Cat owners are normally worried about the diet of their kittens. You mostly hear that human foods are also safe for animals, especially cats. For some reason, it is said to be right but not accurate because some foods are safe for cats while some of them are not. Most people serve fruits to their cats as a treat, but their love for cats can be hazardous, sometimes fatal. In this article, we are going to answer the question, “Can cats eat dragon fruits?”
Furthermore, curious cat’s owners should be aware of potential hazards in their homes because you never know what mischief your curious feline will get into next. After all, things that are totally healthy for us to eat and we use around the house might have negative health impacts on our cats.
Table of contents
- Dragon fruits
- Can cats eat dragon fruit?
- What other fruits do cats eat?
- Dragon fruit benefits
- How to feed dragon fruit to a cat?
- Side effects of dragon fruit on cats
- Conclusion
Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit originates from Southern Mexico and Central America. It’s a special and safe fruit. The plant that produces this fruit is called the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen. What sets this cactus apart is that its flowers bloom only at night. Dragon fruit is also called pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear because of its red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon’s appearance. The most common type of dragon fruit has white pulp and black seeds, and it’s grown worldwide today.
Can cats eat dragon fruit?
As previously stated, dragon fruit is not dangerous for cats and do not damage them if they consume. Large amounts of dragon fruit could cause gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, or even vomiting in cats because this fruit can be a bit overwhelming for their digestive systems.
Dragon fruit may be nutrient-rich and full of health advantages, but since cats are obligate carnivores, they are unable to digest plant and absorb nutrients in the same manner that human can. So, there is no need to add dragon fruit to the diets of cats because they obtain all the nutrients they require directly from meat sources.
What other fruits can cats eat?
Like humans, cats are fond of eating fruits. Kittens, in particular, are unable to prevent themselves from eating fruits. Cats can eat most fruits, but only to a certain quantity. It is because consuming too much fruit can result in gastric and acidity problems in cats. Kitties can eat various fruits like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, apples, and mangoes.
Likewise, there are other fruits that cats are prohibited from. If your cat ate any of the fruits on the list above, consider to contact your vet right away for more advice. To identify a potential poisoning even if you weren’t present when the poison was eaten, it is crucial to be aware of the symptoms of toxicity.
Dragon fruit benefits
There are numerous possible health advantages of dragon fruit for people. It is important to remember that just because a food has excellent health benefits for humans does not necessarily guarantee that our cats will experience the same benefits.
- Rich in antioxidants
- very fibrous
- Blood sugar levels may be reduced.
- Prebiotics
- Immunity boosting
- Vitamin C-rich
- Enhances iron levels.
How to feed dragon fruit to a cat?
If you want to feed dragon fruit to your cat, follow some technical steps because you are totally unaware of your cat’s diet habits and dragon fruit is a new treat. Initially, serve small pieces to your cat because it contains high levels of sugar. After feeding small pieces of the dragon fruit, just wait and check the reaction of your cat. If the kitty enjoys the taste, it will demand more pieces, and if the cat does not like it, he will walk away and stop eating. Suppose your cat likes to eat it. The next step is to increase the quantity after a few days.
Side effects of dragon fruit on cats
As mentioned above, dragon fruits also have disadvantages. If you are feeding dragon fruits to your cats continuously, it can result in diarrhea. Though it is safe for cats still can also cause digestive problems for your cat. This fruit is uncommon, and there are chances that cats are allergic to dragon fruits. If a kitten is not friendly to this particular fruit, an allergic reaction is a possibility.
Conclusion
Without the risk of toxicity, cats can eat dragon fruit, but if they eat it in larger quantities, it may irritate their stomachs. As obligate carnivores that must obtain all of their nutritional needs from meat, cats should not be given dragon fruit or any other fruit in their diet.
Consult your vet before making any dietary or supplement modifications for your cat. You should also get in touch with your physician if your cat displays any strange symptoms or if you suspect it may have eaten something hazardous. Always keeping all human food out of cats’ reach is the best approach to avoid any problems.
