Quinoa

Cats have no need for grains, so a quarter teaspoon of soft cooked quinoa is at most a novel garnish with a little carbohydrate and fibre.

About a quarter teaspoon of cooked quinoa as a garnish per serving, without reducing main-diet intake and within about 10% of daily energy intake.

Rinse off the surface saponins first, boil it in plain water until completely soft, then mash it and mix it into wet food with no salt, oil or seasoning.

**Grains serve no nutritional purpose for cats**, so quinoa stays a tiny garnish alongside complete cat food; **never feed it for claimed superfood benefits**, and stop and **contact a vet** if vomiting or loose stools appear.

Cooked quinoa adds carbohydrate with a little plant protein and fibre, and its soft texture mixes easily into the usual bowl.

1-2 teaspoons of cooked quinoa stirred into the food, within about 10% of daily energy intake, with complete dog food as the main diet.

**Rinse it well under running water first** (surface saponins taste bitter and mildly irritate the mouth and gut, and rinsing removes them), then boil it in plain water until the grains open and turn completely soft; add no salt, oil or seasoning.

Quinoa is only a carbohydrate source and **never replaces a complete diet**; **never feed more of it for claimed superfood or extra-nutrition benefits**, and **contact a vet** if vomiting or diarrhoea continues.