If you can enjoy raspberries, can your cat too? Before you decide to feed your cat this fruity and sweet treat. It’s about time you make an informed decision about what to feed your cat. So can cats eat raspberries? Yes, they can. But what you should also be asking is: how much?
Do Cats Love Raspberries?
While there are certain fruits that you should steer clear of. Cats actually love eating raspberries. Whether they love it or not, are raspberries safe for cats? Let’s find out!
Loving something and being able to digest it are two different things. Your cat may love the taste and texture of raspberries. But whether you should feed them more is the question.
Raspberries, though harmless, are best fed in moderation. This is because cats are strict carnivores. They eat meat as their primary source of nutrition. And they derive most of their nutrition from animal sources itself. However, when it comes to fruits and vegetables, cats are slower than humans.
Having said that, too much of any vegetable or fruit can cause indigestion. Symptoms that surface are bloating, gas, acidity, diarrhea, etc.
Can Cats Eat Raspberries?
Cats can eat raspberries but in small quantities only. Here’s how they benefit from a small serving of raspberries.
Raspberries contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and calcium. You can feed your cat fresh raspberries, either pureed or plain. Are you looking for a specific quantity to fall back on? My research suggests nothing more than 1-2 whole raspberries x 1-2 times a week.
Your cat may benefit from small quantities of raspberries. Avoid feeding an entire bowl full of raspberries just because your cat allows you to. They are tasty and packed with antioxidants. However, your cat is less likely to digest such enormous amounts as compared to humans.
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The nutritional value of raspberries won’t fail on your cat’s diet. That is if you feed your cat raspberries responsibly and moderately.
The nutrients in raspberries help in reducing many diseases and illnesses. Such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. This opens up a wide range of health benefits. For stronger bones, boosting the immune system, and reducing free radical activity.
It also harnesses cognitive function and brainpower. Having a direct link to reducing hypertension, anxiety, and other stress-related conditions.
When Can’t Cats Eat Raspberries?
It’s important to be well informed about this. Raspberries are nutritive and healthy. Even so, just the mere fact that they’re safe for cats is not enough. You need to know more.
Like why feeding too much raspberries is a bad idea. This is not just because cats are obligate carnivores. And that they derive from their nutritional requirements from meat. But also because raspberries contain Xylitol.
Xylitol is a substitute for sugar in fruits. It’s what many candies and chewing gums are made of. And research deems it dangerous for dogs already. Especially when consumed in large amounts. It may be toxic for cats as well. So it’s better to stick to minimal servings like a single raspberry only once or twice a week.
Having said that, look for the following signs of discomfort. These may indicate that your cat is unfit and intolerant to raspberries. Or that you may be overfeeding your cat without realizing it.
- Stinky poop
- Dehydration (extremely dry stools)
- Upset stomach
- Acidity
- Bloating
These are the noticeable signs of discomfort in cats. This is what could be going on inside.
- Kidney toxicity
- Indigestion
- Diabetes
How Many Raspberries Can Cats Eat?
Allow me to stress the ideal serving amount of raspberries for cats. Like I mentioned earlier, 1-2 raspberries twice a week is essential. It’s important that you stay within these boundaries and never exceed.
Whether you have a grown adult cat or a kitten. Raspberries are sweet, juicy, and lip-smacking delicious. And it’s most likely that your cat thinks so too! So he/she would want to devour as many as there are being served. But that’s wrong.
As a responsible cat parent, it’s your job to do the feeding in check. Try feeding your cat half a raspberry to check for reactions. If your cat is allergic or intolerant, he/she may get bloated or pass gas or have improper bowel movements.
But if your cat passes this phase without showing such signs. It means your cat is immune to eating raspberries. And so it can become an occasional and delightful treat!
If you go overboard and feed too much, it can lead to serious health problems. Such as bloating, dehydration, toxicity in the blood, and skin irritation. If you notice any faint signs of such kind, rush to your vet immediately. Don’t wait around for the symptoms to pass.
Final Thoughts
Are you tempted to feed your cat raspberries? Well, now you can after knowing all that you needed to know. Raspberries are juicy to bite into and have a strong scent. This could be the reason why cats enjoy them.
Raspberries aren’t like grapes, chocolate, or raisins. You can feed them raspberries like you do peaches or strawberries or watermelon. In fact, even blueberries are safe for cats.
But how you feed them and how much is important. You can just serve your cat a bowl full of raspberries and think it normal. You need to set limits. Start by introducing a raspberry to avoid recurring signs of discomfort.
Once your cat is used to the taste, stick to feeding the required amount. This reduces the chances of an upset stomach. And keeps your cat happy and satisfied with his/her diet! Trust me; your cat will thank you for reading this article.
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Sources:
1. https://www.innovetpet.com/blogs/appetite-nutrition/can-cats-eat-raspberries
2. https://petsho.com/can-cats-eat-raspberries/
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