Dragon fruits are known for their slightly sweet taste and many seeds. The most popular variety is the kind that has white flesh and black seeds. It is known as Pitaya, Pitahaya, and Strawberry pear. Humans eat the fruit either raw or freeze-dried. Also, dragon fruit is used to make many soft drinks.
Dragon fruit is packed with nutrients and minerals like potassium, iron, and zinc. It is a healthy source of vitamin A and contains dietary fiber too. But can cats eat dragon fruits, too? Or better yet, is the fruit safe for cats? Cats are generally curious and make try to eat a piece of your dragon fruit. Is dragon fruit good for your cat? You are about to find out.
Can Cats Eat Dragon Fruits?
What Are The Benefits of Feeding Dragon Fruit To Your Cat?
Dragon fruits are highly nutritious and can be beneficial to your cat if served in the right amount. Here are some of the benefits of dragon fruit your cats can enjoy:
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Source of Fiber
Dietary fiber adds bulk to your cat's bowel. Dragon fruit is a great source of fiber. Giving your cat only a small amount is enough to help with its digestion. If your furry guy seems to be suffering from constipation, you can feed them a little piece of dragon fruit.
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Source of Vitamins
Vitamin A is good for your cat's teeth and bones. It is also good for your cat's skin and eyes. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamin A. Other vitamins that are present in dragon fruit are vitamins B and C.
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Packed with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are important for the immune system of your cat. It supports the immune system and ensures your cat is in good health. Antioxidants also protect cells from damage and can help prevent some diseases. Dragon fruit is one way to give your cat the antioxidants they need.
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Source of essential minerals
Dragon fruit contains minerals like Iron, Phosphorus, and Calcium. Cats require iron for normal bodily functions and to prevent anemia. Dragon fruit can supplement the amount of Iron your cat gets from cat food. Calcium and Phosphorus help in the development of bones and teeth.
Will Dragon Fruit Harm My Cat?
Like every good thing, if your cat eats too much dragon fruit, it can become bad for them. Your cat suffer from an upset stomach if they consumes dragon fruit in excess. Cats only need a little amount of fiber for free bowel movement. However, if the fiber content in their diet becomes too much, it can cause loose stools or diarrhea. It may also cause vomiting.
Another concern is the fact that your cat may be allergic to dragon fruit. It is not common but some cats may show allergic reactions after eating a few bites of dragon fruit. If your cat shows any signs of allergic reactions like itching, swollen face, or difficulty in breathing, stop feeding the fruit to them immediately and consult with your vet.
How Should I Feed Dragon Fruit To My Cat?
It is usually advisable to start by feeding small amounts of any new food you want to introduce to your cat at a time. To feed dragon fruit to your cat, cut up very tiny pieces and offer them to your furry guy. Note how they eat or discard the fruit.
You may increase the quantity a bit if they show more interest but make sure it is still a considerably small amount. Depending on the age of your cat, the amount that will be considered okay may differ. You can discuss this with your vet if you are not sure.
The best way to feed dragon fruit to your cat is fresh and raw. Do not cook, season, or prepare the fruit in any way before feeding it to your cat.
Finally, take note of how your cat reacts to the new food. If they start throwing up a bit, it may not be anything to worry about but if they continuously show signs of being sick, stop feeding them the fruit immediately and reach out to your vet.
Can Kittens Eat Dragon Fruit?
Kittens should not eat dragon fruit. Kittens are smaller than cats, hence they may not be able to digest the fruit as cats can manage to. Dragon fruit contains vitamin C which is good for cats but it also contains a high sugar content which is bad for kittens. Although an adult cat may not be too affected if it eats small amounts of dragon fruit, but even a small amount may be too much for kittens because of their size.
Kittens require a well-balanced diet that is rich in proteins and other nutrients. Feeding your kitten dragon fruit is not advisable because it does not contain all the nutrients they need and also, it can do more harm than good to your kitten.
Can Cats Eat The Skin of Dragon Fruit?
Cats should not eat the skin of dragon fruit. Dragon fruit has bright pink skin that cannot be missed and a dragon shape that earned it its name. The skins are spiky and hard. Cats should not be allowed to eat the skins because it can cause irritation in their digestive tract.
Final Words
So, can cats eat dragon fruit? Yes, they can. But is it good for them? Not so much. If you find that your cat has taken bites from the dragon fruit you placed on the counter, the good thing is that it is not toxic to them, so you shouldn't panic. Cats can safely eat a small amount of the fruit.
But ensure that you only feed them dragon fruit once in a while. If your cat shows any symptoms of allergy, stop feeding it to them immediately and reach out to your vet.
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