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As pet parents, we enjoy sharing everything with our feline pals, and they certainly don’t mind eating what’s ours. So, should you share your banana with your cat? The short answer is that bananas are not toxic to cats and they can eat small amounts occasionally, but while your cat may enjoy the occasional slice, that doesn’t mean you should be feeding them to your feline.
While they aren’t toxic, they provide no nutritional value to your cat. Why is that? We’ll discuss this and more below, so join us.
Can Cats Eat Bananas?
Yes, cats can eat bananas. They are not toxic to them, but there’s more to it than that. The more important question is should cats eat bananas? While bananas aren’t harmful to cats, they shouldn’t be part of their diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, and their diet should comprise mainly meat since they can’t properly digest vegetables or fruit. So, eating large quantities of anything other than meat can lead to health problems.
So, you can’t give your cat large quantities of bananas, but how much is too much for a cat? You shouldn’t give your cat more than an inch of banana every few weeks. That sounds like a tiny portion, but cats are small and really aren’t built for digesting fruit. Plus, bananas are packed with natural sugar, which cats also shouldn’t have.
You should also ensure you never give your cat a banana peel. The peels are indigestible and can be choking hazards since they’re so tough.
What Do I Do If My Cat Eats a Banana?
As long as your cat just had a tiny portion of banana, they should be fine. However, it’s best to monitor your cat after they eat bananas to ensure they don’t become sluggish and develop signs of gastrointestinal problems. If you think something is wrong with your cat, it’s always best to call a vet.
Which Fruits Can My Cat Eat?
The chances are that your cat isn’t going to like fruit. Studies have shown that cats lack the receptors necessary to taste sweetness. If you want to give your cat a treat, you should probably choose something else, like a slice of chicken. But maybe your cat really likes the smell or the texture of the fruit.
So, if you want to treat your cat with fruit, you have a few options. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries are all safe. Apples are safe, as long as you make sure they only eat the flesh and avoid the core and seeds, as are strawberries, cantaloupe, and seedless watermelon. However, the fruit should not be part of your cat’s regular diet and should only be served occasionally.
What Is the Ideal Diet for My Cat?
You can speak to your veterinarian about diet recommendations if your cat suffers from health issues, but healthy cats can live long lives eating high-quality cat food. A complete and balanced diet with a meat protein listed as the first ingredient is ideal for felines. You can use fresh food, dry, or wet. Some cats that need an extra amount of water intake may benefit from having some water added to their food or eating more wet food, which contains 75% to 80% water.
Which Fruits Are Dangerous for My Cat?
Make sure to avoid grapes, raisins, and cherries since they are toxic. Also, avoid all citrus fruits, including oranges, limes, and lemons. If your cat consumes any of these fruits, contact your vet immediately.
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Conclusion
As you can see, some fruits are safe to feed your cat and some you should avoid. While bananas aren’t toxic to your feline, there’s no benefit to feeding them the fruit. However, if your healthy cat gets into the bananas, you shouldn’t have to worry. If your cat does have an illness such as diabetes or digestive problems, consult your vet just to be safe. It’s best just to stick with high-protein treats and cat food for your cat and give them everything else in moderation.
Featured Image Credit: Paulo Vilela, Shutterstock
