Cranberries are definitely one of the tastiest and healthiest fruit snacks. It offers a lot of nutrients and vitamins despite being relatively small in size.
However, can cats eat cranberries? Are they equally nutritious when it comes to our feline friends, or will it be better if you stick to traditional cat treats?
Here’s a piece of good news: Cranberries actually make an excellent snack for cats. Introducing this slowly to their diets and gradually making it an everyday thing will greatly benefit your cats’ health. Of course, there are still certain rules that you have to follow in order for them to ingest the said fruit safely.
If you want a more detailed answer behind the pros and cons of cats eating cranberries, then read on to the following sections.
Why Do Some Cats Love To Eat Cranberries?
Since pet cats don’t necessarily have a sense of which is healthy and which is not, there are usually only two main reasons some cats love to eat cranberries. The first involves the fruit’s scent, and the other revolves around the taste.
Although the majority of cats don’t like the touch of citrus in the smell of cranberries, there are definitely some that eat the fruit because of the same pungent scent. This is because of the strong salty sweat-like smell of cranberries, which cats are highly attracted to.
If you find cranberries delicious, then you can expect cats to find it even tastier because of their high level of senses. Note that we’re talking about the sweetened version of the fruit at hand. The cranberries must either be sweet or sour for your cats to like them. Avoid raw ones since they have a sharp, bitter taste, and felines aren’t really a big fan of that.
Can I Give My Cat Cranberries?
If you still have the question, “Can cats eat cranberries?” in mind, then the short answer is yes. Cranberries are safe for cats, no matter the breed. It will just be a matter of the feline’s preference and how much you give.
However, as always, a coin has two sides. This still applies even if we’re talking about the foods that we share with our feline friends.
Read also: Feeding Cats: Can Cats Eat Mango?
What Are The Advantages Of Giving A Cat Cranberries
A moderate amount of cranberries will help your cat get additional nutrients in their everyday diet. A piece of the fruit comes with nutrients and vitamins like C, E, and K1. It also has a good amount of fiber and manganese acting as antioxidants.
If your cat highly likes the taste of cranberries, then it’s also a good occasional training snack. Doing so will add a tasty yet still healthy reward for your feline.
One of the most popular benefits of cranberries to cats revolves around urinary tract health. A study stated that long-term consumption of cranberries, both in pure and supplement form, can reduce risks of recurrent UTI in felines.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Giving Cat Cranberries
Moving on to the negative side, if your cat accidentally ingests too many cranberries, it can result in digestive issues like stomach ache, diarrhea, and likes. This is true no matter the form of cranberries we’re talking about.
Moreover, the supposed benefit of decreased risks of feline UTI can also backfire when cats get a high amount of oxalates from the said fruit. A study showed that irresponsible consumption could give your cat oxalate crystal stones, more commonly known as bladder stones.
Disclaimer: If your cat has UTI, don’t rely on cranberries alone for remedy. It isn’t a miracle cure, so it will still be best to consult a veterinarian for the issue.
All in all, the effect of cats eating cranberries will all depend on factors like how much they eat, how often they are given the fruit, and the cat’s general health condition.
How Many Cranberries Can A Cat Have?
A piece of cranberry comes up to about 1/2 inch at most, so giving two pieces worth of the fruit should be enough for your cat for the whole day. One is ideal for smaller and/or younger cats.
It’s important to keep in mind that the amount of cranberries you will give to your cats will play a big part in the pros and cons. Thus, it’s just right that you stick to smaller portions. You don’t have to reach a certain number of cranberries since a piece or two will already give your cat a lot of benefits.
Note that if you’re going to feed processed cranberries, specifically those with added sugar content, you may need to stick to just half a piece. A piece would be the most that you can give.
If you can find pure ones, then that’s even better. The former may lead to sugar-related risks like hyperglycemia or increased chances of diabetes. Hence, you may want to avoid this if your cat has underlying conditions.
How Can I Safely Give Cranberries To My Cat?
The safest way to give your cat cranberries is through supplements. There are specialized cranberry supplements that are made with a number of other nutrients, which makes it a lot more ideal for a feline’s diet. It can also be more delicious for your cat’s taste.
Raw cranberries are also safe enough for a cat’s consumption, but their naturally bitter taste may not cater to their liking. Opt for lightly sweetened yet pure cranberries instead. Make sure that you take the sugar level into account to avoid issues.
On another note, dried cranberries are also a great choice if you want to totally avoid dealing with sweetened fruits. These are also more popular among felines because of their sweet-sour taste.
Of course, there are also some things that you may want to avoid. Cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, and mall-bought cranberry-flavored snacks (for humans) are a big no. These have high sugar and sodium content, which can mean more cons than pros.
In terms of methods, you can choose to give the cranberries as is if they’re big enough. Alternatively, you can slice a piece into smaller bits for easier digestion. You can also crush the fruit and place it on their food bowls. Consider trying different ways to see which will work best for your cat.
Final Thoughts
So, can cats eat cranberries?
Of course! If you add a moderate amount of cranberries to a cat’s daily diet, you can expect them to reap benefits like reduced chances of UTI and having a good daily source of fiber. This is the same with vitamin C. Just make sure that you will be giving pure and raw cranberries instead of processed ones like canned drinks or the dried versions.
If you plan on incorporating cranberries into your cat’s diet, it’s recommended that you start slowly. You should also consider testing the waters to see if they like the fruit.
Read also: Can Cats Eat Papaya?
