Cats love cranberries, and the berries are a tasty treat for them.
Some cranberry products contain cat-specific ingredients to promote cat health and help prevent certain skin problems. However, some cats need to chew on Cranberries to rid themselves of unwanted pests.
So, can cats eat cranberries? Cranberries are a popular holiday treat for humans and cats—but many cat owners wonder about their feline friends’ ability to digest the fruit.
Although cranberries are safe for cats to eat in small amounts, some cats might prefer a different type of treat for getting rid of fleas—namely grapes or insecticidal dips for cats.
Cranberries and grapes are both healthy treats that help keep cats’ teeth clean, and insecticidal dips can help kill fleas and other pests on your cat’s skin that feed on blood or cause skin irritations.
Can Cats Eat Cranberries?
Cranberries are a fruit commonly eaten around Christmas because of their traditional association with the holiday, but fresh cranberries can be added to salads year-round.
Giving your cat a treat each time is not only a great way to reward her good behavior—it’s also a great way to keep her teeth and gums clean.
Cranberries are high in dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin K and vitamin C.
Cranberries also contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that can help prevent cancerous cell growth. Because of the natural acidity of cranberries, however, your cat’s body needs extra help digesting the fruit.
Because cranberries can be irritating to your cat’s stomach and digestive tract, eating too many cranberries can cause diarrhea and other problems.
According to some study, one thing you should watch for is if your cat develops diarrhea after eating cranberries—it may mean too much cranberry was consumed.
Oxalates may aid in the prevention and management of urinary tract infections in cats, but in high amounts they can cause diarrhea and nausea.
Cranberries also contain proanthocyanidins, a natural dye that can stain clothing, carpets and any other object it comes into contact with.
Coli-related urinary infections in cats are the most common urinary tract infections seen in cats.
Do Cats Like Cranberries?
Although cranberries are a nutritious alternative for cats who don’t eat raw meat, cats don’t usually enjoy eating them raw or dried.
Cranberries have a tart taste and can irritate your cat’s stomach and digestive tract if eaten in large quantities.
Sweet tastes aren’t usually an appealing meal choice to most cats, but cranberries do contain some sugar in the form of fructose and sucrose.
As a result, when you give your cat cranberry juice, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice give him a treat.
Why Do Cats Like Cranberries?
Cranberries are a favorite of cats and are commonly made into homemade cat food recipes.
Cranberries are high in fiber and vitamins, and they also contain antioxidants that can help protect felines from diseases and conditions like urinary tract and gum diseases.
They contain important minerals like manganese and copper as well as B vitamins and vitamin K.
Vitamin C helps your cat’s immune system to fight disease.
It also aids wound and tissue repair and supports healthy teeth and gums.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals.
Cranberries also include a number of additional vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.
The Benefits of Feeding Cranberries to Cats
To be healthy and have a shiny coat, cats need a diet that’s high in protein and low in fat.
Your cat need a daily amount of food that she can easily digest and absorb into her body, as this will maximize her nutritional intake and keep her healthy and energetic.
Vitamin C boosts the immune system, helping to keep cats safe from illnesses and infections.
It also supports the nervous and cardiovascular systems while helping to regulate blood pressure and normal clotting and digestion processes.
Cranberries are a low-calorie berry that’s high in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.
Cranberries also include a variety of other vitamins and nutrients including manganese, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Furthermore, cranberry extract could help prevent plaque from adhering to the teeth in cats.
How Can I Safely Give Cranberries To My Cat?
Cats are not high-content fruit eaters, so it’s recommended that cranberries be fed in moderation as treats only.
However, you should consult your veterinarian before adding cranberry supplements to your cat’s diet in case your cat has any underlying health conditions that could negatively affect her health or her response to certain.
You may give your cat a spoonful of cranberry juice or extract every day.
To begin, double-check that the cranberry supplement that you intend to give your cat is safe for cats by checking the label for ingredients like xylitol and raisins.
Commercially available cranberry juice often has added sweeteners like xylitol, which can be dangerous for cats that consume it and can lead to vomiting and diarrhea and even liver failure in some animals.
If you believe that include cranberries in your cat’s diet is worthwhile, it’s suggested that you consult your veterinarian first before continuing to give her the supplement.
Can Cats Drink Cranberry Juice?
Plain cranberry juice seems fine to give to cats in small amounts.
Cranberry juice with added sugar should not given to cats.
Cranberries are a superfood that humans can safely eat. However, cats cannot digest the berries and may suffer from diarrhea as a result.
Cats can also have an allergic reaction to cranberries if they eat too many berries or drink cranberry juice or eat cranberry treats. The berries can also cause vomiting and nausea in cats who eat them, which can also lead to dehydration if not treated properly.
Like other fruits, cranberries provide antioxidants and vitamins that are good for your cat’s health.
However, the berries are not safe for cats to eat because the fruits can trigger a chemical reaction that suppresses the cat’s digestive tract and interferes with the cat’s ability to absorb nutrients properly.
How Much Cranberry Should I Give My Cat?
You should always offer cat owners a variety of high-quality cat foods to ensure that their cats get all the nutrients they need to have a long and happy life. You only give the small amounts of craberries to your cat.
However, not all cat foods are created equal, and some cat food brands contain dangerous ingredients that can put your cat’s health at risk.
When determining if a particular cat food brand is safe for your feline friend, always check the ingredients on the label.
So, you can avoid purchasing foods that contain ingredients that are known to cause negative side effects like allergic reactions and gastrointestinal problems.
Can Cats Eat Dried Cranberries?
Dried cranberries are safe for cats to eat as part of a healthy diet that contains fresh fruits and raw vegetables.
However, eating too many cranberries may cause your cat to experience diarrhea, jaundice and vomiting.
Giving your cat cranberries also helps keep her teeth and gums clean by removing plaque from her teeth and gums as she does her daily grooming and scratching sessions.
He may also eat a few pieces of fresh or dried cranberries as a treat from time to time.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Raspberries?
Conclusion
The benefits of cranberries for cats outweigh their risk, although cranberry products aren’t necessary for keeping your cat healthy.
Many cats enjoy cranberries as a special treat, and cranberry tablets are a healthier alternative to flea collars and other topical flea treatments.
Furthermore , the many benefits of cranberries in cat food include improved immune system function and healthier teeth and gums.
However, cranberries should not be given to your cat in large quantities because it may lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
Like most fruits, cranberries are high in sugar content and can cause diarrhea if too many cranberries are eaten at one time, as can consumption of cat food that contains cranberries.
You can give your cat small amounts of dried cranberries or fresh cranberries as a part of her daily diet in small amounts to avoid the risk of stomach upset and diarrhea.
