Cats are known for their love of food and the variety of treats they enjoy. However, sometimes cats can be picky eaters. For example, some cats prefer dry foods over wet ones, while others will only eat certain types of meat.
Some cats also have preferences when it comes to what type of treats they like best. There are lots of different treats that cats can enjoy, but is applesauce one of them?
We are going to be looking at this particular snack to see if it can be considered an appropriate treat for your feline friend. Let’s get started!
What Is Applesauce?
Applesauce is a sweet fruit sauce made from apple juice and apples. It has a smooth consistency and is often used as a topping for ice cream or other desserts.
The flavor of applesauce varies depending on which kind of apple is used in its making. This includes Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Rome Beauty, and Winesap.
Applesauce is very popular among humans because of its many health benefits. Its high fiber content makes it great for digestion, and it contains antioxidants that help boost the immune system.
Applesauce is also relatively low in calories and fat- so long as it isn’t a brand that uses high amounts of sugar-, making it an excellent treat for people. But is it suitable for a cat?
Can Cats Eat Applesauce?
If you want to know whether, or not, applesauce is an optional snack for your cat, then we need to look at the nutritional value of this particular treat.
A serving size of 1/2 cup (120 ml) of applesauce provides about 6 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and no cholesterol.
These numbers make applesauce a relatively good source of nutrients for your cat. As long as the applesauce does not contain added sugar, then it should be fine for your cat to enjoy.
However, there may be times when you do not have access to fresh apples. In these cases, you can use canned applesauce instead.
Canned applesauce usually comes with fewer additives than those made from fresh apples, so they are better for your cat’s health. They also tend to have less moisture, so they are easier to store.
If you choose to use canned applesauce, just make sure that it does not contain any added sugar.
Is Applesauce Healthy For Cats?
The fact that applesauce is nutritious means that it can be a healthy treat for your cat. However, there are still some things that you need to watch out for before offering your pet this treat.
First, you need to consider how much applesauce your cat should be allowed to eat. While most cats like to snack on treats, too much indulgence can lead to weight gain.
Make sure that you monitor your cat’s weight carefully, and keep them away from treats if they start showing signs of rapid weight gain.
Secondly, you need to make sure that your cat gets enough exercise. Your cat needs to burn off all the energy and calories that they consume.
There are plenty of ways that your cat can get exercise, such as by playing with their owner, running around, and playing with toys.
You will also want to make sure that – if you do decide to give your cat applesauce as a treat – you opt for a brand that doesn’t have too much sugar, as a high sugar intake can raise your cat’s blood sugar levels and lead to digestive issues and other health problems further down the line, much like it does for humans.
One option is to create your own homemade applesauce, as you can then measure the amount of sugar that goes into it and ensure that the sugar content isn’t too high.
Unsweetened applesauce can be just as delicious and is much healthier for both humans and cats!
Can Cats Be Allergic To Applesauce?
Applesauce is a relatively healthy food product (as long as the sugar content isn’t astronomical), acting as a great source of vitamins and minerals for humans, but it can still cause allergies in those sensitive to apples or any of the other ingredients.
The same rules apply to cats, so if you notice any allergic reaction should you give your cat applesauce- such as sneezing, runny eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.- then you should stop giving them the fruit treat immediately.
How Much Applesauce Is Safe To Feed To A Cat?
If you’re looking to feed your cat applesauce, you’ll want to limit their consumption to one small treat per day. This way, your cat won’t get an overdose of sugar, and you’ll avoid having them experience any negative side effects.
As mentioned above, you’ll want to make sure that your cat doesn’t eat too much at once. If they are eating too much, they might start experiencing stomach upset or even become sick.
What Kind Of Applesauce Should I Use?
As we mentioned above, when feeding your cat applesauce, you’ll want to stick with unsweetened applesauce.
These types of applesauce don’t contain artificial sweeteners or preservatives, and are therefore safer for your feline friend.
In addition, unsweetened applesauce also tends to be lower in sugar and higher in fiber than its sugary counterparts.
You may find that your cat enjoys eating applesauce straight from the jar, but this isn’t a good idea. An alternative is to mix the sweet treat with their favorite cat food to make it easier to digest.
Final Thoughts
While applesauce is a safe and tasty treat for your cat, you’ll want to ensure that you’re monitoring their weight closely and making sure that they have plenty of physical activity.
By doing these two things, you’ll be able to help prevent them from gaining extra pounds and potentially developing any health problems down the road, whilst still giving them the chance to enjoy applesauce as an occasional treat.
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.
