Cats love meats in their meals. They are the ultimate carnivores! But how about fruits? Are they safe to feed for your cat? Well, the simple answer is it depends on the fruit, as there are ones that are safe for them and ones that are toxic.
Generally, cats lack sweet taste receptors, so they are not interested in the sweetness that is found in fruits. However, cats can still eat fruits in moderation based on the type of fruit you will be giving them. This is because too much consumption of fruits can cause digestive problems.
Here’s a quick checklist of good and bad fruits for cats.
| Good fruits for cats | Bad fruits for cats |
| Bananas | Fruit snacks |
| Watermelon | Grapes and raisins |
| Strawberries | Lemons, limes, and oranges |
| Apples | Cherries |
| Mangoes | |
| Pineapples | |
| Papaya |
Bananas
As a great source of vitamins B6 and C, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and carbohydrates, bananas can be a nutritious and safe treat or snack for your cat. Feeding your cats bananas can also help with their digestion, but experts still suggest that bananas should not be part of your pet’s regular meals. Bananas can be high in sugar content, so this may affect your cat’s digestive system.
How to prepare bananas: Peel the fruit and cut the flesh. You must ensure to give tiny or small pieces of banana. You can offer slices of bananas that are either fresh or frozen.
Watermelon
Next, we have watermelons! Occasionally, watermelons are safe for your kitty. However, do not give them those with rind or seeds because this may harm their digestive system.
How to prepare watermelon: Remove and peel the hard cover skin and then cut the fruit flesh into small pieces. You must then remove all the traces of seeds in the fruit. Also, the occasional thin or pale seeds from seedless watermelons may not cause any harm when accidentally ingested by your cat.
Strawberries
Eating strawberries in small amounts is considered safe for your cat. Despite the fact that strawberries give vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, antioxidants and fiber, these benefits are not that impactful for cats. This is because they generally cannot safely consume a huge amount of strawberries.
How to prepare strawberries: You should remove the stems and leaves. Then, wash the strawberries thoroughly before you cut them into small pieces.
Apples
When you are eating apples, you can technically give a few bits to your kitty pet. Apples are considered safe for them and also beneficial with their high nutritional content, such as calcium, vitamins C and K, and pectin, and the apples’ skin is high in phytonutrients. However, apples’ seeds, leaves, and stems are considered toxic for cats because of their cyanide content. Plus, apples may have high sugar content, so eating too much may be harmful to them too.
How to prepare apples: Prepare the apple in small slices or cubes with its flesh. The stems and seeds should be removed.
Mangoes
This tropical fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A; plus, they are safe for cats, too! Mangoes can strengthen the immune system of your cat, and they are also a great absorber of excessive fats. In fact, a decent amount of mango intake can aid your cat’s digestion. However, ensure to give mangoes in moderation as this fruit is also high in sugar content.
How to prepare mangoes: Peel the mango and cut it in half. Remove the pit as it is toxic for your cat with its cyanide traces. Cut the fruit flesh into small slices or cubes. You must totally remove the skin and seed.
Pineapples
This another tropical fruit is also a great source of nutritional content such as vitamins A, B6, folate, and C and minerals like magnesium and potassium. Pineapples are generally safe for your cats but not the ones canned as they have added syrup which is sugar and other preservative substances.
How to prepare pineapples: You must remove the pineapple’s leaves, thorns, and rind before sharing it with your cat. The fruit flesh must be cut into small pieces, too.
Papaya
Have you heard about this superfood being safe for your feline friend? Because it is true! Papaya can be safely eaten by your cat, but, of course, with moderation. This fruit has high water content and many essential vitamins that can be good for your cat’s health. Just be mindful of your cat’s consumption because its high sugar content is harmful to their digestion.
How to prepare papaya: It is not advisable to feed your cat papaya regularly. You must remove all the seeds before giving them to eat.
Fruits that are bad for your cat
Fruit Snacks
Basically, fruit snacks are a no-no to your cat! They must not be offered to eat gummy snacks, as these are made out of fruit juice without fiber. Some fruit snacks also have added or more sugar than candy, which is too much for your cat.
Grapes and raisins
Consuming grapes and raisins can cause diarrhea, digestive issues, lethargy, vomiting, and acute kindy failure for your cats. Grapes and raisins are considered toxic for our dear cat friends. Hence, you must prevent them from eating them, though the reason behind this is still unknown.
Lemons, limes, and oranges
Have you seen your cat sniff a citrus fruit and then walk away? Well, this is because they are not interested in eating these kinds of fruits, and you should not feed them, too! Your cat may experience diarrhea, digestive irritation, vomiting, and even central nervous system depression when they consume oils and compounds that are found in citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and oranges.
Generally, citrus fruits have high levels of toxic substances for cats, such as limonene, linalool, and psoralen. Even just a small bite of orange or grapefruit can make your cat experience severe diarrhea, photosensitivity, weakness, liver failure, and even sudden death. So, be careful with citrus fruits around your home! When your cat accidentally swallows one, call a veterinarian immediately.
Cherries
Actually, cherries’ safety to felines is still under discussion. Some may say it is fine for them, while some say cherries must be really avoided! However, just to be on the safe side, we recommend not feeding your cat cherries. You must not give them stems, leaves, or a stone as they contain cyanide in high amounts. Moreover, antioxidants found in cherries can be really a great boost for your cat’s immune system. Consuming cherries can also enhance your cat’s sleep and minimize arthritis risks.
How much fruit should your cat eat?
Overall, the fruit intake of your cat must be only 2% of their diet. Meaning just around a 1-inch portion of each day’s meals. You can use fruits as substitutes for treats that you buy in pet stores, most especially when you want your pet to be healthy or for weight management. You can choose those that are fresh or frozen fruits but ensure to cut them into smaller pieces.
