Season for mandarin oranges has arrived! When I was a kid, my parents would put an orange in each of us kids’ stockings to balance out all the candy, and now my eldest son requests them every day for at least a week in his lunch.
Of course, mandarin oranges also make a wonderful snack, but they’re also put to good use in the kitchen. But do they really benefit our pet that much? Would mandarin oranges be safe for cats to eat?
Can Cats Eat Mandarin Oranges?
Cats are unable to digest the essential oils in mandarin oranges, and the citrusy scent is offensive to them. So, in a nutshell, yes, all citrus and acidic fruits are poisonous to cats.
You shouldn’t give any of them to your cats. Read on for more information on the subject.
Do Cats Like Mandarin Oranges?
Thankfully, it’s unlikely that your cat would try to steal an orange from you. Citrus is an odor that is strongly disliked by cats.
It has an unappealing skin, tasteless fruit, and isn’t even fun to play with as a toy.
Most cats will not like mandarin oranges and will not even touch them. However, I can’t speak for all cats because there may be one that insists on eating oranges despite knowing full well that doing so could be fatal.
Do Cats Hate Mandarin Oranges?
Mandarin oranges are one of the few foods about which we can unequivocally assert that cats despise them. They have no use for them and are disgusted by the smell, so oranges are great for keeping cats out of certain areas.
In most cases, cats will avoid substances they know to be harmful to them. Because the leaves and stems of oranges are also poisonous, they won’t even touch them.
Are Mandarin Oranges Safe For Cats?
Mandarin oranges are toxic to cats, as was briefly mentioned above. Even though cats are unlikely to die from them, they can still get quite sick from them.
Due to their natural diet of meat, cats cannot process oranges. It’s as if Mother Nature is protecting them from junk food. Therefore, if your cats consume something they are unable to metabolize, they will not seek out similar foods in the future.
All parts of an orange are dangerous for cats to eat. The peel contains the majority of the fruit’s toxins and poses the greatest threat to feline health. Additionally, the essential oils found in the pulp of this plant can be extremely toxic to cats.
Mandarin Poison In Cats
Mandarin oranges are toxic to cats if they eat too many of them. They will get sick from it, but it won’t be fatal in small doses. The cat-specific toxins in these fruits are the primary cause of this poisoning.
All acidic fruits are extremely harmful to them. The essential oils and psoralens found in these fruits are responsible for their toxicity.
Essential oils can be broken down by a chemical compound found in humans and other animals called glucuronyl transferase.
Because cats don’t consume it, a toxic buildup occurs within their bodies. They may experience depression, nausea, and diarrhea as a result of these toxins. The citrusy aroma that we greatly appreciate can also have a negative effect on cats.
In addition, cats experience stomach upset and skin irritation from the citric acid. Oranges are a healthy choice due to their high vitamin C, water, and fiber content. However, there is too much evidence that the toxic components are bad for the cats’ health to ignore them.
These vital nutrients are available in other foods they can eat, such as various meats.
Cats also have no need for the excessive amounts of fructose found in these fruits. It can only cause you to gain weight and develop diabetes. Cats don’t care because they don’t have sweet taste buds.
Extremely high concentrations of these toxins can be poisonous or even fatal. Therefore, if your cat has consumed a mandarin orange, it is imperative that you take them to the vet immediately.
What Happens If Cats Eat Mandarin Oranges?
No matter how careful their owners are, pets always seem to find a way to snack on something they shouldn’t.
Call your veterinarian immediately if you discover your cat has been nibbling on an orange tree leaf, stem, or fruit. As mandarin orange toxicity can cause severe illness in felines.
Cats that have consumed mandarin oranges may experience vomiting and diarrhea. They may also experience a change in their respiratory rate and the appearance of rashes.
They can become sensitive and lethargic as a result of these toxins. Cats exposed to toxic levels of mandarin oranges may also experience depression and loss of appetite.
The alkaline balance of a cat’s urine can be disrupted by the high acid content of mandarin oranges. This puts them at risk for urinary tract infections.
If any of these symptoms persist for more than a day or two, veterinary care should be sought. A cat’s life is in grave danger if it comes into contact with these toxins for any length of time.
Can Eating Mandarin Oranges Kill My Cat?
Mandarin oranges will probably not kill your cat (unless your cat eats a lot of them), but they will make them very sick. Cats shouldn’t eat mandarin oranges for these reasons.
Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges of all varieties, are dangerous for cats because they contain essential oils and psoralens.
Citrus fruits get their distinctive aroma from these compounds; while we humans appreciate the scent, cats should avoid it.
Although mandarin oranges are rich in vitamin C, cats actually produce their own from the normal food they eat, so including them in your cat’s diet is unnecessary.
Mandarin oranges’ water content is the only possible benefit, but it’s pretty small when weighed against all the toxicity.
Mandarin oranges are dangerous throughout, but especially the peel, leaves, and stem due to the presence of essential oils there.
Cats with mandarin orange toxicity may exhibit the following signs:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Rashes on the skin
- Lethargy
- Inability to eat
- Depression
- Photosensitivity
Any of these symptoms that persist or worsen after 24 hours should prompt a trip to the vet, as the toxicity could be causing irreparable harm.
If your cat has been nibbling on the peel, leaves, or stem, this is especially crucial, as this is where the essential oils are most concentrated and can do the most harm to your pet.
Oranges are not good for cats to eat for more than one reason: they contain a lot of natural sugars that can be harmful in large quantities.
Though they have no taste for sugar, cats who gain too much weight are at increased risk for conditions like diabetes and arthritic joints.
These concerns are more long-term than the short-term toxicity concerns, but they should still be taken into account.
Finally, oranges do contain fiber and water, but the health risks posed to cats by eating them are not justified. These nutrients are readily available in their regular diet and in the water they drink.
If your cat somehow managed to get ahold of a mandarin orange (unlikely, but who knows), it’s important to keep an eye on it and get it to the vet as soon as possible, but unless it ate quite a few of them, you probably don’t have to worry about it dying. However, they may require examination by a veterinarian.
If you’re worried about coming home to ruined fruit and a sick cat, you can rest easy knowing that most cats will be repulsed by oranges.
How Many Mandarin Oranges Can I Feed My Cat?
None. Mandarin oranges are toxic to cats and should never be fed to your cat.
- Juice of orange
- Grated or not, orange peel is delicious.
- Citrus oranges in there
- For many reasons, chocolate orange is the best.
- Orange sugar crystals or candy
- Orange, dried
- Dinner with orange
- Again, for a variety of reasons, orange liqueur is a good choice.
Better options for your cat’s health include their regular food, plainly cooked meat, bits of cooked carrot or apple (if your cat likes those fruits) and so on.
However, cats are obligate carnivores and require a meat-based diet, supplemented with some carbohydrates.
FAQs
Are mandarin oranges toxic for cats?
Mandarin oranges are extremely poisonous to cats. Toxin buildup in cats occurs because they do not produce enough of the chemical compound glucuronyl transferase.
Cats exposed to toxic levels of mandarin oranges may develop symptoms such as itching, vomiting, depression, rashes, urinary tract infections, and stomach problems.
Can cats eat canned mandarin oranges?
Mandarin oranges, limes, lemons, and other citrus fruits are toxic to cats whether they are fresh or canned.
In addition, felines lack the taste buds necessary to detect sugar. As a result, they won’t be hungry for sweets. Toxic effects, weight gain, and diabetes are just some of the negative outcomes of feeding them mandarin oranges from a can.
Can kittens eat mandarins?
Mandarin oranges, like all citrus fruits, are toxic to cats and kittens due to their high acidity and citric fruit content. They may experience irritation and digestive issues as a result of the acidity.
Kittens are especially vulnerable and sensitive at this age; therefore, no amount of mandarin oranges, no matter how small, should ever be fed to a kitten.
Conclusion
Mandarin oranges are a delicious and nutritious treat for humans, but cats should avoid them at all costs.
Cats usually avoid oranges because of their unpleasant odor, and if they somehow managed to consume one, they would likely become quite ill and require veterinary attention.
Cats should never be fed mandarin oranges or any other type of orange or citrus fruit because they are toxic to them.
Keep these fruits in the fridge and always clean up after eating or using one, especially if you have a cat that is too curious. So, your pet won’t get sick and you can get them to eat their own food!
Does your pet try to sneak mandarin oranges from the bowl? None of mine have ever shown any curiosity (my cat doesn’t even like it when I use products with a lemon scent, much less an orange one).