Yes, an occasional small piece of apple flesh is generally fine for cats to eat, but this fruit is not a necessary part of their diet. While the flesh of apples isn’t toxic for cats, the stem, leaves and seeds can be, as they all contain cyanide.
How Much Is Too Much?
You shouldn’t be concerned if your cat nibbles on a piece of your apple; apples do not poison cats. But if your cat were given apples on a regular basis, they might cause signs of diabetes and obesity. Cats digest fruit sugar very differently from humans, despite the fact that apples are a great help for people with diabetes. Increasing a cat’s blood sugar level frequently can lead to a number of chronic health problems.
Feline diabetes is one such concern. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, symptoms of feline diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Constant urination
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to jump
- Vomiting
Even if you don’t give your cat candy, call your veterinarian right away if you see any of these symptoms because they could be the first indications of diabetes.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s overall consumption of sugar, you might want to look at the food product packaging before you buy it. Certain cat treats might contain too much sugar and carbs.
What is Apple Poisoning?
You must take your cat to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms because the speed at which he receives medical attention will determine how quickly he recovers from apple poisoning.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away for humans, but cats can become seriously ill from eating this fruit. Apple stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, which, once consumed, rapidly stops the flow of oxygen to cells. When cyanide is consumed, symptoms include dilation of the pupils, vomiting, panting excessively, breathing problems, and bright red gums. Eventually, your cat may experience shock due to apple poisoning. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal.
Apple Poisoning Average Cost
From 318 quotes ranging from $500 – $2,000
Can Cats Eat Apples?
In actuality, fruits do not naturally occur in a cat’s diet. Because cats are carnivores, feeding them an excessive amount of sugar over time can lead to digestive problems or diabetes. Yes, even natural sugar can be found in fruit! In the end, it’s advised against giving cats a lot of apples, especially when they’re replacing a meal.
The good news is, you most likely won’t have to fight them off from apples. Due to their carnivorous appetites, cats lack taste receptors for sweetness, as Scientific American explains, so they won’t be too excited by a sweet treat of any type, including apples.
If you do feed your cat a part of your apple, however, be sure they don’t eat the seeds. The apple itself is non-toxic for cats, but the seeds contain cyanide and are poisonous for cats.
FAQ
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