Can Cats Eat Bananas? What Would Your Vet Say?

Cats might not be as curious about different foods as dogs, but it is not uncommon that cats love to grab a bite of whatever their owners are eating. If you love bananas, you might have wondered, “Can cats eat bananas?” Are bananas a viable option for cats, or are they better to avoid? Well, the truth is that bananas aren’t toxic to cats. However, that doesn’t mean you should necessarily include them in your cat’s diet. Here’s what you should know about cats and bananas.

Are bananas safe for cats?

The first thing all cat owners need to ask themselves when including something new in their cat’s diet is, “Is that safe for my cat?” In this case, the correct question would be, are bananas safe for cats. We briefly mentioned that bananas aren’t toxic to cats, but they don’t make a great dietary choice. So the best possible answer to this question is - yes, but you shouldn’t give them to your cat as you please.

peeled banana

Can cats benefit from eating bananas?

You probably already know how bananas are beneficial for humans. They are packed with healthy nutrients like potassium, vitamins, minerals, and even antioxidants. Even dogs can safely enjoy bananas, so that should mean cats can benefit from them too. However, humans, cats, and dogs have different nutritional needs. Humans and dogs are omnivores, which means we eat everything. Cats are obligatory carnivores, which means they need animal protein in their diet to survive.

Cats are hunters, and even if we don’t give them food, they would be able to survive in the wild. They can rely on themselves to catch prey, which is enough for them to survive. The point isn’t that cats are hunters, but that they get everything they need from meat. In the wild, cats will never eat bananas. They are simply not necessary in their diet. Modern-day cats get all their nutrients from cat food, so the owner’s most important job is to secure their cats get the best possible cat food. The truth is, bananas don’t offer cats any nutritional value. In fact, they might even cause them problems.

Are bananas bad for cats?

Once again, we said bananas aren’t toxic to cats. However, that doesn’t mean they are healthy or necessary in a cat’s diet. Bananas contain loads of carbs and natural sugars, which means constantly giving your cat bananas can lead to health issues. Some of those issues are weight gain and diabetes. That is not something you’d want for your cat.

What are the risks of giving bananas to cats?

The main issue with cats and bananas is not that bananas aren’t safe for cats; it’s to actually get your cat to eat them. Most felines are incredibly picky, and if you give them fruits or veggies, the most likely outcome is that they will refuse to eat them. Your cat will most likely show absolutely no interest in eating a banana.

The second potential problem is connected to pre-existing conditions. We mentioned bananas are packed with carbs and sugars, so if you have an overweight cat or a diabetic cat, you should absolutely avoid giving them even a bite of a banana. Eating it can cause their blood sugar to rise, which is not safe nor responsible.

bananas

If your cat seems interested in bananas, you might not be entirely sure how they’ll react to them. A cat can eat a banana and have no issues. However, other cats might eat a banana and develop digestive problems. Some of those problems are vomiting, gassiness, or diarrhea.

WORLD CAT FINDER TIP: Your cat should get nearly all of its calories from high-quality cat food. If you feed the cat correctly, it won’t need additional things like fruits and veggies in its diet.

Can I safely give bananas to my cat?

There are ways to safely give bananas to your cat. If your cat seems really interested in bananas and they’re meowing for a bite while you’re eating it, you should know how to include it safely in your cat’s diet. Here are a few things you should do to safely feed your cat bananas;

Vet consultations

Call your vet before you decide to include anything new in your cat’s diet. Tell them your cat wants bananas, and ask the vet if they think it is a viable option for your cat. Keep in mind your vet is your ally, and they will give you the best advice.

RELATED: Can Cats Eat Watermelon?

Mind the calories

Most of us hate math, but if you want to give your cat some banana, you should calculate their calorie intake. Fruits, or other treats, should never be more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. That means you will have to calculate how many calories your cat eats per day and calculate what 10% of that might be. Keep in mind that the FDA says an average banana has about 110 calories.

Cut the banana

Giving your cat a whole banana can be risky. Large bites can cause choking, and you don’t want your cat to choke. After you calculated the amount of banana your cat can eat, cut that part into small bites. Feed it to your cat slowly and make sure they’re safe.

Keep an eye on your cat

The most important thing to do after you give some bananas to your cat is to keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re not having bad reactions or digestive issues. Also, always introduce new foods one at a time. If anything happens to your cat, you will quickly know which foods cause them trouble.

World Cat Finder Team

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