Can Cats Eat Pineapple? A Guide to Cats & Pineapple

We know cats are inquisitive creatures especially when it comes to food. If you keep pineapple in your home then it’s possible your cat could find it interesting. But is it interesting enough for cats to eat? And if so, can cats eat pineapple or is it bad for them?

The short answer is… yes, cats can eat pineapple. 

So if your cat has eaten some pineapple accidentally, there’s no need to panic since it won’t poison it.. But just because pineapple isn’t toxic to cats, it doesn’t mean to say they should eat it.

In this article, I’m going to look in detail at cats and pineapple and help you to understand why cats shouldn’t really have it.

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Can Cats Eat Pineapple?

As we’ve established already, cats can eat pineapple flesh… the skin of pineapples is something that’ll likely irritate a cat’s mouth and most cats won’t be interested in trying to swallow it.

Pineapple is a tropical fruit that has a sweet and tart taste, so in some cases cats will probably ignore it if it’s available to them. Cats don’t have the same number of taste buds as humans and the ones they do have are not receptive to sweetness. 

So it may be that your cat takes an interest in your pineapple if you’ve prepped a few chunks for yourself, but it’s not because they’re going crazy for the sweet fragrance. It’s more likely to be because there are other fragrances in pineapple that appeal to them.

If your cat does like the flavor of pineapple, it’s not harmful for them to eat it as a treat once in a while. However, it isn’t a good idea for a cat to have pineapple regularly since it is a fruit that’s high in sugar.

A diet high in sugar can cause your cat to suffer from digestive problems and dental health issues. It also risks feline obesity and the range of serious medical problems this can lead to for cats.

Cats Don’t Need Sugar!

Cats are meat eaters and they definitely don’t need sugar in their diets. That said, cats can eat pineapple occasionally and benefit from some of the nutrients it contains (see below). 

But make sure you don’t let your cat have pineapple in large chunks. If you’re going to let your cat eat a small amount of pineapple as a rare treat, be certain to cut it up into very small pieces so they can digest it more easily.

Finally, let’s place another caveat on cats and pineapples. Never give your cat pineapple from a tin, since the syrup used to keep the pineapple is extremely high in sugar… more so than the fruit itself.

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Can Cats Drink Pineapple Juice?

Although it’s unlikely to be toxic to cats (unless it contains sweeteners like xylitol) you should not let your cat drink pineapple juice.

Most fruit juice drinks are very high in sugar and they may also contain preservatives, coloring and flavorings that may make your cat sick.

The last thing any of us want to deal with is a vomiting cat or a cat with diarrhea! The safest bet is never to let your cat drink pineapple juice… or any kind of fruit juice actually.

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Can Cats Eat Pineapple Leaves?

You shouldn’t let your cat eat pineapple leaves or the skin of the pineapple fruit itself. Both the leaves and skin are very difficult to digest and may result in blocking your cat’s digestive system. 

A digestive blockage can be extremely serious and require veterinary intervention to fix. Never feed your cat pineapple leaves or skin and if your cat eats some it’s wise to contact a veterinary professional for advice.

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Is Pineapple Bad for Cats?

As mentioned, pineapple can be bad for cats if it eats it too frequently, especially if it’s marinated in syrup like canned varieties.

Pineapple can also be bad for cats if they eat large chunks, since it can block their gastrointestinal tract. The rough skin and leaves too are difficult to digest and may also cause a blockage.

Pineapple juice may be very dangerous to cats if it contains sweeteners such as xylitol. Pineapple juice that doesn’t contain dangerous sweeteners may cause stomach upsets. 

As a rule, you should only let your cat eat fresh pineapple in very small pieces and only then very occasionally as a treat.

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Is Pineapple Good for Cats?

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that 100g of fresh pineapples contain the following vitamins and minerals (as well as many others):

Pineapples do contain nutrients that are good for cats, but the nutritional benefits may be completely offset by the amount of sugar pineapples contain.

Cats do not need pineapples to ensure a healthy diet. If you’re going to let your cat eat pineapple, do not overfeed it.

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Summary

Like many foods we humans eat, cats can eat pineapples but they really shouldn’t. This ought to be good news for you if your cat has eaten pineapple for the first time and you’re worried it’s going to be poisoned.

That said, it’s best not to let your cat eat pineapples or drink pineapple juice, as cats are carnivores. As such, they do not need to eat fruit and vegetables to get the nutrition they need.

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Has your cat ever eaten pineapple by accident? Or perhaps you let your cat have pineapple on occasion? Please let me know about it in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

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