Tofu

**Cats are obligate carnivores**, so essentials such as taurine must come from animal tissue; tofu is neither a need nor a protein source. Tofu itself is mild, but **soy is a common allergen** and fried or mapo versions add oil, salt, chilli and garlic.

A large amount can cause vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea and poor appetite, while fried or chilli-spiked tofu adds ongoing vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy; first exposure may also bring facial itching or a rash.

A taste of plain tofu usually means stopping and watching, but **contact a vet immediately** for ongoing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lethargy or allergy signs, and never induce vomiting at home.

**Tofu has no place in a cat's regular diet**: at most a rare small piece of plain tofu, cut small and unseasoned, never instead of complete cat food; start tiny and watch for 24 hours, and never feed fried, fermented or mapo tofu.

Plain tofu is soft and holds a lot of water, and its protein comes from soy, so a few small cubes work as an occasional treat or a light topper.

Feed it as a treat in small amounts, keeping treats within about 10% of daily energy intake, with complete dog food as the main diet.

Pick plain silken or firm tofu, rinse it, then cut it into small cubes with **no salt, oil, soy sauce or seasoning**; it needs no long cooking, so warm it briefly and let it cool.

Dogs do not need tofu, and **soy is a common allergen**, so start with a tiny piece and watch for 24 hours; **fried, fermented or mapo tofu brings oil, salt, chilli and garlic and must not be fed**.