Cats can’t eat Banana Pudding.
Some though it is tempting to feed your feline this dessert. However, the banana sauce would result in a messy, diarrhea-creating mess.
So, can cats eat banana pudding?
The answer is no. Cats need to eat a high-protein diet in order to stay fit and strong. Bananas are low in protein content.
Also, bananas are very high in sugar content, which can contribute to diabetes in cats. So, they love bananas but they can’t eat them!
What Exactly Is Banana Pudding?
Many people throughout the ages have loved desserts and sweets of all kinds.
This dish is popular in the southern states of America and is believed to have originated in New Orleans in the state of Louisiana some time in the 19th century.
The pudding may be cooked and is surrounded by wafers and wafers are custards topped with sliced bananas and whipped cream.
Ladyfingers, Nilla wafers, and whipped cream can also be used instead of bananas.
The pudding may be baked or steamed with milk or cream and a starch like cornstarch or flour as the starch component.
If prepared from scratch, the original recipe was a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar and cornstarch.
Can Cats Eat Banana Pudding?
You should never give a cat or kitten any food that you would not eat by yourself.
Bananas are not hazardous to cats, and however milk is not recommended for cats while pregnant or nursing.
That implies that if you’re trying that recipe for the very first time, you have to make a variation since there are no eggs in the original recipe.
Is It Dangerous for Cats to Eat Banana Pudding?
Your cat should have no reason to have some kind of allergic reaction to bananas though cats may have an allergy to bananas if eaten in excess amount and the reaction is anaphylaxis.
It’s heavy in calories and fat, and should be avoided for cats with medical problems and cats on a limited diet.
This dessert is high in sugar, and shouldn’t be given to overweight cats with the possibility of diabetes or hyperglycemia.
Cats need around 200 calories a day to maintain their normal weight.
Anything beyond that may result in obesity.
Weight gain is unhealthy for cats since extra pounds put strain on their heart and respiratory system.
Excessive calorie consumption might increase the risk of contracting diabetes and other diseases in cats.
This opens the door to a slew more health issues in cats like arthritis and heart diseases.
Is Banana Pudding Okay for Cats to Eat?
In terms of nutrition, fruit is nutritious and loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals, but for your cat banana pudding is a full diet not a treat you can serve your cat.
They include vitamins B6, C, D, E and potassium which are essential for maintaining good health and immunity and to support healthy brain function.
But a banana pudding recipe made for humans contains sugar which should be banned in cat diets.
To clarify why cats shouldn’t eat banana pudding, let’s take a look into what and how it affects your cat’s body.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a no-no for cats.
Vanilla extract contains ethyl alcohol, which is toxic to felines.
This is due to alcohol poisoning, which can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting to lethargy and coma in severe cases.
Milk
Many cat parents throughout the globe love giving milk to their cats to improve the calcium intake in their diet.
Kittens, like other young mammals, are born without the ability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk.
This allows kittens to nurse from their mothers, who convert lactose into lactic acid, a source of energy for the kittens.
Kittens, on the other hand, become less and less dependant on their mothers and are able to begin ingesting solid foods by 6 to 8 weeks of age.
Adult cats are prone to stomach troubles after ingesting milk, especially cow’s milk, and it can cause severe stomach upset and diarrhea.
Humans and felines are very similar in the way they digest their meals; however, there are some differences when it comes to cat nutrition.
Giving a kitten or an adult cat too much of anything (including milk) can lead to a tummy ache.
Bananas
Banana pudding cannot seem to improve a cat’s coat and this should be avoided when adding bananas to a cat’s diet.
While this fruit has a lot of benefits for humans; bananas are not the best treat to give to your cats.
This is due not just to cats’ inability to digest it properly but because of the amount of potassium it contains.
Cats don’t need a potassium-rich diet like humans do because this mineral can lead to serious health problems, including kidney failure.
They get all of what they need from their main diet, which consists mainly of meat and other easily digestible building blocks.
If your cat enjoys licking the fro-yo dish or licking the spoon while you are cooking dinner, it is likely that you will give your cat a taste of your dessert as well.
Pudding or Custard Mix
Custard is the main component in banana pudding and custards in general.
Whether you create your own custard or use pre-packaged custard mix, be aware that if a cat ingests milk, especially cow’s milk, and it can cause severe stomach.
Vanilla extract is not part of the custard mix itself but is often used as a flavoring in commercially prepared custard mixes.
Custards also need the addition if eggs, which if ingested by cats, can be irritating to the sensitive cat stomach and can also lead to diarrhea.
While a lick or two won’t do much damage, custards can be very unhealthy if your cat eats too much of it.
Potential Risks Of Banana Pudding for Cats
Carbohydrates are not required for feline growth or health, and the fat and calories in bananas could cause weight gain and even obesity in cats.
This is mostly due to cats having little to no dietary requirement for carbohydrates, which come from starchy foods such as grains and vegetables like potatoes.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they are carnivores that can only digest meat, bone, and fat.
Animal protein is what cats need to thrive and survive.
Carbs, obviously, are incapable to turn into protein.
Unfortunately, this sort of pudding takes time to make properly.
Your pet is undoubtedly drawn towards the aroma and taste of this food because it contains the ingredients he loves so much.
You should know better and this food shouldn’t be consumed by your cat.
What Can You Do If Your Cat Eats Banana Pudding?
Your cat should be OK if only a few licks of the treat are taken since it was likely just the smell that had your kitty interested.
However, some cats may vomit after eating these desserts and may end up with diarrhea or loose stools.
This should be your call to make based on your own cat’s tolerance.
However, if these symptoms persist or are severe, a trip to the vet will be necessary to diagnose the problem.
In cats, diarrhea and vomiting are often symptoms of stomach pain and intestinal distress.
If, on the other hand, your cat ate banana pudding and starts to develop a lump in her throat or have difficulty swallowing or breathing, she may have ingested a burned part of the treat.
Although the dessert is not toxic to cats,it will cause her to cough and choke.
So, contact the vet straight soon if this occurs in your pet.
So, keep your banana pudding out of the reach of your cat as it is not healthy for her at all.
Can Cats Eat Vanilla Wafers?
Vanilla wafers are a quintessential part of any dessert but did you know that they can harm your feline friend.
Unfortunately, cats cannot tolerate vanilla wafers or anything related to vanilla as they are toxic to cats.
These snacks are dangerous to cats because they contain vanillin which is a chemical that’s toxic to cats.
All of these may be added into the vanilla extract or powder which, in turn makes them poisonous for cats.
You may have given vanilla wafers to your cat and it began to show symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Now that you know cats cannot eat vanilla wafers it is important to discard them right away from your cat’s reach.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Banana Peppers?
Conclusion
Banana pudding is not safe for your cat to eat as well.
While bananas are not harmful for your cat to eat, they contain pectin which is a soluble fibre that can cause digestive issues for your cat.
Because it includes ethyl alcohol, bananas are poisonous to your cat if so consumed in excess amount.
Bananas are not dangerous for cats to eat but chocolate by itself can be deadly for feline friends.
Cats eating banana pudding may show signs of vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence.
It may, however, result in more severe symptoms like depression, loss of appetite, breathing difficulty and tremors in your cat if consumed in large amounts.
Bananas’ high sugar content may be harmful for cats or increase their chance of becoming obese and suffering from diabetes.
Make sure your cat’s diet consists of cat food that is specially formulated for felines.
