Can Cats Eat Apples?

Despite the seeming harmlessness, an apple a day doesn’t keep the vet away – in fact, it poses several risks that feline owners should be aware of.

The effects of apples on cats depend on a specific cat’s health state, underlying conditions, serving size, and apple variety. Furthermore, some apple parts are more dangerous to felines than others.

Fortunately, owners can feed their pets apple flesh safely by following precautions and watching for adverse effects.

Are Apples Safe for Cats?

The short answer to “are apples safe for cats?” is – almost. Unlike cherries or citrus fruits, apple flesh doesn’t contain any chemicals toxic to cats.

Cooked apples are even better for cats than fresh ones because they are easier to chew and digest, but only if they don’t contain spices. Dried apples are safe overall, but they are higher in sugar than fresh fruit.

Vets don’t recommend dried apples for overweight cats or those with underlying health conditions. Candied apples are full of sugar and can be harmful to cats.

However, there are some caveats to consider when feeding cat apples, like with any food not intended for felines.

Firstly, apples and other fruit are only safe for healthy felines. Cats with diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and other medical conditions shouldn’t eat apples because it may affect the treatment and worsen the cat’s health state.

Secondly, like humans, cats can have unique food allergies and intolerances. Since cats don’t eat apples in nature, they didn’t get a chance to adapt to the fruit evolutionary, so apple allergy is pretty probable.

Thirdly, the owner should ensure that treats, including apples, don’t affect the cat’s diet. Cats are carnivores, so apples are in no way a replacement for dry food or meat. Furthermore, extra calories may cause weight increase and lead to health issues in the long term.

Lastly, only the apple flesh is safe for cats. Apple leaves, seeds, and stems contain cyanide, a chemical toxic to cats (and humans, but the amount contained in apples is insignificant to cause us any harm).

So, even though apples are generally safe for cats as species, the owner should monitor the unique reactions of their pet’s gastroenteric tract and immune system, keep the servings moderate, and avoid feeding cat seeds or stems.

Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Cats Apples?

Apple flesh may be safe for a cat to eat, but it isn’t particularly healthy. The best way to meet your cat’s nutritional needs is to feed it high-quality dry food.

Professional cat dry food is well-balanced and contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. At certain life stages, for example, during pregnancy, felines may benefit from add-ons like vitamin complexes.

You likely know the saying “an apple a day keeps a doctor away,” which may be true for humans. Apples are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, and copper.

But while these elements are integral to a cat’s diet, the risks of feeding cat apples are higher than the benefits. Perhaps, the only real health benefit of feeding cat apples is fiber.

Fiber is necessary for maintaining correct blood sugar levels and digestion. A lack of fiber in a cat’s diet can cause constipation.

Apples are an excellent natural source of fiber for cats and can be beneficial for felines with chronic constipation. On the other hand, apples are acidic and can worsen gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.

How Much Apples to Give a Cat

Adequate serving size is vital with any cat treats, including apples. There’s no universal answer as to how many apples are safe for a cat because each cat’s system is unique.

However, the general rule of thumb is that treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of the cat’s total calorie allowance. For a ten-pound cat, this would round up to approximately a quarter of an average apple.

If it’s your first time feeding your cat apples, start with a small piece and watch for any signs of allergy to provide your furry friend with timely treatment if necessary.

Why Does My Cat Eat Apples?

Cats are often attracted to human food, but one would expect a cat to crave beefsteak or lasagna, not fruit. The most plausible explanation to why a cat eats apples is plain curiosity.

The kitty may be curious about the taste and texture of apples and lose any interest after getting a bite.

However, some cats actually like the taste of apples. That’s perfectly normal because each cat’s personality and preferences are unique.

In other words, there’s nothing wrong with a cat’s obsession with apples, even if it seems odd to owners. After all, people have strange food preferences, too.

Possible Side Effects

The side effects of apples for cats are primarily gastroenteric. Cats with apple intolerance may experience various symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.

Frequent consumption of apples, mainly green apple varieties, can lead to gastritis. The symptoms of gastritis in cats include decreased appetite, vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, increased thirst, and abdominal pain.

Apples are high in sugars, so too much fruit can raise a cat’s blood sugar levels and lead to diabetes. Feline diabetes symptoms include excessive thirst, vomiting, frequent urination, and lack of appetite.

Diabetes is not the most pleasant condition to live with, and it can’t be treated, so don’t exceed the recommended dosage.

How to Spot a Food Allergy

Apart from gastroenteric tract irritation, apples can cause an allergic reaction in some cats. The symptoms of food allergy in cats are very similar to food intolerance, including vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and burping.

But while food intolerance symptoms originate in the digestive tract, food allergy symptoms are triggered by the immune system’s response. For this reason, allergy is more dangerous.

In severe cases, food allergy in cats can cause respiratory symptoms, including rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks. Food allergies shouldn’t be taken lightly because they can be life-threatening.

Unfortunately, the exclusion trial method is the only way to diagnose a food allergy in cats – lab tests only work with environmental allergies.

If you notice any signs of gastroenteric upset after feeding your cat apples, refrain from giving it the fruit again.

If your cat is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, you may give it probiotics or over-the-counter medications, but a consultation with a vet is highly recommended.

In rare cases, a food allergy may cause skin irritation. Topicals applied locally effectively soothe the skin and reduce itchiness, preventing the cat from scratching it and reducing the odds of wounds and abrasion.

What to Do If a Cat Ate Apple Seeds

The potential side effects of eating apple flesh aren’t life-threatening unless a cat has an allergy. Meanwhile, cyanide contained in apple seeds and stems is highly toxic. Poisoning with apple seeds can be lethal for a cat.

Every owner feeding their cat apples should know what to do if a cat ate apple seeds because the odds of it happening are never zero.

Timely veterinary intervention is vital – the later a cat receives help, the more toxins will absorb into its body. Cyanide quickly cuts off the cell oxygen supply and causes shock, coma, or death.

The symptoms of apple poisoning in cats include dilated pupils, heavy panting, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and red-colored gums.

The vet will administer the cat an emergency dose of amyl nitrate, sodium thiosulfate, or sodium nitrite to prevent shock. The cat may also need to be connected to a respirator.

Apple poisoning in cats is a serious condition, so the lack of timely treatment can cause lasting adverse effects. Thankfully, most cats recover fully with proper treatment.

Tips for Feeding Cats Apples Safely

Now that you’re familiar with the benefits and risks of feeding cat apples and can make a weighted decision, you may wonder how to safely give this treat to your pet.

Consider making your cat a complete health check-up before incorporating apples into its diet to minimize the risks of adverse reactions and lasting negative effects. Don’t give apples to kittens, seniors, and pregnant cats.

If your cat has no contraindications, calculate the safe serving size based on your cat’s weight. Always wash the apples carefully because fruit in stores may be processed with chemicals.

Ideally, choose organic, untreated apples. If you want to feed your cat cooked apples, make them yourself because many recipes involve extra ingredients such as cinnamon and sugar that aren’t as harmless for cats.

Cut the apple into bite-sized pieces, keeping your cat away from seeds and stems. The peel is harmless, but you may remove it to improve your cat’s digestion.

If that’s your first time feeding your cat with apples, start with one piece and monitor the reaction. If you notice no signs of intolerance, allergy, or poisoning for an entire day, you can assume that apples are safe for your cat.

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