Cats are carnivores, and they love eating meat. But do you have any idea that your feline friend can benefit from eating veggies and fruits such as cranberries? Cranberries have many health benefits that can make a good addition to your feline companion’s diet.
You often have popped some cranberries into your mouth and came across this question whether you can share a few berries with your furry friend or not. You might have wondered whether cranberries are safe for cats to eat like humans. The answer is definitely yes, cats can eat cranberries safely. But you should take careful precautions regarding the exceptions in feline foods. To do that, you should consult a veterinarian before sharing cranberries and other human foods with your pet.
How are cranberries safe for cats?
Cranberries contain essential minerals consisting of copper, iron, and magnesium. They are packed with vitamin C, A, and K. Cranberries contain vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain many essential minerals, including iron, copper, and magnesium.
Some studies reveal that cranberries are helpful for pets and humans if they suffer from urinary tract infections. The reason behind this is that cranberries are considered to turn urine more acidic. And this, in turn, destroys the bacteria.
Even though some claims cranberries treat urinary tract infections, few medical claims support the statement. Others even suggest that cranberries have high oxalate levels that aggravate few cats and can lead to various issues such as different bladder problems.
Therefore, if you are planning to add cranberries and consider them in your cat’s regular diet, then you must consult a vet beforehand so that you know which forms of cranberries are to be given-fresh, supplement, and juiced.
How can I give cranberries to my cats with safety precautions?
Cranberries are not toxic foods for cats. You should consult your vet if cranberries are appropriate for your cat. If they suggest so, then try to give your pet these cranberries to taste.
At first, ensure that these cranberries are not cranberry juice commercially bought from markets that contain dried cranberries and additional sugar and ingredients beyond a fruit.
Ask your vet for the best form of cranberries and the exact dosage to be fed to your cat.
Health benefits of cranberries
Cranberries are tangy fruits that can be served to cats in different ways and are easy to source. They aren’t fruits for only holiday seasons. Why not try and enjoy cranberries all year long with your pet?
Cats, like humans, need good nutrients to lead a quality life and stay healthy. Unlike humans, cats can’t create vitamin C on their own, but they need a good dosage of it daily to strengthen their immune system and fight off viruses and bacteria easily. Vitamin C helps in offering thymus gland support and wound healing. Cranberries are packed with Vitamin C. These tangy red small fruits help prevent the onset of bladder stones caused by strains of E. Coli.
How can I serve cranberries to my cat?
There are many options available to serve cranberries other than raw, fresh cranberries, which are tarty and may not be liked by your cat. Some suggestable options are:
- You can give cranberry extract to your cat as a simple supplement for supporting its health.
- You may give your cat one or two dried cranberries as a fun treat instead of other treats.
- You can give your cat a juicy experience by adding a tablespoon of cranberry juice.
- Bake fresh cranberries with pieces of chicken and carrot chunks to feed them at their mealtime. The addition of flax oil in the mix may support your cat’s health as it contains essential fatty acids.
- You can also share some cranberry laden leftovers or make a mix of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and stuffing with them
Cooked cranberries
You can share cooked cranberries with your cat but do not add any other ingredients apart from water. Cooked cranberries are safe for cats if they are eaten in small quantities. However, if you have not cooked the cranberries and think it consists of other ingredients, you should not give them to your cat. Other ingredients here include sugar. Sugar is added to cooking fruits as it is a common ingredient to remove tartness; however, it is unhealthy for cats. It causes weight gain and harms their dental health. Cats also dislike sugary foods. Cranberries are used in pie filling as an ingredient. Avoid giving this form of cranberries to cats as there are potentially unhealthy ingredients for cats to feed.
What type of cranberries should be avoided?
Cranberries have several forms, but all of them are not safe for cats. For example, cranberry sauce contains lots of sugar. Apart from sugar, it has spices, and salt included depending on the brand or the recipe. Also, avoid cranberry juice. It contains potentially harmful ingredients. So you must take precautions and avoid feeding them these forms of cranberries. Read the ingredients before giving something to cats. Some cranberry flavorings are only made for human consumption and are best suitable for the human stomach, making your cat ill if you feed to them.
Cranberry pet foods
Cranberry is an ingredient used in many pet treats as it has health benefits. Give cranberries as concealed ingredient in pet foods if your cats don’t like dried/fresh cranberries to reap the benefits of these fruits.
Give cranberries as unsweetened juice or as cranberry supplements in the form of pills and powders. Some owners give cranberry treats to their cats in biscuits and cookies to avoid the risk of urinary tract infections. Although ASPCA has not suggested cranberries safe for cats, there isn’t any report of toxicity involved. But as owner, be careful and avoid unpleasant consequences by giving cranberries in limited amounts and as per the guidance of a vet.
Conclusion
Gradually introduce these cranberries to your cat’s meal to avoid stomach upset. Introduce a type of veggie or fruit in small amounts in their diet so that you can determine easily whether your pet is facing any adverse reaction or not or your pet is allergic to a certain type of fruit/veggie. Though cats are carnivores, cranberries are helpful to your cat’s diet, just like humans.