Fresh fruits like raspberries may be something that you eat on a daily basis in different forms like raspberry jam, raspberry yogurt or even in raspberry ice cream. But, have you ever wondered if your feline friends can have raspberries? In this post, we will be answering the question, ‘Can cats eat raspberries?’
As always, cat owners should be extremely cautious when introducing new foods into their cats diet and always seek a Veterinarian for final approval.
To answer the question of “can cats eat raspberries?” The short answer is yes, cats can eat raspberries, but they should only do so in moderation. We will go over both the positive things that will come about by feeding your cat raspberries along with the negative things that can possibly happen.
Nutritional Benefits of Raspberries
For humans, raspberries are a pretty healthy food that can help to boost your energy levels and even improve your immune system. Raspberries are also rich in
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin b6
- And a great source of Antioxidants
They are also a great source of fiber. But, are these red little berries, safe for our feline friends?
Should I Feed My Cat Raspberries?
Even though raspberries are a super food for us humans, we have to always keep in mind that our biology and body chemistry is so much different than our four legged friends. While we can eat a whole bowl of raspberries and not be bothered, it may be a different story for cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores meaning that their diet should mostly consist of animal protein, animal fats, vitamin and minerals because their bodies are designed in a way to process meat.
Even if you do feed your feline friend an occasional treat of raspberries, the only thing that it will get from them is vitamins or minerals. Even then, they won’t absorb any of the nutrients from them because cats bodies lack the essential enzymes to process plants.
Potential Consequences of Feeding Raspberries to Cats
While raspberries are not toxic to cats, there are both pros and cons of feeding your feline friends this specific berry.
Some of the helpful benefits of feeding your cat raspberries will inlcude
- Digestion – raspberries are a good source of fiber and could provide your cat with some help if they suffer from constipation.
- Hydration – Due to raspberries being 85% water, feeding your cat raspberries in small quantities can help to keep them hydrated.
- Fat Free – Since raspberries don’t contain fat, they are a somewhat healthy treat for your cat.
Now, here are some of the cons to feeding your cat raspberries
- Gastrointestinal Issues – Due to the high amounts of fiber found in raspberries, feeding them large quantities of this new food could cause some issues for your cat’s digestive system. Some of the these issues could involve vomiting and diarrhea.
- Pesticides – Raspberries could also possibly have pesticide and herbicide traces on them unless they are organic and this could cause you cat to be sick if they aren’t properly washed.
- Xylitol Poisoning – Xylitol is used as an artificial sweetener in human foods but it is highly toxic to cats. Raspberries actually contain a tiny amount of xylitol. Even a small of dose of xylitol as 50 milligrams can be poisonous to cats. This is one of the main reasons that raspberries need to be given and offered to your furry friend in very small quantities.
Another thing that could happen to your cat if fed too many raspberries is obesity. For humans, raspberries are a very healthy treat and snack that can actually help us to lose weight, but we must always remember that our chemical make up is so much different than that of our furry companions.
because of the sugar content in raspberries, even though it is natural sugars, it can lead to weight gain in cats. This in turn can lead to other health issues in your feline companion like diabetes or dental issues.
Other Tasty Treats for Your Cat
When looking for a treat that is safe for your cat’s diet and full of essential nutrients you want to avoid any foods that are high in sugar, fats or carbohydrates. There are actually quite a few human foods that you can feed your cat that are good for your cat’s health.
Here are some of them
- Salmon – This is found in lots of different commercial cat foods and provides a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It is best to feed your cat only cooked salmon.
- Spinach – Packed full of different vitamins and minerals. Some of the different vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin C. It also is full of iron and calcium. Spinach is a super healthy treat for your cat, however, if your cat has a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones, it will be best for your cat’s overall health to avoid feeding them spinach.
- Eggs – As long as eggs are always fully cooked they are a safe food for your cat that provides them with protein and B vitamins.
- Cantaloupe – Is good for maintaining healthy skin and eye health. It is also full of antioxidants that are beneficial to your cat.
- Chicken – Is yet another great source of protein for your cat. It is best as a lean protein as long as you remove the skin and make sure that it is fully cooked.
- Bananas – Are a safe and healthy treat for you cat this is high in potassium and soluble fiber.
- Oatmeal – Is yet another human food that is found in some commercial cat foods. It can provide energy and b vitamins to your cat’s diet.
- Pumpkin – This is a great super food to add to your cat’s diet like adding into treats. It’s super low in calories and high in fiber.
- Cheese – It is recommended to feed your cat hard cheese such as cheddar or gouda. If your cat seems to like the taster, you can even bake some of it into their treats as it is a good source of calcium and protein.
- Bread – Is another human food that is a good fiber source for cats.
- Apples – As long as you don’t feed them the skin, seeds or stem, apples are a food safe for cats that have fiber and vitamin C
- Turkey – As long as fully cooked, turkey is another great lean protein source for cats
- Blueberries – Did you know that blueberries can actually be found in some cat foods? They contain vitamins A and C.
- Peas – Are often found in commercial cat foods. They are safe to be fed to your cat both raw or cooked. They contain vitamin C, vitamin A and are high in fiber.
- Watermelon – As long as fed in moderation, Watermelon is a safe food for cats. It is packed full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B5 and C. It also has potassium and magnesium in it.
- Strawberries – Are yet another food that is full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that is safe for your feline friend.
You can always view the ASPCA’s list of Food Safe for Your Pets for more info.
As always, you want to introduce any new food into your cat’s diet in very small amounts, especially for the first time that they are offered it. Always keep an eye on them to make sure that there are no side effects when feeding them a new food.
Treats are great on occasion for your feline friend but should never make up than 10% of your cats diet or it can lead to health problems in your cat’s body. It’s a good idea to keep in mind all your cat’s nutritional needs when deciding what foods to incorporate into their diets.
Feeding Your Cat Raspberries Q & A
Here are some common questions that you may have when considering feeding your cat raspberries.
How many raspberries can a cat eat?
If you have already fed your cat a small amount of raspberries and know that their system can handle them, you may be wondering how many raspberries is too many? It is best to never feed them more than 2 whole whole raspberries per serving.
How often should I feed my cat raspberries?
Due to some of the issues that raspberries can cause in you cat’s health, you never want to feed them to much raspberries too often. Moderate amounts of raspberries such as 1 – 2 whole raspberries should never be fed more than once a week.
What fruits can cats not eat?
Raisins or grapes should not be be to cats as they can cause kidney disease and organ failure. Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits should also be avoided begin fed to cats. You can read more about Are Lemons Toxic for Cats?
Can cats have strawberries and raspberries?
Both fruits, strawberries and raspberries, are non toxic to cats, but should be fed to your cat in moderate amounts and never too often. Feeding them too often can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes or even dental issues.
What berry is toxic to cats?
Winterberry is mildly toxic to cats in both the berry and leaf part of the fruit and plant. They contain saponins and alkaloid compounds that can prove to have a toxic action similar to that of caffeine.
What is a cat’s favorite fruit?
Cantaloupe often seems to be a cats favorite food. The reason being is that scent that the cantaloupe produces if often similar to that of the scent that is found in protein. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they are naturally drawn to that scent as they primarily eat a diet full of animal proteins and fats.
What do raspberries do for cats?
Raspberries can help to possibly soften your cat’s stool as they have a high fiber content.
What is the healthiest fruit for cats?
As long as you do not feed your cat the seeds or pits of any fruit, safe fruits for cats include apples, blueberries, bananas, cantaloupe, strawberries and seedless watermelon.
What vegetables can my cat eat?
There are a lot of different veggies that are safe for your cat to chow down on. They can include peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin and even sweet potato.
Are blueberries safe for cats to eat?
Yes, blueberries are another fruit or berry that is safe for cats to eat. Just always remember that treats or snacks should add up to no more than 10% of your cats diet to avoid unnecessary health problems.
I hope that you have learned about how raspberries can affect you cat’s health both in a positive way and a negative way. Now, you will never have to wonder the question, “Can Cats Eat Raspberries?” again. You will already have some knowledge about the health benefits of raspberries for you feline friend.
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