Among all pets, cats are the moodiest ones. They are as curious as they are playful. You will agree with this if you pet one. You might have observed your feline friend’s interest in your food, whether meat, fruit, or a snack.
Is your cat after persimmons this time? Don’t worry! Go ahead and feed it a bite. Being a cat parent, you will be curious to know the answer to ‘Can cats eat Persimmons?’. The answer is yes.
Can Cats Eat Persimmons?
But be careful with a few things when feeding persimmons to your cat. Among all varieties of persimmons, Fuyu is the most suitable for cats. It would be best to feed your cat only the flesh of ripe persimmons and not the skin, seeds, leaves, etc. Persimmon flesh is safe and nutritious for cats in moderation as a snack. But feeding the skin, seeds, or leaves causes serious health issues.
Now you might wonder how it is possible to feed persimmons to this obligate carnivore? Well, it is not so complex. Keep reading this article to fulfill your curiosity.
Do Cats Like Persimmons?
Since cats do not have taste buds that sense sweet food, it’s not the sweet taste of persimmons that attracts cats toward it. However, its unique and jelly-like texture might seem appealing to the cats. If your cat is fond of persimmons, it is probably the texture or color of this fruit.
Are Persimmons Poisonous To Cats?
No, the flesh of persimmons is not poisonous to cats. Surprisingly, it holds nutrition that is also beneficial for cats. You can feed persimmon to your feline like a treat but in moderation. However, feeding too much persimmon causes health issues in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or allergies.
Other than the flesh, yes, persimmons will cause poisoning in cats.
Can Cats Eat Persimmon Leaves?
No, cats cannot eat persimmon leaves. They are bitter and have a hard texture that can choke your cat. They also cause toxicity in cats and digestive symptoms, like stomach aches.
Can Cats Eat Persimmon Skin?
No, cats cannot eat persimmon skin as it is indigestible. The persimmon skin has a chewy texture and an unpleasant taste and contains a high amount of tannin that causes poisoning in cats if ingested.
Can Cats Eat Persimmon Pit?
No, cats cannot eat persimmon pits or seeds. Apart from the risk of choking, persimmon seeds are highly toxic to cats. They possess the risk of cyanide toxicity and intestinal obstruction in cats.
The unripe form of persimmons is highly poisonous to cats as they are rich in tannin, which causes cyanide intoxication and digestive symptoms in cats.
Is Persimmon Good For Cats?
Yes, persimmon is suitable for cats. It is a myth that persimmons are not suitable for cats. A ripe persimmon is equally beneficial for cats as it is for humans. Most cats do not suffer ill consequences after eating persimmons in a safe amount and manner.
You need to occasionally feed your pet cat a few bite-sized treats of Fuyu ripe persimmons after peeling and deseeding them. However, due to the acidic nature of persimmons, you should avoid feeding any other acidic food with it.
Health Benefits Of Persimmons For Cats
Persimmons are safe and non-toxic for cats. Apart from the presence of tannin that does not ultimately cause toxicity in cats if fed in moderation, the nutrition present in persimmons includes:
- Dietary fiber
- Water
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Vitamins (A, B, C, K, E)
- Phosphorous
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Choline
All these nutrients in persimmons can supplement your cat’s diet if fed in moderation. Let’s look at the health benefits this highly nutritious fruit holds for cats:
Weight loss
Dietary fiber and high-water content in persimmons make them best for inducing instant fullness and retention in obese cats. The low amounts of fats and calories in persimmon also help with weight loss as a healthy snack.
Read: can cats eat dragon fruit
Digestion and Metabolism
Persimmons also aid digestion and promote gut health in cats. The high fiber content improves metabolism and acts as a bulk laxative to promote regular bowel movements.
Hydration
Cats usually do not consume water. They often devour dry food. Thus, adding fruits occasionally to its kibble in small amounts helps keep it hydrated. Water plays an essential role in regulating the physiological functions of cats.
Vision
Persimmons are rich in vitamins and essential for your cat’s eye health. These vitamins boost the proper functioning of conjunctival membranes and cornea. The vitamins also help prevent eye diseases like macular degeneration in cats.
Hairballs
Developing hairballs in the stomach is very common in cats. Cats must pass them out; else, they will suffer from health issues. The fiber in persimmons also helps cats get rid of hairballs.
Look at can cats eat pears
Chronic Illnesses
Persimmons contain a high amount of effective antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids. They reduce cell damage and eliminate free radicals that cause chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.
Possible Poisoning Of Persimmons For Cats
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Cats are most likely to develop gastrointestinal symptoms due to excess or unadministered consumption of persimmons. The proteins in persimmons are different from animal proteins which are indigestible for cats. Hence, many persimmons will cause stomach distress, vomiting, and loose stools.
Other than persimmon flesh, all its other parts are toxic for cats. Tannins are toxins present in unripe persimmons, leaves, skin, and seeds. These attach to proteins in the gut and can cause vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Allergic Symptoms
Allergic reactions are another health risk for cats due to persimmon consumption. Not all, but some cats might develop allergies after eating persimmons. Moreover, allergic reactions will also occur if large quantities of persimmons are fed to cats deliberately or accidentally. Several allergic symptoms your cat might face due to overconsumption of persimmons include:
- Skin irritation or itching
- Respiratory distress
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Measures To Prevent Permissions Poisoning
- Make your cat vomit to get rid of excess amounts of persimmons.
- Feed a charcoal tablet to your cat to absorb the toxins from its stomach after persimmon consumption.
- If the symptoms aggravate, immediately see a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can Cats Eat Full Persimmon?
No, cats cannot eat entire persimmons. The whole persimmon means one with its leaves, skin, and seeds inside the flesh. Separate the leaves, skin, and seeds, and serve only a few bites of persimmon flesh to your cats.
Can Cats Eat Unripe Persimmons?
No, cats cannot eat unripe persimmons. Unripe persimmons have a bitter taste and contain high tannin content, have toxic effects, and can cause digestive distress.
Check can cats eat prunes
Can Cats Eat Fuyu Persimmons?
Yes, Fuyu persimmons are perfectly safe for cats. Occasionally treat your cat with a few bites of ripe Fuyu persimmons after peeling off the leaves and skin and separating the seeds.
Conclusion
Cats are unable to digest any proteins other than animal proteins. However, this does not mean that they cannot consume fruits and vegetables.
Moderation is the key when feeding your feline companion with such nutritious fruits. It is essential to stick to safe limits and keep in view the health conditions of your cat. Whenever in doubt, consult a vet.
