Can Cats Eat Cranberries? – Cats.com

Cranberries have many reported well being advantages for folks, together with boosting urinary tract well being. In cats, the dietary profit is much less clear, though they could achieve some increase from the multitude of nutritional vitamins and antioxidants that these small juicy fruits include. Importantly, cranberries are protected for cats to eat in small portions in the event that they just like the style.

Can Cats Have Cranberries?

Cats ought to have a weight-reduction plan that’s primarily based upon animal-sourced protein. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

When you’ve been questioning whether or not your cat can have a couple of cranberries, the quick reply is sure. Cranberries are completely protected for cats to eat, so long as they’re fed in small portions and appropriately lower to dimension to forestall choking.

As cats are obligate carnivores, the overwhelming majority of their weight-reduction plan ought to come from animal-based proteins. Nevertheless, a small quantity of plant materials isn’t an issue for his or her digestive system or well being, though they could achieve little dietary profit.

Are Cranberries Good for Cats?

So, cranberries are protected for cats to eat – however are they really good for them?

Cranberries include good ranges of Vitamin C, Vitamin Okay and manganese. Vitamin C is very needed for good immune perform, whereas Vitamin Okay performs an important function in blood clotting and manganese is utilized in bone formation and metabolism. In people, cranberries are additionally touted to have some impact on decreasing urinary tract infections (UTIs) because of the presence of compounds referred to as proanthocyanidins which can scale back the power of micro organism reminiscent of E. Coli to stick to the bladder wall.

In cats, the well being advantages of cranberries are much less particular. In contrast to people, cats produce sufficient Vitamin C that they don’t require further of their weight-reduction plan. The necessity for Vitamin Okay supplementation can also be uncommon, and it’s normally solely given when a deficiency has been attributable to sure well being situations, reminiscent of liver illness or in instances of rodenticide toxicity.

One small examine did discover that cranberry extract might assist scale back decrease urinary tract signs in cats with idiopathic cystitis, however the proof is just not at present sturdy sufficient to base suggestions on. Extreme cranberry ingestion might even have the other impact and predispose your cat to bladder crystals and stones. In case your cat has urinary well being issues, all the time seek the advice of a veterinarian about appropriate therapy and dietary supplements.

How A lot Cranberry Can a Cat Eat?

even protected fruit and greens ought to nonetheless be fed in small quantities solely to cats. ako pictures / Shutterstock.com

The vast majority of a cat’s weight-reduction plan needs to be made up of nutritionally full and balanced meals for his or her age and exercise stage. This can include all of the protein, fat, carbohydrates, nutritional vitamins and minerals they should thrive.

This nutritionally balanced meals ought to make up round 90% of your cat’s weight-reduction plan, with the opposite 10% allowed to be snacks and treats – together with cranberries. That is solely round 20 energy, in order a common rule, extras needs to be saved small and occasional. Cranberries and different protected fruits reminiscent of strawberries, apples and bananas may be given in small portions and never too steadily. All the time wash fruit earlier than serving and chop into positive items to keep away from them being a choking hazard.

An excessive amount of cranberry might trigger an upset abdomen, so preserve parts small. In case your cat has by no means had cranberries earlier than, give them a small piece after which wait 48 hours earlier than making an attempt extra to ensure they don’t have a foul response.

So Are Cranberries Unhealthy for Cats?

Cranberries aren’t unsafe or poisonous for cats, however they don’t present a really nutritionally balanced meals both. An excessive amount of cranberry may give some cats signs of gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and/or diarrhea). In addition they include a number of sugar, so usually are not appropriate in something apart from small portions.

Do Cats Just like the Style of Cranberry?

Cats have fairly a unique sense of style from people. Firstly, they’ve fewer style buds than us, with solely round 400 – people can have as much as 8000! In addition they have totally different style receptors, with cats unable to style sweetness. This makes it a bit troublesome to know if and why cats like cranberry and different candy, fruity flavors. It appears to be very particular person to every cat, so that you may not know till you attempt them with a tiny style!

Are Cranberries Utilized in Industrial Cat Meals?

Some business cat diets might embody small quantities of cranberry. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

Cranberries are sometimes included as an ingredient in business cat meals – for instance, within the Purina One Twin Nature UriBalance meals – particularly if the weight-reduction plan is aimed in the direction of supporting urinary well being.

Nevertheless, as cats are obligate carnivores, business cat meals are normally closely primarily based upon animal protein sources. Fruit and greens in cat meals can play a job in offering some vitamins reminiscent of nutritional vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, however they need to not type the majority of the weight-reduction plan.

Can Cats Have Cranberry Juice?

Freshly squeezed cranberry juice, with no added sugar or different components, is completely positive for cats to drink. It needs to be utilized in moderation, although – attempt infusing your pet’s water with a tablespoon-full (or much less). All the time present recent water as a substitute, although, as your cat might not like the flavour.

Industrial cranberry juices needs to be prevented. They’re typically very excessive in sugar, which might predispose cats to weight problems, diabetes and different well being situations. Some juices include synthetic sweeteners, reminiscent of xylitol, which may be extremely poisonous to pets.

If you wish to attempt feeding cranberry to your cat, persist with recent berries or juice, and all the time feed moderately.