We all know that strawberries are packed full of vitamins and minerals and taste delicious. Apparently, cats have caught on. Some cats can’t get enough strawberries, but does that mean they are safe for our furry friends to eat?
As cat owners, we enjoy offering treats to our kitties. They’re a great way to bond with our cats, but we have to be careful with how many we offer. Luckily, strawberries are safe for cats to eat as long as you don’t feed them too many.
Let’s take a closer look at cats and strawberries and answer some popular questions about the two.
How Many Strawberries Can a Cat Eat?
Fruit shouldn’t be a large part of your cat’s diet since sugar can cause diabetes. Plus, cats are obligate carnivores, so fruit isn’t a staple in their diet. However, a few treats every now and then won’t hurt.
It’s best to limit treats to about 2% of your cat’s diet. This equals a 1-inch portion daily. Some hospitals say you can go as high as 5% of their daily diet. It’s up to you to decide how much is too much for your cat. As long as you don’t overdo it, your cat will be fine.
Since cats shouldn’t eat too many strawberries, they don’t reap the benefits of strawberries as humans do. Cats don’t even have sweet taste receptors to enjoy the sugary goodness of a strawberry. However, fruit is low in fat, making it the ideal snack if weight loss is the goal.
What Other Fruits Can Cats Eat?
Surprisingly, cats can enjoy a wide variety of fruits in moderation. Not all cats will like these fruits, but there’s always one cat out there that’s the exception.
The following fruits are okay for your cat to nibble on every now and then:
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Apple (no seeds)
- Cantaloupe
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Banana
- Watermelon
- Pear
- Nectarine (no pit)
- Kiwi
- Honeydew
- Apricot (no pit)
Fruits That Are Unsafe for Your Cat
When feeding your cat fruit, sugar isn’t the only thing you want to look out for. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges contain citric acid, which can cause issues with your cat’s central nervous system if given a high dose.
Grapes and raisins are other fruits to steer clear of since they can cause kidney damage. Unfortunately, the toxicity level is unknown at this time. It’s best to take your pet to the vet immediately if it eats a grape or raisin.
You also want to avoid all fruits’ stems, leaves, and pits since these can be toxic to cats. You should also be careful of apple seeds.
Wrapping It Up
As long as you avoid citrus fruits, grapes, and raisins, your cat is okay to indulge in fruit occasionally. The key is moderation. Too much sugar puts your cat at risk of contracting diabetes, and you certainly don’t want that!
It’s nice to treat your cat every now and then, and strawberries are a good way to do so. Remember, your cat is a carnivore, so fruit isn’t necessary for their diet. However, a curious nibble of a delicious strawberry won’t hurt them.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
