Jackfruit is a sweet, juicy tropical fruit that is the size of a watermelon. It is popular in many cuisines and can be served in different ways. It can be cooked by either frying, baking, or grilling. In some cases, unripe jackfruit is used as a meat substitute because of its texture and protein content. No doubt, humans love the pulpy fruit. But what about our furry friends? Can cats eat jackfruit?
Cats sometimes love to try out new things. So, the question is, can cats safely eat jackfruit? Cats can have fruits once in a while but to find out if jackfruit is one of the safe fruits that cats can eat, keep reading.
Can Cats Eat Jackfruit?
Yes, cats can most definitely eat jackfruit. It is not part of the fruits that are toxic to cats. Being obligate carnivores, cats can only eat jackfruit in small quantities and not very often. Jackfruit is rich in protein and has a chicken-like texture which cats are surely going to love. However, the protein content in jackfruit is not good enough for cats because they require meat for their protein needs. Cats can eat jackfruit every so often but it should not become a regular part of their diet.
Is Jackfruit Good For Cats?
Jackfruit is packed with a lot of benefits that humans enjoy. The good thing is cats can also enjoy these benefits, although in a less pronounced way when they eat the fruit occasionally and in very small amounts.
Jackfruit is high in fiber which can be good for your cat. Dietary fiber adds bulk to your cat's stool and makes it easier for them to go. It also makes them feel full faster thus, helping in controlling weight.
The fruit contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and B and Iron, Magnesium, etc. These vitamins and minerals may be beneficial to cats. Although, for your furry friend to benefit from the vitamins and minerals contained in jackfruit, they would need to eat a substantial amount of the fruit, which is not advisable.
Jackfruit also contains linoleic acid which can help in easing pain in joint points. But you can confirm this with your vet before proceeding. Another thing to note is that the dietary fiber in jackfruit can help in reducing cholesterol levels in your cat's body.
For cats to enjoy these benefits, they need to eat quite an amount of jackfruit. The problem with this is the fact that eating jackfruit in excess can cause your cat to become sick.
Can Jackfruit Harm My Cat?
If cays eat jackfruit in excess, they can suffer from ill health. Jackfruit belongs to the fig family and they stand the risk of experiencing a similar symptom(s) of fig poisoning if they eat jackfruit in excess. This is due to the presence of proteolytic enzymes in members of the fig family.
Another major concern about feeding jackfruit to cats is the sugar content. Jackfruit contains a high sugar content which is bad for your cat. Your cat's digestive system is not designed to digest plant-based sugars and as a result, it can cause your cat to become sick.
Also, the seeds of jackfruit can pose a threat to your kitty's life. Cats can experience choking hazards if they mistakenly swallow the seeds.
How Should I Feed Jackfruit To Cats?
Jackfruit is eaten in different ways. It can be grilled or spiced up like meat. It can also be eaten raw. When it comes to feeding jackfruit to cats, you can serve them a small bite-sized piece of raw jackfruit. But you must ensure it has no seed in it. Also, you can serve pureed jackfruit to your cat, just be sure to mind the quantity you feed them at a time.
Jackfruit that has been mixed with spices or any other ingredient is not safe for cats because some of the ingredients may be toxic to your cat. However, if you want to feed cooked jackfruit to your cat, ensure it is boiled plainly without any salt or other ingredient.
Can Jackfruit Make My Cat Diabetic?
Cats may become diabetic from eating an excessive amount of jackfruit regularly. Diabetes is a medical condition that affects both humans and cats. It can be hereditary in some cases. But if your cat eats too much of the fruit, it may cause some diabetic symptoms.
Jackfruit contains a lot of sugar that can make your cat seriously ill by increasing their blood sugar level and that can lead to heart complications. Then, if your cat is diabetic, you should never feed them jackfruit because of the high sugar content contained in the fruit, which can trigger a crisis.
What Should Do If My Cat Eats Jackfruit?
If your cat has eaten a small bite of jackfruit, you shouldn't panic. Usually, they should be fine, although they may experience some mild reactions like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset for a few days. These symptoms usually stop without any medical intervention after a few days. But if it doesn't, then it will be proper to take your cat to the vet.
However, if you are not sure of the quantity of jackfruit your cat ate, then it may be necessary to act as quickly as possible. This is because jackfruit contains psoralen which can destroy your cat's DNA and can further lead to fatal consequences like coma or death. So, if you are not sure of the amount they eat, take them to your vet immediately.
Final Words
Jackfruit is not considered toxic to cats. This means cats can eat jackfruit. But should they eat it? That is left to you to decide as the parent. In truth, cats cannot enjoy the plentiful benefits of jackfruit unless they eat lots of it and that is bad for them because of the health risks involved. However, eating a tiny little piece of jackfruit occasionally will not cause harm to your cat. But if you are not sure what amount is little enough, you can always clarify with your local vet.
Explore More Websites
Can Cats Eat Lettuce?
Can Cats Eat Kimchi?
