5 SUMMER FRUITS YOU CAN SHARE (A NIBBLE) WITH YOUR CAT
One of my cats is a bona fide fruitarian. During the warmer summer months, I like to eat seasonal summer fruit for dessert – be it strawberries, blueberries or cantaloupe. My cat, Mr. Woo, jumps on my lap and begins to relentlessly rub his little face against my hand, my bowl, my fingers…he continues until I finally relent to his wishes for a nibble* of fruit.
It turns out that lots of cats enjoy fruit. In an exclusive poll by The Catnip Times, 71.4% of you said that your cat likes to eat fruit. Of the five fruits surveyed, your cats enjoyed:
- Cantaloupe – 26.4%
- Watermelon – 24.2%
- Strawberries – 23.1%
- Bananas – 19.8%
- Blueberries – 7.7%
Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that all cats must eat animal flesh in order to be healthy and thrive. However this does not mean that they cannot have a nibble of some fruit, vegetables or grains – but cats derive the majority of their nutrition from eating other animals.
In addition to your cat’s need for protein and fat, some carbohydrates can benefit your cat if your kitty likes to eat them. When venturing outside your normal routine, always be sure to research specific foods because many common human foods are harmful to cats. The ASPCA also has a handy app you can download to see if a food is poisonous.
Here are five fruits that you can enjoy with your cat – in moderation (remember, just a morsel hear or there). Remember that every cat is different and you should always consult your veterinarian before making any change to your cat’s diet or food.
Note: * The nibble of fruit, is truly that. Fruit should never be a meal or substitute for you cat’s dietary needs, which consist mostly of meat.
What other crazy foods do your cats like?
You reported some interesting foods that your cats try to steal a nibble of including…
- Pineapple
- Pastries
- Tomatoes
- Olives (both green and black!)
- Mandarin Oranges
- Apples
- Pears
- Avocado
- Raspberries
- Lettuce
Check out the ASPCA Poison Control App. Download it to your phone so you have it handy when you need it! It’s called the APCC app by ASPCA.
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy reading this post about Cat Safe Summer Plants or 5 Activities You Didn’t Know You Could Enjoy With Your Cat!
