Can Cats Eat Apples?

cat eating red apple

Yes, cats can eat apples. But it is important to know how to feed it to them safely. Learn more about cats eating apples and other variations such as applesauce. As we have already seen with dogs, apples are healthy for them. But are applies healthy to cats? Read on and learn more before you give apples to your feline friend.

Can Cats Eat Apples?

Fresh apples are rich in calcium, vitamin C and K, and pectin. Although healthy for humans, they are nutritionally unnecessary to cats since fruits are not part of a feline’s natural, obligate carnivore, diet. Nonetheless, offering a couple of apple slices once in a while to your feral baby will not do them any harm. It could also be a desirable taste of something new for them.

Make sure you avoid giving your cat apple slices that contain stems or seeds.

Can Cats Eat Applesauce?

Prepackaged applesauce has a high concentration of preservatives that are harmful to your kitty. However, homemade applesauce is good for your cat as long as they get a couple of licks out of it, especially since pureed food is easier for cats to digest. Do not overfeed them applesauce, though, despite how much they are willing to eat.

How to Safely Feed Apples to your Cat

First and foremost, apples are good for your cat if your feline is healthy. Do not offer apples or any fruits to diabetic cats as it may worsen their condition.

Secondly, do not introduce apples to your cat as part of their regular diet. Only offer them small pieces sparingly. Avoid the chance of them developing diabetes or becoming obese due to high amounts of sugar. Fruit sugar has different effects on cats as opposed to humans. Hence, consuming it regularly raises your cat’s blood sugar levels and may cause long-lasting health problems.

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One of the biggest threats that high blood sugar can pose is diabetes. Some symptoms of feline diabetes are:

  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Loss of appetite (or sometimes the opposite – excessive appetite)
  • Inability to jump
  • Vomiting
  • Even if you’re not feeding your cat sweets, contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms as it may be the beginning signs of diabetes or other major disease processes.

If you’re worried about your cat’s sugar intake in general, consider checking the packages of food items you buy. Some cat treats may have excess amounts of sugar and carbohydrates.

Moreover, prevent choking in your cat by offering small, cube-shaped apple pieces. In fact, do not give them any pieces that contain stems or seeds. Those are toxic to your cat because they contain cyanide.

Final Words

Remember to always feed your cat any healthy or safe-to-eat human food in moderation, including apples. If you ever notice any side effects or have doubts about giving your cat anything that they haven’t tried before, get in touch with a vet.

Do you still have any questions about your cat? Then schedule a video consultation with one of our qualified vets!

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