Before we look at whether cats can eat fruits or not, it is good to know that cats are strict carnivores that depend on diets high in protein, moderate in fats, and low in carbohydrates. They have no physiological need for carbohydrates, dietary fiber, or plant materials; nevertheless, they are beneficial to these animals.
In the wild, feral cats and their ancestors eat small rodents like mice and rats. However, they may prey on moles, birds, shrews, rabbits, and other small animals like lizards, snakes, or large insects.
At home, your cat eats commercial dry and wet foods. Additionally, they may have commercial treats, safe vegetables, and other foods. What about fruits? Are they ok, or should I avoid them?
Can cats eat fruit?
Yes. Cats can eat fruits as a treat in moderation, a few times a week. However, not all fruits are safe. Crosscheck thoroughly before offering any fruit to your feline pal. Alternatively, you can consult your veterinarian before providing any fruit salad to your kitties.
Fruits are moderate in carbohydrates, especially glucose, fructose, and sucrose, have dietary fiber (a type of carbohydrate), minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. The exact nutritional composition will vary from one kind to another.
However, not all cats will like fruits. Most will ignore them. Also, don’t assume they will enjoy fruit sweetness just like you do. Unlike dogs, a feline cannot taste sweetness since they don’t have receptors for the same. Therefore, if your kitty likes fruits, it is its aroma like in the case of melons or its texture.
Benefits
We see no harm if letting your kitty eat fruits if it doesn’t harm them while it may give them some beneficial so long as their diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. Therefore, if your kitty happens to like them, several benefits come with fruits that include the following:
Have nutrients
They are moderate in carbohydrates, mostly simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose, have dietary fiber (a type of carbohydrate), minerals, and vitamins. Since they are fed only as a treat, don’t worry about the simple sugars won’t cause any harm, and these animals can digest and assimilate them.
While these nutrients may be in their diets or supplemented, we lean towards your feline, getting these nutrients while eating real food and not supplements.
Have dietary fiber
While they cannot digest dietary fiber, it benefits kitties by promoting a healthy gut and digestion. For instance, soluble fiber will feed the good colon bacteria that will produce short-chain fatty acids that power the intestine cell walls, help maintain the right pH, etc.
Also, fiber will help resolve diarrhea or constipation, promote a healthy gut and digestion, help manage diabetes, weight, and hairball management, among many other benefits. See more on fiber benefits to cats.
Phytonutrients and antioxidants
Fruits are rich in various phytonutrients and antioxidants. Common phytonutrients, some of which are antioxidants, include resveratrol, lycopene, carotenoids, flavonoids like rutin, quercetin, and so on. However, the exact nutritional composition will vary from one type of fruit to another.
Some of the phytonutrients that are antioxidants, together with other antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E and selenium, help neutralize free radicals generated during metabolism, toxins, environment, stress, and so on. They will strengthen your feline’s immunity and overall health.
Remember, free radicals can damage enzymes, cell membranes, or even DNA and contribute to several chronic health problems, including premature aging, cancers, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
Cheap, healthy, low-calorie treats
Instead of feeding your feline friend on calorie-dense, carbohydrate-rich commercial treats that offer little nutritional benefits. Also, you will make a saving if you switch to fruits and vegetables instead of commercial treats.
Good for hydration
Since they have a lot of water, with most having over 80% water, they will help boost your cat’s hydration if your cat doesn’t like drinking water. Otherwise, it may be dehydrated. Felines are not much of water drinkers. They get their moisture from prey. To encourage water drinking, try a water fountain.
How much fruit?
As already noted, most cats won’t eat fruits. However, if yours love them, besides giving them only the safe ones, ensure you give them a small amount as a treat. Don’t be swayed by your perception of a particular fruit health benefits.
As a rule of thumb, all treats that your cat eats, including fruits, don’t exceed 10% of their total calorie intake, and they include the store-bought or homemade as well as vegetables and fruits you give your cat as treats.
Reduce if you feed them those high in sugar like bananas, pineapples, or strawberries and limit them if they are obese.
Even if your feline seems to like fruits so much, don’t overdo it as they end up with nutritional imbalances since they will eat less of their complete and balanced foods.
Furthermore, yes, they can digest carbs in fruits. However, since they are strict carnivores, they don’t have much of the enzymes to digest raw plant food material. Therefore, an excessive amount may result in digestion issues like constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, or indigestion.
Finally, if your cats seem to eat fruits excessively or any other thing that isn’t their typical food, it may be pica or dental problems. Pica in cats may be due to nutritional deficiencies, stress, dental problems, boredom, compulsive disorders, displacement behaviors, and so on.
Feeding tips
Only feed fruits to healthy cats that don’t have any underlying health conditions such as kidney, liver, diabetes, or bladder stones. Such should eat vet recommended diets only as some nutrients in fruits may worsen these conditions. Ensure you talk to your vet before giving them any; this applies to cats being treated for any illnesses.
When feeding fruits to cats, if it is their first time, introduce only one type at a time. Also, begin with a small amount, and gradually increase the amount as you monitor how they respond to it, look for any health or behavioral changes. Introducing the fruit will give their tummy time to adjust.
Additionally, stop feeding them if it causes gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, stomach upsets, or diarrhea. Also, check for any signs of food allergies that may include skin problems.
Secondly, ensure they are free of pesticides and thoroughly wash them just as you do to the ones you eat to remove any remnant farm chemicals. Alternatively, you can go for organically grown ones as they don’t have herbicides, pesticides, or other harmful farm chemicals.
Thirdly, remove any seeds, rind or inedible skin, core, or stalk and cut them into bite-size to make eating easier (they don’t have grinding molars) and avoid choking chances. Some seeds or pits may be toxic, especially those with cyanide, or may cause a choking hazard.
Can cats live on vegan diets?
No. Cats shouldn’t eat vegan diets since they need proteins in their diet. Such diets will eventually kill them. If you are a vegan, consider rehoming your feline pal instead of giving them the wrong diets.