Can Cats Have Apples?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. At least that applies to us humans. But what about Kitties? Can they eat apples?

Can Cats Eat Apples?

• Cats are pure carnivores and can only tolerate fruit and vegetables in moderation.
• A small piece of apple a day is enough.
• The digestive tract is not set up to use plant-based food.
• Overfeeding can lead to gastrointestinal problems.
• The house tiger can only tolerate the glucose it contains in small quantities.

Apples in Moderation

It is no surprise that cats are not exactly passionate about fruit-eaters. But a healthy diet is also important for kitties! Are apples suitable for regulating the vitamin balance of the velvet paw? Yes and no! Cats can tolerate apples, but only in moderation. Even though they have been domesticated for many centuries, their genes are still geared towards mixed diets. Wildcats, for example, generally also feed on fruit and vegetables. The emphasis, however, is on “also”. Vegetarian foods make up only a very small fraction of their food sources. The same principle can be applied to domestic cats – house cats and outdoor cats.

Why Do Cats Tolerate Apples Only in Small Quantities?

The organism of these animals is geared towards meat and fish as the primary source of nutrition. This means that the digestive tract is shorter than that of mixed dieters or vegetarian mammals. Fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that are difficult to digest, which the digestive tract of a pure carnivore can hardly process. Too many fruits and vegetables lead to digestive problems.

How many apples can the cat tolerate?

If a kitty really likes apples, a small piece a day is enough. Cut the piece into small pieces and feed it as a snack between meals. Ideally, small amounts of fruit are suitable as a substitute for high-calorie meat snacks. But: fruit contains a lot of sugar! The cat’s body does not tolerate this well either – and it also sets in.

Dietary Supplements for the Cat

High-quality food supplements give her everything she needs. Of course, the products should be tailored to the cat’s organism. The following are recommended, for example:

• Vitamin preparations;
• Fish oils with high-quality omega-3 fatty acids;
• Green-lipped mussel extract;
• Amino acids like taurine.