Can cats eat kiwi?
Does kiwi belong to the group of fruits that cats can eat? The answer is yes, but with caution. Kiwi is the best source of vitamin C that we find in fruits, containing more than oranges, to which this nutrient is attributed in particular, as well as folic acid, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. However, kiwis are also rich in sugars or carbohydrates, a macronutrient that cats do not require in large quantities nor are they designed to have a diet rich in said component.
In this way, they would not be recommended in the usual diet of your small cat, which should be based on protein of animal origin and that you can find in complete foods for the feline species in pet stores and supermarkets. If you want to know more about if can cats eat kiwi, the benefits and contraindications After offering this food to your cat, continue reading this AnimalWised article.
Is kiwi good for cats?
What fruits can cats eat? Is the kiwi among them? Yes, kiwi can be eaten by cats to limited quantities and always in control. Furthermore, kiwi is not an excessively sweet fruit, quite the opposite, especially if it is not yet ripe, something that can attract cats since they do not have the ability to detect the sweet taste of food.
In addition to cooling them down and appearing pleasing to their sense of taste, kiwis offer a multitude of health benefits for your little feline. In addition to its great contribution in vitamins, it favors the immune system, improves intestinal transit and is a source of natural regeneration and detoxification while protecting against diseases such as cancer.
However, as the fruit that it is, it also has significant amounts of carbohydrates in the form of sugarssome macronutrients that omnivorous animals and herbivorous animals take advantage of very well but that carnivores not so much, since they are designed to obtain their nutritional and energy source from the protein and fat of their prey.
For this reason, it is not a type of food that cats should consume frequently, much less if your cat is overweight or has problems with sugars as occurs in feline diabetes.
Benefits of kiwi for cats
Kiwi is a fruit with an enormous number of health benefits. The fruit with higher amount of vitamin C per 100 gramsWhat’s more, a piece of 70 grams already provides more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin for people.
Also has good amount of soluble fiber that facilitates the regulation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels and blood sugar in addition to insoluble fiber that favors intestinal transit preventing constipation.
It also contains important amounts of folic acid that in the gestational stage of the cat is key to preventing the fetus from developing spina bifida and other alterations in the neural tube. It also contains another 12 vitamins and minerals, highlighting the contribution of magnesium and potassium.
As an addition, its seeds contain omega 3healthy fats that protect the brain and heart and contain antioxidants such as carotenes, chlorophylls, xanthophylls, lutein and other phenolic compounds with properties to prevent:
- Cellular aging.
- Diseases like cancer
- Vision problems or obesity.
How to give kiwi to my cat?
It is important that during the process of offering kiwi to your cat you are at his side to be able to detect any type of anomaly or problem that may arise.
The first thing is remove the skin and cut it into small pieces. It’s also a good idea remove the small seeds that they contain, even though they are rich in omega 3, they can remain in your intestine, generating some fermentation. Do not offer him more than two or three pieces the first time to get him used to it slowly and so that he gradually tolerates the new texture and flavor and so as not to overdo it.
Contraindications of kiwi for cats
The main contraindication of giving kiwi to a cat is due to its high sugar content, so:
Side effects of kiwi for cats
Excessive consumption of kiwis by cats can lead to symptoms such as:
- Gastroenteritis with diarrhea and abdominal pain: due to its stimulating effects on intestinal transit.
- Allergies or choking: including signs such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, hives, dilated pupils, sneezing, coughing, and irritability.
For this reason, it is recommended to be next to your cat when it is going to ingest kiwi to control well what may happen and go to a veterinary center before the appearance of the aforementioned clinical signs.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can cats eat kiwi?we recommend that you enter our section on balanced diets.