The kiwi is a delicious summer fruit that is so high in nutritional value that it has earned the label of “superfood” from nutritionists.
Your feline companion may gaze up at you with longing as you enjoy this luscious treat (much like toddlers, cats seem to covet everything we have).
Kiwi is safe for cats to eat, and hopefully they’ll get some of the nutritional value from it. Since kiwi isn’t part of their natural carnivorous diet, it’s best to limit their consumption to infrequent, small portions.
Can Cats Eat Kiwi?
The fruit of the kiwi tree is safe for them to eat and may even be beneficial to their health. But things aren’t quite that easy.
Even though kiwis are harmless to humans, there are still risks you should be aware of before feeding them to your cat.
Is Kiwi safe for cats?
As long as you remove the skin and limit your cat’s intake to a small amount, kiwi is fine to feed.
Keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores; therefore, while providing them with some nutritional benefit, feeding them large quantities of fruits and vegetables is not necessary for their survival.
Fruit shouldn’t be a regular part of a cat’s diet because they can get all the nutrition they need from meat and fish.
Kiwi has a deliciously sweet flavor, but cats don’t have the same taste receptors that we do, so they won’t be able to enjoy its sweetness.
Make sure your cat doesn’t have an allergic reaction by introducing kiwi gradually and in small amounts.
Do Cats Like Kiwi?
Your cat may show no interest in eating the kiwi because it is not part of its natural diet.
It’s possible that more inquisitive cats like the feel of kiwi fruit. However, cats can’t taste sweetness because of their carnivorous diet. Therefore, if they like kiwis, it is not as a dessert.
The kiwi plant is safe for your cat, but the fruit itself is a different story, depending on your feline’s tastes.
The genus that includes the plant known as silvervine also includes the kiwi vine. Silvervine, like catnip, is used to get a reaction out of cats.
The kiwi vine has similar qualities to the silver vine, and its fragrant leaves may entice cats to scratch at them or dig them up.
You may want to keep your cat away from the kiwi in your garden, but if you’re an avid gardener who was wondering if the kiwi in your garden was safe for your cat, the answer is “yes.”
Potential benefits of giving Kiwi to your cat
As was previously mentioned, small amounts of Kiwi are safe for your cat to consume. But do these tiny doses have any positive effects on their health?
Small amounts of kiwi, which are rich in minerals and vitamins, may be beneficial to your cat’s health.
Kiwi is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamins C and A and is a good source of fiber, which may help your cat’s digestion. The high water content and low calorie count of kiwis make them an ideal summertime snack.
Potential hazards of giving Kiwi to your cat
The high sugar content of Kiwi fruit is the primary reason to avoid feeding it to your cat. Even though kiwis are low in calories, they pose a serious threat to your cat because of their high sugar content.
Your cat should not eat kiwis because a 100-gram serving has about 9 grams of sugar and 14.6 grams of carbohydrates. Because of this, you should only give your cat a small amount of Kiwi if you decide to give it some.
In addition to contributing to weight gain, a diet high in added sugars increases the risk of developing metabolic disorders like diabetes.
As was previously mentioned, cats are unable to detect sweetness, so if they enjoy the taste of Kiwi, they won’t be put off by the sugary aftertaste. Obviously, a diet high in sugar can lead to cavities and other dental issues.
Your cat may benefit from the fiber in kiwis, but eating too many can cause a laxative effect, diarrhea, and even dehydration. In addition, just as some people have Kiwi allergies, your cat could have one as well.
Finally, the Kiwi fruit has fine hairs on its skin that can irritate your cat’s mouth, throat, and intestines if ingested, so peel the fruit first to remove the hairs. There is also a risk of suffocation from the skin.
Can Cats Eat Kiwi Skin and Seeds?
Cats shouldn’t eat the seeds of certain fruits (pears, apples, and stone fruit) because they contain toxic chemicals, but kiwi seeds are completely safe.
The seeds are a superior source of nutrients like vitamin C, K, and E, as well as folates. When planted, kiwi seeds require a great deal of nutrients so that they can grow into a new vine.
The kiwi’s skin can be eaten without fear, and it actually contains more vitamins than the fruit itself.
Keep in mind that the kiwi’s skin is quite tough, and that eating it in large chunks can be dangerous. If you want to feed kiwi to your cat, you’ll need to either peel it or chop it into small pieces so it won’t choke.
Wash the kiwi fruit thoroughly before eating it or giving it to your cat. Processing can leave behind chemical residues, including pesticides and fertilizers used during cultivation.
Kiwi can be quickly cleaned of these potentially harmful toxins by washing them in warm vinegar water and then rinsing them in fresh water.
What fruits are good for cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, so they do not require fruit in their diet. However, some cats may enjoy snacking on certain fruits that may provide them with health benefits. Among these are:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
While small amounts of the aforementioned fruits are fine, there are certain fruits that should be avoided entirely when it comes to your cat’s health. Cats should avoid eating these fruits because they are highly poisonous.
- Cherries
- Dates and grapes
- Lemons
- Grapefruit
Final Thoughts
Kiwis are safe for cats to consume in moderation and won’t cause any ill effects. If you want to give your cat some kiwi on occasion, do so sparingly and only after properly peeling the fruit.
Keep in mind that cats don’t require fruit in their diets, and that they have no ability to detect sweetness anyway, so there’s no reason to feed them fruit.
The good news is that you probably don’t need to worry if your cat manages to steal some Kiwi from your breakfast bowl.