Has the pungent odor of the durian fruit ever made you want to throw up? Amazingly, this foul-smelling fruit is highly sought after by people all over the world for its high nutrient content.
However, durian is toxic to cats and should never be fed to them. This pungent fruit has the potential to induce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in sensitive individuals. But why? All the information you need is in this article.
Can Cats Eat Durian?
The quick answer is “yes,” but only in a technical sense. Your cat does not need to eat durian because it is not a part of their natural diet.
You can relax now if your cat sneaks a bite without your permission. Durian may cause mild gastrointestinal distress, but any discomfort should subside within a few hours.
A few examples of such signs are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Discomfort on the whole
There may be no negative effects for some cats. They shouldn’t indulge in this fruit too often, though. In most cases, a trip to the vet is unnecessary if your cat exhibits signs of discomfort; in most cases, the issue will resolve on its own within a few hours.
What Is Durian?
Durian is a large, tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia and is often referred to as “the king of fruits” due to its regal reputation. It has a spiky exterior and can reach lengths of a foot. Large seeds and edible flesh are found inside the fruit.
Durian has many applications, including culinary, medicinal, and dessert uses. Research into the efficacy of this fruit’s purported medicinal properties is currently underway.
Honey, rotten eggs, onions, and even sewage are all part of the distinctive aroma of the durian fruit. Scientists have identified 44 unique aromas in the fruit.
Durian Nutrition Facts
1 cup equals 1 serving.
| Calories: | 357 |
| Fat: | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates: | 66 g |
| Fiber: | 9 g |
| Protein: | 4 g |
| Antioxidant vitamin C: | 80% |
| Thiamine: | 61% |
| Manganese: | 39% |
As you can see, durian provides numerous health advantages. However, excessive consumption of this noxious fruit as a snack will lead to weight gain despite its beneficial nutrients.
Being strictly carnivorous, felines have no physiological requirement for the durian fruit. Some people may welcome the opportunity to experience the unusual and potent aromas and tastes, while others may reject it out of hand.
Why Durian Isn’t Healthy For Cats
Cats in the home are true carnivores, just like their wild ancestors. That’s because their physiology is tailored more toward absorbing nutrients from animals than from plants.
Durian is widely regarded as a healthful fruit, but due to its plant origin, cats are unable to properly absorb its beneficial nutrients.
Durian, despite its unpleasant aroma, is actually quite sweet. Like humans, cats shouldn’t consume excessive amounts of sugar. Due to the high levels of sugar in durian, it should be avoided by diabetic cats.
Cats’ digestive systems aren’t designed to handle large amounts of sugar or plant products, so feeding them fruit like durian could make them sick. Symptoms of this condition include stomach upset and diarrhea.
Do Cats Like the Flavor of Durian?
No one can give a satisfactory response to this question. Everyone’s cat is unique. Some people are extremely picky eaters, while others randomly consume bizarre foods.
Even though most cats would never dream of eating durian, there will always be the odd cats who find something appealing about this garbage plant.
Maybe seeing a cat devour a durian got you wondering about it in the first place, or maybe you just can’t stand the smell. Both responses are common, but it’s difficult to predict how an individual cat will react.
Most felines will not even try durian. They’ll run away from the odor and not look back. Some cats might be too timid to venture into the unknown, but others might not think twice about it.
Cats lack the ability to taste sweetness, so their flavor perception will be vastly different from that of a human.
Can Cat Eat Durian Seeds?
If your cat seems to enjoy the flavor of durian, you should be careful around the seeds. Although durian seeds are technically edible, they should not be consumed raw but rather cooked.
Several chemicals in raw durian seeds are potentially carcinogenic to humans.
Even if they are cooked, cats may have trouble digesting durian seeds due to their size. Cats shouldn’t eat these seeds because their teeth aren’t designed for chewing. If you want to be on the safe side, don’t feed your cat durian seeds.
How Much Durian Can My Cat Eat?
Your cat shouldn’t get more than 10 percent of their caloric intake from treats and snacks.
Nutritionally complete cat food should make up the bulk of their daily diet. Durian, or any other fruit, should make up no more than 2% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
Safe and Unsafe Fruits for Cats
Fruits and vegetables aren’t typically among cats’ favorite foods, but they are often recommended as rewards for overweight felines.
If your cat is on a special diet, it is best to steer clear of commercial cat treats.
If your cat doesn’t like durian, try one of these other safe fruits (and even a few vegetables)!
- Cantaloupe
- Berries
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Consisting of green beans
- Cucumber
Before feeding your cat any fruit, make sure the pits, skins, or rinds have been removed.
Some fruits and vegetables can be harmful to cats and should be avoided at all costs. Examples of such foods are:
- Raisins and grapes.
- Fruits with a high citric acid content
- Onions
- Garlic
Conclusion
Instead of salivating and snacking on durian, your cat will likely just sniff it and run away. However, this pungent-smelling fruit has a flavor that attracts some cats. If your cat insists on joining the festivities whenever you break out the durian, it’s best to politely decline his or her invitation.
You should only give your cat a small taste of durian if you decide to feed it to them. The discomfort it causes in the stomach can be quite severe. Use your best judgment on how much and how often to give it to your cat if you find it has no reaction.