Are Bananas Safe for My Cat?

Bananas are a nutritional and convenient snack for humans, but the same may not be true for your pets. If you have a feline family member, for instance, you might be wondering, are bananas good for cats? Or, can your furry friends eat bananas as a treat? Let's take a closer look.

Can Cats Eat Bananas?

While many "people foods", like chocolate, are toxic for cats and other pets, and they should be avoided altogether, bananas aren't toxic to pets. It is one of the fruits that cats can eat safely in small portions. But be sure that your cat doesn't munch on any banana peels; the fruit's skin is a choking hazard and not digestible.

Consuming a large amount of bananas may be problematic and contributes to gastrointestinal problems. Gastrointestinal issues "are most commonly caused by dietary indiscretion", says the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, like when your cat steals a snack from the kitchen table that doesn't end up agreeing with their stomach. Bananas can fall into this category because they don't offer the specific nutrition that cats need. Cats are obligate carnivores, and although they digest well cooked starch, sudden changes in the diet can contribute to gastrointestinal upset.

It's important to choose food for your cat that can easily digest and provides the nutrients they need. If you feed banana to your cat, some of the digestive issues to look for include diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and regurgitation. If you notice any of these or other unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

Are bananas safe for kittens? Kittens that are weaned (usually around the age of eight weeks) should be fed "a good-quality kitten food", says International Cat Care. A kitten's digestive system is still developing, and introducing a human food at this early stage can cause inflammation, irritation, sensitivity or other distress.