Can Cats Eat Applesauce? Risks You Need To Know

We often wonder what food is safe for our cats because we are responsible cat parents. Many cat owners want to know the pros and cons of giving their cats this sweet treat. People often talk about applesauce when they talk about cats and food for people. But is it okay for cats to eat?

This article will discuss cats’ nutritional needs, evaluate whether applesauce is safe for our furry friends, point out possible risks, suggest other fruit options, and answer some commonly asked questions. Let’s jump right in!

Is Applesauce Safe for Cats?

What makes applesauce safe for cats depends on what’s in it. Many commercial types of applesauce have extras, like sugar and preservatives, that might not be good for cats’ health. It’s essential to choose applesauce without any unhealthy ingredients. Choose organic applesauce made from pureed apples without added sugars or chemicals for best results.

Do cats like applesauce?

The first thing you need to know is that applesauce is a sauce. Apples are either peeled or sliced and then ground until smooth. Sugar, honey, or maple syrup is usually used to make it sweet. Some tasty ingredients, like cinnamon or nutmeg, are often added.

Cats can’t taste sweet things, even though they sound great. They lack the sweetness sensors that most humans cannot live without, so they can’t eat sweets.

So, if your naughty monster starts to like applesauce, it’s either because she’s interested or because she likes how it feels like gravy. Your cat would eat dirt if she thought it looked like the tastiest, most expensive food.

Even though cats like applesauce, they shouldn’t eat it. The biggest problem with this sweet treat is that applesauce sold in stores contains many extra ingredients and chemicals to keep it fresh. You don’t want that in the belly of your beloved pet.

You can leave sauces from some brands with many ingredients on the shelf. If you are okay with it, many other brands try to make their goods healthier and more accessible for everyone to get. For cats, less is always better when it comes to food.

Cats can eat applesauce without added sugar or chemicals to keep it fresh, but finding those is tough. Here are some risks and benefits of applesauce for cats that might help you decide whether it’s safe for them to eat.

How Much is Too Much?

Setting Limits

Give your cat 10-15 % of its daily calories from applesauce to keep it healthy. Based on your cat’s age and size, use the following table to get ideas:

Cats Age	Cats Size	Caloric Needs	Applesauce (per day)
Kitten (0-6 mos)	Small (2-4 kg)	200 kcal/day	20-30 kcal
Adult Cat (6+ mos)	Medium (4-7 kg)	300 kcal/day	30-45 kcal
Senior Cat (> 8 yrs)	Large (>7 kg)	200 kcal/day	20-30 kcal

Benefits of feeding homemade applesauce to your cat.

Sugar, chemicals, and preservatives are indeed the worst things about applesauce. Once you get rid of them, you’ll have the tastiest treat for your lady. This sauce is delicious, so try making it from scratch if she loves it.

Cats can eat homemade applesauce without problems. It’s also full of fiber, vitamins, and enzymes that are great for your cat’s digestive system. The fact that it has some water can also help your cat stay hydrated.

1. Applesauce is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Give your wild animal an apple a day as a treat. She might get a lot of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Although cats get most of their food from other cats, it doesn’t hurt to give them some extra!

Vitamin A is suitable for your cat’s immune system and has vitamins that are well known. It helps keep your cat’s body from getting cancer, losing eyesight, and other illnesses. Vitamin B6 is what makes your cat’s red blood cells.

Vitamin C is essential for many biological processes, such as regulating the immune system, helping tissues grow and stay healthy, and reducing oxidative stress.

Finally, potassium, calcium, and magnesium help keep your cat’s body’s fluid levels in check, treat urine problems, and keep kidney disease and other kidney problems from happening. Applesauce made from scratch is mighty.

2. Applesauce is rich in fiber.

It’s hard to give exact nutrition facts for homemade applesauce, but about 1.2 grams of fiber should be in 100 grams of applesauce. Don’t worry—this is a good amount for your cat—they shouldn’t overeat (unless you want her to go to the litter box all the time)!

Carbs are bad for cats, but cats can’t break down fiber, a type of carb. Fiber is perfect for your cat’s health because it helps the digestive system in many ways; for cats having trouble going to the bathroom, adding bulk so that food can move through makes the stool better.

Making your applesauce can be great for your cat if you know how to use it properly. It would help if you didn’t feed it to your cat all the time but give it as a healthy treat every once in a while. Your lovely princess may be unable to taste the sweetness, but she will enjoy the texture.

3. Applesauce can keep your cat’s hydration levels in check.

Have you ever thought about how cats hate water? Nothing is more precious than the disgust on their face when they see their water bowl. Besides that, they forget to drink from it all the time! The chances are that your cat needs to get more water. Applesauce can help with that.

Applesauce has a lot of water, so you can use it to trick your cat into being more careful about how much water she drinks. Adding more water to her daily diet in this tasty way is a great idea.

One thing to remember is that you should watch how much applesauce your cat eats. Applesauce you make at home doesn’t need to have extra sugar added, but place the sugars that come from the apples. Your lovely girl also needs clean water.

Risks of feeding applesauce to your cat.

Here are some things you should consider to share a pouch of tasty treats with your beloved pet. While cats can eat apples without getting sick, applesauce may have ingredients that are bad for them in the long run.

1. Applesauce is rich in sugar.

It’s true: 100 grams of applesauce has about 15 grams of sugar. Since cats eat meat, they need to eat foods high in protein. The vitamins, minerals, and enzymes from beef are perfect for them.

Fruit isn’t necessary for cats to eat, and their digestive systems aren’t made to break down carbohydrates. If your cat overeats applesauce by chance, it could cause problems. Too much sugar makes you feel bad, makes you thirsty and urinate a lot, gives you diarrhea, and makes you throw up.

Furthermore, giving your cat applesauce as an everyday food item could cause her significant health issues in the long run. Too much sugar can lead to problems like diabetes, weight gain, and tooth rot.

2. Applesauce contains additives and preservatives.

Most applesauce sold in stores is far from being healthy. You might think your little girl is getting all the health benefits of high-quality apple puree, but she isn’t- she’s only gaining extra weight!

Applesauce usually has many extra ingredients and chemicals in it besides sugar. These two words refer to any substance used to change food. They make food last longer, taste and look better, and even add nutrients.

Now that you know that, can cats eat applesauce? No! You should check if applesauce has any added chemicals or fillers before giving it to your cat.

3. Apple leaves, twigs, and seeds are toxic to cats.

While cats can eat this popular fruit without getting sick, you should be extra careful when adding it to your cat’s standard food. Before making significant changes or choices, you should always talk to your vet.

You won’t believe it, but apple leaves, twigs, and seeds all have cyanide! You should know that cyanide is a poison that can kill you. Specifically, the pits and seeds of apricots, apples, and peaches contain large amounts of chemicals broken down into cyanide.

You can never be too careful, even though most store-bought applesauce should only contain apple meat. Because you can’t tell what’s in those bags, it’s best to avoid prepackaged fruit sauces altogether.

How to make homemade applesauce?

Now is the best time to answer the age-old question, “Can cats eat applesauce?” Apple sauce made from scratch is safe for cats to eat. It is the best way to ensure your cat gets the best treatment possible without adding chemicals or preservatives. You can use this great recipe.

Ingredients:

• Three large apples (Gala, Red Delicious, or Granny Smith);
• Two tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or some other cat-friendly sweetener;
• One cup of water.

Directions:

• Take the apples’ leaves, stems, and seeds off, then peel and slice them.
• Add water and honey or maple syrup to them in a pot.
• Please put them in the oven for two hours or until soft.
• Carefully take them out of the pot and put them in the blender. Blend them until they are smooth.

Alternative Fruit Options for Cats

If you’re looking to treat your cat to a fruity snack, there are safer alternatives to applesauce that better suit their dietary needs:

• Blueberries: Antioxidant-rich and calorie-dense, but serve them in small portions.
• Watermelon: Remove seeds and offer seed-free portions.
• Cantaloupe: Rich in vitamins A and C; remove seeds before serving.
• Pumpkin: High in fiber, helps digestion, served boiled and mashed.
• Bananas: High in potassium and vitamins, offered in small amounts.
• Strawberries: Excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants, served in small quantities.

Final Thoughts

A small amount of fruit is acceptable for cats to eat, but there are better choices than applesauce, which has a lot of sugar and could contain harmful ingredients. Instead of dangerous fruits, give them blueberries, watermelon, melons, pumpkin, bananas, strawberries, and only a small amount at once. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about what your cat is eating.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Is applesauce safe for cats to eat?

Cats should avoid applesauce, which has a lot of sugar and could hurt their stomachs. Stick to treats that cats can eat.

Can I use applesauce for cat constipation?

While cats may be constipated, apple sauce is not a good idea. Talk to your vet about safe solutions, such as changing your pet’s food or giving it unique treatments.

Can cats consume apple puree?

Cats might have trouble eating apple puree, so it’s best to avoid it. Stick to things that cats can digest to prevent stomach issues.

What fruits are harmful to cats?

Grapes, raisins, citrus fruits, and fruit pits, such as cherry pits, should be avoided by cats as they can make them sick or cause stomach problems.