The acai berry, a popular addition to smoothie bowls, is more than just a pretty face; it also has a number of health benefits. We’ll be discussing the many health benefits of acai in a moment, but first, we need to know if it’s safe for your cats to consume.
When it comes to feeding your cat, it’s important to put your feline friend’s health first.
Cats don’t have sweet taste receptors, so they can’t tell if something is sweet, and they get all the protein they need from their food anyway. You need to round out their daily protein intake with 10% of treats; they won’t be healthy on just protein alone.
This article will go over the pros and cons of giving your cat acai, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to give it to your feline friend.
Can Cats Have Acai?
It appears that humans can get more out of acai than cats can. Your cat would need to eat a lot of acai every day to reap the nutritional benefits, and this may not be safe.
Unless your cat is allergic to ficin and ficusin, your cat should be fine eating acai in conventional amounts.
If you give your cat acai on a regular basis, he or she could develop theobromine poisoning; however, if you give your cat acai in moderation, you might not need to take him or her to the vet right away.
What is Acai?
Acai comes from the Acai palm tree and is a tiny, deep purple berry. In its native Central and South America, the Acai palm grows to great heights but is surprisingly thin. Its high nutrient content and beneficial health effects have led to its rising popularity in recent years.
Acai has earned the label of “superfood” due to its exceptionally high nutrient density. Acai is a type of berry that is loaded with nutrients like omega fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C, and fiber.
The natives of the Amazon have relied on it for centuries as a natural treatment for things like tiredness, indigestion, and skin problems.
Because of its drupe status, the Acai berry has a tough outer layer, a soft middle layer, and a pulpy outer layer. The Acai berry can be ground into a powder, turned into juice, or made into a puree after being picked from the tree.
Is Acai Safe For Cats?
A little bit is fine, though. Keep in mind that cats shouldn’t rely on acai as their sole source of nutrition under any circumstances.
Healthy foods like meat, fish, and vegetables should be added to a cat’s diet as a supplement.
It’s important to use only pure, unadulterated acai, as some preservatives can be toxic to cats.
In some cases, feeding your cat acai may be helpful, but it shouldn’t replace its regular food.
You should check with your vet to make sure acai is safe and suitable for your cat’s needs before adding it to your cat’s diet.
What Are the Benefits of Acai for Cats?
Heart disease
There may be no data to support the assumption that giving your cat Açai will improve its cardiovascular health, but as a general rule of thumb,
Weight loss
We all know how difficult it is to get our cats to do things like have their teeth brushed or go for a walk.
Unless your cat has access to the outdoors, you’ll need to take extra steps to ensure it gets enough exercise, such as buying an exercise wheel or playing games with it.
If you use Acai as a treat instead of junk food, you can help your cat keep its weight in check.
Helps fight arthritis
Seventy percent to ninety percent of cats older than 12 years old will develop arthritis (a chronic, painful, progressive condition affecting the joints of cats).
The anti-inflammatory effects of the anthocyanins in acai help alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Acai will significantly impact cholesterol levels
Cholesterol levels can be lowered by feeding your cat a diet high in fiber from vegetables, fruits like Acai, and beans.
What Are the risk of Acai for Cats?
You should know the risks and benefits of giving your cat acai berries so you can determine the appropriate dosage and take necessary precautions in the event of poisoning.
Allergy
You never know what might trigger an allergic reaction in your cat, just as you never know what might trigger an allergic reaction in a human.
Cats are sensitive to the acai allergens ficin and ficusin, which are found in acai. The first time you give acai to your cat, you should keep a close eye on it.
Theobromine
Theobromine has many beneficial effects on humans, including stimulating muscle growth, widening blood vessels, and increasing heart rate.
However, theobromine poses a serious risk to cats because it is responsible for chocolate poisoning in felines. Theobromine is extremely toxic to cats because they cannot metabolize it.
Is Acai Safe for Kittens and Senior Cats?
Despite the fact that the anthocyanins in acai could help senior cats with their arthritis, it is not recommended that they be fed this fruit. Careful attention to what they consume can make the rest of their time here on Earth more bearable.
Here is a report from a pet owner whose kitten tragically died after ingesting acai tablets.
Acai berries have been criticized for being bad for cats, but I can’t really hold that against them because the kittens in the report were fed a concentrated form of acai (the peel), which would have contained other ingredients that could be harmful to their systems.
If you’re still not sure, start by giving your cats very small amounts and monitoring their reactions before making acai a regular treat.
Proper Serving Size and Frequency of Acai for Cats
Only give your cat one or two Acai berries every other week or so, just to be safe. You wouldn’t want to put your cat through any unnecessary stress for something like this berry, which may or may not provide any health benefits anyway.
Final thoughts
It should be clearer now whether or not you want to give your cat some regular acai.
You should talk to your vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary, but there are benefits to giving your cat acai as well as risks to consider.