Many cat owners, and indeed dog owners, will know the struggle. You’re sitting on the couch eating something and your pet comes over and gives you the little pity eyes.
It’s easy to cave in and give them a little of what you’re having – but is that okay when it comes to peaches?
This guide will examine if cats can have peaches, if they should have peaches and if there are any benefits for them by doing so.
Cats And Peaches: The Basics
When asking if cats can eat peaches at all – they most certainly can!
However, it’s not whether they’re eating peaches, it’s all about the amount of peaches they’re consuming that is the important bit.
Peaches have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water in them – but peaches in large doses are bad for cats.
This is because peaches are packed with natural sugars and this can cause a lot of health concerns.
The sugar content in peaches can cause diabetes, weight gain, a poor appearing coat, stomach upset, diarrhea and in extreme circumstances – they can even develop liver damage and other fatal organ problems.
Feeding Your Cat Peaches
If you want to feed your cat peaches, the best and safest way to do this is by giving them a small amount that you have, and this should be as little as possible.
You want to ensure the peaches are peeled and properly washed before they eat them too.
This will ensure that the peach is not only safe from unwanted invaders but also prevents any potential choking hazards.
It’s absolutely crucial though that you don’t feed your cat peach seeds though.
Peach seeds, like any other fruit seeds, are a primary source of cyanide in the smaller form of amygdalin.
Of course, cyanide is poisonous to both cats and humans – so you want to avoid this at all costs!
Not just that, peaches are massive when it comes to the seeds in fruits.
Even if these seeds were not poisonous, because of the sheer size of the seed – there is a significant choking hazard.
What’s more, if the peach seeds settle in the stomach acid of the cat, it can begin to obstruct the intestine and cause other digestive issues.
This is another thing you’ll want to definitely avoid!
A final problem, but less likely to happen, the leaves from peaches are also toxic to cats – so they can’t consume those either!
What About Peach Desserts And Yogurt?
In reality, although cats can enjoy peach desserts and yogurts when given in small doses, they shouldn’t really be given them.
Most desserts that contain peaches are full of sugar, cream and are high in fat. None of these things are any good for your furry friend!
If you were thinking maybe yogurt is okay because it’s low in fat, you should avoid that too.
That’s because yogurt typically is made with milk, which is a lactose product and cats are lactose intolerant, which can cause stomach concerns including diarrhea and vomiting.
Having said that, peach yogurt generally has less sugar and less lactose in it – which allows your cat to break it down much easier in their stomach.
So, while it would be advised to avoid giving your cat peach yogurt, they can have a very small amount on special occasions if you have to.
How About Dried Peaches?
This is a definite no-no!
Dried peaches mean that all the content of the liquid is completely taken away – when this happens, the sugar value of the peach will significantly increase and therefore the caloric value will significantly increase.
This means your cat is at a higher risk of sugar related health issues including diabetes and liver damage, but also an increased weight gain – and this brings about its own issues of course!
Additionally, although it is not yet confirmed – some experts believe that dried peaches have a toxic compound in them which can be fatally toxic to cats. It’s best not to take the chance!
And What About Peaches In A Can?
Canned peaches are possibly the worst out of all the peach products.
While they don’t have seeds and are prepared correctly, they are canned with plenty of preservatives and extra sugars for flavor and to keep it from expiration – these things are very bad for cats… and us for that matter!
If your cat, or you, eat canned peaches too often – the problems can include tooth decay, obesity, organ problems, diarrhea and increased gas.
Do Cats Even Want Peaches?
Cats’ tongues are much different to ours.
Importantly, a cat cannot taste “sweet” as such – so they don’t want to eat peaches for the sweetness element to them.
The likelihood is, cats will be eating peaches for their aroma and simply because cats are curious or hungry.
If you’re the type of person to eat peaches on a daily basis, then consider eating them away from your cat.
You don’t want your curious little kitty getting into the fruit too much and making themselves sick.
Some Peachy Extras
It’s important that we note that, just like us, it’s possible for your cat to be allergic to peaches.
However, it might be difficult to see or notice if they are having an allergic reaction.
If you notice their behavior changes, they appear weak or have skin blotches and are vomiting – contact a vet as soon as possible.
It’s also essential that we remember, while cats can have peaches to an extent, they shouldn’t – and it’s better to treat them like this if you have dogs in the house.
This is because some peach products contain the chemical xylitol which is toxic to dogs, but not to cats.
It’s better to just keep peaches away from your pets!
The Bottom Line
There are more negatives than positives for giving your cat peaches, and while they can physically eat peaches – they are better off not eating them at all.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
