Grapefruit can benefit cats, and some pet owners recommend it as a wholesome, all-natural treat.
However, some cats won’t eat it. Perhaps they’re allergic to grapefruit or its chemicals.
You can give them apple peel or whatnot, but it’ll keep disappearing from their cute kitty bowl.
So, can cats eat grapefruit?
Yes and no. Some cats can eat grapefruit just fine – others (just like people) might react negatively to the acid in grapefruits.
Cats with sensitive stomachs might experience vomiting or diarrhea after eating grapefruits. Cats that eat grapefruit regularly can develop a sensitivity to it.
So, if your cat has previously been fine eating grapefruit but develops symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea after eating it for the first time, it could be a sign that your cat doesn’t like grapefruit and shouldn’t eat it anymore.
Can Cats Eat Grapefruit?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which mean that they only have the teeth and digestive system of traditional carnivores like lions and tigers.
Citrus fruits, such as grapefruits, are high in calcium, which can upset a cat’s gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Citrus poisoning occurs when cats are unable to digest the chemicals in citrus fruits properly and can develop acute renal failure.
Worse still, when grapefruit peel comes into a cat’s system it can increase the effects of certain medications and make them more likely to harm the cat.
Is Grapefruit OK For Cats To Eat?
Grapefruits, however, are exceedingly dangerous and should never be given to any cat in any form.
You may be shocked to learn that every part of grapefruit is toxic to cats and most other animals.
The substances in this fruit are broken down by the liver, so not eating grapefruit for too long is not a problem for cats.
When these substances are swallowed or ingested by a cat however, they can cause severe damage to the intestinal lining and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Grapefruits may also cause stomach upset if eaten, as well as damage to the kidneys and urinary tract Potassium or sodium bicarbonate may help to neutralize the effects of grapefruit if it is eaten, but it must be administered immediately.
Citrus poisoning in cats, such as either acute kidney damage or renal failure, can become fatal if left untreated.
Is Grapefruit Bad For Cats?
Many pet owners have found that their cats enjoy chasing and playing with laser lights.
This is due to felines’ natural hunting instinct and their desire to catch prey according to PetMD.
Grapefruits contain a chemical that is similar to caffeine and when eaten by cats it can cause hyperactivity and tremors and in extreme cases even death.
Cats, according to applied animal behavior, have a harder time digesting citrus products than humans do and when eaten by cats these fruits can cause severe abdominal pain.
Grapefruit juice causes skin irritation in cats and when ingested orally may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
As a result, grapefruits should be avoided by cats.
Symptoms Of Grapefruit For Cats
Photosensitivity
Another common symptom reported by many pet owners with cats is photosensitivity.
As a result, your cat’s food will need to be closely monitored to make sure your cat gets all the nutrients your cat needs.
Cats are also known to have allergies to certain food ingredients such as beef, poultry and seafood.
Long-term exposure to the toxins in grapefruits can cause severe toxicosis in cats including liver damage, diarrhea, anorexia and weight loss according to the Pet.
Diarrhea
In cats, dietary sensitivities to beef and chicken have been reported to cause chronic diarrhea which is a common symptom of food allergies in cats.
In your feces, you may also notice soft chunks of your stool and mucus as well.
It is likely that your cat gets irritated by the fruit juices from the grapefruits and this results in hair loss.
The most painful and nauseating aspects include vomiting and diarrhea.
Vomiting
In cats, vomiting is the most serious symptom of a food allergy that occurs as a result of eating a new or different food item.
Because the chemicals are not digested, they cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal system.
This vomiting might spread to the abdomen and cause your kitten to vomit blood along with bile or fluids.
Vomiting is often followed by diarrhea, dehydration and a drop in blood pressure.
Itching
Because of the essential oils contained, when the peel of the grapefruit comes in contact with the skin of the cat, the cat may develop an itchy and irritated skin.
Excessive scratching and hair loss are the signs of cat allergies and one of the most common allergies in cats is citrus allergies.
Bald spots on the cat’s head or loss of hair on the body are also common symptoms of citrus allergies in cats.
What to Do If Cats Eat Grapefruits?
Keep It Hydrated
Water loss occurs as a reaction to the allergic reaction and the water stored in the cat’s body is used up quickly to fight off the allergy.
Remember to keep a clean bowl filled with water next to the litter box for your cat.
Keep an eye on your kitten’s weight and feed him/her water regularly to prevent dehydration.
Keep The Surroundings Clean
Remove any grapefruit peels or juice from the living environment of the kitten or the cat itself to avoid the cat from having contact with the peel again.
Make sure your cat is brushed regularly to prevent hair from shedding and triggering more allergy symptoms in the cat.
Avoid grabbing the cat when it is scratching and prod the cat with your finger to limit the amount of skin contact the cat is having with the excessive itching.
Sick cats demand more attention, so make sure you have an adequate amount of cat food around to feed them.
At this moment, grooming your cat with a brush is the best option.
Clean its eyes, ears, nose and feet with warm water and mild soap regularly to help your cat breathe well and reduce the risk of furballs developing in the cat’s.
Above all, give it frequent hugs and kisses to make the cat feel better.
Help Your Cat Feel Comfortable
It’s possible that your cat is weak if it’s having a severe reaction to the grapefruits.
You should ensure that your tiny pet is comfortable as it recovers from the allergic reaction.
Call Your Vet
Seeing a veterinarian isn’t something to take lightly, especially if your cat is suffering from a severe allergic reaction.
However, if you don’t see any improvement or see the typical symptoms worsening within the next few days after removing or reducing the grapefruit food in your cat’s diet, then it’s time.
Tell the vet how much fruit the cats ate and which fruit it was so the vet can examine the cat and know the best course of treatment for the cat.
This information will assist the vet to more easily recognize and treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction in cats that eat grapefruits.
If your veterinarian has recommended any medications to help with the cat’s allergic reaction to grapefruits, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and see that the medication is given to them in a timely manner.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Gingerbread?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cats Like Grapefruit?
Grapefruits are an edible fruit that is typically found in the shape of a pink or red sweet, oval or round fruit, and it’s often grown.
Cats, like all other cats like to eat foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates.
They strive to avoid the warning of hunger by the sweetness of the food they’re feeding on.
Grapefruit is something that most cats love to eat because their vitamin C content is very high.
They may eat a mouthful or two of this fruit at a time – really hoping they’ll love it and wanting more, but that doesn’t always happen.
Is Grapefruit Toxic to Pets?
Grapefruit flesh is edible by dogs, and however, eating the flesh of the grapefruit is not the best thing for cats.
Grapefruit consumption may cause him to have diarrhea; however, some cats are more at risk than others.
Grapefruit’s citric acid content is so high that they can be fatal to cats.
Can Cats Eat Grapes?
Grapes and raisins may induce renal failure in cats and raisins may also cause gastrointestinal upset in cats as well.
Because cats cannot metabolize Vitamin K in the grapes and raisins, they’re unable to absorb calcium and this may cause them to suffer from feline osteopetrosis and rickets eventually.
What If My Cat Ate a Grape?
Contact your family veterinarian or a nearby veterinary emergency clinic immediately for proper treatment if your cat has eaten a grape or raisin.
Every second is precious when it comes to a grape-related situation, so extreme caution is imperative.
The sooner you bring your pet to the vet’s office for care, the better the prognosis for your pet will be.
Conclusion
Cats can eat grapefruits in moderation and in moderation they can eat apples as well.
But before you feed your cats grapefruit or apples it is best to consult your veterinarian or cat nutritionist as grapefruit and apples can cause harm if fed in excess.
Moreover, if the cat is already suffering from any health condition and/or you’re concerned about the health of your pet, you should always consult a vet first before trying out anything new for the cat to eat.
