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 found in fruit, containing more than oranges to which it is attributed this nutrient 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 and are not designed to eat a diet rich in said component.
Is kiwi good for cats?
What fruits can cats eat? Is the kiwi among them? Yes, kiwi can be eaten by cats in limited amounts and always under control. In addition, the 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 refreshing them and appearing pleasing to their sense of taste, kiwis offer a multitude of he alth 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 regeneration and natural detoxification while protecting against diseases such as cancer.
However, as a fruit, it also has significant amounts of carbohydrates in the form of sugars, macronutrients that animals Omnivores and herbivores take advantage very well but 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 kiwifruit for cats
Kiwi is a fruit with an enormous number of he alth benefits. The fruit with the greater amount of vitamin C per 100 grams is considered, what's more, a 70-gram piece already provides more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin for people.
It also has good amount of soluble fiber which facilitates the regulation of cholesterol and triglyceride and blood sugar levels as well as fiber insoluble that favors intestinal transit, preventing constipation.
It also contains important amounts of folic acid which in the gestational stage of the cat is key to preventing the fetus from developing spina bifida and other abnormalities in the neural tube. It also contains 12 other vitamins and minerals, highlighting the contribution of magnesium and potassium.
In addition, its seeds contain omega 3, he althy 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 by his side to be able to detect any type of anomaly or problem that may arise.
The first thing is remove the skin and break it into small pieces It's also a good idea remove the small seeds that they contain because despite the fact that they are rich in omega 3 they can remain in your intestine generating a certain fermentation. Do not offer him more than two or three pieces the first time to slowly get him used to it so that he gradually tolerates the new texture and flavor and so as not to overdo it.
Contraindications of kiwifruit for cats
The main contraindication of giving kiwi to a cat is due to its high sugar content, therefore:
- Not recommended for overweight or diabetic cats: as it can cause them to gain weight or unbalance their blood sugar level, respectively. We tell you more about Overweight in cats: causes, symptoms, consequences and treatment and Diabetes in cats: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in these articles on our site.
- Not recommended for cats sensitive to actinidin, the enzyme contained in kiwifruit: it is a proteolytic enzyme that also contains the pineapple or papaya and can lead to swallowing problems, vomiting and hives.
- If your cat has kidney failure: it shouldn't eat kiwi because of its potassium content.
Kiwifruit side effects for cats
Kiwifruit consumed in excess 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, cough and irritability.
For this reason, it is recommended to be next to your cat when it is going to ingest kiwi to properly control what may happen and go to a veterinary center before the appearance of the aforementioned clinical signs.
