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Those tiny, juicy pops of goodness are a go-to healthy snack for us mere humans. But it’s pretty well documented that despite being highly nutritious and delicious for us, grapes are actually toxic to dogs. But what’s the deal when it comes to our feline friends; can cats eat grapes?
Essentially, the scientists say no. Although there’s more research to back up the toxicity of grapes to dogs, there’s also proof that cats become pretty unwell after munching on the popular fruit. The exact cause of the upset is still pretty inconspicuous, but they’re definitely risky and best to be avoided by your floof. Keep those grapes out of reach of kitties.
As well as causing unnecessary tummy troubles, there’s really no need to be feeding your fur friend grapes. Cats are obligate carnivores so don’t require fruit as part of their diet and can get all the nutrients they need from their meaty meals alone.
Fun fact – cats actually don’t have sweet taste bud receptors, so they wouldn’t even be able to appreciate the sweet crunchiness of the tasty grape even if they wanted to!
If you’ve got a chaotic kitten on your hand that has a tendency to steal snacks and you fear they might have nibbled on a ripe raisin, there are a few things to look at for and keep an eye on:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst and decreased appetite
What to do if your cat eats a grape
If your favourite thief shows any of these signs after possible grape ingestion, get on the phone to the vet and have them checked as soon as possible, just to be safe! Eating grapes can lead to kidney failure so it really is important to get to your vet asap.
The short answer to whether cats can eat grapes is a big fat no, so keep the grapes well hidden and out of reach, away from prying paws.
