Can Cats Eat Pineapple?

Yes, cats can eat a small piece of plain, fresh pineapple once in a while. The ASPCA lists pineapple as a fruit pets can have as a snack. But cats are meat eaters and don’t need fruit, and pineapple has a lot of natural sugar. Keep it to a tiny bite, with the skin and core removed.

Is pineapple good for cats?

Pineapple is not harmful in small amounts, but your cat doesn’t need it. Cornell’s Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Their bodies are built for a diet high in protein, with a small amount of carbohydrates.

So think of pineapple as a taste, not as nutrition. A complete cat food already has everything your cat needs.

How should I serve pineapple to my cat?

The ASPCA says to cut harder fruits into bite-size pieces and to remove seeds, cores, stems and peels. For a cat, that means:

• Use fresh pineapple only.
• Cut off the skin and the tough core.
• Cut the flesh into very small pieces.
• Offer one piece and see how your cat does.

How much pineapple can a cat have?

Very little. The sources give no exact amount of pineapple for cats, so we won’t invent one. They do give limits for treats in general:

• Cornell says treats should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories.
• The ASPCA suggests keeping snacks to about 5 percent for pets.

Because of those limits, a piece or two is plenty. The AKC notes that pineapple has a significant amount of natural sugar, and too much can upset the stomach. The ASPCA also warns that people food is often high in fat and sugar, and too much can cause pancreatitis. That is a painful swelling of the pancreas that can need a hospital stay.

If your cat has diabetes or a weight problem, ask your vet before giving any sugary treat.

Other kinds of pineapple

Can cats eat canned pineapple?

It’s best to skip it. Canned pineapple often comes in syrup or juice, and the AKC warns that the syrup in canned fruit has too much sugar. If you want to share pineapple, use fresh.

Can cats eat pineapple skin, core or leaves?

No. The AKC says the tough core and spiny skin can cause blockages. The ASPCA also says to remove cores, stems and peels. We did not find a source that covers the leafy top, so keep it away from your cat too.

Can cats eat pineapple juice?

We did not find a veterinary source that covers pineapple juice for cats. Because the ASPCA warns about too much sugar in people food, plain water is the better choice.

What if my cat ate pineapple and seems sick?

Watch your cat. If you see vomiting, diarrhea or a cat that won’t eat, call your vet. Tell them what your cat ate and how much. If the cat swallowed a piece of the core or skin, call right away, since these hard parts can block the gut.

Other treats to try

Cats are meat eaters, so treats made from animal foods suit them better than fruit. For ideas, see our guides on eggs for cats and tuna for cats. To learn what to keep away from your cat, read our list of foods that are toxic to cats.