Is your cat interested in eating bananas? Are you surprised? I have also been through these thoughts. And, then I planned to research and pen down an article on whether cats can eat bananas.
I have also added a section mentioning the drawbacks of feeding bananas to your cat.
Many of you know that bananas are loaded with carbs, fiber, and nutrients that will benefit humans & pets. Whatever you feed your cats you should know that is it safe for them or not.
Can Cats Eat Bananas?
Yes, cats can eat bananas, it is a safe fruit for your cats as it is non-toxic. However, it is not recommended to feed bananas to your cats in large amounts.
It is also a good source of carbs & protein and has lots of fibers. However, even though bananas are nutrition-rich fruit for humans, it does not meal cats also need the same nutrition.
Since cats are obligate carnivores, so they get 70% of their nutrients from other animals (Flesh). I would suggest you provide accordingly a balanced diet. If you are giving them a perfect nutrient-rich diet then you should not provide the banana as a treat, it is not necessary.
Do Cats Like Bananas?
This question totally depends on the individual cats, my cat does but your cat might not like it, right! However, because all the felines are extremely picky. So I would say that cats do not try new things as dogs might do.
I would say mostly cats are terrified of the harmful banana, but the reason behind this is banana contains esters which basically give a fruity smell. This is the reason why cats get scared when they see bananas.
Can Kittens Eat Bananas?
Here I would say in the first year of their life they need special nutrition, In the first year they will grow & that will be decided by the quality of the food that you feed to your cat. You should go for the kitten’s starter packs, this will give vital nutrition to your kittens.
Once your feline crosses the age of 12 -14 months then you can introduce them to new treats including bananas. I would if your cat love to eat bananas then you should give her a small number of pieces.
Also Read: Can Cats Have Carrots? & Can cats eat fruits?
Why Bananas Can Be Bad For Cats?
There are many situations when bananas can injurious their health, here I have tried to explain everything in a very simple & easy format. As I mentioned above cats are from the obligate carnivores family. This makes it difficult for cats to digest plant-based foods.
Bananas have high carbs, which might result in obesity in cats How? right. Every single living thing on the planet needs to meet the total daily energy expenditure calories. So if your cat is having a nutrient-rich diet from the cat food or diet, then you should not provide them bananas.
It will increase the carbs & sugar then the body will store the extra calories in form of fat. It will also result raise in blood pressure & sugar levels, which is bad in long run.
I would like to share a few of the signs a diabetic cat would have which include constant urination, excessive thirst, lack of appetite, vomiting, and reduced mobility. If you also notice things signs in your cats, & your cat is older then you should visit your vet as soon as possible.
Bananas also contain high levels of dietary fiber, all the cats cannot absorb the amount of fiber the banana has. This might lead your cat to constipation, & problems with stools. Cats almost have the amount of fiber they want from cat food or meat so you should not provide them extra from bananas.
Allergic reaction, not all the cats will eat bananas but a few of them might, the professionals have found that some of the cats are allergic to bananas. It is safe if your cat is having a banana in a treat but, it might cause itching in the mouth & throat, swelling, itchy rash& wheezing, etc.
I would say if you see your cat is suffering from shown symptoms shown above after having a piece of banana then you should contact your vet.
FAQs
What fruits are toxic to cats?
Fruits like cherries & grapes can cause be toxic to cats & dogs, it can cause kidney damage. The fruits that are rich in citruses like lemons, limes, and grapefruit can make your kitty’s stomach upset.
Can cats drink banana milkshakes?
You should not offer your cat a banana milkshake, as this may cause bloating & diarrhea. So make sure your cat does drink a banana milkshake, traditional milk is fine, but also without sugar.
Can cats eat banana pudding?
I would recommend that you should never feed your cat a banana pudding, banana is non-toxic to the cat but, vanilla extract can cause health issues to your cat.
Can cats eat bananas or banana peels?
You should never give a banana peel to your cat as it might cause issues for your cat & for you. The banana peels are full of fibers & it is extremely hard to digest by a cat, you might see your cat is inactive & won’t eat properly for a couple of days.
Conclusion
I hope you got all the answers related to can cats eat bananas? As I would like to end this blog here, I tried to cover almost all the areas of this topic such as do cats like bananas, can kittens eat bananas, when bananas are bad for cats & can cat eat bananas.
You will some important tips in this article related to your question, if you have any doubts related to can cats eat bananas then you can let me know in the comment section below. I would be happy to help you on this topic, also let me know did your cat eat a banana, in the comment section below.
Also Read: Are Apples Safe For Cats To Eat?
Reference
- Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat — Pet WebMD
- Pets and Food Poisoning — Michigan State University
- Treat Options for Dogs and Cats Without Unbalancing Their Diet — Tufts University