Can Cats Eat Burritos?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
No. Keep burritos away from cats. A burrito is a flour tortilla rolled around several fillings, and almost all of them are seasoned with onion, garlic or both. The ASPCA says onion and garlic can damage red blood cells in pets, and that cats are more susceptible than dogs.
Why Burritos Are a Problem for Cats
Each filling hides something. The meat, whether beef, chicken, pork or steak, is usually cooked with a seasoning blend or marinade that includes onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin and salt. Refried beans are often cooked with onion and garlic and fried in lard or oil. Mexican-style rice is usually simmered with onion, garlic and tomato. Salsa and pico de gallo use raw onion, and guacamole often has onion and garlic as well. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are the species most susceptible to onion and garlic, and that cats have reacted to less than a teaspoon of cooked onion. A burrito puts small amounts of onion in nearly every bite.
Dairy comes next. Cheese, sour cream and queso bring lactose and fat. The ASPCA says pets lack enough lactase to digest milk sugar well, and WSAVA notes that many cats are lactose intolerant.
Fat and salt add up. Lard in beans, fatty meat, cheese and the oil in a fried or grilled tortilla give a burrito a lot of fat. The ASPCA notes that the oils and fats in nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis in some pets, and the Cornell Feline Health Center lists excessive dietary fat among the factors associated with pancreatitis in cats. Frozen burritos are often saltier still.
Nothing in a burrito fills a gap in a cat's diet. Cornell describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found in animal products, and a complete cat food already covers them.
Signs to Watch For
Fat, dairy and spice can cause vomiting and diarrhea within hours. Onion and garlic act later. Merck says signs of red blood cell damage usually show a few days after exposure as tiredness, poor appetite, fast breathing, weakness, yellow gums and dark urine. Cornell lists lethargy, loss of appetite and dehydration among signs of pancreatitis.
What to Do If Your Cat Ate a Burrito
If your cat ate any of the fillings, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away and describe what was inside. Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to. Bring the wrapper or the frozen burrito box so the vet can read the ingredients.
If your cat has pancreatitis, a food allergy or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before it eats any people food.
Common Questions
Can cats eat refried beans?
No. Refried beans are usually cooked with onion and garlic and fried in lard or oil, and canned versions add salt. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are the species most susceptible to onion and garlic. Beans give a cat nothing it needs anyway. If your cat ate some, call your veterinarian.
Can cats eat Mexican rice?
No. Mexican-style rice is usually simmered with onion, garlic, tomato and broth, which often adds more onion and salt. The ASPCA says onion and garlic can damage red blood cells in pets. A little plain boiled white rice is a different food and is unlikely to cause trouble, but it offers a cat only starch.
Can cats eat burrito tortillas?
A small piece of plain flour tortilla is unlikely to cause trouble, but it is wheat, fat and salt with nothing a cat needs. The Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores. A tortilla from a finished burrito is soaked with fillings and sauces, so it also carries onion and garlic. Keep it off the menu.
Can cats eat guacamole?
No. Guacamole is usually made with onion and often garlic, along with salt and lime. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats have reacted to less than a teaspoon of cooked onion, and raw onion in guacamole counts too. If your cat licked guacamole, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for advice.
What happens if my cat eats a frozen burrito?
Call your vet. Frozen burritos contain the same seasoned meat, beans, cheese and sauces as fresh ones, often with more salt. The ASPCA says too much salt can lead to thirst, vomiting, tremors and seizures, and onion in the filling can damage red blood cells over a few days. Bring the box so the vet can read the label.