Can Cats Eat Persimmons? What You Must Know!

Many people like persimmons as a fruit, but if you own a cat and have ever thought if it’s safe for your cat to eat them, you’re not the only one. As pet lovers, we know how important it is to ensure that our pets’ food meets their nutritional needs. We’ll talk about cat nutrition in this guide, including whether or not persimmons are safe for cats, how healthy they are, and what other fruits they can eat.

What are Persimmons?

Berries in the genus Diospyros are called persimmons. They are tasty and grow on trees. They are different sizes and colors, from light yellow to dark orange-red, and can be round, heart-shaped, or pumpkin-shaped. Most persimmons are safe and suitable for you, but some types have a lot of soluble tannins that can make them taste bad until they are fully ready.

Nutrient	Amount per 100g	Nutrient	Amount per 100g
Calories	70 kcal	Vitamin A	81 µg (9% DV)
Carbohydrates	18.6 g	Vitamin C	7.5 mg (8% DV)
Sugars	12.5 g	Vitamin E	0.73 mg (5% DV)
Dietary Fiber	3.6 g	Vitamin K	2.6 µg (2% DV)
Fat	0.2 g	Potassium	310 mg (7% DV)

Are Persimmons Safe for Cats?

While cats are obligate carnivores, which means that meat is their primary food source, some veggies can be given to them as treats in small amounts. When cooked correctly, persimmons are safe for cats and can benefit their health. That being said, it’s essential to be careful and follow specific rules:

Safe Parts:

Flesh: If you peel ripe persimmons and cut the meat into small pieces, you can give them to your cat as a treat occasionally.

Moderation: Do not overfeed because too much food can cause stomach problems like diarrhea and vomiting.

Potential Risks:

Leaves: Persimmon leaves are bitter and hard to digest, which could make your stomach hurt.

Unripe Fruit: Unripe persimmons have many tannins, making them poisonous and hard for cats to stomach.

Persimmon Seeds: Small amounts of cyanide are found in persimmon seeds. Cyanide is not harmful to people, but it can be fatal for cats. Your cat could be in danger if it chews on the seeds because they could release this poison. Any fruit you give your cat mustn’t have seeds in it.

Pulp Safety Tips: Cats can eat persimmon juice, but only in small amounts. Cats can have stomach problems like diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting, and constipation if they overeat. Always be careful about how much food you give your cat.

Health Benefits of Persimmons for Cats

Adding persimmons to your cat’s food along with a healthy diet plan can help its health in many ways:

1. Dietary Fiber:

Most people know that fiber can help you lose weight. This is because it makes you feel full faster and for longer. If your cat is gaining too much weight, you could add fiber-rich foods like persimmons to his diet.

Fiber also makes metabolism better. When you eat fiber, it breaks down into soluble and insoluble fiber. The gut-friendly bacteria in your cat’s digestive tract need nutrients, which soluble fiber gives them. As a bonus, this protects against metabolic diseases and speeds up the metabolism of food. Insoluble fiber gives a cat’s poop more bulk, which can help with constipation.

2. Antioxidants:

Pears, like most foods, have a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that stop or slow down the damage that oxidative stress does to cells.

The buildup of too many free radicals, which are unstable molecules, in human cells leads to oxidative stress. This effect is connected to getting old too quickly and long-term illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Luckily, persimmons have potent antioxidants that can protect body cells from the damage that free radicals do. Flavonoids and carotenoids are two common antioxidants found in persimmons.

3. Water:

Dietary fiber and water have a critical thing in common: they can make you feel full faster and longer.

The high water level of persimmons might help you lose weight by working with fiber.

Water is also great for getting back to normal. Plus, it’s an essential part of every bodily process in an animal.

4. Vitamin A:

A lot of vitamin A can be found in persimmons. The vitamin helps your eyes see better by making the cornea and conjunctival layers work better.

Vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin work together to help your cat see better. Adding vitamin A-rich persimmons to your cat’s food could help protect it from many eye problems, including age-related macular degeneration.

5. Calories and Fats:

There are almost no calories or fats in persimmons. That makes them an excellent food for losing weight.

6. Digestive Health: The fiber helps digestion and prevents constipation, which is good for gut health.
7. Hydration: Persimmons are fruits that keep you and your cat hydrated.
8. Vision: Persimmons have vitamin A, which is good for your eyes and helps keep your bones and muscles strong.
9. Weight Management: When added to a healthy diet, persimmons can help your cat control its weight because they are low in calories and fat.

How to Safely Prepare Persimmons for Your Cat

Follow these steps when making persimmons to make sure your cat is safe and having fun:

• Choose Ripe Fruit: Choose ripe persimmons instead of green ones because they don’t have as much tannin.
• Remove Skin, Seeds, and Leaves: Before giving your cat small bits, peel the fruit and remove the seeds and leaves.
• Feed in Moderation: Persimmons should only be given to your cat as treats occasionally, and fruits should not make up a big part of its food.

Feeding Persimmons to Cats

When feeding persimmons to cats:

1. Remove Skin and Seeds: To keep kids from choking, remove the skin and seeds before giving.
2. Start Small: Slowly add persimmons to your diet and watch for any signs of stomach problems or other harmful effects.
3. Offer as Treats: Persimmons should only be given to cats as treats, not as a regular food source, to keep them from getting too fat.
4. Mix with Other Fruits: To make things more interesting, mix persimmons with foods that cats can eat, like apples, papaya, bananas, or blueberries.
5. Consult Veterinarian: If you’re unsure or your cat has stomach problems, talk to your vet before giving your cat persimmons.

How Much Persimmon Can I Give My Cat?

You can give your cat different amounts of fruit based on its size. Generally, give them one slice for every five pounds they weigh. Treating your pet with persimmons and not eating them daily is best.

Here is a table that shows how much persimmons you can give your cat:

Cats Age	Cats Size	Caloric Needs	Persimmon (per day)
Kitten (0-6 mos)	Small (2-4 kg)	200 kcal/day	20-30 kcal
Adult Cat (6+ mos)	Medium (4-7 kg)	300 kcal/day	30-45 kcal
Senior Cat (> 8 yrs)	Large (>7 kg)	200 kcal/day	20-30 kcal

Other Fruits Suitable for Cats

Giving cats persimmons in small amounts is fine, but you can also give them other fruits as treats occasionally. If you give your cat small amounts of these foods, they will be fine:

• Bananas: Bananas are sometimes sold in small pieces.
• Watermelon: Just the meat, no seeds or rinds.
• Strawberries: Take off the stems and leaves before giving them.
• Apples: No seeds, and only a few at a time.
• Mango: Only the flesh, as a treat.
• Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, and Raspberries: Cut them into small pieces and serve them occasionally.
• Cantaloupe: Small pieces of meat that don’t have the skin on them.
• Pineapple: A fresh pineapple with no thorns, leaves, or rind.

Fruits to Avoid Feeding Cats

Some foods should never be given to cats because they are poisonous or could upset their stomachs. Some of these are:

• Grapes and raisins: Harmful and may lead to kidney failure.
• Citrus fruits: Cats shouldn’t eat the oils and chemicals in them.

Final Words

Persimmons can be a tasty and healthy treat for your cat, but only if given in small amounts and adequately prepared. You can safely add persimmons to your cat’s diet by following the steps in this guide. They will enjoy the tasty addition to their regular food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are persimmons safe for pets?

Although persimmons are safe for dogs, cats may not be able to handle their high sugar content and seeds. Consuming persimmons may cause stomach problems or blockages in cats.

Are cats allergic to persimmons?

Cats can be allergic to persimmons, but cats don’t usually have problems with this food. Cats eating persimmons might have an allergy reaction that shows up as itching, sneezing, or stomach problems.

Are any fruits toxic to cats?

Yes, cats can’t eat some foods. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, grapes, and apples are some examples of foods that cats shouldn’t eat because they can hurt their kidneys or upset their stomachs.

What fruit are cats afraid of?

Cats aren’t naturally scared of any one kind of fruit. However, they might be wary of or even allergic to citrus fruits like oranges and lemons because they have strong smells or tastes.