Chia Seeds

**Dry chia is risky for cats too**: the seeds swell into a gel and can block the oesophagus; cats are carnivores with no need for chia, and its heavy fibre load easily loosens the stool and bloats the gut.

Retching, repeated swallowing, drooling and trouble swallowing, which suggest a blockage; loose stools, diarrhoea, bloating, vomiting and poor appetite.

**Contact a vet immediately** for retching, trouble swallowing, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, and never induce vomiting at home or force water or food.

Only **pre-soaked gel** mixed in a tiny amount into wet food, with plenty of clean water always available; chia is not a supplement and cannot replace complete cat food.

**Dry chia is risky**: the seeds swell into a gel as they absorb water, so a dry serving, or one taken with little water, can block the oesophagus; chia is also very high in fibre, and too much loosens the stool and bloats the gut.

Retching, repeated swallowing, drooling, trouble swallowing and neck discomfort, which suggest an oesophageal blockage; loose stools, diarrhoea, bloating, vomiting and poor appetite.

**Contact a vet immediately** if retching, repeated swallowing, drooling or trouble swallowing follows dry chia; do not induce vomiting at home or force water or food.

**Soak it into a gel first**, then mix only a little (under a quarter teaspoon for a small dog) into wet food, always with plenty of clean water available; it is not a supplement or a coat product and cannot replace a complete diet.