Can cats eat apples? This is a question that many cat owners have. The answer is yes, cats can eat apples. Apples are a healthy snack for cats and can help to keep them healthy and fit.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of apples for cats and how to feed them to your feline friend. We will also provide some tips on how to safely give apples to your cat.
So, if you are wondering whether or not your cat can enjoy an apple slice or two, keep reading!
Table of Contents
- Can Cats Eat Apples?
- Can Kittens Eat Apples?
- Health Benefits of Apples for Cats
- What Are the Downsides of Feeding Apples to Cats?
- Apple Poisoning in Cats
- How to Feed Apple to Your Cats Safely
- How Much Apple Can a Cat Eat Safely per Week?
- Should Cats Eat Raw or Cooked Apples?
- Do You Have to Wash Apples for Your Cat?
- Does the Type of Apple Matter for Cats (e.G. Green vs Red)?
- Are Apple Seeds Poisonous to Cats?
- What Happens if My Cat Eats Brown or Rotten Apples?
- Can Cats Eat Applesauce?
- Can Cats Eat Dried Apples?
- Can Cats Have Apple Juice?
- Can Cats Have Apple Pie?
- Conclusion
Can Cats Eat Apples?
Yes, cats can eat apples! While apples are not a necessary part of a cat’s diet, they can be a healthy and delicious treat for your feline friend.
Make sure to remove the seeds and stem from the apple before giving it to your cat, as these can be harmful.
Cats typically prefer apples that are fresh and crisp, so look for one that is bright in color and free of bruises.
Start by offering a small piece of apple to see if your cat enjoys it before giving them a larger amount.
Can Kittens Eat Apples?
Yes, kittens can eat apples! Just make sure to remove the seeds and stem first, as they could be harmful to your kitten.
Also, avoid giving your kitten any apple skin, as it could be a choking hazard.
When cutting up the apple, try to cut it into small pieces so that your kitten can easily eat it. And always offer fresh water after your kitten eats an apple.
Health Benefits of Apples for Cats
There are several health benefits of apples for cats. First, apples are a good source of dietary fiber, which can help to keep your cat’s digestive system healthy.
Second, apples also contain antioxidants, which can help to protect your cat’s cells from damage and aging.
Third, they contain polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help fight cancer, diabetes, digestive issues, and heart disease.
Fourth, they also contain vitamins A and C, potassium, and other nutrients.
Apples are a healthy snack for cats and can help keep them healthy and strong.
What Are the Downsides of Feeding Apples to Cats?
One downside of feeding apples to cats is that they may be getting too much sugar and carbohydrates. This can lead to weight gain and other health problems like diabetes.
Another downside is that apple skins may contain harmful toxins like pesticides and fungicides. So it’s important to wash apples thoroughly before giving them to cats.
Apple Poisoning in Cats
Apple poisoning in cats can occur from ingestion of the seeds of apples. These seeds contain a compound called cyanide, which is harmful to cats.
Symptoms of apple poisoning in cats include:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- weakness
- dilated pupils
- heavy or difficulty breathing
- Dark red gums
For a human, it could take 200 seeds to be fatal. For a small 10 lb cat, even just a few seeds could make them very sick or worse.
If your cat has ingested apple seeds, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to Feed Apple to Your Cats Safely
- Wash the apples to remove any pesticides.
- Cut them into small cubes so your cats can eat them easily.
- Avoid giving them the stems and seeds, as these can be dangerous for cats.
- You can either give them the apples straight from your hand or put them in a bowl for your cats to eat at their leisure.
Enjoy watching your kitties enjoy their new treat!
How Much Apple Can a Cat Eat Safely per Week?
A cat can safely eat a few small cubes of an apple once or twice a week. However, if the cat eats too many apples, it may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Cats also need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Should Cats Eat Raw or Cooked Apples?
Cats can eat either raw or cooked apples. Cats typically enjoy crunching into raw fruits and vegetables, and the fiber in apples can be good for their digestion.
However, depending on the specific recipe used to cook apples, there may be added ingredients that are harmful to cats—such as salt, fat, or sugar.
So if you choose to feed your cat cooked apples, be sure to check the ingredients list carefully for any harmful components.
Do You Have to Wash Apples for Your Cat?
Yes, you should always wash apples for your cat. Apples are typically covered in pesticide residues, which can be harmful to your cat if ingested.
Even organic apples may contain harmful parasites or bacteria that can make your cat sick. So it’s best to err on the side of caution and always wash your apples before giving them to your feline friend.
Does the Type of Apple Matter for Cats (e.G. Green vs Red)?
There isn’t a lot of research on this topic, but it seems that different types of apples may have different effects on cats.
For example, acidic apples like granny smith could be bad for teeth, while high sugar apples like fuji may be diabetogenic (meaning they can cause diabetes).
So it’s probably a good idea to avoid giving your cat very sugary apples and to stick to lower-acid apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
Are Apple Seeds Poisonous to Cats?
Yes, apple seeds are poisonous to cats. The toxic compound in apple seeds is amygdalin, which releases cyanide when metabolized.
Cyanide is a highly toxic substance that can cause respiratory failure and death. Even a small amount of cyanide can be deadly to cats, so it’s important to keep them away from apple seeds (and apple cores).
If your cat has ingested apple seeds, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
What Happens if My Cat Eats Brown or Rotten Apples?
No worries! If your kitty ate a brown or rotten apple, they’ll likely be just fine. While not ideal, apples aren’t poisonous to cats and won’t cause them any lasting harm.
Just keep an eye on them for the next day or two to make sure they don’t start showing any signs of illness and discard the remains of the apple to avoid attracting flies or other pests.
Bottom line – don’t panic if your cat nibbles on a brown or rotten apple, they’ll be safe!
Can Cats Eat Applesauce?
Yes, cats can eat applesauce. However, they should not eat too much of it since it is high in sugar. Applesauce can be a healthy treat for your cat if given in moderation.
Make sure to check the label of the applesauce before feeding it to your cat to ensure it does not contain any ingredients that could harm them.
Can Cats Eat Dried Apples?
Yes, cats can eat dried apples, but the sugar content is higher than in fresh apples.
Cats generally prefer foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, so they may not be as fond of dried apples as humans are. But as long as your cat is not diabetic, there’s no harm in giving her a bit of dried apple now and then.
Just make sure she doesn’t overeat, since too much sugar can be bad for her health.
Can Cats Have Apple Juice?
Yes, cats can have apple juice, but it’s important to make sure it’s 100% natural, with no added sugar, preservatives, or other chemicals.
Cats are obligate carnivores and don’t have the enzymes necessary to digest complex carbohydrates like those found in fruit juices.
So if you give your cat apple juice, be sure to use an all-natural variety with no added sweeteners.
Can Cats Have Apple Pie?
Can cats have apple pie? It’s best not to give them any. The high sugar, fat, and potentially other harmful spices or preservatives present in most apple pies could make your kitty very sick.
If you must, give them a tiny bit of the filling with no crust, but keep an eye on them afterward in case they start showing signs of gastrointestinal distress.
Better yet, just give them a slice of fresh apple instead!
Conclusion
In conclusion, cats can eat apples, but they should not eat the seeds, core, or stem. Apples are safe for cats to eat in moderation, but too many apples can be bad for their health.
If you give your cat an apple, be sure to wash it first and remove the seeds, stem, and core. And as always, if you have any concerns about your cat’s health, be sure to consult with your veterinarian.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.