Peaches are the most delicious fruit in the drupe family. Being colorful, juicy, and hard to resist, they also have many health benefits. You may be curious and wondering, ‘can cats eat peaches?’. The answer to this is yes, cats can eat peaches, but they are not the healthiest option.
Can Cats Eat Peaches?
You can give peaches to your cat only in small amounts. Though peaches are not toxic, cats’ stomachs are not made to digest them. Overfeeding peaches can cause loss of appetite, allergic reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. If you plan to add peaches to your kitty’s diet, it is recommended to talk with a veterinarian first. If you want to know more about cats and peaches, read this article until the end.
Do Cats Like Peaches?
The vibrant colors of peaches can attract felines, but studies show that they don’t like to eat peaches. Cats are fond of protein-rich diets like meat and fish. They are obligate carnivores and don’t crave herbivores’ foods. Plus, their taste buds cannot detect sweet tastes, so they do not like fruits such as peaches very much.
Are Peaches Poisonous To Cats?
Cats do not eat fruits that humans eat due to their juicy and sweet taste. The primary diet of cats is animal meat, but it does not mean you cannot give fruits to cats. Peaches are not poisonous to cats if given in small amounts.
However, cats that are allergic to peaches can show severe allergic reactions to them. For such cats, peaches can be poisonous.
If peaches are introduced into a cat’s diet, they should be started in small amounts. The digestive system of all cats is not efficient enough to digest fruits. Therefore, special care should be taken when introducing peaches to a cat’s diet to avoid peach poisoning.
Are Peaches Bad For Cats?
No, peaches are not bad for cats until they don’t exceed the recommended amount. A slice of peach is enough for your cat because large amounts can create havoc in their stomach. The digestive system of cats can only digest peaches in small amounts. Excess can lead to stomach issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
Are Peaches Good For Cats?
Yes, peaches are good for cats if you give them small amounts. Treats for cats available on the market are high in fructose and artificial additives. Peaches can be a good treat as replacement fruit for your cat but be careful not to give an excess of them to cats to avoid allergic reactions.
Benefits Of Peaches For Cats
Though peaches don’t have many benefits for cats, they protect their bodies against cancer. Vitamin C and antioxidants prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Iron, zinc, and potassium have a role in boosting immunity. Also, peaches are a rich source of fiber that helps relieve constipation.
Peaches are only beneficial for cats if given in small amounts. So, if you want to add peaches to your cat’s menu, you should occasionally add just a few slices.
Can Cats Eat Peach Yogurt?
Cats being lactose intolerant, are not suited for consuming dairy products. But, peach yogurt has less whey than other dairy products and contains good bacteria to keep the digestive system healthy. Therefore, you can feed the cat peach yogurt in moderate amounts because it may contain extra sugars.
Symptoms Of Peach Poisoning In Cats
When peaches are fed in excess, it can lead to peach poisoning in cats. Peach trees have amygdalin that breakdowns into cyanide, a poisonous compound. Excess cyanide in a cat’s body causes gastrointestinal issues like:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Painful abdomen
- Diarrhea
Cyanide can affect the nervous system and cause:
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Dilated pupils
- Coma
Peach poisoning can also cause cardiac arrest, tremors, breath issues, and swollen gums in cats.
Treatment Of Peach Poisoning In Cats
Oxygen therapy can treat respiratory issues in cats after peach poisoning. In case of dehydration, intravenous fluids are given. Medications for peach poisoning include dimethyl aminophenol, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and amyl nitrite.
Can Cats Have Peach Skin?
Though peach skin is safe for cats, you should only feed it to your cats if you grow them in your garden. Peaches available in the market are not safe for cats because they are sprayed with pesticides and insecticides to keep the bugs away. It is recommended to feed peach flesh to your cat only to avoid indigestion.
Can Cats Have Canned Peaches?
No, canned peaches are not suitable for cats because many artificial preservatives are added to them to enhance shelf life. Moreover, they have excess artificial sugars that can cause hyperglycemia, obesity, and diabetes in cats.
Can Cats Lick Peaches?
Yes, cats can only lick peach flesh, but they cannot lick peach leaves, pits, or skin. The peach pit contains a cyanide-like compound that is harmful to cats. Leaves of peach trees are also not suitable for cats because they have harmful compounds. If your cat likes licking fruits, you can give one or two slices of peach to it.
Read more can cats eat lemon
Can Cats Eat Sliced Peaches?
Yes, sliced peaches are good for cats, and they can eat them. You can add one or two slices of peach to your cats, but wash the fruit properly because it might infect the skin from pesticides. Don’t try to give them in excess because it can cause serious issues, and you may end up at the veterinary clinic with your furry kitty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cats Eat White Peaches?
Yes, cats can eat white peaches, which are suitable for them. If you want to feed white peaches to your cat, then be careful to keep the amount moderate because excess can lead to poisoning. Plus, white peaches have higher sugar content than the yellow ones so try to keep the sugar intake of your cat controlled to avoid diabetes and obesity.
Can Cats Eat Diced Peaches?
Yes, diced peaches are suitable for cats but only if given small amounts. If you want to feed diced peaches to your cat, then make sure to keep the dice size equal to one bite of your cat. Otherwise, giant dice can cause serious trouble if they get stuck in the cat’s throat.
Read more can cats eat avocados
Can Cats Eat Dried Peaches?
No, dried peaches are not suitable for cats because they are dehydrated, hard to nibble, and non-digestible. Therefore, if you want to give peaches to your cat, make sure that they are fresh ones but keep the amount moderate.
Can Cats Eat Frozen Peaches?
Yes, cats can eat frozen peaches, but fresh ones are unbeatable. If you want to feed frozen peaches to your cats, then make sure that they are not older for more than two to three days. Peaches that have been preserved by freezing for a long time can have bacteria that can be lethal to your cat.
Final Thoughts
Humans love peaches due to their fleshy texture and sweet taste. Cats can eat peaches but in moderate amounts. If they are given an excessive amount of peach, they can suffer from peach poisoning, which can be lethal. If you want to feed peaches to cats, then take a fresh peach wash, peel off and give one bite-size slice.
