Eating fruit and its presence in our diet is good for human health, but what about cats? Can cats eat fruit like humans? Which fruits are good for cats, and which ones are bad? If you have a pet cat, you need to know which fruits are good for your cat and which are bad.
In this article, we will talk about giving fruit to a domestic cat and say what fruits are good for the cat, how much you are allowed, and what fruits you should not give to the cat at all.
Valuable and good fruits for cats
We know cats are inherently predatory animals, and their digestive system can not digest anything but meat well.
This is also true for some fruits, but in the meantime, some fruits are suitable for the cat and can be eaten in moderation.
Good fruits for cats are:
- pear
- blueberry
- Strawberry
- Melon
- Watermelon
- Apple
- Peach
- banana
pear
Pears are a good source of fiber and prevent heart disease and cancer in your cat. Pears also can regulate blood pressure and can be helpful for cats with high blood pressure.
This fruit is high in fiber, and vitamin K. Cats should not overeat pear because it irritates the stomach and disrupts digestion.
The critical thing about pears is their seeds. Pear seeds usually contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are very dangerous for your cat and can lead to food poisoning.
So when giving a pear to your cat, be sure to remove the seeds beforehand.
blueberry
Cats can eat blueberries. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and fiber, which help keep your cat healthy. Blueberries contain flavonoids that can limit insulin resistance and thus regulate blood glucose levels.
Other properties of blueberries are:
- Boost the immune system
- Prevent degenerative diseases
- Aid in digestion
- Non-stick properties
- Stimulate blood circulation
- Balancing the metabolism
Strawberry
This fruit is rich in vitamins B and C and an essential source of fiber for cats that can help digest cat food. Strawberries are high in water; eating them will keep your cat’s body hydrated.
This fruit can be an excellent option to prevent your cat from overheating in the hot season.
Important Note: This summer fruit contains a lot of sugar. Therefore, giving it to your pet in small quantities is recommended.
Read more: can cat eat strawberry?
banana
Banana is another good fruit for cats that can be a valuable snack in the cat’s diet. Banana contains potassium, manganese, vitamin B6, folic acid, and high fiber.
Of course, overeating bananas can cause digestive problems and severe diarrhea in cats.
Read more: banana for cats
Melon
It is rich in valuable nutrients, including carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and small amounts of fats and proteins (amino acids).
Many cats welcome the taste of melon, but you must carefully remove the seeds. Eating melon skin is also harmful to cats, and giving the melon to the cat as a slice is better.
Remember: Overeating melon, especially melon for cats, can lead to diarrhea.
Watermelon
The abundance of water in watermelon allows your cat to stay hydrated. Just like melons and pears, removing the kernels and skin is essential, which can be harmful to your cat.
Apple
Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and fiber, which help the cat’s digestive system function better. Apples are also rich in antioxidants and fight cellular aging.
Apples are great for cats with low metabolism, old, and who need to lose weight. Vitamins A and C in apples are also effective in cat skin and bone health.
Read more: apple for cats
Peach
Peaches are rich in fiber and B vitamins for cats. Cats love the taste of peaches, and it is one of their favorite and valuable fruits.
Try to wash your cat thoroughly before giving it a peach, then remove the skin and core. Peach skin and seed are not good for cats.
Read more about Peach: cats can eat peaches or can’t?
What fruits are harmful to cats?
Cats are only allowed to eat some fruits, not all fruits. Eating some fruits can endanger your cat’s health and cause digestive problems and, in some cases, the risk of death.
Fruits that cats should never eat are:
grape
Fresh or dried grapes (raisins) are harmful to cats, and eating them can lead to severe kidney problems in your cat.
Doctors have not yet figured out why grapes are toxic to cats, but grapes are still potentially dangerous to cats.
Citrus
Citrus fruits should be avoided as they can cause significant discomfort in the cat’s stomach.
Citrus fruits, especially oranges, are challenging to digest in cats because they are acidic, causing severe stomach pain.
Eating acidic fruits is generally harmful to cats.
Avocado
Avocado, like banana, is a fatty fruit, and its consumption causes cat diarrhea. That’s why it’s not suitable for cats.
How much fruit should we give to the cat?
Since cats are predatory animals, most of their diet should include protein in meat sources, taurine (an essential amino acid for cats), vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids, and water.
Some of the water a cat needs can be supplied by juicy fruits such as watermelon, strawberry, and melon, especially in hot seasons such as summer.
You can add a small amount of fruit to your cat’s diet to provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Of course, it is best to consult a specialist veterinarian first.
However, do not try to give too much fruit to your cat. Fruits are a small percentage of your cat’s diet. So overeating fruits (even good fruits for cats) can cause digestive problems in your cat in the long run.
