What Fruits Can Cats Eat? How To Feed Fruit To Your Cat

Our feline friends usually don’t shy away from begging for a piece of food we’re eating. It is ubiquitous for them to put on kitty eyes, making us fall into the temptation of giving them a bite. Even though fruits are an essential part of the human diet, it doesn’t mean that these healthy snacks are all that good for your cat.

In short, cats can eat fruits like bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon (seedless), peeled apples (deseeded), and pumpkins. Your cat can enjoy these as a tasty snack. At first, feeding one fruit at a time is advisable while checking your cat’s health to see if it results in any changes.

Adding some healthy human options to your cat’s diet is not a bad idea as long as it is in moderation. Let’s dive into learning what fruits cats can eat, so you can occasionally share a bit of a healthy snack they will enjoy!

What Kind Of Fruits Can Cats Eat?

It is essential to know, as a pet owner, that some fruits more than others have high sugar content. Cats with diabetes especially should not be exposed to high sugar contents. In general, sugar is not well processed by cats’ small bodies, and you should avoid feeding your cat too much of it.

Diarrhea or vomiting can occur when incorporating a new food into your cat’s diet. Be sure to monitor your cat’s behavior after eating it so that you can decide whether to keep feeding it or not.

Not every cat will like fruits. Some may not like the texture, smell, or taste of the fruit. However, if your cat loves fruits, you can find a few that won’t do them any harm in small quantities. Most fresh fruits have potassium, fiber and are a great source of vitamins A and C; some even have a very low-calorie count.

Always keep in mind to wash the fruits, remove any pits, seeds, uneatable skins, and rinds before having your cat eat them.

Examples Of Fruits Safe For Cats To Eat

Let’s check out a few of the fruits that are safe for your cat to eat:

• Apples

Apples serve as a good treat for older and overweight cats with a low metabolic rate. This is because they have lots of fiber and low-fat content. Apples also possess an excellent amount of vitamin C and vitamin A, essential nutrients that help preserve and enhance healthy tissues and bones.

Permanently remove the seeds and core, which contain the toxic substance of cyanide, and only feed moderately.

• Apricots

Apricots are a fleshy fruit packed with beta-carotene and potassium. These two significant elements are known to fight cancer.

Make sure your cat doesn’t eat the toxic leaves, stems, or pit.

• Bananas

Bananas are one of the top fruits to feed your cat. Their high amount of potassium is beneficial for kidney and heart functions. Your feline friend will surely reap those benefits.

Bananas can be sliced into small pieces and served as a better and more nutritious option than the usual treats you can buy at the supermarket.

Be careful with the high sugar levels and carbohydrates. Always feed them in moderation.

• Blueberries

A lot of the benefits that blueberries provide to humans can also be passed on to cats. For example, blueberries ward off tissue and cell damage because of their extraordinary amounts of rich antioxidant properties.

They also have outstanding amounts of vitamin C and fiber. A great perk is that blueberries can improve your cat’s night vision scope, and they diminish the chances of developing urinary tract diseases and infections.

• Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe has extraordinary amounts of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin A. This powerful fruit can reduce inflammation in pets.

Always remove the seeds and skin first. You can slice the fruit into small wedges and feed them to your cat. Please don’t allow your cat to eat or even lick the skin because it holds dangerous bacteria.

• Cranberries

Another excellent fruit known to treat urinary tract infections effectively. Cranberries are the holy grail for both cats and dogs. They are significant due to their high levels of manganese, fiber, and vitamin C.

Dried, cooked, or raw cranberries are all healthy snacks, except cranberry juice and sauces because they have high sugar amounts.

• Mangoes

Mangoes carry tons of beneficial vitamins for cats. In addition, they are very efficient at aiding digestive problems, thus will keep your cat’s stomach healthy.

You can cut the mango into small pieces, get rid of the pit, and without exception, remove the skin.

• Pear

Pears are packed with fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They are known to promote properties linked with anti-cancer treatment.

Pears are an excellent snack for cats. However, their seeds also include cyanide, so make sure you remove them in advance. Pears are a fantastic snack for your cat.

• Pineapple

Vitamins like zinc and folate are potent substances found in pineapples. These boost immune and digestive health.

Be careful with the amount as they contain a high amount of sugar. Remove the hardcore and spiky cover, cut it into small pieces and feed it to your cat in moderate amounts.

• Raspberries

The nutritional profile of raspberries is low in sugar and a high amount of vitamin C and fiber. Just like apples, raspberries are fit for older pets. In addition, they contain a good amount of inflammatory fighting components.

Once again, moderation is key. For example, raspberries contain xylitol, a sweetener that can be lethal to cats.

• Strawberries

Strawberries’ many vitamins and minerals build up the immune system and decelerate the process of aging.

You can feed fresh or frozen (pureed) strawberries to your cat by mixing them with their cat food to enhance their overall health.

• Watermelon

Cats are known to be somewhat negligent with their water intake and staying hydrated on their own. That’s when the greatness of watermelon comes in. This refreshing fruit is 92 percent water, meaning that it provides a maximum amount of hydration in addition to regular filtered water.

Watermelon also offers potassium, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, and vitamin A. These minerals enhance nerve and muscle function.

Can Cats Eat Citrus Fruits Like Lemons, Lime And Oranges?

You may have wondered, what happens in the case of citrus fruits?

Citrus (citric acid) is an organic compound found in various fruits, including lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges.

Rumor has it that cats hate citrus, including the common fruits like lemon and lime. They hate it so much that cat owners use them to keep them away from specific areas.

Lemons and limes are known to have the highest citric acid levels compared to the other ones mentioned. The strongness of the citric can be detected in urine when consumed.

The psoralens and essential oils found in citrus fruits are exceptionally toxic to your cat. The bottom line is citrus plants should be off your cat’s fruit menu.

Just a few slices of oranges can cause your cat to vomit and get diarrhea and can even make your cat depressed. Also, your cat can become light-sensitive and harm itself. Don’t share citrus fruits with your cat!

Moral Of The Story

Now that we have concluded explaining which fruits are safe for your cat to eat, we hope that you can now happily treat them now and then to these healthy snacks.

Feeding fruits to your cat in moderation is okay; always keep the portions small and pay attention to how they react.

Remember that human food is not designed for cats and should not surpass 10% of their daily diet intake.

Congrats on being a responsible pet owner and staying informed on what’s suitable for your furry feline to eat!

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