Cats

Can Cats Eat Bananas?

Nicole Groshek | August 28, 2024 | 4 minute read

Technically bananas are a safe fruit for your cat to eat, since they’re not toxic. To say bananas are good for cats could also technically be true since they do have a variety of antioxidants and nutrients cats need:

Potassium
Fiber
Magnesium
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C

But ripe bananas are high in sugar, which isn’t ideal for obligate carnivores—your cat’s nutritional needs should be met by complete and balanced cat food high in quality animal protein. Cats with diabetes should never eat banana (unless otherwise directed by a vet). In many cases, it is fine to feed your cat a small amount of banana once in a while as a special treat. And always check with your vet before giving your cat a new food for the first time!

How Much Banana Can Cats Have?

Like all treats, banana should be no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. So the maximum amount depends on your cat’s size and overall health, and how many calories they need each day.

Consult your vet to determine how much to feed your cat, and refer to the feeding guidelines on the cat food packaging for caloric information.

An average banana is about 6 inches long with 105 calories. At 24 slices per banana, that’s about 4.5 calories per quarter-inch slice. For reference, ¼ inch is about as thick as corrugated cardboard. If a cat eats 200 total calories per day, you could in theory feed them 4 banana slices as a treat.

Remember that’s the maximum amount, not a recommended serving. If your cat hasn’t had banana before, start with just one slice and keep an eye out for digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. If you do max out on banana calories, don’t feed any other treats that day, and adjust their food portions accordingly.

Do Cats Even Like Bananas?

Some cats love bananas, others hate them, and many simply aren’t interested. Cats don’t have the same type of taste receptors for sweetness that we do, so sweet foods like banana usually aren’t as attractive to a cat as umami-flavored foods like fish and meat.

Using Banana as a Training Treat

If your cat goes bananas for bananas, they can be a good way to reward and motivate them. When training your cat to tolerate nail clipping, bathing or crating you can cut a banana slice into tiny pieces and give your cat a taste to reinforce good behavior.

Better than Bananas

A healthier way to treat your cat is with a high-protein cat treat like Meowfulls, which have only one calorie per treat. They’re made with freeze-dried raw animal protein, salmon oil and probiotics for a taste cats love plus a range of benefits.

Cats Can’t Eat Banana Peels

Never let your cat eat banana peel. It’s a choking hazard and not digestible for cats because it’s so high in fiber.

Can Cats Eat Bananas for Diarrhea?

Bananas can be helpful for humans with an upset stomach, but it’s not the same for cats. In fact, feeding your cat banana is more likely to cause digestive problems—especially if they’re already having issues. If your cat has diarrhea, you should consult your veterinarian before trying any home remedies.

No Banana Desserts or People Foods

Never give your cat any banana desserts or processed foods made for humans – this includes banana chips, banana muffins, banana cake, banana pudding, banana yogurt, banana ice cream and banana milk. They all have way too much sugar, and most cats are lactose intolerant and can’t digest dairy.

Are Cats Actually Scared of Bananas?

There are plenty of memes and videos on social media promoting the idea that cats are afraid of bananas. It’s more likely that cats are startled or weirded out by people trying to get a reaction out of them using bananas and banana peels.

Trying to provoke a scared or startled response from your cat is never a good idea. You’ll erode the bond you’ve built with them and teach your cat not to trust you. Another explanation for the idea that cats hate bananas is how they smell. As they ripen, bananas give off an organic compound called ethyl acetate which some cats are repelled by.

Banana Plants: Safe for Cats

Banana leaf plants (aka banana trees) are not toxic to cats, even if they nibble the leaves. If your cat tends to chew on your houseplants, you can try growing cat grass for them to eat instead. Learn about other cat-friendly houseplants, as well as toxic plants to avoid.

Other Fruits Cats Can & Can’t Eat

Besides bananas, safe fruits for cats to eat include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, apple, mango, kiwi, honeydew, pumpkin and pears. Even “safe” fruits are high in sugar and should only be fed in moderation as a special treat. Just let your cat have fruit flesh—never any stems, pits, seeds or rinds.

Toxic fruits for cats include grapes (and raisins), avocado and citrus fruits. Learn about other human foods that are dangerous for cats to keep your kitty safe. If you want to increase mealtime excitement, use our tips for feeding picky cats, and discover the benefits of rotating proteins in your cat’s diet.