Being a pet parent, you might have several questions about choosing safe fruits for your cat. Not to bother, I will provide all the necessary info for you in this article.
Cats are a carnivorous animal that relies on lean meat and fish to get the essential nutrients. Their digestive system is used to process the meat-based diet. So you can feed fewer fresh fruits to your cat once in a while.
Before starting any new fruits for your cat, you should always get your Vet’s suggestions. Including fruits in your feline’s diet helps get essential nutrients but make sure you do not overdo them.
To help you, I have come up with a list of safe fruits for your cats to reap the health benefits.
1. Apple
Apples are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants- polyphenols that make apples a nutritious snack for your felines.
But feed your furry friend with the chopped apple pieces after removing the seeds and stems. Since both contain small amounts of cyanide content that is poisonous for your cat.
Apple also contains more sugar content, so feed them a small piece of apple to your feline. It can help nourish your cat with the required nutrients.
2. Apricot
Apricot is known for beta-carotene and can help your cat fight against cancer cells. But feed only the apricot pulp without seeds and stems since other fruit parts are toxic. It can cause trouble breathing and even be fatal to your cat.
While giving any fruit to your cats, make sure you slice the fruit into tiny pieces. Also, the apricots contain fiber content that aids in better digestion.
Fresh apricots are always better than dried ones since the dried ones contain added sugars and some harmful additives.
3. Bananas
Bananas have high nutrient value with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. So you can give bananas to your felines but not add them to their daily meal.
Due to its high sugar content, it is advisable to give your small cat portions of bananas. And consider bananas as an occasional treat. Peel off the banana skin, cut it into small pieces, and feed your cat.
Also, avoid feeding more amounts; since they may disturb your feline’s digestive system.
4. Blueberries
Berries benefit your little furry friend! Blueberries contain fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. By giving blueberries to your cat, they have better night vision.
But you know what! Your felines do not get excited to eat blueberries. So you can also feed packed commercial cat food which contains blueberries.
Limiting the number of blueberries to your cat is better since they contain high sugar content. You do not want to add more carbohydrates to your kitty than the regular amount.
5. Cranberries
The next best berry for your cat is cranberry. They are rich in flavonoids, fibers, antioxidants and vitamins. Feeding your felines with cranberries can prevent urinary tract infections. And also, your cat will enjoy tasting it though it’s a little tart.
You should cut them into bite-sized pieces and feed your kitty to avoid choking threats. Alternatively, you can also give them commercial fruit treats to reap the same benefits.
While buying packaged cranberries, ensure it does not contain sugar additives. Because the added sugars can cause adverse health effects to your cats.
6. Mango
If you do not know yet, your cat loves the mango flavor. Mango is an excellent source of multivitamins. And it can improve your kitty’s immune system and digestion.
Also, remember mangoes are rich in fiber with abundant amounts of sugar. You should always peel the skins of the mangoes, remove the seeds and feed only the pulp.
Giving mango in moderate amounts and ensuring there is no skin found in the pulp is equally essential. Avoid giving them fruit peels since it can cause digestive disorders.
7. Pear
Pears are abundant in fiber and vitamins and are considered safe for cats. However, the seeds and skin contain a small amount of cyanide. So remove them before feeding your felines.
Pears do not have a strong flavor, so your cat will like to feed on them.
But make sure you give small amounts of pears. Eating more pears can disturb the digestion of the cats since they are obligate carnivores.
8. Pineapple
Pineapples contain rich minerals and vitamins that boost your kitty’s immune system. You can occasionally treat your felines with pineapple pieces.
Thoroughly remove the skin and core; feed only the bite-sized pieces to your cat. Also, remember pineapple is rich in sugar content. And it can cause diarrhea and stomach irritations if you give more amounts of pineapple to your kitty.
9. Raspberry
Give them a raspberry if you have an older cat that suffers from stiff joints since raspberry contains vitamin c and fiber.
Raspberry also contains xylitol which acts as a sweetening agent in some chewing gums. And can turn fatal if given in huge quantities.
So consider this a rare treat to your felines but not to include in your cat’s regular diet.
10. Strawberry
Strawberries are packed with minerals and vitamins. They contain high amounts of sugar, so feeding them more will lead to obesity in cats.
Avoid giving them more strawberries if your cat is on a strict calorie diet. Your felines are not attracted to strawberries but monitoring them is more important. Since more consumption of strawberries can lead to feline diabetes.
11. Watermelon
Watermelons are the best if you like to feed your kitty with hydrating fruits. Watermelons contain 92% water and are rich in vitamin C and A.
Since they contain high sugar content, you should only feed your felines with small watermelon pieces. Adding them to their regular diet can also cause metabolic disorders.
While giving watermelon, make sure you feed the deseeded watermelon pieces. If your cat accidentally eats watermelon grinds, it can lead to bowel cleansing, so make sure you supervise them.
12. Cantaloupe
Feeding cantaloupe to your felines is the best choice in hot summer to keep your cat cool. But always make sure you feed only the melon by deseeding and removing the grinds.
Also, cantaloupe contains more vitamins and minerals to make it a nutritious snack for your kitty.
13. Plum
Plums are loaded with vitamins and minerals. But as per ASPCA, the stems, seeds and leaves contain trace amounts of cyanide which can be toxic to your felines.
You should only feed them the fruit flesh in small amounts since they have high sugar content like peaches.
14. Nectarine
Nectarines have abundant nutrients that improve your feline’s immune system. They are rich in fiber and have low sodium content. But remember, the fruit has high sugar content too.
Feed only the fruit flesh by deseeding the nectarines as an occasional treat.
15. Papaya
Papaya is also a superfood for your furry kids but make sure you feed them in moderation since papaya contains large amounts of sugar.
You don’t want your feline to be overweight if they are on a calorie-controlled diet already.
Also, cut them into bite-sized pieces and carefully remove all the seeds because they may cause choking threats to your little kitty.
16. Peach
Your cat can eat small amounts of peaches, and it is safe to consume.
But cyanide poisoning can cause breathing problems, tremors, and even fatal due to the stems, seeds, and leaves of most fruits.
So feed them a small slice of peach and enjoy watching your furry cat eat it all up. Always treat your cats with peaches as an occasional food, not its staple meal.
17. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, but feeding them seeds can cause choking hazards. So giving them under supervision is very crucial; since excess amounts can cause stomach upsets in felines.
Also, note that pomegranate contains 14 grams of sugar per 100 grams. This exceeds the regular amount of the kitty’s sugar intake amount.
Read also: Is it safe to feed my cat raw shrimp
18. Kiwi
Kiwi is one of the best fruits for your little kitty since it aids in a healthy digestive system. Kiwi is an excellent source of fiber, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Kiwi also has low calories and high water content. But moderation is key when it comes to your feline’s diet. Also, peel the kiwi skin for easy digestion and better absorption of nutrients.
19. Avocado
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that act as a superfood for humans. But when it comes to felines, they do not benefit much as they depend on lean meats.
There is a false belief that avocados can be dangerous to domestic animals due to the compound persin. But it turns out that persin won’t affect your felines, and consuming smaller amounts of avocado flesh is safer.
What are the fruits you should avoid giving to your cat?
- Durian fruit smells terrible, and your kitty doesn’t withstand the odor. It also looks like an unappealing snack to your cat, and it’s better to avoid it due to its high sugar content by enjoying it all for yourself.
- Grapes and raisins are dangerous to cats by causing diarrhea, vomiting, and even kidney failure. If you find your feline eating grapes, immediately call a vet.
- Green tomatoes aren’t recommended for your kitty due to a lethal compound called solanine.
- Avoid giving citrus fruits to your furry friend. Your cat is unlikely to smell lemons; oranges and runs far away from it.
- Also, cherry pits contain cyanide and can be lethal to your cats.
Find out also list of human foods your cat should not eat
Why should you include fruits in your cat’s diet?
Are you concerned about your kitty not drinking enough water? Then there is one more reason to add fruits to your feline’s diet during hot days. Choose fruits that have more water and less sugar content for your cat.
Fruits are nutritious snacks for your cats but including them in their daily diet is not essential. Even if you like to include-make sure you choose the safe fruits for your furry pet.
Some pet parents prefer choosing raw fruits, whereas others prefer commercial fruit-flavored cat foods. Both of them are good as long as the cat consumes them in moderate amounts and is free from harmful additives.
You may not know if your feline is fond of some fruits until you discover them. So there is no harm in introducing safe fruits to your cat to enjoy the nutrition benefits.
Read also: why cats refuse to eat or drink
How to add fruits to your cat’s diet?
- Always seek your vet’s opinion before adding any fruits to your cat’s diet.
- Thoroughly clean the fruits in water and peel the fruit skin. And remove the seeds, core, leaves, grinds and feed them the flesh in small pieces.
- Also, choose neutral-flavoured fruits for your kitty, and they will be ready to give a try.
- Start adding one fruit at a time because if your cat develops some allergic reaction, you can identify the fruit that caused the symptoms. And it helps the vet to treat your kitty.
- Finely cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces and give them a small portion. And feed them as a rare snack, not as a staple food.
- Always wait for 24-48 hours to check if your kitty develops any adverse reactions.
- If your cat seems dull or has any stomach disorders, don’t feed them the fruit again. Also, if the symptom gets severe, immediately talk to your vet.
Read also our article about foods that your cat should avoid
Final thought
Your feline’s diet should be a complete meal with balanced nutrition. Adding fruits will help your cat get plenty of the required nutrients. So they can stay active and healthy.
Since commercial cat treats are high in calories, fruits can be a healthier alternative for your furry kid. But do not feed in more quantities. Start with pea-sized fruit pieces to your kitty as a low-calorie healthy snack.
Though fruits are a healthy snack, avoid feeding them more strawberries, bananas, and pineapple often since they contain more natural sugars. Never offer your cat any kinds of sugar additives; found in sweet gums and some pet treats.
Treat your furry cat with fruit snacks now and then to keep them healthy.
References and Further Reading