Can Cats eat Bananas? Good or Harmful

Have you ever seen your cat go crazy for bananas? Seeing a cat eating bananas may not be common, but what if your cat liked bananas?

The facts you need to know about bananas

Banana is a fruit, as we all know. It is a plant belonging to the Musaceae family and can grow up to 8 meters. A bunch of bananas has single clusters that can hold up to 25 bananas.

It commonly grows in the Southeast Asian region and became popular in the Caribbean during the late 1800s. Because bananas are easily perishable, meaning they can easily go from green to overripe, transporting them to distant destinations was next to impossible.

Bananas are nutritious. They are a rich source of manganese, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin C, copper, biotin, and dietary fiber. An average banana has only 105 calories. It sure is sweet but has a low glycemic index. It can give you great energy because it’s full of potassium which can help prevent muscle cramps. This is why many athletes munch on a lot of bananas during training and tournaments.

Is banana toxic for cats?

Bananas are healthy and nutritious, but can you feed them to your feline friend? Are bananas toxic to cats? According to research bananas are safe and non-toxic for cats, dogs, and horses. So, in general, bananas are safe for cats.

Cats can only absorb fiber

can cats eat bananas?

While it’s beneficial for some animals to eat bananas, cats cannot absorb some of the nutrients from them. They will only absorb dietary fiber. However, they don’t need fiber like humans. Some cat owners swear that frozen fruits like bananas are great healthy treats for domestic dogs and cats. They also claim bananas are better than ready-made cat treats in pet stores.

Tips for feeding cats bananas

Keep the cat’s age in mind as older cats are more likely to develop diabetes. Start with a very small amount both to prevent choking and to observe Its reaction. Try mixing a small piece with cat food. Adding water is always a good idea. Don’t give it too much at once and never let it eat the peel.

The peel is inedible and you will only risk suffocation. Don’t feed It another fruit right after, and stay away from rotten bananas that will upset Its stomach.

Are cats sensitive to foreign foods?

Cats have sensitive digestive systems. They are not used to varying types of food. There are some foods that can be toxic to cats. Bananas are not dangerous for cats, but they are not part of their normal diet. Feeding them bananas can cause stomach upsets.

Are bananas too sweet for cats?

It’s quite obvious that bananas are sweet. They contain natural sugars which are commonly harmless to humans. However, cats don’t need a lot of sugar in their diets. Having a high sugar diet can lead to obesity and diabetes for your feline. These are extremely dangerous conditions that you don’t want for your cat, right? So, you need to be careful of sugar in Its diet.

Can cats actually eat fruits?

Cats can actually eat some fruits. Banana is considered safe for them. You can give them fruits as a frozen treat from time to time.

Some of the acceptable fruits for cats are: strawberries, blueberries, and seedless watermelons. They can also be given apples. Do not give fruit cores or seeds to cats as these may contain toxins.

Some vegetables can also be given to cats. Green beans, carrots, zucchini, pumpkins, spinach, and lettuce are harmless to them. Even potatoes and sweet potatoes are safe for cats as long as you don’t add sugar, butter, or seasonings.

can cats eat bananas?

Can bananas be beneficial for cats?

Bananas are nutritious food for humans. But for cats, it may not be. The sugar content of bananas is not required in their diet. Too much sugar intake can actually make your cat obese. So, give It moderately frozen bananas if you don’t want It to end up with diabetes.

Precautions in giving bananas to cats

Aside from the sugar content, you also need to pay attention to the amount of bananas you are going to feed it. Sudden changes in diet or too many bananas can cause stomach pain.

Can cats digest bananas?

Bananas are not normally part of a cat’s diet. Its digestive system may not be able to digest and absorb nutrients properly. It can only absorb sugar and fiber. A large serving of bananas may be difficult to digest and can even make your cat suffer from constipation, so it’s best to feed It a small amount of bananas.

Why are some cats afraid of bananas?

Has your vet prescribed a potassium chloride medicine? This medicine smells so much like bananas that you may be tempted to taste it. (Don’t.) Cats seem to hate it and may associate the banana smell with the revolting medicine they were forced to take.

Most cats don’t like the smell of bananas, even if you’ve never given them banana-flavored medicines. In fact, rubbing banana peels on furniture can discourage a cat from approaching and scratching them.

 Can cats really eat bananas?

Certainly. Bananas can be healthy for your cat. So you can safely give it to them as a treat. Feeding your cat bananas depends on your priority as a pet owner.

Whether you feed it bananas or not is up to you. If It likes them, let It eat them! But make sure you only give them in small portions. Although bananas are not toxic to cats, it’s much safer not to include bananas in their normal diet. As a responsible cat owner, make sure you get your cat on a healthy and balanced diet.

Author

  • Amanda Wheatley

    Passionate about animals, Amanda draws her expertise from her training as an educator, pet behaviorist as well as her extensive experience with animal owners. A specialist in dog and cat behavior, Amanda continues to learn about our four-legged companions by studying veterinary reference books but also university research sites (UCD, Utrecht, Cambridge, Cornell, etc..) Why Trust ShelterAPet? At ShelterAPet, our collective is composed of writers, veterinarians, and seasoned animal trainers with a deep passion for pets. Our team of esteemed professionals delves into extensive research to deliver trustworthy insights on a broad spectrum of pet-related subjects. We anchor our evaluations on direct customer experiences, meticulous testing, and comprehensive scrutiny. Our commitment is to uphold transparency and integrity for our cherished community of pet aficionados and prospective pet parents.

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