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Can my cat eat flour? Is it safe for them to ingest or should I be concerned?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is it okay for my cat to eat flour

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 29th, 2017

Flour is certainly safe for a cat to ingest - it is not something that would alarm me. However, cats are carnivores and are not very good at digesting plant material or grains. So, while flour is just fine as an additive in pet food (grains are often added as part of cat food to help keep it shelf stable), and I would not worry about a cat who licked some flour off the floor, I also would discourage you from intentionally feeding it to your cat, as it is not something they are good at digesting and provides minimal nutrition. Hope this helps!

16Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
It's ok for them to eat flour, but they should not eat too much. Cats are obligate carnivores which means they don't need carbs in their diet. Any carbs they do ingest are usually in the gut of small mammals.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 29th, 2017
Flour is certainly safe for a cat to ingest - it is not something that would alarm me. However, cats are carnivores and are not very good at digesting plant material or grains. So, while flour is just fine as an additive in pet food (grains are often added as part of cat food to help keep it shelf stable), and I would not worry about a cat who licked some flour off the floor, I also would discourage you from intentionally feeding it to your cat, as it is not something they are good at digesting and provides minimal nutrition. Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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