Can Cats Eat Peas?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
Cats can eat small amounts of plain cooked peas. The ASPCA names peas among garden vegetables that can be fed to pets as snacks in moderation. Peas also appear as an ingredient in some commercial cat foods, but a handful from the dinner table is not a meal for a cat.
What Peas Offer a Cat
Green peas are higher in starch and calories than leafy or watery vegetables. They also contain some plant protein and fiber. Cats can digest and use nutrients from plants, according to Tufts Petfoodology, but they still need animal protein, and Tufts says cats should not be fed as vegetarians. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found in animal products. A complete cat food covers those needs, so peas are an extra that adds calories rather than anything the cat is missing.
How Many Peas Can a Cat Have?
WSAVA advises keeping treats under 10% of daily calories, about 22 to 25 calories a day for a 10-pound adult cat. The USDA lists a cup of raw green peas at 117 calories, which works out to roughly 2 1/2 calories per teaspoon. Using that figure, 1 to 2 teaspoons of peas comes to about 2 to 5 calories. That fits inside the allowance, and it should replace a small part of the day's food rather than be added on top.
Start with a few peas and watch for gas or loose stool. Kittens, seniors, and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis, or food allergies should have treats chosen with their veterinarian.
How to Serve It
Use plain fresh or frozen green peas. Boil or steam them until soft, cool them, and mash them or cut them in half so a cat cannot swallow one whole. Frozen peas straight from the bag are hard, so cook them first.
Skip canned peas with added salt, unless the label says no salt added, and rinse them anyway. Leave out buttered peas, peas in cream sauce, and pea soup, which is usually made with ham, onion, and salt. Peas in mixed vegetables, fried rice, and casseroles often come with onion or garlic, which the ASPCA lists as able to damage a cat's red blood cells. Pea pods are fibrous and hard to chew, so offer only the peas. Wasabi peas and other coated snack peas are out.
If your cat has a medical condition or eats a special diet, ask your veterinarian before offering peas.
Common Questions
Can cats eat frozen peas?
Yes, plain frozen peas are fine for cats once they are cooked and soft. Hard frozen peas straight from the bag are harder to chew and could be swallowed whole. Boil or steam a small handful, cool them, and mash or halve them. Use bags that contain only peas, without butter, sauce, or seasoning.
Why are peas in cat food?
Peas show up in some cat foods as a source of carbohydrate, fiber, and some plant protein. Tufts Petfoodology notes that cats can digest and use nutrients from plants, but they still need animal protein and should not be fed as vegetarians. A complete and balanced cat food is formulated so that the whole recipe meets a cat's needs, whatever the individual ingredients.
Can kittens eat peas?
Kittens can try one or two mashed cooked peas, but they do not need them. A kitten's small stomach should be filled with complete kitten food that supports growth. Whole peas can be swallowed without chewing, so always mash them for a kitten. Watch for loose stool and stop if it appears.
Can cats eat snap peas or snow peas?
Cats can have a small piece of plain cooked snap pea or snow pea, but the pods are fibrous and harder to chew than shelled peas. Cut them into very small pieces after steaming until soft. Skip stir-fried pea pods, which are often cooked with garlic, onion, or salty sauces. The ASPCA lists garlic and onion as able to damage a cat's red blood cells.
How many calories are in peas for a cat?
Green peas are among the higher-calorie vegetables. The USDA lists a cup of raw green peas at 117 calories, or roughly 2 1/2 calories per teaspoon. WSAVA's treat limit for a 10-pound adult cat is about 22 to 25 calories a day, so a teaspoon or two of peas fits easily. A larger serving starts to crowd out the cat's regular food.