Cats can eat bananas but should they? I bet that's what has got you thinking too. While bananas are generally safe for cats, they can also pose a threat to their health if they consume them in excess. Bananas are a delicious finger fruity snack. They are not just sweet, they are packed with nutrients too. But that's where you draw the line between cats and humans. As much as we may treat our furry friends as family, we must remember that cats are not humans. Because of that, foods that offer great benefits to humans may most likely not do the same for them. If your feline so desires, it can eat bananas but only in moderation. Too much banana consumption can lead to various gastrointestinal issues in your cat.
Do you have questions like, "is banana good for my cat?", "How should I feed banana to my cat?", "is banana harmful to my cat?" I'm sure you do. In this post, I cover all you need to know about feeding bananas to your kitty.
Can Cats Eat Banana?
Yes, cats can eat bananas. Bananas are sweet and nutritious. They are a healthy fruit snack for humans but the same cannot be said for cats. While bananas are not toxic to cats, they can cause digestive issues if your cat consumes them in excess.
Bananas contain a high amount of sugar that can be unhealthy for your cat. Your cat may have some disturbing reactions to the high rush of sugar that comes from feeding on a banana. Cats' digestive system is not designed to properly digest carbohydrates (sugars), hence your cat may experience various gastrointestinal illnesses if it consumes too many bananas.
Cats are known for their picky tendencies when it comes to food, although some cats are quite curious and may like to explore different food items. If your feline will have it, you can let them have a few sizeable chunks of banana once in a while. It is not safe to feed them bananas that are still in their peels because the banana peel can cause a lot of health hazards to cats such as vomiting and choking.
Is banana good for my cat?
Bananas contain nutrients that are beneficial for humans. However, they offer little or no health benefits to cats. Cats can eat bananas if they so desire but bananas are not considered a healthy snack for cats because of the sugar content.
So can cats eat bananas? Yes. Is it good for them? There is no straightforward answer to that. Cats can eat small bites of banana occasionally. Cats get all the nutrients they need for their well-formulated cat food and as such, do not need any extra nutrients that a plant-based food offers.
One nutritional benefit of bananas that cats can enjoy is the dietary fiber content in bananas. Dietary fiber is good for your feline as it makes stooling easy. But too much dietary fiber in a cat's diet can cause diarrhea and constipation.
Bananas also contain Potassium which can improve your cat's heart and kidney health conditions; it also contains folic acid that helps metabolize protein and build new cells in your cat's body.
How should I feed bananas to my cat?
If your feline has shown an uncanny interest in bananas and if you, as the owner, have decided to indulge them, the best way to feed them bananas is to cut them into small bite-size chunks that will be easy for the cat to munch on. Cat's teeth are not designed to chew foods like bananas. If you give them a too big chunk, it may cause choking when they try to swallow it.
However, you have to ensure that you do not allow your cat to munch on a banana that is still in its peel to your cat. Banana peels are considered harmful to cats. Your cat can choke if they feed on banana peels.
Another thing to take into consideration when treating your pet to a banana snack is the state of health of the pet at the time. Before introducing bananas as an occasional snack to your cat, ensure your cat is not suffering from any illness or disease. Bananas should be fed to only healthy felines.
If your cat has a condition like diabetes, liver problems or heart disease, it should not be allowed to eat bananas at all.
What are the likely side effects of bananas?
Unfortunately, banana tends to do more harm than good to your cat. While banana in itself is not toxic to your cat, if consumed in excess, it can cause long-term health challenges. Cats cannot taste the "sweetness" of bananas. Feeding banana to your cat only exposes him or her to carbohydrates that they don't need. The sugars and carbohydrates contained in bananas can lead to serious health issues, especially in cats with already existing health conditions.
Also, some cats may show allergic reactions such as itching, vomiting, and diarrhea after consuming a few bites of banana. This is usually not a cause for concern but if it persists, stop feeding them bananas and consult with your vet.
Cats do not need to eat bananas. Banana poses more threats and offers little or no health benefits to your cat. The heavy sugar content can cause a spike in your cat's sugar level, leading to diabetes. Bananas can also lead to weight gain (obesity).
However, the fiber content in bananas is a plus as it is beneficial to your cat's digestion but if consumed in excess, fiber can cause diarrhea.
Final words
Cats can eat bananas. But to be on the safe side, bananas can be substituted with other healthier snacks. A few bites of banana will not do any harm to your cat.
So, if you are wondering if you can feed bananas to your cat, the direct answer is yes. But it must be in moderation. All the nutrients your cat needs are supplied by the cat food your cat consumes. Therefore, a banana treat should not become a regular part of your cat's diet.
