Can Cats Eat Kiwi?
The short answer is no. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require animal protein to survive. While kiwi fruit does contain a small amount of protein, it’s not enough to meet your cat’s nutritional needs.
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Introduction
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require animal protein to survive. However, this doesn’t mean that cats can’t eat fruits and vegetables. In fact, many cats enjoy eating fruits and vegetables as a treat. While there are many healthy fruits and vegetables that cats can eat, kiwi is not one of them.
What is Kiwi?
Kiwifruit, or Chinese Gooseberry, is an egg-sized, fuzzy fruit with a bright green flesh and tiny black seeds. It grows on a woody vine and is related to pumpkins and squash. Kiwifruit originates from China but is now grown commercially in New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Italy and the United States. It is in season from late September through December.
The Nutritional Value of Kiwi
Kiwi is a nutritional powerhouse. Just one small kiwi has more than your daily recommended amount of vitamin C, as well as vitamins K and E. Kiwis are also a good source of fiber, copper, and potassium.
Is Kiwi Safe for Cats?
As a general rule, fruits are not a significant part of a cat’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require animal protein to survive. Most fruits are too high in sugar and carbohydrates for cats. However, small amounts of fruit as a treat probably will not harm your cat. Some fruits, such as kiwi, even offer small amounts of vitamins and antioxidants that may have some health benefits for your cat.
Kiwi is safe for cats to eat in small quantities. The flesh of the kiwi fruit is relatively low in sugar and calories compared to other fruits. It also contains a compound called actinidine that can help to break down proteins. This means that kiwi can be a good source of nutrients for cats who are on a protein-rich diet. Kiwi also contains vitamins C and E, which are important antioxidants for cats.
When feeding kiwi to your cat, it is important to remove the skin and seeds first. These parts of the fruit can be harmful if swallowed by your cat. The skin of the kiwi fruit contains actinidine, which can cause an upset stomach if consumed in large quantities. The seeds of the kiwi fruit also contain actinidine, as well as other compounds that can be harmful if ingested by your cat. It is also important to feed your cat only small pieces of kiwi fruit to avoid choking hazards.
How to Feed Kiwi to Your Cat
If you want to feed kiwi to your cat, the best way to do so is to start with a small amount. Try giving your cat a quarter of a kiwi, or less, per day. If your cat tolerates this amount well, you can slowly increase the amount of kiwi you give them until they are eating a whole kiwi per day.
When feeding kiwi to your cat, it is important to remove the skin and seeds first. The skin of a kiwi can be tough for cats to digest, and the seeds can contain toxins that can make your cat sick. Make sure to wash the kiwi thoroughly before feeding it to your cat to remove any harmful pesticides or chemicals that may be on the surface.
Conclusion
In conclusion, kiwis are not toxic to cats but there a few things to keep in mind if you choose to feed them this fruit. Cats lack the ability to properly digest carbohydrates so too much kiwi can cause gastrointestinal upset. The fuzzy skin of the kiwi can also be a choking hazard so it’s important to remove it before feeding. Kiwis are a good source of vitamins C and E and contain a variety of other nutrients that can be beneficial for your cat but, as with any new food, introduce it slowly and in moderation.
