For people, fruits are essential to a healthy diet and while an apple a day keeps the doctor away, does it go the same way in the case of our feline friends? If you’ve ever been tempted to share your fruit bowl with your furry friend, you’ve probably wondered: “what fruits can cats eat?”. Well, quite a few, it turns out.
Many of the fruits we consume are also safe to be eaten by cats. They can be a great source of vitamins, as well as a refreshing snack for our feline friends. Their sweet taste, however, is not a reason why your cat might enjoy it. Unlike us, cats don’t have sweet taste receptors, so at most, they will like the fruit for their texture or smell. Although they can be rich in vitamins, only very small amounts of fruit should be offered as a treat, since cat food already contains all the nutrients and vitamins they need. The digestive system of cats is designed to absorb a meat-based diet, so their nutritional needs will not be met if they have more than a small amount of other foods.
If you want your cat to try out fruit, it’s important to know which are safe for them to eat and how to prepare them. Remember to always feed your cat a balanced diet and consult the vet before adding new foods to it. Feeding fresh fruit is generally better for cats than tinned or processed fruit which may contain additives or preservatives that would not be good for them. Also remember that whenever you feed unfamiliar food to your cat, start by introducing a little bit at a time and watch out for side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea or skin rash.
