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Can Cats Eat Grapes – What You Should Know!

Can Cats Eat Grapes –  What You Should Know!

If you have read about cats and their eating habits, you might be aware that cats do not possess sweet taste receptors on their tongue. Since grapes are high in sugar and sweet in taste, a common question usually asked by cat owners is: Can my cat eat grapes?

Cats cannot eat grapes. Grapes or dried grapes, known as resins, can be dangerous for cats. Consuming a large number of grapes can lead to kidney complications in cats. An immediate reaction to eating grapes can be vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort.

Let’s look in detail about why and how grapes are not safe for your furry friend, why are cats allergic to it, what to do when your pet cat has eaten a grape by mistake, what are the better alternatives to feeding your cat grapes, and many more common questions that come up so very often. 

Are Grapes Safe For Cats

Though you can serve grapes sparingly to your furry friend, do keep in mind that grapes are not at all safe for cats.

Wherein it’s a super easy and beneficial fruit for you, when it comes to your feline friend, it’s a different story altogether.

There have been incidences of kidney failure in feline creatures due to the intake of grapes. For this very reason and because there have been signs of harmful impacts on cats after eating grapes, veterinarians advise keeping your furry friends away from grapes. 

However, it is still a mystery why exactly grapes are a potential threat to these feline creatures because the toxicity of grapes hasn’t yet been documented. Most evidence of it being a threat to cats is anecdotal. Some cats might not even show any symptoms of illness after consuming grapes.

But, it is best not to take any chances when it comes to your precious cat! 

What Happens When a Cat Eats Grapes

A cat can fall ill after ingesting even a small amount of grapes.

The main signs include vomiting and hyperactivity. Vomiting might occur within 12 hours of ingestion. You may also find symptoms like: 

● Diarrhea 

● Loss of appetite

● Abdominal pain

● Reduced urination

● Lethargy 

The other signs usually develop in just 24 hours. 

In worst-case scenarios, grapes can lead to kidney failure in your feline friend. So, it’s always best to keep grapes away from your pet cat. 

Why Are Cats Allergic To Grapes

Consuming grapes can lead to many adverse impacts on cats which is why it is named among the top 10 most dangerous food items. 

The exact toxic agent of grapes and its drier version – raisins, has not been identified yet, so it’s a mystery why grapes are harmful to animals but to it’s better to avoid any unwanted danger by not allowing your cats to eat grapes. 

Apart from that, cats are obligate carnivores. Hence, they do not have much requirement of carbohydrates and sugar in their diet. They possess an extremely small caecum. 

The caecum is responsible for secreting the juices that contain bacteria, essential for breaking the carbohydrates and deriving nutrients from them. So, you can now understand that cats might not be able to digest grapes due to a small caecum fully. 

Can One Grape Kill A Cat

While grapes are harmful to cats, it is highly impossible that a single grape can kill a cat. 

However, you can never undermine the harm that grapes could do to your cat. A prolonged and frequent intake of grapes can lead to kidney failure in your feline friend. This can prove to be fatal.

Apart from this, grapes have high sugar content. They contain 16-20 grams of sugar for every 100 grams. So, excessive intake of grapes can also lead to an increase in blood sugar levels in the cat. This can lead to feline diabetes.

Choking is another hazardous effect of your cat ingesting a grape. Your furry friend might choke on the grape, leading to difficulty in breathing. 

So, it is always advisable to keep your grapes in the refrigerator or at an elevated surface where your furry friend can’t reach them. 

Can Cats Eat Grape Stems

It is not at all advisable and safe for cats to eat grape stems. The primary reason for this is grape stems, or any plant when ingested by a cat, can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction. 

The grape stems aren’t typically toxic. Yet, your cat may still have difficulty chewing it. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, lethargy, and extreme discomfort while pooping. 

Poor indigestion can also lead to loss of appetite in your furry friend.

Cats generally don’t show much interest in grapes or grape stem, but if your pet furball does, try to keep them as far away from them. After all, your cat choking would be the last sight that you would want to witness!

How Many Grapes Are Toxic To Cats

Even the smallest amount of grapes can get toxic for your cat. Keep in mind that your cat might eat a whole lot of grapes without showing any symptoms. This varies across all the cats. 

However, it has been observed that pets who eat grapes and raisins are at a higher risk of kidney failure. There is no credible proof, but one grape can also lead to digestive problems, allergies, and lethargy.

Never make the mistake of feeding your cat a handful of grapes or raisins!

Take the utmost care when it comes to your feline friend’s diet and food habits! If your furry friend loves grapes, you should only give them as a treat, and that too rarely. Do not form a habit of feeding grapes to your feline friend. 

What To Do If Your Cat Eats A Grape

If your cat has eaten grapes, you should keep a close watch on her. And look out for any warning signs. Below are the warning signs that you should watch out for:

A Choking Cat

Always keep a close watch while your furry friend is savoring grapes, as it can choke up on the grape. 

Abnormal Poop Or Diarrhea

Look out for your cat’s poop if she has eaten grapes. If the poop is abnormal, maybe runny, or if it appears sticky, this indicates that your cat’s body cannot process the grapes properly. In such a case, it is best not to serve grapes to your cat in the future.

Vomiting

Indigestion of grapes can lead to vomiting in your feline friend. Usually, the vomitings should stop in a day; however, you should visit a vet if it persists.

You must consult a vet if any of the above symptoms persist for more than a day. 

Also, you should consult a vet if your cat shows lethargic behavior and loss of appetite. These might be early signs of kidney failure. If treated at an early stage, it can prevent any fatal outcome in the future.

What Fruits Can Cats Eat

Due to a lack of sweet receptors, cats usually don’t show interest in fruits. We cannot undermine the importance of fruits and the various nutrients that they provide. 

While grapes are no good for your four-legged friend, that doesn’t mean your cat cannot enjoy any fruit. There are some fruits available that can be good for them. But, it is essential that you only serve the fruits sparingly.

Fruits should never be a replacement for your cat’s primary diet. Also, you should always serve raw fruits to your furry friend. Making its juice and adding sugar to it will cause more harm than good to your furry friend.

Here are some fruits that you can offer your furry friend:

Banana

Bananas are a good source of vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and carbohydrates. Cut a fresh or frozen banana into slices and then offer it to your cat. 

However, the banana peel is a complete no for your furry friend. Your pet friend will not be able to digest the peal, and hence, should be only fed with peeled banana.

Watermelon

Small chunks of watermelon will not harm your furry friend. But always remove the rind or seeds.

It is vital to remove the white seeds, too, in the seedless watermelons.

Apples

Avoiding the stems and seeds, feline cats can be offered small pieces of apples with flesh and peel. The flesh and peel are high in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, pectin, and phytonutrients. 

In a nutshell, Apples benefit cats the same as they do humans. 

However, it would help if you always considered that apple is a hard fruit. This increases the chances of choking in your furry friend. Hence, never serve a whole apple to your cat. Always cut it into tiny pieces so that your furball can relish this nutritious fruit without you having to worry about choking.

Mango

Mangoes are rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. So, your cat will also benefit from these nutrients while eating a mango.

Do note that you should always cut small pieces and slices of the mango flesh. Refrain from serving the mango skin and seed to your furry friend.

Pineapple

Pineapple is rich in minerals and vitamins like zinc and folates. These are very useful for your cat’s immune and digestive system.

So, serve the pineapple in small quantities and pieces to your feline friend.

Things to Consider

When it comes to cat’s eating grapes, there are a few more things you ought to consider.

Other Fruits That Are Safe for Cats 

● Cantaloupe 

● Pineapple 

● Strawberries

● Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Blackberries 

● Apricots 

● Cucumber

● Honeydew

● Kiwi

● Nectarines

● Pears 

Tips To Serve Fruits To Your Cat

Below are a few things that you should consider while serving fruits to your furry friend.

● Fruits, no matter how nutritious they are, should never replace your cat’s main diet. Cats need protein and fats in their diet, as they are obligate carnivores. Fruits lack these core nutrients

● Always cut the fruit into small pieces while serving to your cat

● Make sure you always remove the skin, stems, and seeds of the fruits before serving your cat

● Fruits should be given sparingly to your cat. Please do not make it a habit to give fruit as treats to your furry friend. 

Which Fruits Are Not Safe

All kinds of grapes and raisins are not safe for cats. Other than that, you need to avoid citrus fruits. 

These fruits are known to contain harmful elements that can cause stomach issues, diarrhea, and vomiting. They may also hurt the nervous system and cause depression. 

Make sure you never allow your cat to eat these!

Other Food Items That Are Not Safe for Cats

Apart from fruits, below are a few of the food items that can prove to be toxic for your feline cat.

● Onions

● Garlic 

● Raw products such as dough, eggs, meat, and bones

● Strong caffeinated drinks

● Chocolate-based products

● Alcohol

● Dairy-based products 

● Dog food 

Alternative Snacks For Grapes 

Cats are not open to trying new food items readily, so if you want to bring something new into their diet, introduce it to them gently. Here are some alternative snacks that you can feed to your furry friend.

● Cooked meat 

● Whole grains 

● Canned or cooked fish 

● Zucchini

● Celery

● Carrots

● Green bell peppers

● Spinach

● Peas

How to Prevent Your Cat From Eating Dangerous Things? 

Below are some tips that you can follow to prevent your pet cat from getting into danger.

● Always store food where it is out of her reach

● Don’t let your kitty up on the kitchen counter while you are cooking

● Never feed her table scraps

● Do not allow your furry friend to drink cereal leftover milk