Food safety

Can Cats Eat Soy?

Safe in small amounts — Soy for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Plain soy foods such as tofu are not toxic to cats in small amounts, though soy is not a natural part of a cat's diet and can cause stomach upset. Soy sauce is a different matter — it is extremely salty and should never be given.

Safe serving: A small piece of plain tofu, rarely. Never give soy sauce.

If your cat ate soy: No action needed for a small amount of plain tofu. If your cat drank soy sauce, offer fresh water and call your vet if vomiting or lethargy follow.

Related: Beans, Bread, Plant Milk

Why this verdict

Plain soy foods such as tofu are not toxic to cats in small amounts, though soy is not a natural part of a cat's diet and can cause stomach upset. Soy sauce is a different matter — it is extremely salty and should never be given.

Safe serving

A small piece of plain tofu, rarely. Never give soy sauce.

If your cat ate soy

No action needed for a small amount of plain tofu. If your cat drank soy sauce, offer fresh water and call your vet if vomiting or lethargy follow.

Related foods

Beans, Bread, Plant Milk

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.