Can Cats Eat Acerola Cherry? Acerola Cherry For Cats

Acerola, also known as Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry, are beautiful red-colored little fruits packed with vitamin C. They are pretty juicy and have a mix of sweet and sour tastes. 

If you are a cat owner and wonder, can cats eat acerola cherry? The answer is Yes! Cats can eat acerola cherry. It is safe to give your cat Vitamin C by feeding acerola cherry. However, it would be best to give the dose in a calculated amount.

Can Cats Eat Acerola Cherry?

Acerola cherry is beneficial for boosting pets’ immune systems as they are a powerful contributor to Vitamin C. They also contain vast amounts of antioxidants, including bioflavonoids and carotenoids, which counterbalance the impact of unstable molecules. Ultimately, it prevents cancer in cats. 

Apart from being a good source of Vitamin C, acerola cherry also contains a small amount of Vitamin B, which helps in the metabolism of your cat’s body. It also helps in the production of acids for digestion, thereby preventing indigestion. Whether eaten raw or consumed in powder, it helps maintain the eye health of pets. 

Like many juicy fruits, acerola cherry is also a rich source of potassium. Hence, it boosts the heart fitness of pets. Acerola cherry is an excellent source of Vitamin C and promotes cats’ oral health as well. Unlike humans, cats can synthesize their Vitamin C in livers, so it seems like they don’t need to intake it through acerola cherries.

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 But, it can be essential to feed them in certain conditions, like when cats are feeling ill or stressed. Also, when the liver of cats is not working correctly, that means they are not able to synthesize their own Vitamin C. In this condition, intake of Vitamin C through fruits like acerola cherries is essential for cats. However, you should monitor the right frequency, so asking a veterinarian before feeding the cats is better.

Benefits of Acerola Cherry For Cats

Acerola cherries are known to have an abundant source of Vitamin C and a plethora of phytonutrients. The phytonutrients include amino acids, carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. This nutrient-rich food provides twice as much more Vitamin C to cats than oranges and lemons. It is an incredible source of high antioxidant properties. Let us go through some of the benefits of acerola cherries for cats:

• Acerola cherries are rich in antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenolics. It may help prevent various diseases in cats, such as chronic heart disease and inflammatory diseases caused due to free radical damage to cells.
• Acerola fruit powder extract is beneficial in reducing the inflammation in the liver of cats.
• The ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds in acerola cherry produce great antimicrobial action. Acerola cherries kill a wide range of microbial agents. Hence, helping to prevent microbial diseases in cats.
• Also, it can help in promoting weight loss in cats, as ascorbic acid has beneficial effects on excessive body fat. It helps in preventing obesity in cats and obesity-related complications.
• Acerola Cherry also maintains an excellent digestive system in cats. It maintains an optimum pH of the cat’s body by producing acid and activating digestive enzymes. This prevents digestive problems like indigestion and dyspepsia.

Side effects of Acerola Cherry For Cats

Acerola cherries are not harmful to cats. It is also not an allergic food. However, feeding these cherries to cats beyond limits can cause serious side effects. The adverse reactions are mostly the same as the Vitamin does. These include stomach upsets, sleeplessness, and insomnia.

Feeding too much acerola cherries to cats can also cause diarrhea. The high content of Vitamin C can also be dangerous if a cat suffers from kidney stones. This is because Vitamin C can boost the levels of uric acid. 

If the cat is taking probiotics, then avoid feeding them acerola cherries. It may result in sickness, diarrhea, and spasms in the cat. If you feed large enough doses of acerola to cats, the Vitamin C content may enhance the absorption of iron, leading to iron poisoning.

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Higher doses can also cause hemolysis in cats and abnormal breakdown of red blood cells. Acerola Cherry can less likely cause nervous system problems in cats like fatigue, dizziness, etc

Never feed the cat large doses of Vitamin C. As a safety measure, it is better to consult a veterinarian before feeding acerola cherry to pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Safe For Cats To Eat Acerola Cherry?

Acerola cherries are entirely safe for cats. However, the quantity should be moderate and not be in bulk quantities. Feeding too much acerola cherry can turn out to be dangerous and can show some severe negative symptoms.

Although giving the correct dose of the cherries provides only positive benefits to the health of the cats. Also, adding this sweet and sour taste fruit can be a good and pleasant flavor change in the diet of cats—most cats like the unique taste of acerola cherries.

Can Cats Eat Acerola Cherry Powder?

Cats can eat acerola cherry powder. Acerola cherries are mostly converted into powder form because they start to firm once harvested, losing most of their nutritional values. The powder usually has a tart flavor, so it is ideal for feeding your cat as a drink, juice, or porridge. Acerola cherry powder can also be utilized in supplements for cats.

The powder is also great for Vitamin C. Everyone knows the health benefits of Vitamin C for humans. So why would it not be okay for cats?

Note: Remember to ask your vet before adding new supplements to your cat’s diet.

Conclusion

Acerola cherries can be a fantastic addition to the superfood regimen of cats due to their well-known nutritional values and, most importantly, a huge source of Vitamin C. Some veterinarians recommend feeding Vitamin C to ill cats. So, it can be a great treat for cats. However, it is better to consult a suitable veterinarian before feeding acerola cherries to cats.