Can cats eat bananas

Good or bad for your pet: Can cats eat bananas?

Can cats eat bananas? According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), they are non-toxic to felines.

Thus, if your cat likes them it is ok to give them pieces of bananas in small doses.

Cats are usually finicky in regards to their preference of fruits. Some fruits are highly toxic to cats and feeding them with these fruits can lead to poisoning.

are bananas bad for cats

A wide variety of health benefits are associated with bananas, and we also want our kitties to reap the same perks.


are bananas good for cats
are bananas good for cats

Are Bananas Good for Cats?

It is important to consider that felines have different nutritional requirements and tastes compared to humans.

Feline body systems are not designed to sustain nutrients from plant-based foods.

Remember that felines are carnivores by nature and their systems are designed to obtain necessary nutrients from meat.

Although banana has been proven to be safe for cats, you must only feed them in moderation.

You can break off a small piece of it and give it to your pet as an occasional treat. Doing so is perfectly fine.

In addition to that, make sure that the fruit is ripe before giving it to your cat. 

are bananas good for cats

Can Cats Acquire the Health Benefits of Bananas?

Unfortunately, a cat's body cannot absorb the nutrients and minerals this fruit contains. 

Well, except for fiber. Surprisingly, the feline body accepts and responds to fiber just like we do.

This is because fiber is a type of carbohydrate that can’t be broken down.

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, it just moves through the digestive system and helps food pass more quickly.

Like soluble fiber, it also plays a crucial role in controlling weight by staving off hunger.

Adding more insoluble fiber to your diet also treats constipation and hemorrhoids.

So how can a fiber-rich fruit improve the health of cats?

The high fiber content of banana makes a cat's stomach feel fuller without adding any calories.

Hence, it prevents overheating and can be used to address the issue of feline obesity.

However, bananas are high in sugar which is also common in most fruits. Moderation is the key, and you should only give your kitty a small amount of it.

are bananas bad for cats

Are Bananas Bad for Cats?

As stated earlier, a kitty isn’t capable of absorbing and digesting the essential components of a fruit.

Moreover, bananas contain high quantities of sugar and carbohydrates which are sorry for cats.

An excessive level of sugar in a cat's system can lead to various health issues such as diabetes and obesity.

If a kitty overeats this fruit in one go, it could also result in an upset stomach. 

What about for energy?

No!

The human body has enzymes that break down sugar into monosaccharides which are absorbed into the bloodstream and consumed for energy.

A cat body does not have these enzymes to convert sugars into energy. As a result, sugar may build-up in their bloodstream because the body is unable to break it down.

Are cats allergic to bananas?

Every kitty has its different allergies. Most cats can eat a small portion of banana without any problem, but your furry friend may develop an allergic reaction to it.

Bananas do not contain any potential allergens, but there have been cases of allergic reactions to this fruit.

There hasn't been any reported incident of banana allergy in cats. However, it's still best to keep an eye on any potential signs of an allergic reaction.

are bananas bad for cats

Can cats eat banana peel?

Banana peels are challenging to digest, and it may end up choking your precious pet. Also, banana peels may have come in contact with pesticides.

Many farmers are using pesticides to get rid of pests from the produce. The chemicals can stick to the peel and may be ingested if not adequately cleaned.

As you might have guessed, chemicals in pesticides are highly toxic to cats. Also, they could potentially ingest it through a banana peel.

Can cats eat banana chips?

It's already understood that letting your pet eat a small piece of banana is entirely safe. However, there are precautions to this.

The fruit itself isn't formulated for cats because the feline body lacks the enzymes to digest banana.

If cats cannot handle banana fruit on its own, what more if you give them banana chips?

Oils and cats don't go together because cats cannot metabolize any oil. When a cat ingests a high concentration of oil, it could lead to liver damage and even result in death.

So naturally, cats don't need much sugar intake because they are prone to obesity and diabetes.

You should avoid giving banana chips or any other type of high-sodium chips to your kitty.

Can cats eat banana bread?

Bananas are non-toxic to cats and loaves of bread are perfectly safe for cats to eat. Therefore, banana bread is okay for your kitty.

However, banana bread should never become a significant part of a feline’s diet. 

Therefore, you should only feed your cat with a small portion of banana bread occasionally.

Do cats like bananas?

Felines are not typically fond of fruits. The only reason why they are attracted to fruits is that they often see you munching on them.

Other than that, cats wouldn't even bother getting near one when they see one. Some cats are also scared of this yellow fruit.

While some cats may find banana pleasing, other kitties may not like the smell and walk away from it.

A ripening banana gives off an odor that smells like ethyl acetate which cats find very unpleasant.

It all boils down to the kitty’s personal preference when it comes to liking bananas.

can cats eat bananas

Essential tips on feeding cats with bananas

  • Senior cats have a higher risk of diabetes. If you have older cats, refrain from giving them foods rich in carbohydrates and sugar such as bananas.
  • If it's your pet's first time to eat a banana, let it start with a tiny piece. This allows you to observe any sign of adverse reaction to the fruit.
  • Cut the fruit into small portions before giving it to your kitty. You can also mix the small pieces into its regular food.
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    Moisten the fruit with water to make it more enticing to the cat.
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    Make sure to completely remove the peel before you give it to your pet.

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    Give one type of fruit at a time. Don’t give your kitty another fruit after it has eaten a banana.
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    Never give your kitty a rotten one as it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
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    Give bananas as an occasional treat rather than regular food.

Conclusion

The answer is: Yes, cats can eat bananas.

This is because they are safe for cats as long as they do not manifest allergic reactions to the fruit.

However, for cats, this fruit is not a good source of beneficial nourishment. Aside from fiber, all the nutrients found in bananas cannot be absorbed by felines.

Since cats don't need fiber as much as we do, there's no point in feeding your kitties with bananas.

If your kitty willingly wants to have a piece of banana, then it won't harm to give it a small portion.

However, remember, it should not be considered as a part of their daily diet, and you should feed them in moderation.

References:

thehappycatsite

catological

chewy

pawsometalk