Turnips are an extremely low-calorie vegetable packed with essential nutrients. As such, they make an ideal nutritous treat for cats as a nutritious treat or occasional food source; however they should not replace traditional meals.

Turnips fed to cats in excess can cause digestive disorders and liver damage as they contain thiosulfates which have the potential to do harm to health.

Greens

Cats are typically carnivorous animals, yet they may enjoy eating some vegetables like turnip greens to supplement their meat-rich diet. It’s important to only feed your cat vegetables in small quantities – the ASPCA suggests no more than 10% of your pet’s total caloric intake should come from vegetables.

Turnip leaves are edible and offer an excellent source of vitamins A, calcium, magnesium, iron, provitamin A (beta-carotene), as well as provitamin A. These greens can be cooked or consumed raw; just remember to wash thoroughly prior to consumption so as to eliminate any pesticides or insecticides sprayed on them by previous users.

Turnips are a tasty root vegetable packed with fiber, potassium and phosphorus. Low in fat with moderate protein levels. Packed full of vitamins A-K plus folate plus other essential minerals – not overcooked turnips can even make for delicious treats for most cats!

When planting turnips, it is best to incorporate companion plants that help improve the quality of their crop. Beans make excellent companion plants because they fix nitrogen into the soil – something turnips depend upon – while also drawing in pest predators which eat pests that might otherwise damage them. Nasturtiums make another ideal addition – repelling aphids and cabbage worms while attracting pollinators as they provide borders around your rows or even intersperse among them!

Other leafy vegetables safe for consumption by your pet include kale, chard, collard greens, bok choy and mustard greens. Cucumbers may be fed raw but should first be boiled prior to consumption; sweet potatoes and pumpkin should both be cooked thoroughly as they contain solanine that is toxic if consumed in excess.

Roots

Turnip roots are not toxic for cats, but too much could cause discomfort and vomiting. Although this issue will likely pass quickly, if your feline friend has consumed excessive raw turnips and becomes very sick it is important to consult their veterinarian immediately.

If your cat has consumed large quantities of turnip greens, it is crucial that they receive water to flush their system and aid with digestion and dehydration. Also visit a veterinarian immediately if they display signs such as diarrhea, vomiting or other digestive disorders.

Certain plants can interfere with the thyroid gland if consumed in large amounts, particularly turnips which contain goitrogens that block it and prevent its functioning normally, potentially leading to thyroid dysfunction and other health problems in cats.

Cats should never chew on Dieffenbachia or Philodendron leaves, which contain calcium oxalate that can cause oral pain and frothing – which in some cases is fatal for cats – so keep these plants out of reach from your pet cats.

Companion plants can help prevent pests and increase yield when growing turnips in your garden. Beans, fennel, and garlic all repel aphids and other Brassica-family insects which attack turnips; while Nasturtiums attract ladybugs and hoverflies that feed off aphids that damage crops; Nasturtiums also attract ladybugs that prey upon these aphids! Vetch also makes an ideal partner as it fixes nitrogen from the air before excrete it back into soil where your turnips can use it!

Turnips’ ideal companion plants include chrysanthemums, marigolds and lavender. All three of these flowering plants help deter insect pests while their fragrance attracts beneficial insects – lavender also deters deer! Furthermore, rosemary deters aphids and cabbage moths which eat your turnips – plant both together for maximum effectiveness against unwanted visitors in your garden!

Leaves

Turnip leaves can provide your cat with an assortment of essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber – they’re low in calories too! But beware; large or frequent amounts may lead to digestive issues; therefore you should consume these as only occasionally or sparingly as they could raise insulin levels in their blood and lead to heart or organ damage.

As with humans, cats should avoid eating raw turnip greens as they contain high concentrations of oxalates that can harm kidneys and cause digestive upset, interfere with natural enzymes and block absorption of essential nutrients – and further suppress thyroid functions if your feline friend already has thyroid problems.

Keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores and should not consume plants that contain chlorophyll or other plant-based nutrients as part of their diet. Fruit and vegetable nibbling is acceptable; however, fruit should not replace animal-based proteins entirely.

At least, cats may safely consume other vegetables such as kale, broccoli florets, collard greens, bok choy, chard, cucumber, zucchini and lettuce. But to maximize its digestion for felines, these items should only be given in small doses at random and cooked thoroughly prior to feeding them to cats.

As well as onions and garlic, cats should avoid foods containing oxalates – such as onions, leeks, shallots, scallions and chives – that contain oxalates that may cause digestive distress in large doses and even be fatal for their wellbeing. Oxalates interfere with natural digestive enzymes of cats preventing proper nutrition absorption while onions may irritate noses and eyes as well as contributing to anemia in cats.

Treats

Turnip greens contain oxalates, which bind with calcium and other minerals to form insoluble salts that may lead to kidney stones or crystals. Furthermore, they may cause digestive upset in cats.

As with other vegetables, turnips can be beneficial to your cat when fed in small doses and on occasion. They’re full of essential vitamins and minerals as well as being high in water content, providing essential dietary fiber and carbohydrates – however they shouldn’t replace meat as the primary source of protein in their diet – raw turnips being indigestible by cats so only cooked or boiled form should be fed directly to them.

Cats are obligate carnivores and require a meat-rich diet; however, they will occasionally nibble on non-toxic vegetables as a treat, such as kale and collard greens which contain vital nutrition that can prevent dehydration, decrease obesity risk and increase energy levels.

Carrots are another safe vegetable to feed your cat. Not only are they low in calories but offer many nutritional advantages: vitamin A, potassium and folic acid as well as being an excellent source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

Broccoli, cauliflower, peas, edamame, beans, zucchini and lettuce are among the many non-toxic vegetables that cats are permitted to eat without fear. These veggies provide vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, iron, vitamin C, K and magnesium which is important for their overall wellbeing.

If you are growing turnips, companion plants can help protect them from pests while simultaneously improving their flavor and texture. Marigolds repel cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and other harmful insects while at the same time drawing pollinators into your garden; planting marigolds as border plants around or between rows is highly recommended for optimal turnip growth.

Radishes, garlic and chives make great companions for turnips as these three vegetables provide protection from pests that attack turnips by repelling their scent and deterring pests away from the plants. You could plant radish and garlic together or as borders between rows; their scent should help deter pests as well. Chives will deter similar pests too!