Cats are wonderful animals that many people keep in their homes. Cats can eat a variety of food, but there is certain food they cannot eat because of their diet.
Are cats and dragon fruit compatible? Read on to find out!
Can Cats Eat Dragon Fruit?
Although dragon fruit comes from a cactus species, it is safe and considered to be safe for cats to eat.
It should be given as a treat or supplementary food though because of the seeds and sweetness.
A dragon fruit is a fruit that comes in the form of a fleshy, sweet fruit. Though this fruit only comes with high nutritional value and minerals, it is usually beneficial for humans to eat this kind of fruit.
Not only humans, but cats can also benefit from eating dragon fruit as well!
Cats have specific dietary needs that must be met in order to keep the pet healthy.
Luckily, dragon fruit is safe to eat and provides various minerals and nutrients to cats which they might not have gotten otherwise.
There are various kinds of dragon fruits that can be found on the market. You may ask among all of those dragon fruits which are good for cats, and we will discuss them in detail below.
Take a look at some of the most famous and common dragon fruits – you might find out if your cat can eat any of these:
Red dragon fruit:
Cats can consume red dragon fruit. Red dragon fruit is just a kind of dragon fruit.
From the name, you may understand that it is both red on the outside and inside. The red dragon fruit can be given to the cats occasionally as a treat.
White dragon fruit:
Cats can eat white dragon fruit. When white dragon fruit and red dragon fruit are peeled, the only difference found is that the color inside of a white dragon fruit is light in comparison to the red variety’s deep hue.
The inside of this dragon fruit is white, which means that cats can also eat it.
Is Dragon Fruit Poisonous To Cats?
Dragon fruit is not toxic to cats. One thing to note is that dragon fruit is a type of cactus.
That means it may contain the seed of a cacti plant. Although this fruit comes from a dangerous plant, it is safe for cats to eat.
The international, non-profit organization American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, better known as ASPCA, has performed research on dragon fruit and its effects on cats.
Researches have already shown that dragon fruits are completely harmless for cats.
Although dragon fruit is safe for cats to eat, feeding this fruit as a staple in a cat’s diet is not advisable.
It should be provided as occasional treats but not regularly. If it is given in small amounts, it will be safe.
Are Cats Fond Of Dragon Fruit? Do Cats Benefit From Eating Dragon Fruit?
Cats do like dragon fruit. Studies show that cats like to eat dragon fruit because it has a sweet, fleshy pulp. What’s more, the flavor of a dragon fruit is considered both kiwi-like and pear-ish.
Cats love dragon fruit and can eat these fruits without any problem.
It’s good for cats to eat dragon fruit. One of the important benefits of dragon fruit is that it comes with a variety of important vitamins and minerals, which are vital for cats.
Particularly, dragon fruit provides an ample amount of vitamin A and other essential nutrients. It also has lower levels of phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.
This fruit also comes with critical minerals, like iron and zinc. Cats need these minerals because they increase their immunity, metabolism, and growth.
3 Reason It’s Okay For Cats To Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is safe for cats for many reasons. Here are 3 major reasons we think cats should eat dragon fruit:
- It is rich in antioxidants
- It benefits digestion, helping with your cat’s colon and bowels
- Dragon fruit is high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins
They are nutritious and easy to eat:
Dragon fruit is easy to find and eat. Cut it open and scoop the juicy flesh out with a spoon. Dragon fruit can also be chewed by ants, according to ASPAC, who found it to be safe to eat.
This is why it is often fed to cats as a meal or as a reward.
They have a fleshy pulp:
One story goes that cats like to eat things with a lot of flesh, and dragon fruit has a juicy pulp inside.
It contains the seeds from cactus plants, which don’t have any negative side effects. This is also why cats enjoy eating dragon fruit so much.
They are highly nutritious:
Dragon fruits have high levels of vitamin A, which is good for the skin and eyes of cats. However, a high amount isn’t good for them; just keep their intake small and occasional as treats.
This food also provides important minerals that keep cats healthy and well.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Dragon Fruit For Cats?
Dragon fruits are packed with benefits that help keep your cat healthy. One of the primary nutrition benefits of dragon fruit is beta-carotene, a vitamin which helps to keep the skin of the cat healthy and improve their eyesight.
Important elements found in dragon fruits are phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. These elements help cats in many ways.
Healthy pets need an adequate supply of magnesium and phosphorus. The former prevents reverse constipation, the latter prevents muscle weakness.
Dragon fruits contains important minerals that are necessary for cats to survive. Iron, copper, and zinc are incredibly helpful in helping your cat’s immunity, which is essential for survival.
Cat food helps to build new cells and is great for nurturing your pet’s health.
Can Kittens Eat Dragon Fruit?
Kittens shouldn’t eat dragon fruit. Perhaps as adults, they could cool down with a piece of the tropical fruit, but kittens have different dietary needs to a full-grown cat.
Kitten formula and milk basically is what they need to grow properly, rather than dragon fruit.
Though dragonfruit is not harmful to cats, it may not be appropriate for kittens.
The fruit doesn’t provide any necessary nutrition to cats who are growing. Although the “right” nutrients may seem irrelevant at this stage in a kitten’s life, their proper growth and development are essential to them as they age.
Dragon fruit has high levels of many vitamins and minerals, but none of them can contribute to a kitten’s growth.
It is best not to feed dragon fruit to kittens as it should be considered an occasional food, not a regular serving.
Sugar can’t be given as a regular food, but it should be given to those who want it and are able to get it.
How do I feed dragon fruit to my cats?
Dragon fruits can be fed to cats in a variety of ways. Our best advice is to cut the dragon fruit into tiny pieces and mix them with small meal-size portions of cat food.
Cut the dragon fruit in half:
Grab the dragon fruits you want to feed your cat. Slice them in half with a knife. Make sure you remove the outer leaves of the fruit to get a better grip on the fruit.
Extract the inside pulp of the dragon fruit:
Spoon out the interior of the dragon fruit, but don’t take out too much of it. If you do so, you’ll get the bitter part in your spoon.
Mix cat food if necessary with the dragon fruit:
Initially, your cat may not be a fan of dragon fruit. To make your cats adjust, you could mix cat food with the dragon fruit and combine them well so they understand that the new food is just their usual dish.
Serve it in a food tray:
Cut the dragon fruit into slices and serve an open tray. Give them enough time to adjust to the taste, which can be a bit tricky at first. They’ll eventually get used to it and enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
Cats can eat dragon fruit. It’s safe to let them eat dragon fruit. They like the taste of the sweet and fleshy inside, although it should never be made into a staple food for them.