Cats are adorable pets, and you need to be extra cautious before feeding anything to them. We all know that grapes are healthy for humans, but what about cats? Can cats eat grapes too? Do they like grapes? Do grapes provide the same nutrients to cats as they give to humans?
Just like to dogs, grapes are bad for cats too. They can’t eat grapes because of several reasons. First and foremost among them is that they are obligate carnivores – meaning that their diet should only consist of meat.
If you are a cat owner and have all these questions in your mind related to grapes, then this article is for you.
Here you will get to know that whether cats can eat grapes or not?
Ok, Can Cats Eat Grapes?
No, cats can’t eat grapes. Grapes are not recommended for cats because of numerous reasons. The first and foremost reason is that cats are obligate carnivores – meaning that their diet should only consist of meat.
Moreover, cats also lack sweet taste receptors that mean they can’t enjoy the fruit in that way.
Grapes are a type of berry that typically grows in clusters on vines. They have different sizes and colors. If we talk about guinea pigs, they love grapes because of their incredible sweet taste from the high fructose level (sugar).
Grapes contain Vitamin C that is essential for your little cat. Other than that, there are plenty of reasons NOT to give grapes to your cat.
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Why are grapes bad for cats?
Grapes are a big NO for cats as well as for dogs. However, if a cat accidentally eats grapes, it can cause sudden kidney failure or gastrointestinal issues.
Although, there is no scientific evidence that shows how much grapes are harmful to cats.
In some cases, cats that eat grapes are known to fall under gastrointestinal disease. Because of this, it is best to stay on the safer side and keep grapes away from your cat.
What are the Signs of grapes toxicity in cats?
Grapes are good for humans but not for cats. They don’t provide any health benefits to cats as they did to humans.
According to ASPCA, grapes can cause immediate acute kidney failure among dogs as well as cats. Vets recommend not to feed grapes to your pet because you can see the following signs among cats:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Over drinking water
- Urinating frequently
What to Do If Cat Eat Grapes Accidently?
Sometimes cats eat grapes accidentally, and it could have adverse effects. This should absolutely not be a regular occurrence; however, because the toxicity of grapes in cats is not apparent, it’s always best to keep your cat away from any potential harm, even if they’ve been lucky in the past experience.
However, If your cat accidentally eats a grape, wait and watch for signs of distress like lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Most symptoms will likely occur within the first 12 hours after eating. If your cat starts acting strange or suddenly loses its appetite, it could be having a toxic reaction. In this case, you need to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.
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What are alternative healthy snacks for cats?
There are numerous alternative healthy snacks for cats other than grapes. Being a cat owner, one must try vegetables instead of fruits to feed their Cat as a treat.
There are certain good nutrients in vegetables for cats that serve as a balanced diet. According to ASPCA, these vegetables are not toxic to cats, and one can feed them to treat their little pet:
- Zucchini
- Celery (they love the crunch!)
- Carrots
- Green bell peppers
- Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
- Peas (Often found in many prepackaged foods for cats and dogs as a vitamin-filled addition)
- Pumpkin (Pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your Cat’s diet)
- Broccoli
Usually, cats are not prone to new food in their diet. So, if you are going to add some new snacks into their diet, add them sparingly.
What fruits can Cat Eat?
If we talk in general, cats are not particularly interested in fruits due to being obligate carnivores. Most fruits are not dangerous to cats. However, they don’t like to eat them.
There are some fruits that cats can eat safely without any side effects. Bananas and strawberries are one of them but only in a moderate amount.
On the other hand, watch out for Citrus – all citrus contains some level of citric acid, which can cause central nervous system issues in large enough doses. It causes stomach upset in smaller amounts, according to the ASPCA)
Why to Avoid giving your cat Grapes?
Cats usually eat human food without any side effects, but some are not recommended to feed them. And grapes are one of them.
Although there is no current scientific evidence that grapes are toxic to cats, this fruit is known to cause severe harm to dogs, including acute kidney failure. Because many foods that are harmful to dogs can also harm cats, it is essential to keep grapes away from your cat.
If your cat accidentally eats a grape, watch for signs of gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea or vomiting, and be sure to contact your veterinarian.
Grapes are a sweet treat for us humans but let’s be sure to keep them away from your cat.
