Food safety

Can Cats Eat Sauerkraut?

Not recommended — Sauerkraut for cats.

Not recommended

Why: Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage in brine — very salty and acidic. Plain cabbage is fine for cats in small amounts, but sauerkraut's salt load makes it a poor choice, and the fermentation can upset the stomach.

If your cat ate sauerkraut: A small amount is not an emergency. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related: Cabbage, Capers, Bologna

Why this verdict

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage in brine — very salty and acidic. Plain cabbage is fine for cats in small amounts, but sauerkraut's salt load makes it a poor choice, and the fermentation can upset the stomach.

If your cat ate sauerkraut

A small amount is not an emergency. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related foods

Cabbage, Capers, Bologna

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.