You might find your Cat eyeing on your orange while you are munching on those delicious Oranges by yourself. And, suddenly, might find yourself surrounded with a question: Can Cats eat Oranges?
If this is exactly what is going through your mind, then you have turned to the right web page. Here in this informative article, we will be telling our lovely Cat parents everything they need to know before feeding oranges to your cat.
Oranges are acceptable for humans to consume, but are they suitable for cats, and can cats eat oranges?
The quick answer is no, cats should not consume oranges. Oranges, in fact, are harmful to cats owing to the essential oils they contain. As always, consult your veterinarian before feeding any human foods to your cat.
Let’s Learn Everything There is to know about Oranges and Cats.
Nothing beats a large glass of orange juice when it comes to the acidic sweetness of citrus. Oranges have been a delicious part of the human diet for generations, from cooking and baking to simply peeling and eating.
If you live with a cat, you’ve probably had your rambunctious feline try to grab whatever you’re eating. Do they, however, consume oranges?
While we enjoy the sweet taste of oranges, cats are often put off by the smell of citrus fruits. Cats despise the smell of oranges and other citrus fruits so much that some cat repellents employ them to keep cats away from specific regions.
Cats don’t usually eat citrus, but if your curious feline is pawing at your hand as you peel an orange, the better question is can cats eat oranges.
Oranges, like all citrus fruits, are harmful to cats, therefore the short answer is no. Continue reading to learn why you shouldn’t share this tasty treat with your furry pal.
Oranges and Your Cat
Oranges and orange juice, a morning classic, are high in vitamin C, a substance that benefits our bodies in a variety of ways. This vitamin aids in iron absorption, immune system strength, and cardiac health, as well as acting as an anti-oxidant that protects cells from inflammation and oxidative stress.
Because humans are unable to produce vitamin C, we must get it through our diet.
Cats, on the other hand, can produce all the vitamin C they require within their bodies and do not require it from their food. So, since cats don’t require the nutrients in an orange, why not have one as a treat?
Oranges also contain sugar, which cats do not require, as well as acids, which might upset their digestive processes. Then there are the essential oils present throughout the fruit and peel, which make oranges smell wonderful but may cause nervous system problems in your cat. Finally, there are the psoralens, which are phototoxic chemical substances.
All citrus fruits have the same components that make oranges hazardous to cats, so it’s better to leave these tasty goodies to the people for your kitty’s protection. However, if you have a scavenger, they may sneak a bite without your knowledge!
Mandarin Oranges: Can Cats Eat Them?
Mandarin oranges are still considered part of the citrus family and therefore never be eaten by cats. A typical cat will avoid eating a mandarin orange because of the strong citrus essential scents present.
The outer peel, stem, and leaves of mandarin orange, like other oranges, are the most dangerous parts for your cat to eat, as these ingredients are poisonous to cats. Make every effort to prevent your cat from eating a mandarin orange.
Is Orange Juice Safe for Cats to Drink?
Orange juice should never be given to your cat. Given the powerful citrus stench emanating from the juice, it’s doubtful that your cat would ever try to drink it. Cats are naturally never attracted to the scent of oranges, which would be amplified in a glass of orange juice.
Aside from the fragrance, orange juice is quite acidic, making it unsuitable for cats. The high quantities of acid are too much for a cat’s body to handle adequately. While the vitamin C and other nutrients in orange juice are beneficial to humans, they are not suitable for cats.
Do Cats Enjoy Peels of Oranges?
Although there are exceptions to every rule, most cats dislike orange peels. Cats lack the same taste buds as humans and aren’t attracted to sweeter flavors. The citrus essential oils in the orange peel are harmful to cats, and if they eat it, they will become unwell.
Furthermore, because fruit isn’t part of their diet, cats aren’t drawn to it as a food group. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their bodies are built to eat meat and obtain all the nutrition they require from it. A cat’s digestive tract is designed solely to digest meat, and they may struggle to adequately digest any other food category.
Are Orange Peels Harmful to Cats?
The only way an orange peel can do harm to your cat is if it is eaten. They may feel stomachaches, nausea, or diarrhea as a result of this. Additionally, your cat may have difficulty passing foreign food through its digestive tract, such as an orange peel.
Why Are Oranges So Harmful To Cats?
- While oranges are good for humans because of their high vitamin C content, cats are in a completely different position.
- Oranges contain essential oils known as psoralens, which are particularly harmful to cats. As a result, they should be avoided at all costs. If a cat consumes an orange, it may have a severe case of diarrhea. They may vomit as a result of the citric acid in oranges unsettling their stomach.
- It has been proved that eating oranges might make a cat melancholy or hypersensitive to light in some situations.
- Sugar content is another factor to consider, as Oranges are high in sugar, therefore should be avoided by cats.
Read Also: Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food
What Causes Citrus To Be Harmful To Cats?
Because of the essential oils and high quantities of acid contained in all citrus fruit, it is poisonous to cats as a whole.
- Citrus also contains a lot of naturally occurring carbohydrates, which are not a nutrient that cats require.
- Furthermore, citrus foods are tough for a cat’s digestive system to assimilate due to their thick outer shell and fleshy fibrous within.
- As with many other animals, cats are repulsed by the smell of citrus as a natural warning system within their bodies. This biology predates the domestication of cats.
- Animals often have a natural defensive mechanism response to avoid foods that are harmful to them as a way of biology attempting to keep them from becoming ill.
- In comparison to what a cat should ordinarily eat, oranges are a strange dietary concept, and any time your cat eats something unfamiliar to their system, difficulties are likely to arise.
Cats are intelligent creatures, and they will rapidly learn to avoid foods that make them sick. If your cat tried to eat an orange peel from your kitchen or from the dinner table, they’d probably get gastrointestinal problems. This will enable them to understand that the selected item is not good for them and they will learn to avoid anything that smells like it in the future.
If My Cat Eats An Orange, What Should I Do?
First and foremost, if your cat eats an orange, keep an eye on their behaviour to determine if they show any signs of distress.
If you notice a lot of vomiting, contact your veterinarian right once. They can inquire about the symptoms your cat is displaying and advise you on whether or not you should seek emergency care right away.
Because the skin of an orange has more essential oils than the fruit within, keep track of which section of the orange your cat has consumed. Ensure to provide accurate and complete details to your vet, as he or she will be able to provide the best course of action when provided with comprehensive details.
While oranges are toxic to cats, the good news is that most cats have a natural distaste for citrus fruits in the first place, thus the chances of your cat eating an orange are little to none.
Symptoms That Your Cat Has Consumed an Orange
You’ll want to keep an eye on your cat for any signs of citrus poisoning, whether you caught them gnawing on an orange peel or they ran off with a dropped piece of fruit. Symptoms are usually related to the digestive system, but they can also affect the nervous system in severe poisonings. Your cat could possibly develop an allergic skin reaction after coming into contact with a piece of orange on any part of its body.
The signs and symptoms that your cat has consumed oranges are:
- Distress in the stomach
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Weakness
- Allergic dermatitis (atopic dermatitis)
- Depression
- Photosensitivity
- Seizure
The intensity of your cat’s reaction will be determined by the amount of orange consumed as well as which section of the orange was consumed, as the peel contains more poisonous compounds than the pulp. Although fatalities from orange poisoning are uncommon, most cats can recover totally with prompt care, so if you observe any of the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately once.
What to do to keep Cats from Devouring Oranges?
Because cats have a natural dislike to oranges and will normally avoid them, there’s no need to hide your fruit bowl in a cupboard or somewhere else where your cat can’t reach it. Cats despise the smell of oranges so much that the fruity flavor is frequently utilized in cat repellent sprays to keep cats off of people’s furniture and out of their gardens.
Is Orange Smell Harmful to Cats?
While the fragrance of oranges is not physically hazardous to cats, it might make them uncomfortable. Although this isn’t limited to oranges, certain cat repellent products do contain citrus scents because cats dislike them.
If you diffuse orange essential oils or other citrus essential oils in your home, your cat may become annoyed or avoid the room where the essential oils are diffused. This indicates that your cat dislikes the fragrance of citrus, but it is not dangerous to them.
Are there any Substitutes for Oranges that you can feed Your Cat?
Psoralens and essential oils, which are harmful to cats, are found in all citrus fruits, including lemons and oranges. This is why sharing your citrus snacks with your cat is not a good idea. If you want to give your cat a fruity treat, there are a variety of fruits that are totally safe for him. Why not offer the cat a banana slice or a little apple slice instead of an orange? It would be a hit with your cat.
Conclusion: Can Cats eat Oranges
- Oranges should never be fed to your little furball as they do not provide any kind of benefits to them.
- On the contrary, your cat will only experience discomfort and may even need hospitlization in rare cases.
- Although the smell of the oranges will repel the cat on its own, it is always better to keep them away from the reach of the cat.
- Always be a responsible cat parent and contact your vet for assistance with any queries.
- Opt for substitutes like bananas, apples, and seedless watermelon if you are want to serve some delicious fruits to your cat.
We hope that this article answered all your queries on: Can cats eat oranges. Otherwise, you can also drop a query in the comment section for more information.
