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A smiling silver-haired grandma picks a red apple from a tree while a blue-eyed white cat sniffs apples on the grass. 14 / 34

Dottie Went Apple Picking. Pearl Started a Very Serious Investigation.

AI imagewhite catapple pickingorchard

The apple tree is heavy with fruit, red and gold and gleaming in the soft afternoon light. Dottie crouches beneath it in her chunky cream cardigan, one hand reaching up to pluck a ripe apple from the branch, the other resting on her knee. She's smiling over at Pearl, who has found her own harvest on the ground. The white cat crouches low in the grass among the fallen apples, nose pressed close to one, pale blue eyes fixed on it, giving the windfall a thorough, careful inspection.

Cats explore everything nose-first, so sniffing fallen fruit is completely natural. It's worth knowing, though, that apple seeds, stems, and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful to pets in larger amounts, and fruit that ferments on the ground can upset a small stomach. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they don't need fruit at all, and most have little interest in eating it. Picking up windfalls regularly also keeps wasps from gathering, which helps protect curious noses from stings. If your cat seems unwell after exploring the yard, call your vet.

Pearl doesn't seem tempted to take a bite. She's simply making sure every apple on the ground passes inspection, while Dottie fills her basket from the branches above. It's teamwork, more or less, and by the end of the afternoon there will be a full basket and one very satisfied cat.

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