifically for our feline friends. My hope is that other cat parents can feel informed about whether this common ingredient is a safe, occasional treat or something to avoid entirely. Let’s investigate further!
Can Cats Eat Cornstarch?
As an obligate carnivore, the cat’s digestive system is designed primarily to process meat and animal proteins. While kitties can tolerate small amounts of carbohydrates from grass or vegetables, cornstarch is a simple carbohydrate with no redeeming nutritional value for them.
Too much cornstarch in their diet could potentially cause digestive upsets like diarrhea. Having worked with many rescue cats over the years, I’ve found any changes to their diet—even small things like new treats—can sometimes lead to tummy troubles. It’s just not a risk worth taking, in my opinion.
There’s also concern about obesity. As much as I love spoiling my Princess Luna and Sir Percy with attention, I try to avoid giving them unnecessary empty carbs that could pack on the pounds. We all know those extra pounds aren’t healthy or comfortable for our furry friends as they age.
However, my research did uncover that small amounts of cornstarch used as a thickener in canned cat foods or baked goods are generally considered safe due to their high digestibility. I confirmed with my vet that an occasional lick likely won’t cause issues. So while I wouldn’t advise giving handfuls of plain cornstarch, an accidental taste here or there is fine in moderation.
Overall, for optimal health, cat parents like myself will want to stick to approved wet and dry foods that provide complete, balanced nutrition. But in small quantities through other means, it seems cornstarch can be tolerated by most kitties just fine.
Is Cornstarch Healthy for Cats?
Beyond just being a safe occasional indulgence, some research indicates cornstarch may offer certain benefits for our feline friends’ health as well.
One study found that cornstarch demonstrated lower allergenic potential in both dogs and cats compared to other carbohydrate sources like corn flour or rice. As someone who volunteers frequently at our local animal shelter, I’ve seen firsthand how common food sensitivities and allergies can be, especially in rescue pets. Knowing cornstarch may cause fewer issues for sensitive kitties is reassuring.
Cornstarch is often included as an ingredient in hydrolyzed protein cat foods formulated for pets with extreme food allergies or sensitivities. The hydrolysis process breaks proteins down to such a basic level that they’re less recognizable to the immune system. This helps avoid allergic reactions that cause itching, gastrointestinal upset, and other symptoms. Again, being less allergenic makes cornstarch potentially useful for furry friends with special dietary needs.
Overall, while not an essential nutrient, current research suggests small doses of cornstarch likely pose minimal health risks for most cats. And it may even provide some benefits, like reduced allergenicity. Of course, as with everything cat-related, it’s still best discussed with your vet if you have questions specific to your own furry family member’s health and diet.
Does Cornstarch Have Other Benefits for Cats?
While not a dietary requirement, I’ve found cornstarch can be quite useful around the home for other feline-related tasks.
For one, my long-haired tuxedo cat Percy is prone to tangled fur mats after his intense wrestling sessions with Luna. A light dusting of cornstarch worked wonders for loosening knots and making combing much less stressful for both of us. The absorbency helps tease out those snarled coats with less pulling.
Cornstarch also works a treat for soaking up extra oils in oily-coated cats. As any owner knows, it’s tough to keep those silky coats fresh-smelling naturally. Giving Princess Luna a cornstarch buff before her weekly bath leaves her fur smelling heavenly for days.
My final tip is to use cornstarch in the litter box. Simply sprinkle a layer in the litter, and it sweeps up messy clumps like a dream. The absorbency traps odors to keep our indoor air clean and cat-friendly. As a busy working owner, fast tidying is key; cornstarch makes this easier.
So while not a dietary essential, there are certainly other perks around the home for keeping furry friends tidy and litters deodorized with this household staple. A little cornstarch goes a long way, as any responsible pet parent knows!
Can Cats Eat Cornstarch – FAQs
After publishing my blog post on this topic, I received a lot of great feedback and additional questions from fellow cat parents. Here are some of the most common ones addressed:
What about corn-based kitty foods – are these okay?
Corn and cornmeal are different from cornstarch and provide nutrients cats need. In moderation, as part of a balanced diet, corn-based foods are generally fine. Always check with your vet if you are concerned.
Is there a safe amount of cornstarch?
As with anything, listen to your cat. A lick here and there likely won’t hurt, but I’d avoid giving more than a teaspoon per day, if any. Monitor your kitty’s reaction—diarrhea or vomiting mean to lay off that food or treat.
What about other starches like potato or tapioca?
Many starch sources can cause similar issues as cornstarch if overfed. Small amounts of ingredients in treats or food are digested, but stray from feeding plain starch powders and focus kitty meals on meat and water.
Do kittens/seniors have different rules?
Kittens and elderly cats can be more sensitive, so go even lighter on human-food indulgences for them. Ask your vet if you have any concerns over diet at these life stages. Proper nutrition through pet food is most important.
Any tips for bathing oily coats?
Cornstarch buffers work great before baths to absorb oils. Coconut, almond, or olive oil also nourish coats naturally without clogging pores. Always use pet-safe grooming products and make bath time positive and calming.
What about powdered milk or yogurt? – can my cat have these?
While milk and yogurt provide calcium and protein for humans and other animals, cats lack the enzyme to digest lactose. Small amounts won’t likely harm, but are best avoided as too much causes diarrhea. Stick with a meat and water daily diet.
Can I give my cat cornstarch treats or baked goods?
Store-bought treats labeled “for cats” in moderation are generally okay if your kitty tolerates them well. But home-baked goods are riskier, as ingredients like chocolate, nuts, and raisins can be toxic. It is best to avoid unless the recipe is specially vetted for feline nutrition and safety.
Does cornstarch help with tear stains?
It’s not a proven remedy, but some cat parents report that dusting a bit of cornstarch under the eyes helps absorb moisture that causes tear stains over time. Gentle cleaning also helps—check with your vet before using any unusual “beauty” products on your kitty.
What about corn-based kitty litter?
Many litters contain corn—this is fine in litter as cats likely won’t eat it. Choose wheat- or wood-based or clumping clay litters to avoid accidentally ingesting non-nutritive ingredients like corn while grooming paws after the box.
In Conclusion
After my deep dive into the research on this topic, here are the key takeaways about cats and cornstarch:
- Cornstarch on its own is not an ideal nutritional snack for cats due to their carnivorous biology. Too much can potentially cause GI upset.
- However, small amounts of cornstarch as an additive in cat foods or treats is generally considered safe and digested well by our feline family members.
- Cornstarch may even provide some health benefits, like lower allergenic potential compared to other carbs. This could help cats with special dietary needs.
- In addition to occasional use in food, cornstarch has fur-care applications like detangling knots, absorbing oils, and deodorizing litter boxes.
As long as it’s offered in moderation through appropriate foods and products versus feeding plain cornstarch to cats, there don’t seem to be major risks. But for optimal nutrition, wet and dry cat diets balanced for their species remain the best.
I hope this investigation into cornstarch and cats provides helpful insight for fellow cat owners and lovers. Please feel free to discuss further in the comments; there’s always more to explore in caring for our furry friends!
