Can Cats Eat Persimmons? Here’s What You Need to Know!

Feeding your pets is the very basics of pet care. Cat nutritional needs have become a hot debate amongst animal enthusiasts. If your cat is attracted to your persimmons, have no fear! These fruits are non-toxic for cats. So, if you find them face-first in a bowl of persimmons, there’s no risk to them!

Cat Nutrition for Beginners

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they consume a diet of at least 70% animal proteins in the wild.

Obligate carnivores lack the nutritional enzymes to break down plant matter. While plant matter isn’t toxic to them and can even be healthy in small amounts, obligate carnivores don’t derive the same nutrients that omnivorous animals such as humans or dogs do.

Persimmons are not toxic for cats and can even provide some essential nutrients when fed in small amounts. However, that doesn’t mean that you should let your cat snack on persimmons instead of eating their regular food.

Cats don’t have sweetness receptors on their tongue; they can’t taste sugar the way humans do. They usually don’t show much interest in sweet foods because the tantalizing sweetness is lost on them. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t eat them if offered.

Safely Feeding Cats Persimmons

A notable danger can come with feeding persimmons—and any fruit—the seeds and pits. Persimmons seeds have a high amount of cyanide and can cause toxicity in cats if they eat too many of them.

When feeding your cat persimmons, you’ll want to make sure that you only provide them the meat of the berry and remove any seeds that they might ingest. Persimmon berries contain 5-8 seeds on average.

Additionally, cats can choke on fruit seeds and pits, making them dangerous even in small quantities.

What Other Fruits Can Cats Eat?

Cats can eat a variety of fruits safely. You’ll want to remove any unsafe seeds or pits that your cat might make a snack of. However, with proper safety precautions, fruits can be a healthy source of fiber and a delicious snack for your cats!

Bananas

Bananas are a great source of nutrients for cats, offering potassium and vitamins B6 and C. They can have them fresh or frozen. When serving your cats bananas, you should ensure that they are sliced or possibly mashed up to make them more palatable to your cat.

Watermelon

Cats can eat small portions of watermelon flesh on occasion. Do not give your cat watermelon rinds since these can give them explosive diarrhea.

Strawberries

Strawberries are safe in small quantities for cats. While they’re a good source of folate, manganese, vitamin C, and fiber, cats can’t eat enough of them to see the health benefits that omnivorous animals would get. However, if you remove the stems and leaves, these berries are perfectly safe for cats to eat.

Apples

Apple is an excellent source of fiber for cats. Both the flesh and the skin are edible for cats and can provide health benefits in small quantities. However, the stems and seeds should be removed before serving.

Mangoes

Mangoes are a fantastic source of fiber and vitamin C. They’re also one of the fruits that cats can pretty freely indulge in. Avoid feeding your cat any skin or seeds, but mango flesh can be given to them as a small treat.

Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, and Raspberries

These berries are edible for cats and can provide health benefits to cats who will eat them. They’re high in antioxidants and vitamins. However, they pose a risk as a choking hazard. So, be sure you cut them into bite-sized chunks before giving them to your cat.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is an excellent source of antioxidants and is very low in caloric density, making it a perfect treat for cats. Cantaloupe has a scent that mimics the smell of meat proteins. So, a lot of cats will happily indulge in this fruit. Small cubes of cantaloupe flesh are fine to give your cats. However, you’ll want to avoid the rind.

Pineapple

Cats can eat pineapple, but it’s more complicated to feed than a lot of other fruits. You’ll want to feed your fresh cat pineapple if you provide them any at all; canned pineapple is often preserved in a sugary syrup that isn’t fit for cat consumption. You’ll also want to remove leaves, thorns, and the rind completely before serving this to your felines.

Fruits That Are Unsafe for Cats

There are also plenty of fruits that are unsafe for cats. You’ll want to remove the seeds, pits, and stems of any fruit that you give your cat. However, even the flesh of some fruits can be dangerous when ingested.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and Raisins should never be fed to cats. They are toxic, and even a little bit can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and acute kidney failure. If your cat is begging to bite your grapes, don’t give in. This fruit is extremely dangerous for cats.

Citrus Fruits

Avoid citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. These fruits’ oils and chemical compounds are toxic for cats and can cause digestive upset and central nervous system depression. Ingestion can be dangerous or even fatal.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to say no when your cat is begging for food; who could say no to such a cute face! But it’s our job to protect them from themselves! Luckily, persimmons are safe for cats to consume. So, if your cat has taken a bite of your persimmon, you don’t need to worry about them getting sick from it.

There are a lot of fruits that we can feed our cats that have surprising health benefits! If your cat likes persimmons, it might be worth seeing any other fruits you can use as a healthy snack for your cat!

You might also be interested in:

• Can Cats Eat Raw or Cooked Squid? What You Need to Know!
• Can Cats Eat Carnations? Are They Toxic To Cats?
• Can Cats Eat Alfalfa Sprouts? What You Need to Know!

Featured Image Credit: Lapha.R, Shutterstock