Imagine you’re eating a fresh raspberry, knowing how juicy and delicious it is. And you know how curious your feline friend can get if you’re eating anything around them - so your cat tries to sniff and even take small bites of your fruit. Not an uncommon sight in a feline household, is it?
You might be wondering if it is safe to feed your cat those tasty raspberries. We know that they make healthy snacks for us humans, so it’s natural as a cat parent to ask if they're healthy for your cat as well!
What Are The Benefits of Feeding Raspberries to My Cat?
If you’re feeding raspberries to your cat thinking that it’ll provide extra nutrients, you might be wrong. Cats are unable to absorb the nutrients from this yummy berry the same way we do, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any benefits for your feline friend.
One of the best things about raspberries is that they are about 85% water. So they can help with hydration, if you give your cat raspberries in small quantities - it may even quench their thirst for a little while. If it’s a hot day, you can even give them a frozen raspberry as a summer treat.
Since raspberries are high in fiber content, you can also give some to your feline friend when they are suffering from constipation. Raspberries can help soften their stool - but remember that your cat may not always prefer to eat fruit.
Another benefit of raspberries is that they have practically no fat. This means they are low in calories and a healthier option for your cat when compared to other treats like cheese.
What Are the Cons of Feeding Raspberries to My Cat?
Does your feline baby generally struggle with a sensitive tummy? If you answered yes, then it’s probably best to keep raspberries away from your cat. That’s because these fruits contain a whole lot of fiber, and can cause your cat to vomit or have diarrhea.
Moreover, raspberries contain small amounts of sweet-tasting xylitol, which is a crystalline often used in artificial sweeteners. While it’s a-okay for humans to consume, it can be extremely toxic to our cats. That’s also why raspberries need to be offered to your cat in very little quantities, even just 50 milligrams of xylitol can be dangerous to them.
Can My Cat Eat Too Many Raspberries?
Simply put, yes, there is such a thing as too many raspberries for cats! While raspberries are great in slowing down the aging process in humans due to the antioxidants, cats can hardly get this benefit. In fact, if you try feeding your cat one too many raspberries, or feed it to them too often, there can actually be some adverse effects.
Overdose of Vitamin C - If your feline baby eats raspberries too often it can lead to an imbalance of the pH levels in their digestive system due to an overdose of Vitamin C. You wouldn’t want your furball’s gastrointestinal tract to go into distress.
Obesity - Raspberries are high in sugar so eating a lot of raspberries can lead to obesity and unnecessary weight gain in cats, and can potentially lead to dental issues and even diabetes. So, it’s best to steer your cat away from excess consumption.
The best bet is to offer your cat a raspberry or two once every week and not more than that. It’s more than enough and it will help prevent the risks associated with the high sugar content in the fruit.
How Can I Feed Raspberries to My Cat Safely?
Feeding raspberries to your kitty cat is a fairly simple process. If you want to make sure your cat eats and relishes those delicious fruit treats, here’s what you can do -
Wash the raspberries in cold water to remove any traces of pesticides and dirt. Do this for at least three minutes.
Cut the fruit in small bits - you can go for two halves or even smaller depending on how your cat likes it.
Although cats don’t usually lean towards sweet foods, they may enjoy a small amount of raspberries. It’s always a good idea to do some trial and error before feeding new stuff to your cat. However, avoid feeding more than two raspberries at a time to your cat to help avoid potential health issues.
Also, note that you should absolutely not feed your cat raspberry jam! The jam can mess with your cat’s blood sugar levels. The same goes for raspberry ice cream. Not only does the ice cream contain lots of sugar and artificial flavors that can wreak havoc on your cat’s health, it also has lactose which comes from the milk. Cats are very lactose intolerant, and it can induce vomiting, pain, diarrhea, and other health issues if not careful.
What Should I Do if My Cat Has Eaten Too Many Raspberries?
If you looked away for some time or stepped out of your room for a bit, and suspect that your cat ate more raspberries than they should have, you’ll need to take some quick action. First of all, look for these side effects:
Dehydration
Foul or odd-smelling, pungent feces
Diarrhea
If any of these symptoms seem moderate or severe, then it’s best to quickly take your cat to the vet. It’s also a good idea to gauge how many raspberries your cat has eaten and then act accordingly. In severe cases, eating a large amount of raspberries can cause kidney damage.
Conclusion
So, while there’s no harm offering a raspberry or two to your little feline buddy from time to time, it’s wise to not have raspberries lying around where your cat can nibble on them without supervision. This way, you can help avoid the risks but also let your furry friend enjoy little treats every now and then.
*Jan 2019 to Aug 2024 administrator claims data.
“Can Cats Eat Raspberries?...” Untamed, 4 Mar. 2022, untamed.com/blogs/nutrition/can-cats-eat-raspberries.
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan. “Is It Safe for Cats to Eat Raspberries?” The Vets, 6 June 2022, thevets.com/blog/can-cats-eat-raspberries/.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
