This is a common question in cat owners minds, whether cats can eat fruits. The answer to this question is yes. There are few fruits that are good for the cats; however, there are certain fruits that are not fit for the consumption of cats. As a cat owner, I was also worried whenever I gave my cat Lucy any fruit, as I always questioned myself, am I doing the right thing?

To clear my doubts I consulted my cat’s vet and other cat owners who told me that although kitty’s diet should mainly be nutritionally rich cat food, that should contain high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates, but cats can be given few specific fruits which aid in the proper development and growth of our furry partners.

Irrespective of the fact that cats can eat fruit we need to be absolutely careful about the number of fruits being consumed by cats. So happily include fruits in your cat’s diet but stick to the fruits that are advised by doctors as safe options.

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As a cat owner, you need to be extremely that you only feed your cat fruits fit for consumption. Whenever I feed Lucy fruits I always refer to the list provided by the vet.

What Fruits Shall I Give to My Cat?

• Apple- It can provide the same benefit to cats as it does to humans as it is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and pectin, and the skin is high in phytonutrients

• Banana-It is the most sorted fruit by cats and it is a rich source of vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and carbohydrates

• Raspberries, cranberries and blackberries– These can be a good option as they have a good content of antioxidants, flavonoids and fibre, as well as vitamins A, C, K, and E. 

• Seedless watermelon– It is good for cats but we need to be careful to only give seedless watermelon to the cats.

• Mango– Some consider it as a sweet treat that is loaded with fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A.

• Pineapple– Try to always give fresh pineapple as canned one is covered with sugar which is not a healthy option for the cats. Pineapple is a good source of several vitamins (A, B6, folate, C) and minerals (magnesium and potassium). 

• Cantaloupe– Cats usually enjoy it as its scent is similar to proteins present in meat. So most of the cats are fond of cantaloupe. It is a good source of vitamin C, beta carotene, fibre, and antioxidants. 

• Apricot – It is a great source of many antioxidants, including beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E.

• Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry – It is quite nutritive as it is rich in calcium and fibre.

• Pears– it like apple is a nutrient powerhouse. It is one of the most water-rich fruit

Also Read – Can Cats Eat Chocolate

So, fruits are safe or not safe for my cat?

If you want to give your cuddlesome friend fruit then choose from the above-mentioned list. Cats sometimes get bored with the regular diet, so to break the food monotony some variety can be introduced and fruits are the best option as they are healthy and free of artificial sugar.

Whenever going for the fruit diet it is not a good idea to overindulge in it. Moderation is very important while opting for a fruit diet for your adorable cat. I always measure the amount of fruit which I give to Lucy. As Lucy is quite fond of bananas I am very careful that I don’t overfeed her. My cat’s vet a senior doctor in the local veterinary has cautioned me that there can be severe serious consequences of overeating fruits. So the cat owners should give a well-rationed quantity to their kitties.

Excessive ingestion of fruit (even safe fruit) may cause intestinal irritation, diarrhoea, or bloating. Thus instead of doing any good, these fruits may on the contrary harm the cats. Doctors generally suggest that any food outside your cat’s primary nutrition should be below 10 per cent of its total calorie intake. So rationing is the key to have a healthy pet who adds joy to our life. All the fruits mentioned above should be discussed with your veterinarian before giving them to your cat.

Fruits Allergies In Cats

As some cats might have allergies to even the fruits classified as safe ones. For instance, due to high sugar content fruits can be deleterious for diabetic cats. So doctors will advise as per the medical condition of your cat. However, fruits are an excellent option if you are looking for fat reduction in cats. This will help cats be more agile and active.

But the major question what precautions or what things should be taken care of before feeding fruits to the cats. There are numerous things cat owners need to consider before offering cats fruits. To begin with, fruits should be given separately from the regular food, never do the mistake of mixing two.

As I always give Lucy fruit as a reward for her good behaviour. They may be offered as a fresh or frozen treat that is cut into small easily digestible pieces. Fruits should be washed properly before consumption. Always make sure fruits are free of seeds, stems, pits, rinds to avoid choking hazards. I always double-check for this. It is a good idea to remove the skin of fruits as cats might find it difficult to eat with skin. I always feed Lucy the flesh of apples making sure there is no skin and seeds and I have observed she enjoys it a lot. I have also observed that she finishes the whole portion offered to her.

How To Introduce Fruits To Cats

Most of the time cats are able to comfortably digest the safe mentioned fruits, however, sometimes they show signs of digestive upset. You should always look for signs of stomach upset like vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation. If the cat shows some of these symptoms then immediately discontinue the fruit diet and consult the vet for the possible reasons. In other words, you might include fruits in cat snacks but be alert if your cat shows any discomfort in digesting them. So an alert owner is what is required for a pet cat to be happy. So always closely watch your pet whenever you try a new fruit, if the cat ingested it without any problem then you can go for it in future.

What Human Foods For Cats To Eat?

Sometimes you might wonder whether cat relishes fruit, do they enjoy the taste of fruits as much as humans do. This is a very valid thought. You will be surprised to know that cats unlike humans are not usually interested in the sweetness found in the fruits. Yes, it is a little shocking but this is due to something missing in cats.

The cats lack sweet taste receptors, due to which they are unable to taste the fruits. Some refer to cats as sweet blind because of their shortfall of receptors. It is important to note that cats are strict carnivores so they most enjoy meat in cats. As cats can smell the meat from miles away they always rush to enjoy their favourite meal.

However, with time cats do develop a liking for fruits and once in a while enjoy munching them. From my own experience, I can tell that cats do like bananas and apple flesh, as Lucy finishes them most of the times they are offered to her. However, fruits do not stand a good chance in front of meat, as if given choice cats would for sure pick meat as their meal.

What Fruits Cats Cannot Eat?

Yes, there few fruits which are not good for cats as they can lead to serious issues in them. So vet’s advice you should keep the fruits which are unfit for a cat out of their reach. The unsafe fruits include:-

• Citrus fruits like lemon, limes and grapefruit– The citrus fruits contain oil and compounds which can be dangerous as their ingestion might result in digestive irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, or even central nervous system depression.

• Grapes and raisin– If cats consume grapes and raisins then this might cause several digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and even acute kidney failure.

• Green tomatoes– As per the research some green tomatoes contain toxins that can make your pet sick, so you need to be careful with this.

If cats eat these fruits then they might have to face serious consequences, so we should avoid giving them these above-mentioned fruits.

Are Fruits Good for Cats?

The fruits are rich in various vitamins, potassium, carbohydrate, manganese and calcium. They are also a good source of antioxidants and fibre.

Fruits are loaded with water which helps big time indigestion. As it is always recommended that cats should be given a moisture-rich diet which is good to have a good bowel movement. I have seen Lucy easily flushes out her bowls if she regularly eats bananas.

So fruits can be a good option to facilitate this. Hence, you can happily substitute cat treats with fruits but in moderate amounts. Considering these entire benefits one can say that fruits are good for cats. Moreover, fruits are a much healthier option than sugary treats which increase the sugar intake of cats.

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