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A white-haired grandmother picks a red apple from a tree while a Siamese cat sniffs fallen apples in the grass. 29 / 36

Grandma Edie Reached for the Best Apple on the Tree. Miso Was Looking Down.

AI imagesiamese catapple orchardautumn

The backyard apple tree is heavy with fruit, and Grandma Edie is reaching up to pluck a shiny red one from a low branch. She wears a green quilted vest over a gray top, glasses on, and a satisfied smile as the apple comes free in her hand. Down in the grass, Miso has found the real treasure: a cluster of windfall apples scattered among the fallen leaves. The Siamese has her nose pressed close to one, whiskers forward, completely absorbed in sniffing its sweet, slightly fermented smell. More apples dot the lawn all the way back to the fence, and the house's pale siding glows in the soft autumn light.

Cats are not drawn to sweet tastes the way people are, since they lack the taste receptors for sweetness, but they are curious about new smells. A small piece of plain apple flesh is not considered toxic, though cats have little nutritional use for fruit. The seeds, stems, and leaves of apple trees are another matter: they contain compounds that release cyanide and should be kept away from pets. Fallen fruit can also ferment, attract wasps, or hide insects. Picking up windfalls regularly keeps the yard safer for curious noses. If your cat chews on apple seeds or leaves, ask your vet for advice.

Edie will fill her basket, and Miso will investigate every apple that touches the ground. Between the two of them, not a single piece of fruit in this yard will go unnoticed.

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