Do you find it interesting that your cat likes mangoes as much as you do?
And you do not mind sharing a slice because fruits are healthy for all mammals- or are they ?
Read on to discover more about cats and mangoes and whether they are a good addition to your feline’s diet.
Fruits are safe for cats when given in moderation. While some fruits are completely harmless, other fruits may have no nutritional value or may contain ingredients that can harm cats. It is important to do your research first before giving your feline fruits.
How safe is that slice of cantaloupe to your cat? You have no idea, but you still let your furry friend take a few nibbles of it.
Because, well…
Curiosity killed the cat…but satisfaction brought it back
-Shakespeare
If something looks enjoyable to a human, a cat will want in.
So, curiosity will always drive them to have a nibble of every type of fruit in your home.
But not all fruits are healthy for a cat to eat.
❗ Important
Wash all fruits before feeding them to a cat. The skin of the fruit may contain pesticides that can harm your cat’s health.
Fortunately, we identified several fruits that are completely safe for cats.
As long as you feed them in moderation, and as a treat, your feline should enjoy their health benefits as you do.
Cats don’t like change without their consent
-Roger Caras
If you are introducing fruit to your cat, do it in moderation.
Start with one fruit a day and watch how your cat’s health responds.
Too much fruit at once can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other serious health issues in your cat.
Let your cat try one fruit first.
If he consents, play around with any of the following fruits.
Table of Contents and Navigation
Cantaloupe
Cut open a cantaloupe and your cat will come running.
The fresh, floral aroma of the fruit is irresistible and so are the healthy nutrients brimming in every slice.
Cantaloupe contains antioxidants that will help your cat fight inflammation.
Also, this fruit is rich in vitamin C for a healthy boost of your cat’s immune system.
Cantaloupe has vitamin A too which combines with vitamin C to make your cat’s coat healthy.
Cantaloupe is a healthy way to hydrate your cat when it’s hot.
Cats are not big on drinking water, but they do not mind a slice of fresh juicy cantaloupe.
Apples
Apple carries a lot of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
All these nutrients combined help improve digestion and cardiovascular health in your cat.
❗ Important
Remove the stalk, seeds, and core of the apple before feeding your cat. These parts contain a chemical that turns into toxic cyanide when digested by a cat.
A small slice of an apple contains lots of dietary fiber.
Fiber helps manage blood pressure and lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The fiber in apples can help your cat lose weight by lowering cholesterol levels.
Apples are rich in the antioxidant quercetin.
Scientists discovered that quercetin has neuroprotective properties.
This helps cats maintain healthy brain function even as they age.
Bananas
Bananas are healthy for your cat too.
But make sure you keep the peel away because your cat cannot digest that.
Bananas have lots of manganese and potassium.
Potassium promotes a healthy heart while manganese keeps your cat’s skin healthy.
Also, bananas have dietary fiber which improves digestion and keeps the gut healthy.
Like all other fruits, bananas pack a lot of vitamin C.
If you live with an active cat, bananas carry enough energy to fuel his random escapades.
Mangoes
Mangoes have dietary fiber to improve digestion and vitamin C for a boost in immunity.
If your cat is overweight, mangoes can help in trimming down the bad body fat.
❗ Important
Mangoes are high in sugars which can increase your cat’s weight. Be careful not to overfeed them to your cat.
Mangoes keep skin diseases away and improve your cat’s vision.
Be sure to wash and peel the skin before feeding mango bits to your cat.
Pineapple
Like cantaloupe, pineapple has an enticing aroma and is high in water content.
Pineapples are great for hydrating your cat while giving him a boost of vitamin C.
❗ Important
Pineapple contains the enzyme actinidin which can cause allergies in some cats. If your cat reacts negatively to pineapple, do not feed them more of the fruit.
Pineapple has anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial to arthritic cats.
Pineapples give an energy boost to active cats.
This fruit also speeds up the recovery process for sick cats or cats that underwent a surgical procedure.
Raspberries
Raspberries have lots of vitamin C and the antioxidant quercetin.
When combined, these nutrients help your cat fight cancer, heart disease, and age-related diseases.
Also, raspberry fruit contains ellagic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Pears
Pears are rich in vitamin C and are low on fats.
They give your cat’s immune system a boost and help reduce obesity.
Pears have antioxidants that help fight cancer and keep heart disease at bay.
Make sure you peel off the skin which may contain pesticides that will harm your cat.
Also, serve pears in small chunks that your cat can digest.
Learn More:
Strawberries
Like raspberries, strawberries have lots of vitamin C and antioxidants to slow down aging in cats.
Wash the fruit and get rid of the stalk before letting your cat enjoy them.
Watermelon
Another great way to hydrate your cat is by feeding them watermelon.
Watermelon packs a lot of vitamins C and A which boost the immune system and keeps the skin and coat healthy.
But be careful about watermelon seeds. The seeds are too big and can choke a small cat.
Besides, watermelon seeds contain a toxic compound which, when consumed in large amounts, can harm your feline’s health.
Conclusion
Though fruits are not necessary for cats, they still contain nutrients that your feline will benefit from.
Fruits are rich in immune-boosting nutrients and vitamins that keep your cat’s organs healthy.
Make sure you wash fruits and cut them into small palatable pieces for your cat.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Fruit juice is only safe if it is freshly made and has no additives like sugar or flavoring. Store-bought juice has lots of preservatives and flavorings that can harm your cat
Canned fruit may contain preservatives that are not healthy for cats. Fresh fruit is a safer option for your feline. Also, do not feed your cat fruit jam or any condiment, like cake, that has ‘fruit’ in it.
Cats cannot taste sugar in fruits. They are more drawn to the smell and texture of the fruit. Nonetheless, fruits are healthy and okay for your cat to eat.
Do not feed your cat citric fruits like lemon, oranges, or tangerine. Also, keep your cat away from grapes, cherries, and raisins. These fruits contain compounds that are toxic to cats.
