Can cats eat dates? The nutritional value of the dates makes them be a useful treatment for human beings. Now, what about our feline friends?
Dates have a lot of nutritional benefits such as improving the immune system and supporting strong muscle development. Therefore, cats can eat dates in their diet as a treat snack.
But you should note that whatever is good for human beings might not be always good for cats. There are some human foods that are toxic to felines like garlic and onions.
The article provides very interesting facts about cats and dates & answer to the question “can cats eat dates?”. Take your time to read through and gain more insight.
Related: Cat Food For Feral Cats
Table of Contents
Can Cats Eat Dates?
It’s normal and totally okay for cat lovers to treat these fantastic creatures once in a while with something nice. And, dates, as delectable they are to us humans, are a top treat consideration for many pet parents.
Nevertheless, some pet parents fail to understand that the dietary needs of cats can vary significantly from that of humans. As a starting point and as it’s common knowledge, cats are carnivores. So, are dates, an herbivore plant, safe to our feline friends?
Absolutely yes, cats can eat dates. Dates are not toxic to cats, and you don’t need to visit the vet if your cat eats dates. But this should be done in moderation since cats are obligate carnivores. If the feline eats a date without your knowledge then there is no need to get worried.
Unfortunately, these felines normally lack sweet receptors hence do not enjoy eating dates at all. That is, a cat’s tongue doesn’t have sweet taste receptors to pick up sugared tastes and distinguish them from others. So, naturally, it would be impractical for cats to seek to eat dates on their own.
However, since these adorable creatures might take a liking to what you are enjoying, it’s reasonable enough why they might appear to fancy this fruit.
Yes, dates are rich in minerals, vitamins, healthy oils, iron, and magnesium. Even better and as already outlined, dates improve our cardiovascular health and reduce cholesterol to us humans. However, these nutritional benefits may not reflect on cats’ bodies. Specifically, the fruit has minimal health benefits in their bodies.
All in all, if you want to treat your cat with dates, the best thing to do is to find commercial food brands with dates as an ingredient and give them to your feline friend. Instinct Limited Ingredient cat food is considered to be the best if you want your feline to have a taste of dates.
Too many dates in the diet of the furry friend are not recommended since it can pose some potential risks. You can even avoid tossing dates to them to prevent such risk from occurring despite it being a healthy fruit.
Are Dates Good For Cats?
According to the veterinarian report, it is not a good idea to share dates with your feline friend. But if the feline has eaten one or two dates then do not get worried since dates are non-toxic.
The good thing about dates is that they contain a lot of nutrients that are healthy for the feline as well as human beings.
Unfortunately, the consequences of feeding your cats’ dates normally outweigh the benefits. This is the reason why it is not recommended to feed cats dates.
Are Dates Safe For Cats?
The good news is that dates are non-toxic and this implies that they are safe for cats. But it is not recommended to feed the furry friends with them since they might pose some health threats.
If the feline eats one or two dates then there is no need to get worried. The best thing to do is to keep the dates away from felines for their safety.
Too many dates in the diet of cats will trigger diarrhea due to the laxative ingredient found in the dates. The condition can also be accompanied by vomiting.
Besides that, dates have a lot of calories which is beyond cat requirements and this might result in cat obesity.
The best thing to do is talk to your vet before thinking to include dates in the diet of your feline friend. The expert opinion will help you make an informed decision.
Is Dates Bad For Cats?
Dates are non-toxic hence safe for the feline. However, the natural diet of a cat is meat since they are obligate carnivores.
Including dates in the diet of the feline is not advisable even as a snack or treat. The fruit contains more of the laxative component which is not good for cats.
Laxative components normally trigger loose stool and vomiting in the felines hence the reason why many vets do not recommend it.
Besides that, dates have large pits that might chock your cat friend to death. Also, dried pieces of dates can get stuck in the teeth of the cat causing decay in the long run.
The high content of calories makes the fruit not good for the felines since it can trigger cat obesity easily. The condition normally results in a lot of health complications.
Can Kittens Have Dates?
Kittens still depend on their mama cat milk for survival. Introducing dates in their diet may pose a potential health risk to them.
The large pits might cause chocking which is fatal to their health while dried dates might trigger milk teeth decay.
The best thing to consider is providing them with recommended cat food for kittens such as Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food.
We also recommend seeking a professional vet’s opinion before introducing anything new to your weaning kittens.
Making an informed decision about the best cat food for kittens is always key when raising healthy and happy cats.
Alternatives Options to Dates for Cats
They include:
- Can Cats Eat Asparagus?
- Can Cats Eat Bread?
- Can Cats Cucumber?
- Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken?
- Can Cats Have Strawberries?
Final Verdicts about “Can Cats Eat Dates or Not?”
Finally, cats can have dates since they do not contain toxic substances that might ruin their health and well-being.
However, this should be done in moderation as a treat. Too many dates result in excessive accumulation of laxatives in the cat’s body which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Thinking of raising a healthy cat? Well, you need to avoid dates in their diet since they are obligate carnivores.
Sources and References
- Cats Cannot Taste Sweets: Scientific American.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dates and Cats
What Fruits Can Cats Eat? or What Fruits Are Good for Cats?
Cats can eat a variety of fruits as long as you chop them into small and digestible pieces. Also, the fruits shouldn’t be an alternative to the typical cats’ meal but an occasional addition to their diet. Also, it would be best to offer these fruits in frozen form to help felines cool down in hot weather.
Bananas are a good source of potassium, carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and C. In addition, a tiny portion of watermelon flesh, without seeds, might lead to bowel cleansing. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries are also safe for cats, but you must cut them into small portions to avoid choking hazards.
Additionally, cubed or sliced apples can offer cats the same health benefits as they do for humans. Other safe fruits for cats include slices of mango fresh, fresh pineapples, kiwi, nectarines, and cantaloupe.
What Fruits Are Toxic to Cats? or What Fruits Are Not Good for Cats?
Small portions of grapes and raisins can make felines ill. Substantial amounts might also lead to kidney failure. Also, keep limes, lemons, and oranges away from your fluffy friends. Citrus fruits can lead to digestive system discomforts, diarrhoea, or worse, nervous system depressions.
Can Dates Cause Dental Health Problems to Cats?
Yes. It may cause dental health problems. Pieces of dried dates can cause the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar formation. This often leads to tooth decay.
Check out this video.
