Cats are naturally inquisitive animals, so it’s not uncommon for them to try some of the human fare. They can always spit it out and decide not to try it again if they don’t like it.
Apples are just one example of a fruit or vegetable that fits this description. Although apples are good for humans, it’s unclear if your stuffed animal would enjoy eating them. Can a cat eat an apple?
Can a cat eat an apple? In a word, yes! However, not all apple parts are edible. The apple’s flesh and skin are harmless, but it may cause digestive issues in some felines.
The seeds of the apple contain cyanide, which can be toxic to a cat in large enough doses, and neither the stem nor the leaves should be given to the animal.
Here are some reasons why apples might be a great snack for your feline friend.
Can cats eat apples?
Apple flesh is safe for cats to eat on occasion, but it is not an essential part of their diet.
Apples themselves are safe for cats to eat, but the stem, leaves, and seeds can be poisonous due to the presence of cyanide. Although your cat would have to eat quite a few apples to become poisoned, this substance is still dangerous.
Do cats like apples?
It appears that some felines enjoy the aromatic qualities of an apple. It’s hit-or-miss as to whether they’ll actually consume one.
They might turn down an apple because they lack sweetness receptors and therefore have no experience with the sugary flavor. However, the juicy, juicy texture of apple flesh may entice them, and they may even enjoy chewing on the apple’s skin.
Why some kittens and cats enjoy eating apples while others don’t is a mystery.
If a cat turns its nose up at an apple, don’t worry about its health; as an obligate carnivore, it can get everything it needs from animal and fish proteins.
Are apples good for cats?
To be honest, not really. While we’ve established that cats can safely consume apple flesh, we’ve also mentioned that the leaves, stems, and seeds contain cyanide.
Furthermore, cats are obligate carnivores and can therefore obtain all the nutrients they require from premium feline diets made up of animal products. As a result, there is little benefit to feeding them fruit like apples.
In addition, cats shouldn’t be given apples because they contain a lot of natural sugars and are bad for overweight cats and cats with diabetes.
Apples are a great source of fiber, but eating too many of them at once can lead to bloating and gas.
Health benefits of apples for cats
The shorter length of a cat’s intestines compared to those of a dog makes it ideal for processing the meat and fish that cats eat. The shorter the intestine, the less efficient it is at processing fruits and vegetables.
Some cats may have longer intestines as a result of natural selection, but this is far from being the case for the vast majority. Your cat will have an easier time digesting this treat if you give it to him in small amounts.
Some advantages of feeding cats apples are listed below.
Contains several vitamins and minerals
Apples have many of the same health benefits for humans as they do for cats, including a strong immune system, sturdy bones, and healthy veins and arteries, though cats may not be able to digest them completely. Apples contain a variety of nutrients, such as:
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Vegetable fiber that dissolves in water
- Phytonutrients
- B-vitamins
- Vitamin A
Aids a cat’s digestion
Despite the issue of intestinal length, apples are beneficial for regularity and stool texture because their soluble fiber forms a gel when combined with liquid in the GI tract.
It helps with both constipation and diarrhea by adding bulk to watery stools. Pectin and the fiber in apple skin, in excess, can also cause gastrointestinal distress. Because of this, it’s important to restrict the amount of food a cat receives.
Helps prevent dehydration
Many domestic cats eat dry cat food despite the fact that this is not how cats would eat in the wild. This can lead to the cat’s diet lacking sufficient moisture, which in turn can lead to health problems.
Apples have a lot of water in them (86% to be exact). Feline friends can avoid unpleasant and potentially life-threatening dehydration by eating a small amount of apple in addition to drinking from their water bowl.
Can help slay boredom
Cats, because of their naturally inquisitive nature, are prone to engaging in exploratory and playful behavior. Cats may get bored with their catnip mouse and with the same food every day.
Apples can be useful because they are both delicious and fun to play with, and because they offer a new sensory experience.
Cats can cause chaos in the home by knocking over plants, unrolling rolls of toilet paper, and ambushing their human family members when they are bored.
Giving your little tiger an apple now and then, especially in combination with a treat toy or puzzle game, may help to divert their attention away from destructive and aggressive behavior while also providing a flavor supplement from kibble.
How to feed apples to your cat
If you want to see if your cat will eat an apple, you should properly prepare a small piece and offer it to them.
You should wash the apple, take out the core, seeds, and stem before giving it to your cat, as these parts can make the fruit harder to digest. The apple should be cut into small pieces to prevent suffocation.
Don’t force your cat to eat apples if it doesn’t like them. The vast majority of cats do not care for apples and would much rather snack on tasty cat-specific treats.
However, it is important to remember that treats should never account for more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet, with the remaining 90% coming from their complete and balanced cat food.
How much apple can I give my cat?
Once or twice weekly, you should eat one to three teaspoons of cooked or peeled apples without any added sugar, spices, stems, seeds, or core.
If you want to treat your cat with apple but are worried about gastrointestinal side effects, try giving them 1 teaspoon of mashed fruit and watching their reaction.
Apples can be fed to adult cats in the form of store-bought or homemade unsweetened applesauce, or in the form of tiny cubes of apple flesh.
They won’t hurt, but giving them apple juice on the regular could affect their sugar levels and appetite.
Apples that have been dehydrated without the addition of sulfur dioxide as a preservative are safe to eat. Cats exposed to this chemical can develop symptoms such as lethargy, drooling, vomiting, a drooping head, damage to the cat’s blood vessels and nervous system, and even convulsions.
A cat’s desire to play and chew can be satisfied by giving it a few small, dried apple slices that haven’t been treated with any preservatives.
Can cats eat cooked apple?
Apples are safe for cats to eat when cooked, and the process also makes the fruit more palatable by making it softer.
Many baked apple varieties, however, have sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top during the cooking process, neither of which are particularly cat-friendly.
So, if you want to treat your cat to some cooked apple, remember to only give him or her a tiny piece, cook it without any extras, and serve it at room temperature.
Can cats eat dried apples?
Even though dried apples aren’t poisonous, they shouldn’t be given to cats because the water has been removed, increasing the sugar content.
Because of this, you shouldn’t feed your cat dried apples if it’s overweight or has any underlying health issues like diabetes.
Can cats eat candy apples?
Do not feed candy apples to your cat. If your cat is already overweight or has a preexisting health condition, even a small amount of these apples, which have been cooked in syrups and are packed full of sugar, could be harmful.
Sometimes, in addition to chocolate, which is extremely toxic to cats, these apples will contain other potentially lethal substances.
Can cats drink apple juice?
Even homemade apple juice will still have a relatively high sugar content because of the natural sweetness of apples.
It’s kind-specific. A glass or two of homemade, all-natural apple juice probably won’t do any harm, but the apple juice sold in stores is loaded with sugar, chemicals, and preservatives and should be avoided at all costs.
Can kittens eat apple puree or applesauce safely?
Kittens can eat apples as long as the fruit is cooked, peeled, and mashed. Small pieces of raw apple can be fatal.
A kitten should be given a tiny amount of mashed apple or applesauce and monitored for any adverse effects. If you have a kitten, wait until it is fully weaned before feeding it apple.
It may not be a good idea to supplement your kitten’s diet with fruit or other human food, no matter how small the amount.
Always check with your vet before giving your kitten any new whole foods to ensure they are at a healthy enough age and development stage to handle them.
Can my cat eat applesauce with cinnamon added?
Adding cinnamon to apples is a great way to boost their flavor. Store-bought cinnamon, also known as cassia cinnamon, may be given to your cat on occasion without ill effect, but it is typically combined with sugar to mask its bitter flavor, which is dangerous for cats. In addition, cinnamon has the anticoagulant coumarin.
Cats are vulnerable to coumarin toxicity because their livers do not produce the necessary enzymes to break down the substance.
Possible adverse effects include gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea, etc.), severe internal bleeding, respiratory issues, and skin or oral lesions. Possible side effects include hypoglycemia and liver damage.
Cats can have allergic reactions whether they consume a large amount all at once or a small amount frequently over a long period of time. When giving applesauce to your cat, it’s best to stick with the unsweetened variety.
Is it okay to give my cat a little of my apple pie?
Many of the ingredients in apple pie are harmful to cats. First, whether made from scratch or bought, the crust is always quite floury and full of saturated fat.
Second, it has a lot of sugar and cinnamon, which can lead to health problems like diabetes and cinnamon toxicity.
Nutmeg, another staple in apple pies, contains a chemical that can trigger hallucinations, confusion, a racing heart, pain, seizures, and more. Keep your beloved cat away from nutmeg-containing foods.
If your cat is meowing for a piece of apple and you have one on hand, you can safely let them try it as long as you do so within the guidelines.
Eat an apple (preferably one without added sugar or spices) and listen for the purr that inevitably follows.