Bananas are some of the most popular fruits in the world. This is not just limited to exports, but also consumption. There are many ways to enjoy this little fruit from eating it directly to using it as an ingredient for cooking. This can be from desserts like banana cue and turon to dishes like pork stew with banana toppings.
The significance of bananas is not limited to the Philippines though. Instead, these yellow treats are consumed in practically every country. This means that its impact on humans is undeniable, but that raises the question of its importance to animals. After all, animals need to eat too, and what better animals than our pets who we share our homes with.
Can Cats Eat Bananas?
If the question is if bananas are safe for cats then the answer is yes. There is nothing especially dangerous or toxic to that could be ingested if they eat bananas. Aside from the high amounts of sugar, they probably won’t suffer from any poisoning from eating it. In fact, some cat food brands are known to list bananas as one of their ingredients in their products.
This means that not only do they put bananas as one of their items, they feel confident enough about its safety to tell everyone about it, including their customers. Though when feeding your cat bananas, it is best to start small especially if it is the first time you are giving it to them.
Are Bananas Good for cats?
Like many fruits food, you give your cats bananas are human food first and foremost and if they are to be given to a cat, it should only be so as treats and not as regular foods. This isn’t something that we can expect would replace normal food.
That is not to say though that there aren’t any benefits from feeding your cat bananas as they are chock full of vitamins and nutrients that humans get all the time. It would be hasty to assume that none of them pass over to your cat when they eat it.
Benefits of Bananas for cats
-A good source of Potassium: Potassium is one of the main benefits that people gain from eating bananas. This chemical element is known to be very helpful in improving things like helping kidney and heart functions, reducing blood pressure, and improving water retention. The latter of those can be very important to cats as they do not always get enough water.
-Plenty of Folates: Folate is a type of vitamin-B found in bananas that are known to be helpful in stimulating red and white blood cell growth. They are also reported to have the ability to reduce the risk of things like heart problems and cancer. In your kitty, they can also help in the creation of new cells and metabolize the proteins in their bodies.
-Fiber: Of all the minerals that cats absorb from eating bananas, fiber is the most prominent among them. Extra fiber in your cat can do wonders for their digestive system as it prevents them from getting diarrhea and ease stomach troubles like irritable bowel syndrome or with their lactose intolerance.
Are Bananas Bad For Cats?
Bananas don’t make a natural part of your cat’s diet so it is important to keep in mind that this may cause problems for your cat. While they are not toxic to them, there are still risks that can come from places aside from poisoning.
-High sugar: Bananas are a sweet treat to humans, there is no doubt about that. This is because humans are bigger and have more need for sugar. In the case of your cat, this is not the case and the high concentrations of sugar can actually cause health problems like obesity and diabetes.
-Rotten fruits: While it goes without saying that you shouldn’t feed anyone, human or cat rotten fruits, cats are especially susceptible to it. For humans, eating a rotten banana would be an inconvenience and a stomach ache, for cats it can lead to very serious illness. This is because cats are not built to eat bananas and have a harder time digesting, especially if it’s rotten.
-Allergies: It has not unheard of for cats to be allergic to bananas. If that is the case then it can actually put your cat at risk at getting very sick. In this situation, it is important to take your cat to the vet right away and have the cat checked before feeding them anything.
-Choking: While the fruit of the banana is unlikely to choke a cat due to its soft and squishy texture, the same cannot be said for the peel. The banana peel is much harder for the cat to eat as they are unable to break it down. This is why it is best for it to be removed before feeding it to your cat.
-Constipation: While we did mention earlier that cats can get a lot of fiber from bananas, too much of it can go in the other direction and cause constipation. Cats are not used to eating bananas and this can cause problems with their digestive system as there are many foreign substances. This means that they will have a hard time breaking down the different substances aside from sugar and fiber.
How can I feed my cat Bananas?
After checking up with your vet to make sure your cat can eat it, it is now time to prepare the banana. If you plan on feeding your cat bananas then it is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure that it can be done safely.
First, you must remove the peel as it is a choking hazard and your cat will not be able to eat it. Make sure that it is fresh and still edible as well. Once that is done, cut the banana up to smaller pieces so that you can digest it. If you want, you can also serve the banana to them mashed so that they can easily eat it up.
How Many Bananas Can a Cat Eat Daily?
Like any treat, especially a human treat, bananas should not take up a significant part of your cat’s diet. Most experts say that all treats your cat eats should not make up more than ten percent of your cat’s overall diet.
For bananas, it is important to keep in mind that most cats are not used to eating it so a small amount should be given. If you are looking for more specific measurements, then it is said that no more than a spoonful should be given to them.
Can kittens have Bananas?
No, it would be best if kittens stay away from bananas. Despite their soft texture, their diet should consist mainly of proteins and milk in order to build up their muscles and improve development in their bodies. While bananas are a decent treat, it will not do much good in these departments.
Do Cats like Bananas?
This is a bit of a general statement and one that cannot be answered simply. There are often videos on the internet showing cats being frightened by bananas. This is because most cats are not used to eating bananas and are thus not normally exposed to them. This is usually due to the shape and smell of the bananas which may be off-putting to cats.
If this is the case then don’t worry. Sometimes cats just need more time to get used to the sight or experience it themselves. If you were to cut apart the bananas into smaller pieces and try to offer it up to them, then cats might be more receptive to it. This is how you really can tell if a cat likes bananas or not.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, if you are looking to give your cat some of this sweet treat it is important to look at both the good and the bad aspects of the bananas. There are certainly a lot of them to think about.
However, overall it would seem that the bad outweighs the good regarding the potential benefits and risks of bananas to our feline friends. While the fruit itself is safe to eat, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should give it to them. This just isn’t a food really meant for them.
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