can-cats-eat-bananas

Once you have a pet, they become an integral part of the family. And the same way the wellbeing of any other member of the family matters to you is the very way the welfare of your pet matters. Like a kid, you feed them daily and try your best to offer them food which is good for their health. Being a cat owner, I always used to wonder to myself; can cats eat bananas?

I decided to do my research one day and to my surprise, found out that this is actually the most frequently asked questions.

The simple answer to this question is that cats can eat bananas. But whether bananas pack the right and safe ingredients for our kitty friends is a whole new question.

 

Are Bananas Good Treats For Cats?

There is no doubt that bananas are a rich source of potassium and manganese. It is good for the health of our hearts and regulates blood pressure. As humans, we love munching bananas whenever we feel hungry between our meals.

A banana is definitely a tasty treat for a monkey as it is an omnivore but being a carnivore, a cat has different nutritional needs and its digestive system functions differently from humans and monkeys. Cats derive all the required nutrients from meat and are not depended on plant-based diets.

But just as a treat, you can offer a small portion of banana to your cat occasionally. According to experts, there is no harm in providing banana every now and then, and in small pieces to your cat.

Having said that, it’s important to keep in mind that bananas do not offer any nutritional value to your cats. So, if you feed ‘’an only-bananas diet’’ to your cat for an extended period, they might get really sick. Bananas are undoubtedly inappropriate food for cats and should not be the central part of their diet.

 

Do Cats Like Bananas?

Generally, cats do not like bananas. And if your kitty happens to be scared of banana, then it is perfectly OK. Basically, banana is definitely an exotic food for cats. That is why they are not naturally inclined towards them.

That said, there are a few cats who do not mind munching on banana every now and then. So, it all depends on the taste of your feline friend.

Sometimes, they just like to taste it as a way of experimenting. Their curiosity could stem from the fact that they saw you having a banana and not offering it to them. That’s certainly how my cat behaves. But after having a bite, she’ll turn her head in another direction with disgust.

Some cat breeds are also allergic to bananas. Therefore, make sure to check if your cat is allergic to it before offering them a banana. If you are not sure about your cat’s breed concerning her affinity or aversions to bananas, you can consult your vet for more insight.

 

Is It Safe To Give Banana To Cats?

If your cat is not allergic to bananas, then it is perfectly fine to give a small portion to them. As already mentioned, banana is not lethal to cats, but at the same time, it is also not healthy to give them bananas regularly.

The fruit has high sugar levels which can cause diabetes and obesity in your cat. Moreover, the digestive system of a cat is different from that of humans. Thus, a banana can cause vomiting and diarrhea if you do not feed it to your cat in a set amount.

Never ever give an over-ripped or raw banana to your cat. Only offer them banana that’s fit for human consumption.

 

How To Serve A Banana To Your Cat

While serving banana to your feline friend it’s important to consider the following points:

  1. Make sure your cat is not allergic to it. Consult your vet to be doubly sure before offering banana to her.
  2. Your cat should not be too old. Older cats have a sensitive digestive system that will not be able to break down the high sugar content present in bananas. This can cause diabetes or obesity in your cat. Additionally, the natural sugar content in banana is also not good for the teeth of an aging cat.
  3. Since banana is not an entirely inappropriate food for your cat, it’s a good idea to mix a small portion of it with the cat’s main meal. This way, your furry friend will not miss out on the required nutrition.
  4. Offer the banana in small portions only.
  5. Serve the banana only after removing its peel, as it can cause choking and constipation.
  6. Only offer those bananas which are fit for human consumption. Both rotten and raw bananas can upset your cat’s stomach.
  7. Once you feed bananas to them, have a gap before feeding any other food or fruit. This way, you can be sure that your cat is ok after having this sensitive dish.
  8. Add a little water to the banana to moist it further. This way, it becomes much easy for your kitty to swallow without the fear of choking.

Consider banana as junk food for your cat. The same way you keep a check on the intake of junk food should be the very way you do for your cat. Too much of it can especially cause severe issues to your cat.

 

Is It Normal For Cats Going Banana For Bananas?

Banana is not a staple food for cats. Some of them like to eat it occasionally, but they cannot have it daily. If you keep them on a diet of banana, they can become seriously ill and might even die.

The vitamins and nutrients present in a banana are basically of no use for cats. If your cat has suddenly shown a keen interest in eating bananas, you’re advised to take her to the vet as this sudden urge of eating bananas could be a signal of something more serious.

There is a disorder in cats known as Pica whereby cats will generally start craving for unusual things like bananas. They even can end up eating your curtains, clothes and electrical cords. If not treated on time, this disorder can become life-threatening.

 

Conclusion

Every animal has a different nutritional requirement based on how its digestive system functions. We cannot expect a food item that’s healthy for humans to be safe for cats as well.

Banana is one of the food items which are not recommended for an obligate carnivore like a cat. However, it is not dangerous either, especially if you offer it to the cat in moderate quantity.

 

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