Do you have a feline friend at home? If so, you may be wondering, can cats eat raisins? You may also be concerned about the potentially severe effects of raisins on cats. The answer is cats can not eat raisins because they can cause kidney damage and ultimately failure.
Can Cats Eat Raisins?
While some claim that the sweet taste of raisins is attractive to humans but unhealthy for pets, studies have shown otherwise. A 2004 study by the American Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) revealed that grapes and raisins cause acute renal failure in dogs because of a toxin called “grape or seed extract.” Cats don’t seem to be affected by this harmful substance. Raisins are pretty healthy for cats.
Cats have a sweet tooth, just like us humans. We all know that cats love to chow down on a plateful of tuna, so why not give her a few raisins as a healthy snack? Raisins contain nutrients that are beneficial to your kitty’s digestive system.
Most importantly, they’re full of natural antioxidants, which help fight disease. A recent study showed that the antioxidant levels in raisins were similar to those found in broccoli and carrots.
Beyond being nutritious, raisins are delicious too. Your cat will be sure to enjoy this delightful snack every time you offer some to them. As tempting as it is, raisins should only be given as a special little snack now and then.
Raisins Can Cause Serious Health Problems in Cats
The main concern about feeding your kitty raisins is that they are full of sugar. Unlike us humans, cats don’t have a way to digest or process large amounts of sugar in their digestive system as we do. Too much sugar causes many different health problems in cats, including obesity and diabetes.
Thus it would be best if you stuck to only giving your small cat servings of raisins now and then. Cats that eat too many raisins will put on weight very quickly – just like what would happen if any other animal (especially dogs) ate too many sweets.
A quarter cup of raisins is safe for the average-sized adult cat. If you have multiple cats, don’t ever put out more than half a cup for all of them to share. Only feed your cat one or two raisins every three days as a rule of thumb. Make sure that she doesn’t eat more than the recommended serving.
To give your cat some raisins, all you have to do is spread them out on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 250 degrees F until they dry up into little balls. After that, allow them to cool before giving them to your kitty.
Call the veterinarian right away if you notice that your cat has ingested a large amount of dried fruit. Symptoms of raisin toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, and an increased heart rate.
Did you Know?
There are a lot of snacks that are safe for cats to eat every now and again. We’ve also looked at this one more closely: Can Cats Eat Grass?
Give Raisins with a Lot of Water
Since cats don’t have as much saliva as humans do, they often swallow their food without first chewing it up properly. As such, any food you give your cat might pass through the digestive tract rapidly and undigested – which is not suitable for your kitty.
To avoid this problem, make sure that your cat eats her raisins with a plentiful supply of water or some other liquid. The more water the kitty consumes alongside the raisins, the less likely it will be for your feline friend to suffer from digestive problems. Your cat may also become dehydrated if she eats too many raisins in one sitting.
Conclusion – Can Cats Eat Raisins? Are Raisins Safe For Cats?
So there you have it – raisins are safe for cats to eat. While raisins are not toxic for cats, it is best to feed them raisins in moderation. Your cat will enjoy eating these tasty treats now and then, but too many raisins can cause serious health problems for your feline friend.
It is imperative to keep an eye on your kitty if she happens to be diabetic or overweight – the high sugar content in raisins can quickly put her at risk of developing diabetes.
If you’re not sure how much is too much, then stick to feeding no more than one or two raisins at once. It allows you to give your cat all the sweetness she needs without any adverse effects on her health.
