Apples are delicious, crunchy treats that we humans love to snack on. They are sweet, sharp and packed full of all kinds of goodness like fibre and antioxidants. The perfect snack!
They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away for us, but what about our little feline friends?
As owners we want to make sure our pets get the very best nutrition, and you might assume apples could be a great low-calorie snack for them. The problem is that getting this wrong could end up making your cat really unwell, so it isn’t something to take a chance on. You should always be sure before feeding your cat any human food.
So, can cats eat apples? Let’s take a closer look:
Are Apples Safe For A Cat To Eat?
Can cats eat green apples? Yes they can, but with a lot of thought about their preparation, and source.
Apples are officially listed as toxic to cats, and that is because they contain cyanide. It isn’t the flesh that is the problem, but rather the seeds which contain around 0.49mg of cyanogenic compounds each. As apple seeds are the cyanide culprits so they should never, ever be given to a cat.
The leaves and stem are considered problematic too, because they could cause a digestive block. The skin of the apple could also be challenging to digest so you’re best to remove that too.
For even more caution, you should also purchase organic apples so that pesticide isn’t present. Certain chemicals could be harmful to your cat so it’s not worth the risk.
To prepare an apple properly for your cat you should:
- Purchase an organic apple
- Peel it, remove the seeds, skin, stem and leaves
- Cut it into very small pieces
Can A Cat Eat Lots Of Apple?
Cats are obligate carnivores which means their digestive system isn’t really designed to handle fruit and veggies. Cats can eat a wide range of fruit and veggies safely, like watermelon and bananas. However, they shouldn’t be eating these things regularly. Instead, if they are curious and steal a little, as long as the apple is prepared right, it won’t hurt them. You could also offer them a little just to vary up their diet a little from time to time.
Would A Cat Like Apple?
Cats actually can’t taste sweet things, according to scientific studies, so the chance is they won’t even want to try an apple. However, cats are generally pretty weird, so they might want to try some for the texture, or just because you’re eating it.
Can All Cats Have Apple?
Not all cats should have apples as a snack. Mostly, this applies to diabetic cats who should not have any sugary snacks at all. Ideally, they should be on a special diet overseen by your vet.
It may also be that your cat has stomach issues or other diagnosed medical issues, in which case it is best to stick to their regular snacks.
If in doubt, always consult your veterinarian.
Can Cats Be Allergic To Apple?
Cats can be allergic to anything, so if they haven’t had apple before it is important to keep an eye on them after they have tried it. Look out for any signs of a bad reaction including:
- Persistent vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Panting
- Pain
- A change in behaviour
If you are in any doubt at all about whether or not your cat has had a bad reaction to eating apple it is so important you get them veterinary attention right away.
Can Cats Eat Apple Sauce?
Organic apple sauce without any added sugar or other ingredients is suitable for cats because it is essentially puréed apple. However, it is so important to be careful with how much you give them as it is easy to lose track of the portion size when the fruit is puréed.
Can Kittens Eat Apple?
Kittens will nibble solid food around 3-4 weeks old, but they are still very much developing at that stage so they should only have food appropriate for their needs. Kitten food for their age group should be their main source of nutrition.
Is It OK To Give Apple To Cats Regularly?
Apple should only be a very occasional snack for cats. Most of the time they should be eating a cat food that is nutritionally sound for their medical needs, age and breed. Regular snacks for a cat should be products like chicken, fish and freeze-dried meats.
An Apple A Day For Cats? No Way!
As a very, very occasional treat, a prepared apple piece can give your cat some variation to their diet. If you are ever in doubt as to whether your cat should try apple, or you feel they have reacted to eating it, always speak to your veterinarian for advice.