The importance of these dried plums to human health cannot be overstated.
They’re a popular remedy for motion sickness and bloating. That’s why you might be wondering if prunes are safe for cats with digestive problems or constipation. Prunes are extremely toxic to cats, and even small amounts can cause death.
Because of this, you should never give your cat any prunes or plums. Instead, you can provide a selection of healthy alternatives and constipation remedies.
Can Cats Eat Prunes
Cats are strict carnivores who have no interest in snacking on fruit. Dried plums that have turned into prunes are typically avoided. Neither do they have a need for it, nor will it benefit their health in the same way that it does ours. Learn the facts first before trying out a new treat on your feline friend.
Is It Ok To Give Your Cat Prunes?
Even though prunes are delicious, you shouldn’t give them to your cat. Cats shouldn’t eat plums because the fruit’s pulp, leaves, and stems contain toxins.
If your cat ingests it, it could be fatal. Cats shouldn’t eat this fruit because it contains cyanide acid, which their digestive systems aren’t designed to process.
When the pulp dries, it becomes extremely harmful to cats. Cats can easily choke on whole plums. Plum pits are large and have sharp edges, which could puncture a cat’s intestines or cause other internal injuries.
Unlike canines, cats aren’t usually eager to experiment with new produce. Rarely will a cat show any sort of interest in plums or prunes; typically they will actively avoid them.
Are Prunes Good For Cats?
Many animal lovers would like to supplement their pets’ regular diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to see why this would be appealing to pursue: pet owners care deeply about their animals’ wellbeing and are motivated to address any health issues they encounter.
Prunes are great for us because of the many vitamins they contain. Vitamins are primarily found in meat, which is what cats eat. Apples and persimmons are fine to offer as an alternative snack, but only in small quantities.
Feed your cat a high-quality, commercially prepared diet appropriate for its age and size, and you won’t have to worry about giving it any supplements.
Prunes Poisoning In Cats
- Pupil enlargement
- Difficulty breathing
- Gasping
- Vomiting that is too much
- Trauma
- Issues with the mucosal barrier
Why Are Prunes Toxic to Cats?
Cyanide can be found in the plum’s stem, leaves, and seeds. Cats, like dogs and horses, are particularly susceptible to cyanide’s toxicity.
Your cat may have trouble breathing, start panting, have dilated pupils, throw up, and have red mucous membranes if it ingests this. Shock is another possibility.
Additionally, the seeds in prunes and plums pose a significant choking hazard if your cat eats them.
What If Your Cat Gets Poisoned By Prunes?
The first step is to identify which parts of the plum plant your cat ate. The ripe part of a plum is usually safe to eat, but if your cat eats the pit, stem, leaf, or root, you should get in touch with a vet immediately.
Using localization, such as testing the contents of the cat’s stomach for poisons, your primary care physician can assess the extent of the internal damage.
Your vet, upon witnessing the severity of plum toxicity, may advise you to take salt in order to lessen the effects of the cyanide it contains. The procedure is intravenous.
Plum Poisoning: Diagnosis and Treatment
Get your cat to the vet right away if you suspect it has eaten plums or prunes. Your cat has a better chance of making a full recovery if you act quickly. Your veterinarian will perform tests to identify the toxicity and treat the symptoms.
Your veterinarian may be able to confirm that your cat has been poisoned by plums by analyzing a sample of the vomit for plant matter.
The diagnosis of plum poisoning in cats is made through a procedure called gastric fluid extraction.trocarization.
Veterinarians must act promptly if a confirmed diagnosis of plum poisoning is made. The antidote for cyanide poisoning is sodium thiosulfate, which is given intravenously after sodium nitrate.
After administering treatment, your veterinarian will observe your cat for several hours to see if the symptoms have subsided. Your veterinarian may want to keep your cat in for observation if the condition is serious.
Do Cats Like The Taste of Prunes?
There are no sweetness taste receptors on a cat’s tongue, so they cannot detect sugary flavors. As a result, many felines simply refuse to eat fruit.
However, some cats may still try out fruit on their own, so it’s important to keep an eye out.
Which Fruits Are Toxic to Cats?
In addition to plums and prunes, there are a few other fruits that should be kept out of your cat’s reach.
- The alkaloid solanine found in green tomatoes is toxic to cats.
- Cherries, whose pits, like those of plums and prunes, are a source of cyanide.
- Lemons, limes, grapefruits, and persimmons are all examples of citrus fruits, and they are known to trigger nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in some people.
- Grapes and raisins are known to cause severe gastrointestinal distress and, in rare cases, kidney failure.
Which Fruits Can Cats Eat?
As obligate carnivores, cats can only survive on a diet rich in meat. They can’t digest plant matter in large quantities, but they can handle moderate amounts of certain fruits.
While most cats aren’t interested in fruit, if yours happens to be one of the exceptions, here are a few that are fine to eat in moderation if they happen to be a fruit fan.
These fruits should be served to cats in small pieces, suitable for snacking.
- Apples
- Watermelon devoid of seeds
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
What Can I Give My Cat for Constipation?
Prunes are not a safe option if you were planning on giving them to your cat to help with constipation.
A trip to the vet is the first order of business if your cat has chronic constipation. In any case, if you suffer from constipation from time to time, there are some home remedies you can try.
First, make sure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water to drink.
Altering your cat’s diet by switching from dry to wet food or from one type of protein to another (lamb, chicken, etc.) may also be recommended by your veterinarian.
Some cat owners choose to supplement their feline’s diet with fiber and probiotics like wheat bran and Psyllium husks, while others turn to over-the-counter laxatives like Miralax and Colace.
You should always double-check with your vet before giving your cat any over-the-counter drugs.
Keeping the litter box clean and odor-free will encourage your cat to use it. If the litter box is dirty and smelly, cats won’t use it, which can lead to health problems like constipation and anxiety. ’
FAQs
Are Prunes Toxic to Cats?
Prunes may be toxic to cats, even if consumed in very small amounts. Berries, apricots, and peaches all share the same synthetic substances, making them potentially harmful.
Prunes and other sources of cyanide in cats necessitate an immediate clinical evaluation. Even after giving your cat the appropriate care, it is important to keep an eye on it for quite some time. Because cyanide is poisonous and destructive, and because treating it can be difficult.
Make sure your cat is always in a secure, comfortable environment. Inquire with your pet’s vet about any follow-up treatment they may recommend.
Can Cats Eat Dried Prunes?
Dried prunes are not safe for cats to eat. Dried prunes contain significantly more sugar than fresh ones do, and they still have all of the negative health effects we discussed above because of the preservation method and additives used.
Many people also opt to give dried prunes rather than fresh ones. This may lead to even greater complications.
Can Cats Have Prune Juice?
If left to their own devices, cats in the wild would choose water over prune juice if given the choice. You should only give your cat fresh water in a clean water dish.
They should be able to have multiple solid waste outputs without becoming overly hydrated. By keeping the body’s most delicate organs lubricated with water, food is able to move through the digestive system more quickly. Although you intend to help, giving them prune juice will actually make them dehydrated.
Conclusion
Never feed your cat dried fruits like prunes or plums. They are not an effective source of nutrition for them, and they may even be harmful.
If your cat has developed a taste for fruit, you should only give it small amounts of fruit and vegetables that are safe for consumption. Seek medical attention to rule out more serious causes if your cat is experiencing digestive problems or obstruction.