Can cats eat bananas?

Updated 10/05/2023

We’re bananas for bananas: they're delicious, nutritious - and you can whip them up into some seriously tasty banana bread! But can cats eat bananas? And are they safe?

Actually, yes, cats can eat bananas. But just because your cat can safely eat them, should they? That question requires a little more discussion...

So, before you begin loading up your kitty’s kibble bowl with mounds upon mounds of this tasty yellow fruit, let’s take a closer look at whether bananas really are a suitable, healthy addition to your kitty’s diet…

Are bananas poisonous to cats?

Many fruits are notorious for being toxic to our feline friends (cherries? We’re looking at you…). But what about bananas? Are bananas poisonous to cats?

The good news is that no, bananas are not poisonous to cats and are perfectly safe for them to consume. That said, cats may struggle to digest sugar- or carb-heavy foods like bananas, and eating them may result in an upset stomach. So, while bananas won’t do your kitty any major harm, they are best avoided. Banana skins should be kept out of reach of any curious kitties - they’re not digestible and can be a choke hazard. 

Are bananas good for cats?

Are bananas safe for cats? Yes. But are they a healthy and nutritious addition to your cat’s diet? Probably not. 

While bananas are perfectly safe for our feline friends, they are certainly not the healthiest, or most suitable, snack. Cats are obligate carnivores, and bananas are high in sugar and carbohydrates - which can lead to digestive issues, as well as your feline friend quickly piling on the pounds.

Cats that are overweight, or those with certain health conditions (such as diabetes) should also definitely avoid eating bananas - as a-peeling as they might seem (sorry, we couldn't help ourselves).

Health benefits of eating bananas

For us humans, bananas are the perfect snack: packed full of vitamins and nutrients, calcium, fibre, potassium... But for our cats? There's little to shout about. 

As obligate carnivores, cats get all the nutrition they need from animal products and meat. For this reason, they can struggle to digest carby, sugar-loaded foods - and they offer little to no nutritional benefit for your cat.

Provided your kitty is on a complete, balanced diet, there's really no need to introduce bananas into their culinary repertoire. 

Feeding your cat bananas

Due to their high sugar content, it’s not recommended to feed your cat bananas. However, if they manage to steal a bite of your mid-morning snack, rest assured giving them a small piece shouldn’t do them any harm. 

Banana allergies in cats are rare. That said, there is always a risk that your kitty's stomach may be sensitive to a new food. Keep a look out for any signs of stomach upset, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, should your cat manage to sneak a piece of banana off your morning muesli. 

Whether your cat will actually eat a banana is another question. We’ve all seen those YouTube videos of cats acting weird around bananas, right? There’s a reason for that: banana peels contain ethyl acetate - a chemical that smells seriously bad to cats. So, it’s pretty unlikely that they’ll be interested in your banana-y snack, in any case. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community. 

What other foods are safe for cats?

In short: can cats have bananas? Yes, but they probably shouldn’t! Find out more about what your kitty can and can’t eat right here in our blog post.