Can Cats Drink Soup?
If your cat hovers around your bowl of soup or tries to sneak a lick, you might wonder: “Is soup safe for cats?”
The short answer is:
Cats can drink some types of soup — but only if it is plain, homemade, and free from salt, onion, garlic, and spices.
Most store-bought soups, instant soups, and restaurant soups are unsafe for cats because they contain ingredients that are toxic or harmful.
In this guide, we’ll break down which soups are safe, which are dangerous, how to prepare cat-friendly soup, and how much your cat can actually drink.
Also Read: Can Cats Drink Chicken Broth? A Complete Vet-Informed Guide for Cat Owners
Is Soup Safe for Cats?
Soup can be safe only when prepared specifically for cats.
Safe for cats:
- Plain chicken broth (no salt, no garlic, no onion)
- Plain beef broth
- Plain fish broth
- Plain vegetable broth (just boiled veggies → strained → water)
- Homemade bone broth (very small amounts)
Not safe:
- Packaged soup
- Canned soup
- Instant soup powders
- Cream soups
- Tomato soup
- Mushroom soup
- Lentil or bean soups
- Any soup with onion, garlic, salt, spices, or dairy
Most soups humans eat are harmful because even a small amount of onion or garlic can damage a cat’s red blood cells.
Why Would You Give Soup to a Cat?
Soup isn’t a replacement for cat food, but it can be very helpful in certain situations.
1. Hydration support
Many cats drink very little water.
Soup adds moisture and helps prevent:
- Dehydration
- UTIs
- Kidney strain
2. Helpful during illness
If your cat is sick and not eating well, warm broth can:
- Encourage appetite
- Provide comfort
- Help them lick something easy to digest
3. Good for senior cats
Older cats have:
- Dental sensitivity
- Reduced appetite
- Lower hydration levels
Soup becomes a gentle, soothing supplement.
4. Weight management
Soup adds volume without adding calories.
Cats feel fuller without eating extra food.
5. Alternative to treats
Safe broth is healthier than processed treats.
Types of Soup Cats Can and Cannot Drink
1. Chicken Soup
Safe only if homemade and plain.
Boil chicken in water → strain → give the broth.
No salt, spices, onion, garlic, or oil.
2. Beef Soup
Same rule: must be plain and homemade.
3. Fish Soup
Also safe if plain, but fish-based broth may cause:
- Smelly breath
- Digestive sensitivity
Feed sparingly.
4. Bone Broth
Safe in very small amounts.
Benefits:
- Joint health
- Amino acids
- Hydration
But store-bought bone broth contains salt → unsafe.
5. Vegetable Soup
Safe only if:
- Plain
- No seasoning
- No onion/garlic (most vegetable soups include these!!)
6. Tomato Soup — Not safe
Tomatoes contain solanine (harmful to cats), especially unripe tomatoes.
7. Creamy Soups — Not safe
Contain:
- Milk
- Cream
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
Cats are lactose-intolerant → causes diarrhea.
8. Instant or Packaged Soup — Not safe
They contain:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- MSG
- Preservatives
All unsafe for cats.
Ingredients in Soup That Are Dangerous for Cats
Most of the ingredients humans enjoy in soup are dangerous for cats.
1. Onion (toxic)
Even tiny amounts can cause:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Anemia
2. Garlic (toxic)
More toxic than onion for cats.
3. Salt
Causes:
- Dehydration
- Kidney stress
- Vomiting
4. Spices
Black pepper, chili, masala, herbs → stomach irritation.
5. Dairy
Cats cannot digest lactose.
6. Oil & Butter
Can lead to:
- Vomiting
- Pancreatitis
- Diarrhea
7. Preservatives & MSG
Common in instant soups; unsafe for cats.
How to Make Safe Soup for Cats (Simple Recipe)?
Here’s a vet-approved, cat-friendly soup you can make at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chicken or beef
- 3 cups water
Steps:
- Boil meat in water for 20–25 minutes.
- Remove the meat.
- Strain the broth.
- Cool the broth completely.
- Serve a few teaspoons at a time.
Optional:
Shred a tiny bit of chicken into the soup for extra taste.
Never add:
Salt, onion, garlic, spices, butter, or oil.
How Much Soup Can Cats Drink?
If you want to know how much quantity of soup is sufficient for your cat then Moderation is key.
Safe amount:
- 2–3 teaspoons per serving
- OR ¼ cup mixed with food
- 3–4 times per week
Unsafe amount:
- A full bowl
- Daily large servings
Soup is only a supplement — not a meal replacement.
Can Kittens Drink Soup?
Yes, but only plain broth.
Kittens have delicate digestion and need high-protein diets.
Do NOT give creamy or salty soup.
Signs Your Cat Didn’t Tolerate the Soup
Stop immediately and consult a vet if your cat shows:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Lethargy
- Refusing food
- Breathing difficulty
This usually happens when a cat accidentally consumes onion/garlic soup
Final Verdict: Can Cats Drink Soup?
Yes — cats can drink soup, but only if it’s plain, homemade, and free from harmful ingredients like onion, garlic, salt, and spices.
Safe soup can:
- Improve hydration
- Encourage appetite
- Support sick or senior cats
- Provide comfort
But unsafe soup can be dangerous and even toxic.
Keep it simple, keep it plain, and use soup only as a supplement — not a meal replacement.