Nectarines are a tasty fruit that humans can enjoy.
These eatables are related to plums and peaches as members of the Rosaceae family. The fruits have a pleasant flavor and are full of beneficial micronutrients for your health. The perfect refreshment on a hot summer day, these fruits are sweet and delicious.
But, is your furry pal permitted to partake?
Researching a human food or medicine before giving it to your cat is a good idea; after all, your cat’s health should be your top priority.
In this post, I’ll do my best to explain whether or not cats can safely consume nectarines.
Let’s not waste any time and get down to business, shall we?
Okay, so let’s get going.
Can Cats Eat Nectarines?
Nectarines are safe for cats to eat. Cats can safely consume the fruit’s flesh, but not the stone, leaves, or stems due to the presence of cyanide, which can be fatal in high doses.
Cats shouldn’t be fed large quantities of fruit, and even then only as a treat, because it’s not part of their natural diet.
Are Nectarines Safe for Cats to Eat?
Cats, in contrast to dogs, have less of an affinity for the sweeter human foods like fruit. Cats lack the ability to detect or enjoy sweet flavors, which is why this is the case.
Therefore, you may be met with disinterest if you offer nectarines to your cat. On the other hand, some cats are simply curious and will accept a taste of nectarine if you offer it to them.
Nectarines are generally safe for cats to eat, so there’s no need to worry if your cat enjoys a snack.
The fruit’s flesh is fine for cats to eat whole, and the skin can be given to them in small pieces. Inadequately sized leathery skin presents a choking hazard.
However, cats shouldn’t eat nectarines because of the poisonous pit, leaves, and stems. Each of these parts of the fruit is a potential choking hazard because it contains cyanide.
Don’t freak out if your cat accidentally ingests a little bit of cyanide; it won’t hurt them unless they eat a lot of it.
Cyanogenic glucosides are found in the seeds or pits of several additional fruits, including but not limited to:
- Cherries
- Plums
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Apples
- Pears
- Mangos
Nectarines are just one example of a stone fruit that comes in both free-stone and cling-stone varieties.
When a fruit is described as “free-stone,” it means that the large pit can be extracted simply by cutting open the fruit.
The pit of cling-stone varieties is similar to that of free-stone varieties, but it is attached to the fruit’s flesh instead of floating free.
If you want to offer your cat some nectarines, it’s best to choose free-stone varieties because they don’t contain any potentially toxic compounds from the seeds.
Can Cats Be Allergic to Nectarines?
There was no evidence that any cats were allergic to nectarines. There was no evidence either way, though, that an allergic reaction was not possible.
Fruits may not be a common allergen for cats, but it’s best to proceed with caution when introducing new foods. Cats may also have trouble digesting nectarines and other fruits due to intolerances.
When introducing nectarine for the first time, only give a small amount and closely observe your cat for any adverse reactions.
Health Benefits of Nectarines
Since cats are strictly carnivorous, they don’t require any fruit or other plant products in their diet. They can get all the amino acids they need from meat alone and thus survive on a meat-only diet.
Nectarines are good for the cat and can be given as a reward. However, since cats shouldn’t eat a lot of fruit, these advantages probably won’t make much of a difference to their health.
Vitamin A and C are particularly abundant in nectarines. Cats don’t need to consume vitamin C because their livers produce it naturally.
Since vitamin C aids in iron absorption and is known to strengthen the immune system, giving your cat more of it might be beneficial.
There is a lot of water and fiber in nectarines, too. Drinking more water and feeding your cats more fiber will promote digestive health.
Nectarines are toxic to cats, so they should only be given to them on very special occasions. Nectarines, like many other fruits, contain sugars—primarily sucrose and fructose—that cats do not require. Too much sugar in the diet has been linked to the development of both obesity and diabetes.
In addition, if your cat is given too much fruit, they may not eat enough of the healthy food they need to thrive.
Dietary Needs of Cats
Meat is a staple in cats’ diets. That’s what their bodies are best adapted to process, so their requirements are different from ours.
Even as omnivores, our requirements for meat consumption are very different from those of a cat.
Nutritionally, cats can get everything they need from meat alone.. Meat is a cat’s primary source of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water.
Ancestral cats’ water needs were naturally reduced because they evolved in arid environments. They haven’t adapted to extract water and nutrients from plant foods like fruit and vegetables the way they have from meat. Some cats
love fruit, but an abundance of any one kind can cause bloating, gas, and high blood sugar. Can you estimate their nectarine intake?
How Many Nectarines Can a Cat Have? (And What to Watch For)
More than a fingertip’s worth once every week or two is probably too much. The flesh of a nectarine won’t harm your cat, and it’s loaded with vitamins A and C. However, the pits, leaves, and stems that often come with this stone fruit should be avoided.
About Stone Fruits
The presence of a pit is the defining characteristic of the stone fruit family.
The pits of many stone fruits, including nectarines, contain amygdalin, a chemical compound that contains cyanide (one of the most deadly poisons for humans, dogs, and cats).
The pits of stone fruits like peaches, apricots, and plums also contain this.
It’s eerie to consider how close we come to actually consuming this poison when we eat these fruits.
The good news is that whole seeds and pits are difficult for the digestive system to process. However, the cyanide can be released if the capsules are crushed or bitten.
You may never look at the seeds of stone fruits or apples the same way again if you didn’t know this.
Nectarine flesh is technically safe for cats to eat, but you may be wondering if other stone fruits are.
Unfortunately, there is no universal solution for this group of fruits. Some are safe to eat in moderation and others are poisonous.
Can Cats Eat Peaches?
The fuzzy skin and soft flesh of this stone fruit set it apart from the nectarine. A small amount of the fruit’s flesh is fine for cats to eat, but the pits, stems, seeds, and leaves should be avoided at all costs.
Is It Safe for My Cat to Eat a Cherry?
Don’t trust them with either cherries or pets. Cherries are harmful to both cats and dogs because of their high toxicity levels.
The pits, which contain about twice the amount of cyanide needed to kill a 150-pound person, are inescapable even if they weren’t poisonous. Sadly, pets are not allowed to have cherries.
Can Cats Eat Apricots?
Similar to nectarines and peaches, apricots are a stone fruit that can be fed in moderation on occasion.
Again, be careful around the pits, stems, and seeds. However, the flesh of the apricot fruit also has some positive health effects.
Cancer-fighting nutrients like potassium and beta-carotene can be found in this food. Your cat will be fine with a small amount of apricot.
Are Plums Safe for Cats?
Plums, like cherries, are toxic to cats. They can get plum poisoning if they are drawn to the fruit’s sweet aroma and eat it.
We know you wouldn’t want to put your pets through that, so if you insist on giving your cat some fruit, we recommend nectarines, peaches, or apricots (but be careful with the pits)!
Conclusion
Indulging a demanding cat with a bite or two of fruit can be a lot of fun. Keep in mind that they have limited tolerance; giving them a taste is fine, but make sure that the bulk of their nutrition comes from a balanced diet rich in animal protein.