Your cat certainly wants to! Whenever you bring out the big guns (the biggest tub of manuka honey you could find in the store), she starts meowing and begging for your to let her give it a lick. And let’s be honest, you weren’t able to say no to her on more than one occasion.

After all, how can honey even be bad? It’s one of the most delicious things on Earth, it has antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety properties, and it’s beaming with antioxidants. That might sound like a lot of antis, but trust me, they’re good… for humans.

You haven’t really thought of including this sweet syrup in your cat’s diet. You have no idea whether those antis would be good for cats. But, you wouldn’t mind giving her a spoonful of honey if you knew it would help with her seasonal allergies, sore throat, and other health problems.

Luckily, your “can cats eat honey” search mission brought you to the right place. According to our friends over at the ASPCA, cats can eat honey. But… There’s always a but when it comes to feeding your cat anything that isn’t supposed to be a regular part of her diet.

Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about the complicated relationship between the nectar of the Gods and your feline friend. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

Do cats like honey?

“Curiosity killed the cat”, but let’s hope it doesn’t do the same thing to your furry friend.

She’s a curious creature and she certainly doesn’t mind exploring the secrets of your kitchen whenever you’re busy doing something else. She’s bound to stumble upon a thing of honey at one point or the other.

She also doesn’t mind meowing your ears off until you succumb to the pressure and let her have a taste. Why does she get bored with cat food so easily? Why does she love human food more than anything else? And does she even like the taste of honey?

Believe it or not, cats are sweets-blind. They have a genetic condition that doesn’t make their sweetness receptors sensitive enough to taste the same things most animals (and humans) do. Actually, while most humans have thousands of tastebuds, cats only have a couple hundred.

But, there’s still a chance your cat can taste honey (which would explain why she seems to like it so much). She might not be able to taste the sweetness, but she’s probably able to taste something else within the honey itself (aka protein, fats, or other components).

And let’s not forget about the whole “monkey see, monkey do” thing (or, in this case, “cat see, cat do”)! Your cat is more likely to show interest in certain foods when she sees you devour them in one sitting. You’re eating a teaspoon of honey? She’s eating a tablespoon of honey!

So, can cats eat honey?

Feeding honey to your cat sounds like a great idea when you think about the nutritional and health benefits she might gain from this sweet syrup. Even a small amount of honey gives you energy, boosts your immune system, and gives you plenty of nutrients to start your day right.

But, honey doesn’t necessarily do the same thing for your cat. Cats are obligate carnivores which means they require meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients in their diet. That doesn’t mean they can’t eat anything else. But, it certainly does mean that they get the most benefits from these things.

Cats can eat honey, but can cats digest honey? Their digestive system isn’t equipped with the necessary enzymes to break down and process lactose, fructose, and glucose.

That might sound like a bunch of gibberish. However, these three things are responsible for sending your cat running to her litter box when she eats one too many spoonfuls of honey. Upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting are only some of the symptoms she might experience afterward.

So, honey seems to have a bunch of benefits and a bunch of drawbacks, making your decision that much harder. Give your vet a quick call, scroll down to learn more about the complicated relationship between cats and honey, and buckle up. You’re in for a ride!

When is honey good for cats?

When you ask any human about their opinion on honey, they’re bound to tell you something along the lines of “honey is pretty much a miracle potion.” It has a bunch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and it makes for a sweet, nutritious, and delicious treat.

Additionally, it has loads of health benefits including the ability to soothe a sore throat, help with digestion, treat wounds, and even calm down allergic reactions. And it has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. So yeah, you can say honey can be pretty great.

But, can it be great for your four-legged friend? Can cats eat honey? You might be disappointed to learn that a lot of these properties don’t apply to your cat. Not only does honey react differently in your cat’s stomach, but it’s also known to do more damage than anything else.

Don’t get completely discouraged because this doesn’t mean your cat shouldn’t enjoy an occasional lick of honey. It simply means that you have to make sure to be extra careful with the type of honey and the amount of honey you feed to your cat.

Here are a couple of things you can count on when you let your furry friend feast on a tiny amount of honey every now and then. Firstly, the antioxidants contained within this sweet syrup can boost her immune system.

Secondly, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help her heal whenever she gets a bruise or a scratch. And lastly, honey can slightly soothe her allergies (but you might want to consult with your vet on that one).

However, the best thing you can do when you notice your cat might be getting the sniffles is to contact your vet and follow his advice to a tee.

When is honey bad for cats?

Let’s be honest, you can’t make a decision on whether cats can eat honey without looking at the long list of repercussions and adverse reactions. While this sweet syrup might be a great choice for you, it might give your cat quite a hard time in her litter box. Yeah, you read that right!

We’ve already mentioned how cats are carnivores and how they very have specific nutritional requirements. To your cat’s disappointment, honey doesn’t meet pretty much any of those requirements. While it’s rich in protein, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, it doesn’t make for a healthy cat treat.

Technically speaking, your cat can’t even have sweet treats. Your cat’s digestive system isn’t equipped to digest the sugar and other carbohydrates that can be found in most sweet treats. So, honey can only result in a bunch of digestive issues such as stomach aches, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.

Don’t even get me started on diabetic cats! They shouldn’t come anywhere near this sweet syrup. It might cause them severe spikes in sugar levels and insulin levels. Trust me, that’s pretty much a general rule of thumb for cats with health issues. They have to keep their paws away from honey.

Another side effect of feeding your cat honey actually comes from raw honey. Raw honey is basically the unprocessed type of honey. It’s taken straight out of the beehive, strained, bottled, and ready to be enjoyed but everyone except for your cat.

Raw honey might contain something called botulinum. Botulinum can cause botulism or botulinum poisoning in cats which can result in permanent paralysis. Obviously, most cat parents avoid feeding their cats honey because they don’t want to take the risk.

So yes, cats can eat honey… But, at what cost?

Can kittens eat honey?

Absolutely not! Adult cats might not have that hard of a time digesting a couple of drops of honey, but we can’t say the same thing about young kittens.

Their digestive system isn’t equipped with the necessary enzymes to process such high levels of sugar. Not only that, young kittens aren’t supposed to eat pretty much anything other than their mother’s milk.

And even when they aren’t able to get hold of their mother’s milk, they’re supposed to eat kitten formula and kitten food. Honey might not be toxic to kittens, but it can cause a bunch of gastrointestinal problems including stomach aches, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Honey can also cause weight gain, obesity, and diabetes which can dangerously diminish the quality of your kitten’s life. Let’s just say your kitten doesn’t have to be in the room when you’re enjoying your sweet syrup.

Can cats eat raw honey?

We’ve already touched upon this question in one of the previous paragraphs. But, it doesn’t hurt to go over some of the most important points. After all, your furry friend won’t stop meowing and begging just because you’re unsure of the answer to the “can cats eat raw honey” question.

Cats can eat raw honey, sort of. Raw honey is just a different term for unprocessed honey (which is honey that’s been taken straight out of the beehive and bottled with no added ingredients). Raw honey can even be a better choice for your furry friend than processed honey, but…

There are a couple of things to consider before hopping online in search of local raw honey producers. Some pet parents believe that raw honey contains something called botulinum. Botulinum is pretty much a toxin that can cause permanent paralysis.

So, it’s safe to say that you shouldn’t feed raw honey to your cat. We can’t say that every bottle of honey contains this threatening toxin, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

What about Manuka honey?

What’s so different about Manuka honey? Manuka honey’s generally known, loved, and used as a traditional remedy for pretty much everything. While regular, processed, or unprocessed honey can be used for the same purposes, Manuka honey holds the first place.

Regular honey can be made from different types of plants honey bees use to collect the nectar from. But, Manuka honey can only be made from the nectar of the Manuka plant that can only be found in Australia and New Zealand.

And yes, cats can eat Manuka honey! Same as with regular honey, they shouldn’t scoff down the entire bottle but they’re free to have a drop or two every now and then. Consult with your vet before using Manuka honey as a treatment for health problems, but other than that… Get another bottle for your furry friend.

Can cats eat honey nut cheerios?

They absolutely can! Well, they can have a couple of them… Kind of.

If your four-legged friend stumbled upon your secret stash of honey nut cheerios and decided to have a couple of them for dessert, you have nothing to worry about. A small number of honey nut cheerios shouldn’t cause any discomfort to your cat.

But, that doesn’t mean you should count on honey nut cheerios to provide your cat with her daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sweet treats like honey nut cheerios have high levels of sugar which makes them pretty hard on your cat’s stomach.

Unless you want to see your cat running to her litter box every fifteen minutes, you should keep these sweets out of your cat’s reach. So, cats can eat honey nut cheerios but that doesn’t mean that they should.

What about honey buns?

Oh, the deliciousness of the doughy pastry drizzled with honey and coated in cinnamon! Honey buns happen to be one of your favorite desserts and you can’t help but wonder “can cats eat honey buns?” Are these cinnamon rolls and donuts hybrids safe for your four-legged friend?

While honey buns aren’t necessarily toxic to cats, they contain ingredients that can harm your cat in the long run. Sugar, carbohydrates, and calories are only a few of the reasons why you should rethink the whole “sharing is caring” thing and devour that honeybun by yourself.

Unfortunately, cats can’t eat honey buns. But, you can count on carefully crafted cat treats whenever your furry friend decides to meow and beg for something she can much on.

Cats can eat honey, but…

That doesn’t mean that they should. While it’s completely fine for you to use a little bit of honey to treat your cat’s wound or to let her take a couple of licks (with a green light from your vet), you shouldn’t treat honey as a regular part of your cat’s diet.

A little goes a long way when it comes to this sweet syrup!

Your fridge has probably illuminated a leftover guacamole munching session on more than one occasion. And, your curious kitto has perked up her ears and flicked her whiskers, meowing and begging to let her have a taste more than that one time.

Who wouldn’t want to nibble on that creamy, gorgeously green content of a perfectly ripe avocado!? You can’t claim something that’s known as butter fruit, fertility fruit, and alligator pear doesn’t scream “Eat me because I’m the most delicious thing you’ll ever have the satisfaction of tasting!”

Trust me, your mischievous monster understands the power of avo on toast. That’s why she’s giving you that look every time she sees you secretly munching on something that might be an avocado. Come on, you know exactly what look we’re talking about!

What else are you supposed to do than share the alligator toast with her!? “Argh, now I have to hop online and check whether cats can eat avocado!” We’ve got your back, and boy, aren’t you lucky to have stumbled upon this article.

Our friends over at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) don’t recommend feeding avocado to your cat. This pitted fruit contains persin, and trust me, you don’t want this toxin anywhere near your cat.

Can cats eat avocado?

Cats can eat avocado, kind of… It can be quite a toughie when talking about the dos and don’ts of feeding avo to your precious purrincess. In short, she can nibble on a tiny tidbit of avocado flesh, but can’t and shouldn’t munch on the entire thing.

We can’t ignore the obvious questions, can we? Do avocados even belong in your cat’s diet? Do they even bring anything to your cat’s table?

As we know, cats are carnivores. On the off chance that you’ve been living under a rock, that means that they need animal-derived nutrients predominantly in their diets to survive and thrive. They don’t need fruits, veggies, and whole grains in their diets the same way humans do.

Cats don’t even possess the digestive enzymes necessary to break down and process most foods that humans eat every single day.

You can’t share your afternoon cookies and milk treats with your feline friend. She can’t drink milk because of lactose AND she can’t eat chocolate because of theobromine and caffeine. Besides, she can’t even taste sweet things because she doesn’t possess the sweetness receptors – she wouldn’t even like your cookies.

Circling back to the starting point of the article, avocados aren’t really a natural part of a cat’s diet. That’s not to say that your cat’s ancestors have never stumbled upon an avocado and stuffed their mouths.

But, that’s a testament to the fact that cats don’t need to eat avocados no matter how much they might want to. A little lick or a nibble shouldn’t cause harm to your cat’s health. But, it’s not worth the risk (more on that later in the article).

Dos of feeding avocado to your cat

“What are we talking about here? Cats can AND can’t eat avocado? Wait, what!?” We understand how confusing it must be to read that your furry friend can enjoy a nibble or two of her favorite fruit, but… We can’t talk about cats and avocados without the dreaded but.

Cats should get most of their nutrients from carefully crafted cat foods, cat treats, and occasional meaty morsels. But, that’s not to say that an avocado (which can by no means be a regular part of a cat’s diet) can’t bring something positive to the table.

Trust me, not everything’s gloom and doom over the undying love your furry friend feels for the alligator pear. Consult with your vet, make sure you have your facts locked, loaded, and ready to go, and voilà. You and that furry thing on your lap have yourselves an afternoon treat.

1. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

One of the main reasons humans consider avocado a chef’s kiss is that they’re stacked with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sure, humans love their avocado toast that’s worthy of an Instagram post and avocado salads that can get on the TikTok trending page in a matter of minutes.

But, they’re particularly happy with the fact that avocados provide them with an immune boost, maintain the function of their nervous system, and ensure digestive health. Vitamins K, E, C, folate, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and niacin!? Sign me up for that!

And, your mischievous monster can reap some of those benefits when she’s out and about, looking for trouble. An occasional nibble or two can improve her eyesight, muscular function, and cardiovascular health (vitamin E), help the production of collagen (vitamin C), and regulate a bunch of body functions (potassium).

And, don’t even get me started on the production of oxygen and the synthesis of DNA (folate), as well as the endless supply of energy (niacin). Who doesn’t want a hyperactive kitten that doesn’t know when to stop munching on avocado and scoffs down the entire thing before you can say “Avoca-DON’T!”?

2. Dietary fiber

Oh boy, you wouldn’t want your precious purrincess living in the world without dietary fiber! You see, her ancestors used to get most of their fiber from the insides of their prey’s stomach and from a random plant they munched on while waiting for the unsuspecting rabbit.

Wild cats nibble on leaves and flowers while waiting for Bambi to get out of hiding (sniffles and apologies for putting that image inside your head). But, your not-so-wild cat munches on everything other than the things she should –or at least that’s what it seems like.

So, more times than not, she’s in desperate need of dietary fiber. She gets a little bit from her regular cat food and cat treats. But, dietary fiber plays such a huge role in her digestive system that she’s always looking for more.

Dietary fiber provides bulk to help food move through the digestive tract. Not only that, but it also retains water, which helps with digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation. That means less time spent in her litter box and more cuddling in your arms!

Don’ts of feeding avocado to your cat

But, as you might have suspected, avocados aren’t only rainbows and butterflies. Cats can’t eat avocado for a couple of good reasons, and we’re here to help you uncover them.

Your four-legged friend might have spent the day meowing and purring in solitude because something she ate yesterday made her sick to her stomach. You know what we’re talking about – nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at the same time sound pretty rough for your little purrer.

Avocados can do that to her if she gets hold of a few bites before you catch her in the act. And, if you’re not consulting with your vet before you decide to capitulate and let her do whatever she wants. So, here’s what to expect when your cat eats an avocado (or the wrong part of one!)

1. The pitted poison

That’s right, one area of feline concern is an organic compound known as persin. Persin is typically found within the avocado pit, leaves, peel, and stem of the avocado fruit.

And, most importantly, cats can’t eat avocado because they can’t eat persin… Kind of.

Most reports say that humans, cats, and dogs can consume smaller doses of persin without experiencing the symptoms of persin poisoning. Actually, persin typically affects birds and larger animals that feed off the entire plant.

On the other hand, humans, cats, and dogs only eat the flesh that doesn’t contain as much of this compound.

So, what happens when your fluffy feline eats the wrong part of the avocado? She might experience digestive problems, including nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, to vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Severe cases can even cause pancreatitis, which means inflammation and damage to the pancreas and surrounding tissue. You might not want to feed avocados to your cat at all after you finish reading this article, and that’s completely fine.

But, should your very purrsistent feline meow your ears off hoping to get a bite, make sure you remove everything that could harm her. Don’t forget that the pit and the peel can also become a choking hazard, so that’s another reason for you to remove them.

2. The hidden allergens

“Cats can be allergic to avocado, too?” That’s right, there’s another danger lurking around the corner while your fluffy friend’s munching on your leftover avocado toast. Cats can experience a bunch of severely unconformable symptoms should their human forget to check in with the vet.

While pretty uncommon, avocado allergies can occur among felines that are generally sensitive to fruits and veggies. Some of the most common symptoms screaming “she’s allergic, you dinghead!” are weakness, watery eyes, runny nose, skin irritations, rashes, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Contact your vet the moment you notice any of them, and make sure you keep him up-to-date on what your feline friend’s been eating. Don’t worry, she’s going to be as good as new the moment she gets that avocado out of her system (lots and lots of pooping later).

3. The “healthy” fats

Yes, avocado’s beaming with healthy fats. Yes, avocado can help you lower your cholesterol levels because it’s packed with fatty acids. And no, cats can’t eat avocado because such high-fat levels can cause gastrointestinal distress, digestive problems, and even pancreatitis.

Not only that, but feeding avocado to your cat can lead to weight gain, obesity, and eventually heart failure. Avocados might be beaming with healthy fats, but they’re fats nonetheless. And your furry friend’s digestive system simply isn’t strong enough to keep those fats at bay.

Furry and chonky might sound like a match made in heaven, but that can’t be further from the truth. Overweight cats have a worse quality of life compared to cats that aren’t overweight. They can’t move around with ease, they’re depressed and weak, and they keep eating more… And more.

So, can cats eat avocado?

The consensus is: Cats can’t eat avocado! Avocado doesn’t seem to be worth the risk – this buttery fruit isn’t a natural part of a cat’s diet, can cause a host of digestive issues, and contains persin that can be poisonous.

Avoid giving your kitto avocado as far as possible, or if you must, only give your McFluffer a tiny nibble of the avocado flesh.

This would be an unusual choice of food for felines out in the wild because they’re carnivores. This means that meat is their primary source of diet, so fruits are at the bottom of their menu. However, your pet has never outgrown that kitten stage where she’s intrigued by every little thing she encounters.

This is where all the worry and questions start to kick in. It may seem you’re overthinking sometimes, but really, life with these lap monsters makes you dizzy with all the possible case scenarios.

When it comes to this tiny fruit, you don’t have to panic because they’re not toxic to your furbaby, so cats can eat blackberries safely.

Are blackberries okay for cats to eat?

Here is some good news: Yes, cats can eat blackberries without you having to tear out your hair.

We know being a cat parent is sometimes a difficult task and you try your best to keep them safe and satisfied. However, don’t worry about blackberries anymore, as they don’t have any part that’s toxic to felines.

Moreover, they can provide her with certain health benefits, just like humans. Be free to offer your furkid some blackberries to munch on, from time to time.

Still, don’t forget your pet is an obligate carnivore, which means you shouldn’t try to replace meat with any fruits. They can be a great addition to her diet, but nothing more.

Health benefits of blackberries

As we all know, fruit is one of the most healthy foods out there. They provide us with crucial vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It’s simple logic really – man evolved from monkeys and their favorite food is bananas!

When it comes to cats though, they just shrunk a bit in size, that’s all. But, their feisty nature remains, if not even more sly than before. Still, even though blackberries are not meat, it doesn’t mean they can’t be beneficial to your carnivorous floof.

1. A supply of antioxidants

These tiny berries are packed with antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body. This means they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that could help prevent certain diseases from developing, such as cancer.

These can be highly beneficial to pets with chronic diseases, such as arthritis. Older cats who have joint inflammation could use some of blackberries’ anti-inflammatory properties. And apart from reducing inflammation, antioxidants have a role in protecting the immune system.

2. Loaded with vitamins and minerals

It’s not just that cats can eat blackberries, but they really should! That is, on occasion. These small fruits are good for your furkid’s eyesight due to their vitamin A content. It helps improve vision and prevent impairment.

This vitamin is especially important for nocturnal animals like felines. How else could they see what to knock over in the middle of the night?

When it comes to cats, we’ve always known they are superior to us. They synthesize their own vitamin C in their liver. Fascinating, right? So, while we mortals rely on eating different foods to get the needed amounts, they just lay around without worries.

However, blackberries are a good source of this vitamin, and the extra amounts can be useful. Unlike lemon, which is also rich in vitamin C, blackberries are totally safe for ingestion.

Vitamin C works hand-in-hand with iron and helps in the production of collagen. This means it’s highly beneficial to your pet’s teeth (aka razors!) as well as bones.

Moreover, vitamins E and K found in these little berries are important for the overall immune system and muscle health. They’re also good for your cat’s skin and blood coagulation.

Among all of these health supplements, two important minerals are notable in blackberries. Calcium and manganese are some of the most important minerals for bone strength. They also help with connective tissue formation and blood sugar regulation.

3. What about the fat and protein content in blackberries?

If you’re trying to get your chonky to lose weight, or her coat’s been feeling a bit heavy lately (and it’s not winter), give blackberries a go. These fruits are low in fat, which is good news.

Felines require healthy fats in their diet to provide them with much-needed energy. How else could they be running up and down the house at 4 am?

Blackberries have small amounts of healthy fats that are good for cats. However, the amount isn’t sufficient to meet a feline’s daily activities and fuel her bodily systems.

The good thing is that blackberries contain protein. Protein is an essential nutrient in a cat’s diet and without it, she’d become sick quickly. The bad thing is that this protein is plant-based. This means that it’s still valuable to cats, but not as much as animal-derived protein.

The reason the protein found in blackberries could go to waste is that cats have a hard time digesting plant material. So, while a couple of berries could be a great snack for your pet, they can’t replace her main nutrition. Make sure she still sticks to meat.

Sugar – a red light

“Can cats eat blackberries due to the natural sugars they contain?”

Even with all the health benefits blackberries offer, you have to watch out for the sugar content. Just like all fruits, these berries are also high in carbohydrates.

Carbs are nutrients that aren’t welcome in the cat world. They come from plants and, as we’ve established, cats and plants don’t mix well. Felines are carnivores which means they thrive on an animal-based diet.

Sure, a few blackberries here and there won’t hurt, but the nutrients found in these fruits won’t be digested properly. This is why carbs are unnecessary in a feline’s diet, as her body can’t process them. And what happens when something piles up that you can’t get rid of it?

You get the hint, but just to be clear – excess carbs turn into fat. Though our pets are models no matters what, a few extra pounds could be potentially dangerous. The added weight could cause pressure on her joints, which is especially detrimental for older cats.

Cats are also more prone to developing chronic diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes. Besides, if your cat becomes obese, she could have a hard time sliding through the cat door!

Can cats eat blackberries because of fiber?

Fiber has its good and bad sides. To be more precise, normal amounts of fiber can benefit your fluff, but excess can have an adverse effect.

Felines need certain amounts of fiber to help with their digestion. If she’s having a hard time doing her litter-box business, a bit of fiber may help as it prevents diarrhea and helps move the food through the digestive tract.

However, don’t get ahead of yourself and feed your cat food with high-fiber content. Too much can end up causing problems.

While a little can help loosen stools, too much fiber could cause constipation. Make sure to provide your pet with quality foods that have a balanced nutritional profile.

How to feed blackberries to cats

We established that fruits aren’t a feline’s main choice of food. Because your pet’s a carnivore, she may not gain all the benefits from these healthy snacks. Therefore, even if cats can eat blackberries safely, don’t overdo it.

A few berries here and there could be a beneficial addition to her meals, but their nutritional value is low for a meat-eater like your cat. So, keep this treat is for the odd occasion.

A good way to feed these fruity snacks to your furkid is to freeze them. This way, they are more interesting to her, and it’s a good idea for the fussy eater. It comes in handy on hot, summer days when she needs to stay hydrated.

We know our four-legged friends are not fond of water, so they tend to avoid it as much as possible. They’re not so keen on drinking it, either. So, freezing up some fruits is a good way to keep her hydrated and entertained.

To conclude

Summed up, cats can eat blackberries, but as an occasional snack. They don’t have a high nutritional value for carnivores like cats. Therefore, it’s best to stick with her main diet and introduce fruits slowly. These berries, if fed properly, can have certain health benefits to your pet.

They’re high in vitamins, minerals, as well as fiber. These are all crucial to your furbaby’s health and can provide her body with an extra health boost. However, they’re low in protein, an essential nutrient that cats need to consume on a daily basis.

That way, your kitto stays healthy and active. A downside to cats eating blackberries is that, just like any fruit, they’re high in sugar.

Carbs are unnecessary in a feline’s diet, which could mean extra pounds. If your pet regularly consumes carbs, this may cause problems in the future.

So, stick with meat as a regular diet and fruits as an occasional snack. Make sure you provide your furbaby with a healthy and balanced diet to keep her safe and sound.

See more: Can Cats Eat Cherries? Safe Or Hazardous?

We know fruits are highly nutritional to humans, but maybe some can be incorporated into our cats’ diets as well.

They are sometimes sweet, and other times, sour. Not sure if we’re talking about cats or mandarin oranges, right? To be fair, it describes both the fruits and our furry companions. But back to the citrus, mandarin oranges can be a bit too much for some people – and it could make your cat wrinkle up her nose too.

Can cats eat mandarin oranges safely?

To humans, they’re highly nutritional, but unfortunately, mandarin oranges can be poisonous to felines. While nothing stops you from peeling some and having a healthy snack, you should keep it away from your furkid. All citrus foods including lemon, lime, grapefruits, and others are toxic to cats.

This may be sad news because you thought of sharing some orange juice with your pet. Don’t worry though, the benefits found in these fruits aren’t necessary to your furry bestie.

Health benefits of mandarin oranges

Even since we were kids, we were told to eat lots of healthy foods like fruit to grow up big and strong. So, what is it that makes mandarin oranges so beneficial? When looking at vitamins, the one that stands out from the group is vitamin C.

1. Abundant in vitamin C

This health supplement is important for many body functions and boosting the overall immune system. It helps with the absorption of iron and the production of collagen. This improves bone and dental health.

It’s also a great source of antioxidants that help fight the free radicals in your feline’s body. However, even with all these health benefits, cats don’t really need this vitamin. The thing is, your superpet synthesizes this vitamin on her own.

Felines’ liver produces enough vitamin C to maintain good health and extra intake of it from mandarin oranges isn’t required. When it comes to humans, unlike our furry friends, we solely rely on the intake of this vitamin through various foods.

We usually resort to some vitamin C supplements when battling a cold or regular flu. It helps prevent further complications. But, don’t give these as medications to your fluff. If she’s suffering from a stuffy nose or any other signs of flu, make sure to contact her vet.

2. Beta-carotene kick

Even wonder why mandarin oranges are so vibrant in color? Thanks to beta-carotene, these colorful fruits are beautifully orange. This compound also serves as an antioxidant that helps prevent certain diseases.

However, if you’re wondering whether or not cats can eat mandarin oranges because of these benefits, they better not. If you’re looking for a rich source of beta-carotene that’s safe for felines, rather opt for some carrots.

Can cats get poisoned from eating mandarin oranges?

You are probably hoping for a totally opposite answer to this question, but we have to disappoint you. Yes, cats can get poisoned eating mandarins because of their acids. It’s not just mandarins though.

We know this is something you didn’t want to hear, but all citrus fruits are toxic to your fur child. So, if you see her so intrigued mandarins, she starts playing with some or taking a nibble, make sure to stay close and monitor her.

It’s unlikely your cat will die from eating a mandarin, but why risk it? The compounds that make mandarin oranges toxic for felines are essential oils like limonene and linalool, as well as psoralen. These are organic, naturally occurring compounds that could wreak havoc if eaten by cats!

If you come home to half-eaten mandarin orange, make sure to look for any signs of toxicity. These include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, as well as drooling. So, if you see your cat drooling next to a torn-apart mandarin, it’s not because she finds it mouth-watering.

We know finding out this sad news can be distressing. So, we recommend you empty out any orange mandarins from your bowl on the table. Still, this doesn’t mean you should stop consuming them – they still hold certain benefits to humans.

Other drawbacks of cats eating mandarin oranges

Besides the toxic compounds found in these fruits, they also have high levels of sugar. Fruits are known to be rich in this compound and that’s why we love them. However, your cat doesn’t need high amounts of carbs because they’re an unnecessary part of her diet.

Sugar consumption, even the healthy ones such as those found in fruits, can harm your pet. Especially if she’s exposed to it in the long run. Cats simply can’t digest it properly.

This leads to a build-up of carbohydrates, which eventually results in fat storage. A few extra pounds may look cute to us, but we’re sure your chonky will disagree with you.

If she doesn’t go on a diet, the added weight could cause pressure on her joints. In her old days, she may develop arthritis because of those extra pounds. Other than that, high cholesterol levels put her at risk of heart disease and stroke.

What about peels, stems, and leaves?

“Can cats eat mandarin oranges? Actually, can they eat different parts of this fruit such as its peels or leaves?”

Fruit is often an on-the-go snack. In the case of mandarins, this can result in scattered, unmonitored peels – a perfect opportunity for cats to investigate these colorful fruits.

If your cat’s a curious one and decides to go for some of the mandarin orange peels, make sure to stop her in her tracks. Peels are the most dangerous part of this fruit. They have the highest levels of toxicity because of large amounts of limonene and linalool.

While these organic compounds give the sweet scent of mandarin oranges, cats can’t smell anything other than pure repulsion. Felines’ senses are way better than humans and it’s unlikely they will show interest in eating mandarin peels.

When it comes to leaves and stems, it is no different from peels. Psoralen, a compound found in all parts of mandarin oranges, has photocarcinogenic properties. This means that this substance, if ingested in high doses by cats who spend a lot of time in the sunlight, can cause sunburn and more severe health problems.

So, it’s better to stay sane and not risk it. Throw the peels and leaves in the trash can and you’re free of any worries!

A natural cat repellent

Many cats are naughty creatures with a reputation for being obstinate. If your pet is on a rampage, especially when it comes to your flowers, we all know how it’ll end. Cats can wreak havoc on a person’s garden by destroying plants or using it as their personal loo.

As a result, people have tried a variety of tactics to keep cats out of their gardens. People have reported less damaging activities after using mandarin oranges or other citrus fruits.

The spray made of citrus fruits such as mandarins can be sprinkled on your house plants or around the garden to get the job done. The unpleasant scent will most likely dissuade them from misbehaving in the future.

The fact that even the scent of mandarin oranges is deterring to felines should be an indicator that cats won’t and can’t eat them. They are smart little creatures, after all.

After a couple of sneezes, their interest will likely wane. If this tactic doesn’t work, try some black pepper. Its scent isn’t appealing either, so it may just do the trick.

Fruity alternatives to mandarin oranges

We’ve established that it’s unsafe for cats to eat mandarin oranges. This fruit can do more harm than good. As a safe alternative, try offering your pet some kiwi, for example. It’s abundant in minerals and vitamins, which makes it a great addition to their diet.

Apples, watermelon, strawberries, peaches and cranberries are all allowed for your pet to much on. You can even make a smoothie for your furkid, adding some bananas to it. The only thing to remember is that fruits are high in sugar, which is unnecessary for cats, so make sure you treat them in moderation.

These can come as a great refreshment for your pet, especially on hot summer days. You can even go DIY and make some frozen fruity snacks!

All in all

To conclude whether cats can eat mandarin oranges, we have provided you with some crucial information. Sadly, citrus foods are considered toxic to cats and certainly not a great option when it comes to enriching your pet’s diet.

These have a greater purpose in being a natural cat deterrent because of their strong, acidic smell. All parts of mandarin oranges are harmful to felines, including peels, stems, and leaves. In short, make sure she doesn’t get a hold of it.

If you’re living in areas where you grow lemon and other citrus fruits, make sure to monitor your spider-cat! Her climbing skills may get her into trouble this time.

Citrus poisoning rarely occurs, but it can really damage your cat’s health if it does. Keep your cat far away from any orange juices, smoothies, fruit salads, and others.

You know the moment you decide to go on a diet is when you’ve eaten too many donuts. The reason for this is that donuts are high in sugar. And the surplus of sugar in these treats can be detrimental to your cat’s health.

Ingredients present in donuts

Donuts aren’t the best choice for food when it comes to people, let alone cats. The ingredients found in these sweet goods can be a potential health hazard. Humans are known to develop health issues by eating junk food like this.

Apart from the main ingredients, donuts also contain natural and artificial flavorings. Moreover, this fried dough that comes in various shapes is injected with various sweet fillings.

1. Dough

Donuts are made out of leavened fried dough. The dough is safe for cats in moderation, but not raw, of course. However, leavened dough can be a problem for your pet. Eating dough could make your cat bloated and leave her with constipation issues. 

2. Oil

Fried dough is full of oil that your cat can’t digest. Oil could make your feline suffer from stomachache and result in vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re making something that includes oil, coconut, or olive oil is probably the best option. 

The consumption of olive oil in cats isn’t considered to be toxic. A few tablespoons of olive oil weekly, won’t hurt your furkid. But given the fact that donuts are fried in oil, the amount is probably too much for your cat.

3. Eggs

Eggs are oftentimes one of the main ingredients while making dough. Although eggs are rich in protein which is a need for cats, raw eggs can’t be a part of their diet. Raw eggs can carry bacteria, such as salmonella or E.coli.

Even though raw ones are off-limits, properly boiled eggs are a valued treat in your feline’s diet. Full of proteins, boiled eggs are beneficial to your cat’s health. The occasional boiled egg would be a perfect treat for your kitten.

4. Milk

Cats drinking milk is a common misconception, although they are adorable with their whiskers soaked in milk. The reason behind this is that most felines are in fact lactose intolerant.

This means they are unable to break down the sugar contained in milk. Because their intestines lack the enzymes needed for lactose digestion, cats can face some problems. The inability of milk digestion usually causes diarrhea.

If offering your cat this dairy product, try opting for the lactose-free version. It will be easier on your furbaby’s stomach and won’t cause her as much discomfort.

5. Sugar

Humans use sugar every day. Some more, some less, but it’s still an important ingredient in the kitchen. Some can’t drink their coffee without it, and some will pass on certain foods that lack sugar.

However, this isn’t the case with cats. Your cat may be tempted to give it a lick or two, but just because she saw you do it. Cats are sweet-blind. This term indicates their lack of taste buds and inability to taste sweetness.

While this may make you sad, don’t be. It’s a good thing felines aren’t attracted to sweets. Not having a sweet tooth like humans can save them from lots of troubles. Excess and regular intake of sugar can lead to health problems.

Don’t inspire your feline to eat sugar, whatsoever. The side effects can come in terms of obesity, diabetes, or dental problems. Felines’ lack of receptors is doing them a favor. In this case, less is more.

Can cats eat donut fillings?

No one likes dry, flavorless donuts, right? Donuts are so much better with fillings, I’m sure we can all agree on that. But what about cats, can they eat donuts with fillings?

There are many fillings, but the most common ones are fruit preserves, custard, or cream. Fruit preserves are preparations of fruit and are rich in sugar. Marmalades, jams, and jellies are the most common sweet fruit preserves found in donuts.

Once more, the high sugar content is an unfortunate case for cats. When it comes to custard, cats should avoid it. Custard is dairy-based, as is sweetened milk and cheese. 

The name gives the cream fillings away. The cream skimmed from the top of the milk is a higher-fat layer. Similar to this is sour and whipped cream. Regardless, cats and dairy products don’t go well together, as previously explained.

What about donut toppings?

Fried dough and filling sometimes just aren’t enough. What really makes these sweets special are their toppings. These sweets may be topped with cinnamon, sprinkles, powdered sugar, or glazed with chocolate and sugar icing.

1. Cinnamon

This strong fragrance might be appealing to our nose, but to cats’, not so much. In large quantities, cinnamon can be poisonous to felines because of the coumarin, an ingredient found in cinnamon.

It’s often used as a cat deterrent because of its strong smell. Cinnamon poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation, or skin exposure.

2. Sprinkles

Sprinkles serve as colorful decorations for many desserts, including donuts. This topping is widely known and most popular among children. Have you ever wished to throw a birthday party for your furkid and add some sprinkles for a better look?

Pass on those. The reason your pet’s cake should be left undecorated by these tiny candies is the sugar quantity. While she won’t drop dead from one or two of these colorful candies, don’t let her enjoy them frequently.

3. Powdered sugar and sugar icing

The name itself screams no. A few licks of powdered sugar and sugar icing probably won’t harm your cat. However, it’s best if your feline skips on them. Some arising issues of abundant and regular intake of sugar include diabetes, tooth decay, and obesity.

Excess thirst and urination in cats can be the first signs of diabetes. If you notice any signs of diabetes, make sure to take a quick trip to your vet. Tooth decay and other dental problems are also possible if your pet has everyday access to sugar.

Chubby floofs might be a cute sight, but the health risks are enormous. Heart diseases and joint problems become a painful reality when cats put on extra pounds. And sugar can be the main factor for these issues.

4. Chocolate and maple glazing

Unfortunately for cats, chocolate is poisonous. The compound theobromine is what makes chocolate inedible for cats. It’s possible that chocolate doesn’t attract your fluff because of her lack of taste buds.

Keep this in mind the next time you open up a box of chocolate or prepare chocolate glazing for donuts. Keep your donuts on the highest shelf of the pantry, because cats can’t eat those. Too much sugar combined with fillings and chocolate is definitely not a good choice of treats for your feline.

When it comes to maple glazing, this sweetener isn’t toxic for cats, but it isn’t suitable for their diet either. Lots of carbohydrates contained in maple syrup won’t benefit your feline. Moreover, it can be damaging to their well-being.

A few bites aren’t life-threatening, but cats can’t eat donuts with icing or topping because it could cause intestinal problems.

Can cats eat Krispy Kreme donuts?

The short answer to this question is no. Cats can’t eat Krispy Kreme donuts because sugar icing is used on the majority of them. Donuts contain a lot of sugar themselves and topped with some more powdered or glazed sugar is just too much.

Cats are simple creatures, even if sometimes it doesn’t seem so. What isn’t natural for them won’t suit them. It’s as simple as that. One of the reasons cats can’t eat donuts is carbohydrates.

Felines need animal protein to keep them healthy and satisfied. Carbohydrates don’t play an important role in their diet. They don’t hold any beneficial health to your pet whatsoever. Carbohydrates such as sugar will give your cat’s metabolism and digestive system a hard time.

So, in addition to having no nutritional value, sugar can only have a bad impact on your kitty.

What about raisin donuts?

Raisin donuts are a hard no for cats. While the combination of these two can bring joy to your taste buds, they’re highly poisonous to your feline. Just one raisin can cause kidney failure in cats.

Can cats eat Munchkins donuts?

The name is sweet and the taste even sweeter. The most famous shape of donuts is the ring shape with a hole in the middle, and that’s how they invented Munchkins – by using the excess dough from the middle to make this recognizable shape!

Munchkins donuts are bite-sized delicacies, suitable for both children and adults. However, Munchkins aren’t suitable for cats because of their overabundance of sugar. Another reason cats can’t eat Munchkins is the flavors. Among many, the flavors include chocolate, which is toxic to cats, and glazed, which could lead to various health issues.

Can cats eat candy?

Candy may be a treat for humans, but cats should avoid them. Candies have too much concentrated sugar, which can negatively impact their metabolism and digestive system. Lots of artificial flavors could leave your cat with health conditions and rotten teeth.

Xylitol, a common sweetener found in products such as gum and sweets, can cause vomiting, lethargy, and liver failure in pets.

If she grabs a hold of a piece of candy, there’s no need for instant panic. But for the sake of her health and your sanity, keep candy sealed tight in a jar and away from your pet(s).

What can happen if cats eat donuts?

A few bites of a tasty donut or a lick of the icing won’t send your kitty to the ER. Nonetheless, you should keep these delicacies out of your fluff’s reach.

Cats can’t eat donuts because of their ingredients. Sugar, dough, natural and artificial flavors aren’t natural to your cat’s diet. And food that isn’t digestible by a carnivore certainly won’t benefit her.

Yet, your cat may be one of the oddballs. She could actually have a sweet tooth, and you might want to take precautionary measures. A larger or more frequent intake of donuts could be harmful to your pet.

Especially if your favorite ones are with chocolate, cinnamon, or raisins. Mild symptoms of digestive problems will involve vomiting and diarrhea.

But in some more serious conditions, like chocolate toxicity, watch out for seizures and tremors. If your cat starts to display any of these, take an emergency trip to the vet.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Caramel? Should You Avoid This Sugary Treat?

Bottom line

Don’t encourage your pet to eat donuts. With high amounts of carbohydrates and no health benefits, they aren’t the safest option for your cat.

Although the donut itself isn’t poisonous, some toppings or fillings might be. We hope you don’t have a hard time making this decision. 

When choosing between those big, round eyes and their health, always choose the latter. Your fluff will be forever grateful, as will your wallet.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Jelly? Do They Even Like This Treat?

Cats have been domesticated for quite some time now, and humans have a tendency to treat them as their equals. While this treatment is highly appreciated in other aspects, when it comes to food, it can be quite a risk.

While vanilla pudding may appear to us as a harmless pleasure, alongside many other sweets, it can be potentially dangerous to our pets. Especially if you can’t resist that sad look in your furbaby’s eyes while you’re having scoop after scoop of vanilla pudding. At that point, you’re more than tempted to give them a lick.

Can cats eat vanilla pudding safely?

Vanilla pudding seems harmless at first glance. It’s just a pudding, right? However, there’s more to the eye than just a jiggly and aromatic sweet treat. Vanilla pudding is made of a lot of diverse ingredients that could seem nontoxic to our feline companions.

However, the main ingredients of vanilla pudding are milk, vanilla extract, butter, sugar, as well as cornstarch. All of these ingredients are known to make your cat feel under the weather. So if you ever decide to feed vanilla pudding to your cat, you should consider what these ingredients could do to your kitty’s belly.

1. Can cats eat vanilla or is it dangerous?

The short answer to this question is no. Cats can’t eat vanilla extract as it’s highly poisonous to your pet. It contains ethyl alcohol which, if ingested, could lead to alcohol poisoning. And that’s something you want to avoid.

If your mischievous little paws couldn’t contain herself and stole a lick of a vanilla extract, you should keep an eye on her and look out for any signs of poisoning.

2. Can cats have milk?

While making any type of pudding, milk makes up a large part of it as an essential ingredient. While some cats might enjoy a sip of milk now and then, most cats are in fact lactose intolerant. 

When we say they are lactose intolerant, it means that their body doesn’t have the right enzymes to digest sugar called lactose that happens to be found in milk.

This might come as a shock to discover, considering all the stories we always hear about cats drinking milk. Granted, a few sips probably won’t hurt your kitty. But if her greed knows no bounds, you might find your kitten running for the litter box.

Excessive intake of milk of any kind can make your pet uneasy and leave them with a case of diarrhea. Therefore, stop listening to fairy tales and exclude milk from your kitten’s diet!

3. What about butter? Is it safe for cats?

When you think about it, the answer is pretty simple. No, cats can’t eat butter because it contains all of the things our little companions are not supposed to be eating.

Butter is made of cow’s milk, salt and fats. We’ve already touched on cow’s milk and why it’s bad for your cat’s stomach. The same goes for salt, which can actually be highly toxic if your cat consumes it.

Although fat is a nutrient that’s an important energy source, especially for wild cats, fat found in butter isn’t recommended for felines. It can lead to a series of health problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as inflammation of the pancreas. Doesn’t sound so good, right?

4. Can cornstarch be toxic to my cat?

Cornstarch is a useful ingredient made of corn kernels that serves as a thickening compound for many other foods. Sauces, soups, puddings — we make these more dense with a few teaspoons of cornstarch.

While we may find it often in our kitchen pantry, should we put it up to the highest shelf so our cats can’t reach it? Worry not, because cornstarch isn’t toxic to your pet and can sometimes be found even in cat food as a source of carbohydrates.

Cornstarch is made of corn, and while cereals are not your cat’s primary food, corn is rich in gluten. Therefore, it provides the needed carbohydrates for your furry companion.

5. Should I worry about the sugar content in pudding?

While humans can have strong cravings for sweets and naturally crave sugar as a source of fast energy, cats don’t. Your pet may seem as if she’s enjoying the sweet taste of it, but really, it’s nothing close to it. 

Cats lack the taste buds that would allow them to perceive the taste of sugar and really enjoy it.

Even though your cat’s receptors lack the ability to taste sugar, it doesn’t mean she should continue eating it. While sugar is known to be non-toxic to your kitten, it can be a foundation for future health problems.

In the same way, they lack taste buds, they also lack the enzymes that would help them digest it. Therefore, cats can’t get any nutritional value from sugar, such as fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

All in all, sugar does no real harm to your cat if it’s not on a regular basis. At the same time, it doesn’t benefit her as well. If your cat has routine access to sugar, you should be ready for potential health issues such as diabetes, tooth decay, and obesity.

6. Am I supposed to feed my cat egg yolks?

This is an amazing question because your cat will be thrilled when you give her this new treat. Eggs are widely used in the human diet and are at the top of the food pyramid. Sometimes, they’re classified in the same category as meat.

However, don’t let it be raw eggs because they can cause her to experience some gastrointestinal problems, not to mention putting her at risk of contracting some dangerous pathogens.

Raw eggs can carry certain diseases, such as salmonella and E. coli. So it’s best if you avoid raw eggs and rather opt for properly boiled or scrambled eggs for your pet.

Eggs are a great protein source for your cat that can improve her health. This nutrient-dense food can boost your cat’s immune system, keep her claws in tip-top shape, and make her coat shine!

Your purrer can benefit from cooked eggs only if there are no traces of any additional seasonings or ingredients. It’s best if you don’t feed your cat too many eggs, though. Even though eggs are a great source of proteins, they shouldn’t replace a cat’s regular diet in any way.

Eggs are best given once or twice a week maximum because of their fat and cholesterol content. If you don’t want your kitty becoming overweight or developing pancreatitis, keep tabs on this treat.

Can cats eat any pudding?

While chocolate pudding may be more harmful to your furry friend than vanilla pudding because of chocolate, you shouldn’t really be feeding it any type of pudding. 

It doesn’t even matter if it’s a banana pudding, it’s still harmful to your pet because most of the puddings are made of similar ingredients that won’t make your kitty feel very well.

Does my cat want something sweet?

When you catch your cat trying to dip her paws into something sweet or steal a bite of it, don’t feel bad about getting in the way of it. She may seem as though she’s enjoying it or even craving it, but this isn’t the case.

Cats don’t have receptors that can detect the sweet taste, so it doesn’t really serve them any great delight. They’re just curious! Be sure to keep an eye on your furbaby when trying out some new dessert recipes in the kitchen.

Can my cat have anything vanilla-flavored?

Vanilla icing, vanilla cake, vanilla ice cream and other sweets all have something in common. Vanilla extract is a compound that gives a deep flavor and beautiful aroma that’s often an essential part of baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, puddings, and others.

While these baked goods may differ in certain ingredients, it’s still not safe for your cat to be fed any of these because of their mutual ingredient. So, in the same way cats can’t eat vanilla pudding, they also better stay away from the rest of the treats that contain vanilla.

Is vanilla yogurt safe for my cat? Green or red light?

Okay, so cats can’t eat vanilla pudding but can they indulge in vanilla yogurt? Is it a better option for them?

Yogurt is still a dairy product and cats are known to become lactose intolerant as they grow older and lose the enzymes they need for digestion of lactose. A bit of yogurt won’t harm your kitty, but you shouldn’t replace it with her regular diet in any way.

Cats are meat-eaters and should be able to fulfill their nutritional needs as determined by nature. While yogurt does have a fair share of minerals such as calcium that are needed for bone health, it’s not required in your pet’s diet because she is already getting it from meat-based food.

While usually harmless, your cat may experience some bad luck with yogurt due to an allergy development that can happen in any period of her life. One day she can have a few licks of this dairy product and the next, it could cause her skin inflammation and itching.

If any of these symptoms are visible to you, or you suspect something may be up with your furry buddy, you should call your veterinarian’s office for a check-up.

Read more:

Can Cats Eat Donuts? Sweet Treats Or Health Hazards?

Can Cats Eat Blueberry Muffins? Are They Healthy For Cats?

In summary

We have concluded that while vanilla pudding or any sort of vanilla-flavored treat could make you drool, it will most likely make your cat sick or allergic to certain ingredients essential to vanilla pudding. 

We have provided you with answers to the question of whether cats can eat vanilla pudding, so keep a watchful eye on your feline friends and their talent for stealing your treats.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Rice Pudding? Rice Is Better Than Mice!

As a pet owner, you may be tempted to feed your furbaby some small treats like dates and you may wonder whether or not they can damage his health. Well, rest assured, dates aren’t toxic, at least in small quantities.

Yes, they contain high amounts of both dietary fiber and natural sugar, but your cat should be fine as long as you don’t overfeed him with dates.

Dates have a lot of nutritional benefits – not just for cats but for humans as well. They can help improve your immune system and also support strong muscle development. And the same applies to your little friend as well.

However, be careful and keep in mind that not everything that is good for a human being is also good for cats. There are certainly a few exceptions like garlic and onions that are considered to be highly poisonous to felines.

And this is the reason it’s so important to know what your cat can and can’t eat. After all, it’s easy to grab a pack of chips while you’re home watching a movie, but that doesn’t mean you should give it to your cat the second he jumps onto your lap.

Their metabolism and dietary needs are different from those of an average human. Even those snacks that you know are healthy for them should be cautiously selected, and don’t forget to do your research or simply Google it before feeding them anything out of the ordinary.

Can cats eat dates?

Sometimes when you see your four-legged friend looking at you with those mesmerizing brown eyes, it’s very difficult to resist giving them everything he wants. You just want to spoil him as much as you can! But too much snacking can send your cat to the vet very quickly, and we all know how much that’ll cost you.

Regarding dates, they’re very rich in sugar and high in calories, which isn’t that convenient for cats. Usually, felines need approximately 200 to 250 calories per day – that is if your cat weighs 10 to 12 pounds. If you give him one or two dates, that’s already 35 to 40 calories of their total diet.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their nourishment consists of animal protein and not plant-based food. Therefore, many animal doctors will agree that it’s for the best to stick with high-quality cat food and resist the urge to feed them anything besides that.

Do cats even like dates?

It may come as a surprise to you, but unlike humans, cats don’t have sweet receptors, which means that they can’t have a sweet tooth or pick up sweet tastes. But it’s very difficult to determine whether or not they actually like dates. After all, every feline is different. Just like people, some love them and others are disgusted by them.

However, the best thing is to keep the dates away from your feline companion for his own safety. Forget about them altogether as he won’t be able to tell the difference between a sweet and a salty snack.

Are there any risks or consequences of feeding cats dates?

As I mentioned in the beginning, dates aren’t toxic and have many various health-boosting ingredients, but that doesn’t mean your cat should eat them on a regular basis. Here’s why:

1. Dates are calorie-dense

Dates are a high-calorie food, which isn’t as suitable for a feline as you may think. As already mentioned, a feline’s daily calorie requirement is about 200 to 250, depending on its weight.

And since dates are calorie-dense food, they can fill your cat’s stomach very quickly without any nutritional benefit. Your kitty requires a high protein diet, and dates are mostly sugar and carbs.

2. There is a risk of choking

You must be very careful when feeding your cat dates because inside of them, there’s a hard, sticky pip which is the main culprit. You have to safely remove it because your cat may attempt to eat it.

In some cases, when he is unable to swallow the seed, it may cause choking and gagging. And I’m pretty sure that you’ll do anything to protect your fluffy lap-monster, am I right? Maybe you should consider learning the Heimlich maneuver for cats?

Another threat could be the date’s skin, which is another no-go for cats. It has the ability to glue itself to a cat’s palate or gums, causing irritation and discomfort. If you see your pet gagging or coughing constantly, then it could be that the skin has stamped itself near the throat.

3. Dates are natural laxatives

The most important thing to keep in mind when giving your cat dates is that they are natural laxatives that don’t have the same consequences on cats as they have on humans. If you consume dates regularly, your overall health will improve, but other than that, it won’t have any major effect on your body, except you’ll have to use the bathroom a bit more than usual.

On the other hand, cats will react differently. Even one or two dates can cause loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain.

This is why it’s highly recommended to talk to your veterinarian before making any unnecessary changes to your cat’s diet.

But let’s say you catch your cat eating dates every once in a while? What should you do then? Well, in that case, stay calm. And don’t call the vet right away because there’s no need for you to worry.

Every animal is different and there’s a possibility your four-legged fluffball really loves them.

That said, if your cat has any constipation problems, don’t think that you’ll solve them with dates. In fact, feeding them to your pet can lead to further digestive issues.

4. Dental health issues

As a mindful pet owner, you’re probably brushing your cat’s teeth every day, am I right? If you’re not doing it, then you should definitely start right now.

Cats’ teeth, just like humans’, are susceptible to cavity issues. You have to remember that dates are approximately 70-80% sugar, so it’s almost impossible to not have any dental health problems when consuming them in substantial amounts.

Sugary foods, including dates, can support the decay process in felines, thus damaging the cat’s overall oral health. Things can even be trickier and messier since brushing their teeth is a challenging endeavor.

How to react in case your cat eats a date?

So, you saw your floof sneaking out of your bedroom at night and caught him/her eating dates in the kitchen? What should you do next? Call the doctor and pray to God that your cat will survive? Or go back to sleep and act as if nothing ever happened?

As I previously mentioned, cats can eat dates as long as you feed them small amounts of them as an occasional snack. In those quantities, nothing bad will happen, except for your cat feeling thrilled that you love them that much.

If, however, he consumes large amounts of dates on a daily basis, that could lead to many health issues such as temporary digestive problems, tooth decay, or weight gain.

Also, feeding your diabetic cat dates or any other kind of sugary fruit is strictly forbidden. Unfortunately, if that ever happens, then be ready to deal with all sorts of other problems and expect more severe side effects. Then, calling your vet may be your best and only solution.

Another possibility is that your cat is allergic to dates. Even though this is fairly uncommon, it’s not impossible and could be life-threatening. Don’t think that you’re a cat expert if this is the case – immediately call your vet to seek professional advice.

How can cats eat dates safely?

First of all, I don’t recommend feeding your cat dates because they’re not part of his regular diet. But if you think that your kitty craves sweet things and decide to give him a snack or two, then there are a couple of safety measures worth considering.

First, you have to make sure that the dates of choice are organically grown and don’t contain any harmful ingredients that may negatively affect your little fluffball. Commercially produced dates contain sulphur dioxide, which is an allergen and can cause lung issues such as asthma.

If you must, go for plain dates that are free from added sugars and any other type of sweeteners.

Before you feed it to your cat, remove and safely dispose of the pip. Also, you’ll have to peel the fruit. Finally, when you’ve done that, then you can let your furry angel enjoy his treat, but not before you’ve chopped the date into several small pieces.

Don’t skip any of these steps if you want to prevent your cat from choking or gagging. Also, you need to keep the amount of dates to a minimum. Having one too many can lead to serious health issues.

Great alternatives to dates for cats

So, you’re a pet owner and a fan of mixed trails just like me. Then you’re probably wondering which dried fruits you can give to your cat and which are best kept outside of your cat’s reach.

Some of the cat-friendly dried fruit include apricot, peaches, apples, pineapples, cranberries, bananas, and plums. However, you must be careful because preparation is important when feeding them to your cat. These fruits must always be plain and well-prepared.

On top of that, they need to be organically grown and can’t contain any artificial sweeteners as they may do more harm than good.

Unfortunately, some dried fruits can be toxic even in small amounts and should never be served to cats. The most popular ones are raisins, sultanas, prunes, and figs. These fruits can cause serious digestive problems or, in some cases, kidney failure.

Feed them only those types of dried fruit you know are completely safe and won’t lead to any adverse health issues. Otherwise, you should stay away from them and treat your cat to something more exciting and delicious.

Can kittens eat dates?

Can cats eat dates? As adults, yes, in small amounts. But can kittens eat dates? NO! You should never feed them dates because they only drink their mother’s milk and nothing else.

Wait until your cat grows older and starts eating solid food, and only then can you try giving him small pieces of dates. But even then, limit it to only once or twice a week.

That’s because kittens have a more sensitive digestive system during their development stage. Including “junk food” in their diet can only cause serious complications to your little one.

After all, dates are meant for humans and not cats. Take care of your small furbaby during his early development stage and provide him with regular kitten food rather than trying to introduce anything new.

It’s important that you take your kitten regularly to the vet and track his growth. As time passes, you can add more stuff into his diet, but don’t forget to do your research first.

Conclusion

Can cats eat dates? On paper, the answer is yes. In practice, though, it’s not the best idea to feed your cat dates because there are barely any nutritional benefits.

If you want to treat your feline to a tasty snack, then opt for something that he’s used to eating and that provides nutritional value such as lamb, fish, or chicken. And even then, keep an eye on how he reacts to those types of food.

Always, and I can’t stress this enough, talk to your vet and inform yourself before making any notable changes in your pet’s diet.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Kiwi? Is This Fruit Harmful To Cats?

You’re asking because you already know she’s going to spend the afternoon giving you dirty looks and meowing for you to give her a bite. And, to be honest, you understand where she’s coming from. She’s seeing these paw-licking recipes everywhere on TikTok and she’s stuck munching on cat food… Yuck?!

She wants to see what the hype’s about, and she wants to see that NOW. Trust me, your four-legged friend doesn’t have the time to wait for you to conduct extensive research on what human foods get a pass when it comes to a cat’s diet.

Can cats eat mayonnaise? Can cats eat tuna? And, before we forget, can cats eat everything else that goes into this mouth-watering meal? You have a bunch of questions (which is completely normal for a responsible pet parent) and we’re here to help.

Our friends over at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) don’t have many negative things to say about tuna, but they’re shaking their heads at the thought of feeding mayonnaise to your feline friend.

We’re sure you were hoping to get a simple yes or no answer, but we’re here to give you a clear and concise explanation of what to expect when you’re feeding mayonnaise with tuna to your cat. So, let’s get into it.

Can cats eat mayonnaise?

We can’t forget about the only condiment of the mayonnaise with tuna culinary masterpiece, can we? Can cats eat mayonnaise? Can mayonnaise cause harm to your cat? Argh, can cats eat mayonnaise with tuna (because my cat really wants to!)?

One lick of mayo shouldn’t cause harm to your four-legged friend, but that doesn’t mean that the two of you should run off to the nearest Trader Joe’s to get a bunch of tubs of mayonnaise. To your cat’s (and everyone else’s) demise, cats can’t eat mayonnaise without repercussions.

Mayonnaise typically contains eggs, olive oil (even other types of oil), lemon juice (or vinegar, or other acids), and seasonings. These ingredients don’t scream “Your cat will die in seven days if she eats them!”, but they don’t carry any nutritional value.

Certain types of mayonnaise even contain dairy, which seems like a whole other set of problems. You see, cats carry the title of obligate carnivores. That’s just a fancy way of saying they require a bunch of meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients in their diet.

They don’t really require fruits, veggies, and grains the same way humans do. They don’t even possess the enzymes necessary for their digestive system to break down and process most foods humans eat on a regular.

Actually, most cats are lactose intolerant. They don’t possess the lactase enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down and processing the lactose from dairy products. Consuming dairy products regardless of their lactose intolerance can cause a bunch of digestive issues and health issues.

And, consuming mayonnaise (or at least consuming more than a couple of licks) can cause stomachache, diarrhea, and vomiting. Not to mention weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and other serious health problems. Cats can eat mayonnaise, but that doesn’t mean that they should.

Can cats eat tuna?

Your four-legged friend LOVES fish, everything that tastes like fish, and everything that smells like fish. But, with so many fish in the sea, you might find yourself wondering “Can cats eat tuna with no repercussions?” or even “Can tuna cause harm to my cat?”

Tuna, the fish, could probably take your precious purrincess down with one swipe of her tail. And tuna, the dish, could probably do the same thing with the amount of mercury it’s believed to possess. Cats can eat tuna, but that doesn’t mean they should (we‘re starting to see a pattern here!).

Tuna does contain a bunch of vitamins such as vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D. As for the minerals, tuna contains calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, B-vitamins, selenium, and choline. Don’t even get me started on those omega-3 fatty acids!

And yes, even canned tuna contains these nutrients. Canned tuna also contains some other ingredients you might want to keep an eye out for, but that’s beside the point. Tuna does offer a bunch of nutritional and health benefits TO HUMANS, but this saltwater fish doesn’t have the same effect on cats.

Actually, consuming tuna on a regular can cause harm to your feline friend. On the one hand, tuna allergies are pretty common among felines. Some of the most prominent symptoms of an allergic reaction are redness, skin irritation, crust bumps, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

On the other, cats can experience mercury poisoning. Some of the most common mercury poisoning symptoms are odd behavior, weakness, loss of coordination, loss of appetite, tremors, odd body and eye movements, loss of vision, and even death.

Can cats eat mayonnaise with tuna, then?

Everything’s pointing to “No!”, but you haven‘t considered everything. Sure, mayonnaise and tuna aren‘t necessarily your vet‘s favorite pick for your cat‘s diet. But, mayonnaise with tuna might have some redeeming qualities we haven‘t mentioned beforehand, right!?

So, before you start throwing out every can of tuna and every tub of mayonnaise you can find in your pantry, you might want to give your vet a visit. Cats can eat mayonnaise with tuna without experiencing allergy or toxicity symptoms, you just have to figure out what’s best for your cat’s health.

Throw a glance at your TikTok and check the recipe for the trending mayonnaise with tuna salad. Mayonnaise (obviously), tuna (who’s surprised?), celery, shallots, pickles, pickle juice, and salt. Yes, these ingredients sound delicious, but are they a delicious treat for your cat?

1. Mayonnaise

Yes, we’ve already talked your ears off with mayonnaise! But, mayonnaise happens to be THE main ingredient of the meal you’re trying to feed to your mischievous monster. And, mayonnaise happens to be THE ingredient that you’re most worried about.

Cats can eat mayonnaise (as mentioned beforehand), but they shouldn’t because mayonnaise makes their stomachs hurt. Cooked eggs are safe for cats, but we can’t say the same about raw egg yolks that can be found in pretty much every mayonnaise recipe out there.

Raw eggs (egg whites or egg yolks) typically carry a bunch of bacteria and parasites (such as salmonella). These pesky passengers can cause serious damage to your cat’s health. Trust me, you don‘t want to feed your cat mayonnaise unless you find something more cat-appropriate (meowonnaise, maybe?!).

2. Tuna

And yes, we’ve already figured out that tuna doesn’t make for a great pick-me-up for your four-legged friend. Sure, there are worse things she can munch on. But, we can’t overlook the (very common) tuna allergies or the (also very common) mercury poisoning.

Trust me, there‘s plenty of other fish in the sea (pun kind of intended). Your cat’s better off scoffing down a bunch of sardines, tilapia, or even mackerel as long as she avoids the ones that can rush her to the emergency animal center.

You might want to throw a glance at your TikTok and check whether you can make mayonnaise with tuna without the… Tuna. Worth the shot?!

3. Celery

We did some digging (you can thank us later), and celery seems to be one of the most common mayonnaise with tuna ingredients. Apparently, you can’t make this paw-licking meal without the help of your trusty, crunchy stalks.

And, cats can eat celery! Sure, that doesn’t sound like good news after you’ve discovered that cats can’t really eat mayonnaise or tuna. But, celery does make the meal look better with the lineup of vitamins and minerals that include vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and folate.

Celery’s also great for maintaining your cat’s blood pressure and blood sugar levels. And who doesn‘t love munching on crunchy foods and reaping the nutritional and health benefits?!

4. Shallots

“What do you mean cats can’t eat mayonnaise with tuna? THANKS SH-ALLOT!” Your furry friend might be able to down a bit of mayonnaise with tuna, but only if you’re 100% sure it doesn’t contain any shallots.

Unfortunately, cats can’t eat shallots under any circumstances. Our friends over at the ASPCA agree that shallots (alongside onions, garlic, and scallions) cause damage to your cat’s red blood cells and lead to anemia (and other serious diseases).

Shallots might give that much-needed kick to your mayonnaise and tuna salad, but you’re better off swapping them for something else. Your furry friend might surprise you and snatch that bite right out of your mouth, so you better be prepared.

5. Pickles and pickle juice

We hear you, we understand your (and everyone else‘s) obsession with pickles, and we’re aware that you have a TikTok account where you share pickle recipes and pickle recipes only. But, TRUST ME, your furry friend won’t give you a like or a follow when she stumbles upon your account.

You read that right, cats can’t eat pickles (or have pickle juice) under any circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, cucumbers don’t deserve a bad reputation because they’re completely safe. But, the moment they get pickled they lose everything that makes them safe.

Pickles (and pickle juice) contain a bunch of salt and seasonings. One pickle (or two at best) shouldn’t cause harm to your furry friend unless one of those seasonings happens to be garlic (which is pretty common). Garlic doesn’t belong anywhere near your cat, especially not within her digestive system.

6. Salt

Cats LOVE salt because they can’t taste most things humans can, and they can certainly taste salt. Don’t get me wrong, they need a little bit of salt in their system. But, consuming too much salt can cause dehydration, excessive thirst, and urination, and even lead to sodium toxicity.

Salt seems to be the least of your concerns when it comes to feeding mayonnaise with tuna to your four-legged friend, though. Don’t forget, don’t make significant changes to her diet without consulting the vet beforehand.

What’s the conclusion? Can cats eat mayonnaise with tuna?

Here’s the short answer: NO! Sure, mayonnaise isn’t necessarily toxic to cats. Tuna isn’t necessarily toxic to cats, either. But, mayonnaise with tuna (as a salad, a combined meal, or whichever way you like to prepare it) shouldn’t become a part of your cat’s diet.

And, given that you have a stubborn situation on your hands, you can always keep a suspiciously similar treat under your sleeve. Make a homemade salad with some lettuce, cabbage, sardines, and a dressing of your cat’s choice. Voila, you have yourselves a delicious dinner!

You’re pretty sure you can give her a spoonful with no repercussions. But, she doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. She wants more and she wants it now. You have no other choice but to go online, look up “can cats eat vanilla ice cream” and hope for the best.

This must be your lucky day because the best seems to be exactly what you’re getting! According to our friends over at the ASPCA, a bit of vanilla ice cream is purrfectly safe for your furry friend.

You have nothing to worry about when you catch her licking the spoon after you’ve scoffed down an entire bucket of vanilla ice cream. Or helping herself to that blob of chocolate ice cream you spilled on the floor when you received an unexpected message from your crush.

But… There’s always a but when it comes to feeding your feline friend anything that isn’t supposed to be a regular part of her diet. Most human foods contain ingredients that can send her running to her litter box and vanilla ice cream doesn’t seem to be an exception.

Can cats eat ice cream safely?

You can’t wonder whether cats can eat a particular kind of ice cream without wondering whether they can eat ice cream at all, right!? You don’t see a lot of brands making these types of treats. And, you certainly don’t see a lot of cats with a cone between their paws.

So, can cats eat ice cream? Is ice cream safe for cats? Or is ice cream bad for cats? Most cat owners would agree that this tasty treat doesn’t fall under the category of cat foods or cat treats that are considered a regular part of their feline’s diet.

You see, cats are carnivores. That means that they require heaps of meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients in their diet. Ice cream doesn’t have the nutritional value your cat needs. So, there’s pretty much no reason why she should consume it on a regular basis.

Cats can’t even taste sweet things because they weren’t supposed to feed off of them in the first place. They don’t have the necessary taste receptors so they can’t really detect anything that has a sweet taste.

And don’t even get me started on the fact that their digestive system isn’t equipped to break down the sugar (a.k.a. the carbohydrates) in ice cream.

Technically speaking, cats can eat ice cream. But, ice cream shouldn’t become a regular part of their diet. Too much ice cream can cause brain freeze (which isn’t fun for humans, either). And, it can also cause different digestive problems such as upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and even food poisoning.

So, can cats eat vanilla ice cream?

Everything we mentioned in the previous couple of paragraphs applies to vanilla ice cream, too. A lick or two shouldn’t send your four-legged friend running to her litter box. Such a small amount of vanilla ice cream doesn’t contain enough of what would typically make your cat sick.

That being said, it’s important to underline that vanilla ice cream does contain an ingredient that’s considered toxic. And yes, we’re talking about the vanilla extract.

To your cat’s demise, the vanilla extract contains a bunch of ethyl alcohol (up to 34%). Ethyl alcohol can easily lead to alcohol poisoning even when consumed in smaller amounts. One lick of pure vanilla extract can leave your furry friend with severe symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

These symptoms include drowsiness, lack of coordination, and lack of consciousness. Additionally, you might notice symptoms that are typically recognized as digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

When we say that cats can eat vanilla ice cream, we’re talking about that tiny lick you give to your cat when she doesn’t want to walk away without her “you’re adorable” treat. Or when she doesn’t want to let you enjoy your bucket of ice cream without meowing until your ears fall off.

You get the gist of it, but you might be intrigued to find out more. What makes vanilla ice cream (and any other kind of ice cream) unfavorable to your four-legged friend? Why can’t your cat have a sweet treat every now and then? Why is vanilla ice cream bad for your cat’s health?

3 reasons why vanilla ice cream isn’t great for your cat

Cats can eat vanilla ice cream, but… There always seems to be a but when we’re talking about feeding our furry friends with different human foods. Vanilla ice cream contains too many ingredients that might harm your cat, so…

You might want to skip out on this one and find a better alternative. As mentioned before, a little lick shouldn’t be the cause for panic. But, you certainly want to avoid feeding your cat large amounts of ice cream.

After all, this tasty treat contains a lot of sugar, artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, and a bunch of other things you can read about when you scroll down.

1. Propylene glycol

While these two words might seem like something you skip because you don’t even want to attempt to read them… They are incredibly important when we’re talking about reasons why cats can’t eat vanilla ice cream.

You see, propylene glycol is a “safe” antifreeze that’s typically used to prevent ice crystals from developing in your ice cream. While that’s all great and dandy, propylene glycol can lead to poisoning in cats! It has even been banned from being used in cat food.

When your feline friend eats too much of something that contains this ingredient, she might experience symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite, fever, skin discolorations, urine discolorations, and fever.

Not only that, but when left untreated these symptoms might result in anemia (Heinz body anemia, in particular), or even cause irreversible damage to your cat’s nervous system.

2. Lactose

Here’s something you weren’t expecting to read: cats are lactose intolerant! Most cats’ digestive system doesn’t contain the lactase enzyme. It is responsible for breaking down and processing lactose in everyday dairy products.

Vanilla ice cream is typically made with whole milk which contains the highest amount of lactose among all other dairy products. What happens when your lactose-intolerant cat eats a bunch of vanilla ice cream?

Well, the most common symptoms include upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. While those symptoms don’t sound as dangerous as damage to your cat’s nervous system, they’re still pretty uncomfortable.

So, next time you’re planning on eating an entire bucket of ice cream in front of your curious creature, you might want to opt for dairy-free ice cream. Or skip out on this tasty treat altogether.

3. Vanilla

Yes, we’ve talked about this in one of the previous paragraphs, but it doesn’t hurt to talk about it again. Vanilla extract that’s typically found in vanilla ice cream is considered toxic to cats.

Ethyl alcohol, one of the essential ingredients of vanilla extract, can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. It goes without saying that alcohol poisoning sounds like something you don’t want your furry friend to experience.

Granted, she would have to consume about a teaspoon of ethyl alcohol to experience any symptoms of alcohol poisoning, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Can kittens eat vanilla ice cream?

Technically yes, but avoid feeding it to your cat on a daily basis. There’s nothing wrong with letting your kitten lick the spoon you used to eat your vanilla ice cream. You could even let her have an entire spoonful. But, this tasty treat isn’t something you want her to consume regularly.

On the other hand, kittens aren’t lactose intolerant. Your kitten might have a better time digesting vanilla ice cream than most cats. But, you shouldn’t forget about everything else we mentioned beforehand. As a general rule of thumb, consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your cat’s (or kitten’s) diet.

Can cats eat chocolate ice cream?

Vanilla ice cream might have vanilla extract, but chocolate ice cream has theobromine and caffeine. These two ingredients can cause even more harm to your cat’s health. So, it’s only natural to assume that cats can’t eat chocolate ice cream.

There’s no way of telling whether a single lick of chocolate ice cream would send your cat to the emergency animal center. But, who’s to say that she won’t scoff down the entire bucket while you’re not looking!?

Some of the side effects of consuming chocolate are vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even cardiac failure or coma. Chocolate ice cream isn’t likely to kill your cat, but it’s certainly likely to make her incredibly ill for a couple of hours.

Let’s just say it’s better to stay away from this tasty treat.

Cats can eat vanilla ice cream, but…

You shouldn’t make any significant changes to your cat’s diet unless you consult with your vet beforehand. There are so many human foods that aren’t safe for your four-legged friend, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once again, a lick of vanilla ice cream shouldn’t cause any harm to your cat. But, you can always offer her some plain, low-fat yogurt or sour cream if feeding her ice cream makes you nervous. Trust me, there are so many ice cream alternatives available on the market.

You don’t have to risk getting your feline friend in trouble because of a single lick of vanilla ice cream!

This isn’t something that frequently crosses your mind, but only because you don’t eat these often. If you did, trust me, you would constantly think “Can cats eat Cheetos?”

This might be out of pure curiosity or because you saw how your pet’s been looking at your bowl of snacks. Deep down, you know what’s the right thing to do.

However, you’re too weak for some reason, just like any of us. You simply can’t help but give in when she looks at you with those beautiful round eyes. Still, should you comply with her wish or try to ignore her?

I know that both options are hard choices, but you must decide. What’s it going to be – her health or her short satisfaction?

Can cats eat Cheetos?

You don’t really have to be an expert for these things just to understand that cats and snacks don’t really match well. Our furry friends probably don’t share the same opinion.

However, sometimes you need to take over the control. Be in charge of the situation and tell her no. This might be a challenge since we all know that felines are really the big boss around the house.

Still, you must always think about what’s best for her. Is it a bag of Cheetos? Well, probably not. Can cats eat Cheetos? If you asked them, I’m almost sure it would be a positive answer.

Unfortunately, these snacks aren’t really made to be suitable for our feline companions. They might get a taste of them, but it certainly isn’t recommended.

Cheetos are snacks, which means fast food, which also implies they’re packed with calories, fats, and carbs. There’s nothing nutritional for felines in a bag of Cheetos.

Also, cats don’t really look for something to snack on. They need full and cat-appropriate foods that are going to give them all of the nutrients they need.

Therefore, cats can’t really enjoy Cheetos. Now, I don’t want to be the bad guy who brings this distasteful news, so I’m going to break it down for you.

The downsides of cats eating Cheetos

Obesity is among the top reasons as a cause of various illnesses in animals. Humans tend to love on them a bit too much and then disaster strikes.

Before you know it, your good intentions and acts of affection towards your cat turn out to get a different name. It’s called obesity, diabetes, dental decay, and so on.

Yes, it might sound a bit unbelievable, but those are all the possible things that could happen to your pet. That is if you don’t stick to her regular diet.

Therefore, makes sure you don’t jeopardize your cat’s health just because you want to see her happy. Cheetos are no good for your pet, trust me.

1. All the fats

Usually, fat is what every animal needs, and so do cats. When you think about it, how else would they survive out in the wild? There’s no central heating or warm blankets out in the woods in winter.

Therefore, felines and other four-legged friends need fat in order to keep them warm throughout this harsh period. We wouldn’t want them to freeze to death, right?

However, the fat they get from animals and their flesh and the one they would get from eating a bag of Cheetos can’t really be compared. The first one is healthy and much needed.

The other one, not so much. When you wonder can cats eat Cheetos, you must first ask yourself what she could possibly gain from it. Well, let me cut you some slack and tell you spot on.

Nothing. Unfortunately, snacks aren’t made to fulfill dietary requirements, especially those of a cat. Therefore, without any benefits, Cheetos are definitely unnecessary.

The healthy fats that your pet could get from animal-based foods are unsaturated fats. These feed her skin, bones, and fur, and give her energy.

It holds many advantages for a feline, unlike saturated fats. On the other hand, saturated fats are also called unhealthy fats. You want to know why?

Well, in contrast to healthy ones, saturated fats are known to create many medical issues for felines. They might cause blood clotting, high cholesterol levels in the blood, and so on.

But what’s more terrifying is the fact that it increases the chances of a heart stroke. Moreover, it raises the risk of other cardiovascular diseases as well.

All in all, cats cannot eat Cheetos because they’re packed with fats. And these are not the good ones either, trust me.

2. Carbs and calories

As if the bad fats weren’t enough to ruin your day, a bag of Cheetos has yet another surprise. I know you don’t like these kinds of surprises but bear with me.

If you want the best for your cat, you’ll try to keep her away from human snacks. The real trouble with these delicious foods is the high amount of calories and carbs.

Well, they’re snacks, so what is there to expect? Of course, they’re packed with calories and carbs! It’s something we love about them, right? They make us feel full in no time.

However, we know when it’s time to stop, but our fluffy pets may not know that. Be honest with me, if your cat was to get her paws on a bag of Cheetos, would she know when to stop?

We’re no saints either, I admit. I also tend to lose control sometimes, especially when it’s movie night. So who am I to judge? But we must keep our pets safe and healthy all the time and that’s not an easy task.

Carbs and calories not only can but will make us fat if we indulge in them. The same goes for our pretty babies. Unfortunately, it’s easier gaining those extra pounds that shedding them, right?

Therefore, our pets are also prone to becoming overweight. If your cat doesn’t get the right nutrients and doesn’t spend the right amount, it’s bound to happen.

Now, you’d think that cats are agile creatures and it just can’t happen to her? Well, watch and see. If you keep thinking that cats can eat Cheetos, you’ll soon become aware of just how detrimental it can be.

3. Can cats eat Cheetos because of spices?

This is definitely a major red flag when it comes to these snacks. Felines and spices don’t match, and if they did, it would be a pure disaster.

Cats can’t eat spices, therefore, they shouldn’t be trying out these snacks. Cheetos come in different flavors and that’s one of the reasons why we love them so much.

On the other hand, this variety isn’t suitable for your furry pet. Cats are pretty simple creatures and they don’t need spices and seasonings. Actually, some of the might even be toxic.

For instance, Cheetos are packed with salt which, if consumed in large quantities, can be deadly for your feline companion. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, as well as tremors, and dehydration.

Next to salt, Cheetos contain garlic and onion powder which are both poisonous to pets. The members of the Allium family (garlic, onion, chives…) destroy red blood cells which leads to anemia and other health conditions.

Also, they contain some ingredients that might be repulsive to cats, such as black pepper. Therefore, don’t forget what dangers a bag of Cheetos poses for your cat.

4. Different artificial flavors

Spices are one way to add natural flavor to snacks. However, people got dissatisfied with that over time. That’s why we nowadays have different artificial flavors.

These are totally safe for human consumption. On the other hand, they might be damaging to felines. Cats aren’t wired to consume human foods.

Therefore, it’s to be expected that your pet has some problems if faced with our food. Usually, cats get stomach pains followed by diarrhea and vomiting.

However, these are only short-term effects. Unfortunately, the consequences of artificial flavors might be long-term for our pets.

Some of the artificial flavors might be poisonous and you can never know for sure just how your pet’s going to react to a certain one.

What’s even more concerning than that is you can’t know the exact amount it takes for a pet to get sick. If you notice your pet behaving any differently, you should call your vet.

You never know when she’s been bad or done something she would later regret. She might’ve chucked down some Cheetos without you even knowing.

Can cats eat an alternative to Cheetos?

Of course, as every cat parent, you’re sad every time you hear the bad news. Usually, it’s when you figure out you can’t share something with your beloved pet.

However, you shouldn’t worry about not being able to share a bag of Cheetos. Instead, treat your cat with some cat-appropriate treats that you know she’ll like.

You don’t have to buy all of those expensive ones! You can even offer her some homemade cat treats, such as dried anchovies or some veggies snacks.

There are even a number of fruits that are totally safe for your cat’s consumption and I’m sure she’ll like them. You never know if you don’t even try right?

Whatever it may be, cats can’t and shouldn’t be eating Cheetos. They aren’t healthy for her and don’t offer her any nutritional benefits.

Moreover, they can be extremely dangerous for her. Some spices might be poisonous and your feline could be in danger.

Thankfully, cats are usually picky eaters and won’t grab everything off the floor, unlike canines. The smell might even be deterring enough, but you never know.

It’s best to keep an eye out and keep your pet out of your pantry. The next time you wonder “can cats eat Cheetos”, remember this piece of advice.