Can Cats Eat Chickpeas?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
Chickpeas are an occasional treat at most, and only when they are plain, fully cooked and mashed, with no salt or seasoning. The ASPCA does not list chickpeas among the people foods to avoid. Still, the Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products, so a chickpea is a novelty rather than food a cat needs.
What Chickpeas Offer a Cat
Chickpeas, also sold as garbanzo beans, are legumes. They supply starch, fiber and some plant protein. Cats get their protein from meat, and the protein in a chickpea does not substitute for it. Chickpeas and other legumes appear in some grain-free pet foods. The FDA investigated reports of heart disease in dogs eating diets heavy in peas, lentils and other legumes, a category it says includes chickpeas and beans, but it has not established a cause and its ingredient analysis covered dog foods. That question concerns whole diets, not a single chickpea on the side.
How Much Chickpeas Can a Cat Have?
For a 10-pound adult cat with no known food allergy and no medical condition, 1 or 2 plain cooked chickpeas, mashed, is enough, and that adds only a few calories. WSAVA advises keeping treats below 10 percent of daily calories, which comes to about 22 to 25 treat calories a day for a cat of this size. The chickpeas count toward that total, so trim the regular meal a little. Kittens, seniors and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis or food allergies should check with their veterinarian first.
How to Serve It
Use no-salt-added canned chickpeas rinsed under running water, or dried chickpeas soaked and boiled in plain water until soft. Remove any loose skins, mash the chickpea with a fork and mix it into your cat's food. A whole chickpea is round and firm, and WSAVA cautions against treats with a size or shape that could cause choking, so mashing matters.
Several versions do not qualify. Hummus is made with garlic, and the Merck Veterinary Manual names cats as the species most susceptible to garlic and onion poisoning. Roasted chickpea snacks are usually oiled, salted and dusted with seasonings that may include garlic or onion powder. Chana masala, falafel and chickpea curries contain onion, garlic and spices. Regular canned chickpeas are packed in salted liquid, and the ASPCA warns that salty foods can cause thirst and vomiting in pets. Dry, uncooked chickpeas are hard and should not be offered.
If your cat has a medical condition or eats a prescription diet, ask your veterinarian before offering chickpeas.
Common Questions
Can cats eat canned chickpeas?
Canned chickpeas can work if they are the no-salt-added kind and you rinse them well. Regular canned chickpeas sit in salted liquid, and the ASPCA warns that salty foods can cause thirst and vomiting in pets. Check the label for garlic or onion. Mash one or two and mix them into your cat's food rather than offering whole chickpeas, which are firm and round.
Can cats eat roasted chickpeas?
Roasted chickpea snacks are not a good fit for cats. They are usually tossed in oil and salt, and flavored versions often contain garlic or onion powder, which the Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are especially sensitive to. They are also hard and crunchy. If you want to share, offer one plain boiled chickpea, mashed, instead of the snack bag.
Can kittens eat chickpeas?
Kittens do not need chickpeas. They should get their calories from a complete kitten food while they grow, and a firm, round chickpea is a choking concern for a small mouth, which WSAVA warns about with treats of the wrong size or shape. A tiny taste of mashed plain chickpea will not hurt, but there is no reason to add it.
Can cats eat falafel?
Cats should not eat falafel. It is made from chickpeas mixed with onion, garlic and herbs, then fried. The Merck Veterinary Manual names cats as the species most susceptible to onion and garlic poisoning, and signs can take a few days to show. If your cat ate falafel, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Are chickpeas in cat food bad?
Chickpeas in a complete and balanced cat food are not known to cause problems in cats. The FDA investigated reports of heart disease in dogs eating diets high in legumes such as peas, lentils and chickpeas, but it has not found a cause, and its diet analysis covered dogs. If you are unsure about your cat's food, ask your veterinarian before switching.