As a pet owner, you should think twice before sharing any kind of food with your cats. You should make sure that there will be no issues with toxicity. This is especially when we’re talking about fruits like papaya.
That said, can cats eat papaya? The short answer is yes. It’s safe for cats to eat papaya, but only as a treat once in a while. It’s not meant to be a part of their daily meals.
If you’re interested to know more about the benefits and risks of feeding papaya to cats, then read on to the following sections.
Are Papayas Safe for Cats?
Can cats eat papaya? Yes. However, are papayas safe for cats?
To get rid of all your worries, then yes, papayas are safe for cats, no matter the breed. It isn’t necessarily toxic like cherries and a number of citrus fruits, so giving papaya to your cat sometimes can actually be a good source of fiber.
Here are some other benefits that your cat can get from papaya.
1. Papayas can serve as a low-calorie treat.
If your cat is following a special diet, specifically in terms of weight management, then opting for papaya as a low-calorie treat is one of the best things that you can do. Unlike processed sweet treats, you won’t have to give your cat the combination of high-calorie and high-sugar intake. At the same time, you won’t always have to stick to non-flavored treats, which is a usual bummer for pets.
2. Papayas can be an ideal but occasional source of vitamins.
Apart from being rich in fiber, your cat will also benefit from its vitamin-rich content. They can specifically get Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which have significant contributions to heart health. These also serve as antioxidants, so your cat’s immune system can also improve a little.
3. Giving papaya as a treat after a healthy meal can help cats absorb nutrients better.
You may not know it, but giving papaya to your cat after feeding them a hearty, healthy meal will actually help them absorb their food’s nutrients better. This is because of the enzyme in papaya fruits called “papain,” which is another one of the fruit’s good qualities.
Again, keep in mind that your cat can only reap the said benefits if they eat papaya in moderation. Feeding them more doesn’t mean that they will be able to boost the pros that come with the fruit, so don’t overdo it.
Are There Any Risks of Giving Papaya to My Cat?
Giving a small piece of papaya occasionally to your cat won’t really pose any kind of health risks, except if, one, your cat is allergic, or two, your cat has a naturally low tolerance for fiber. If your cat is neither of these two, then you won’t have to worry all night about the possible issues.
Of course, the tables will turn if we talk about the risks of giving too much papaya. This may sound cliché, but as a pet owner, you need to remember that “too much of something is not good.” Yes, this statement also applies to the healthiest of fruits like the one at hand.
Since there’s a possibility of your cat getting a tremendous amount of fiber and papain, most of the issues will lie in digestive problems.
For reference, here are some of the dangers when your cat eats too much papaya:
1. Stomachache
The most common issue that happens to cats when they have too much papaya points to stomachache. In light cases, you should look out for symptoms like constant whimpering, heavy breathing, and trembling. Worse cases usually involve lethargy, a sore and swollen abdomen, vomiting, and blood-stained feces.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea can either be a direct product of too much papaya or a sub-symptom relating to stomachache. Either way, this is definitely not something that you want your cats to have. This can easily be noticed since the only symptom that you should look out for is frequent pooping.
3. Flatulence
Flatulence is a somewhat lighter symptom since this only involves constant farting. This means that your cat has “too much air” in its digestive system, and they need to let it out. This usually doesn’t cause alarming concerns. In fact, you should be more worried if your cat can’t let the air out.
As you can see, the said risks aren’t really as detrimental compared to others. Still, you wouldn’t want your cat to go through even the slightest stomachache possible since this can mean serious discomfort on their part.
On another note, make sure that if blood comes with any of the symptoms, the best thing to do is to go to a vet for treatment.
How Do I Give Papaya to My Cat?
Giving papaya to your cat doesn’t have to be complex. You can simply slice out a small piece from the fruit and feed it using your hand or a spoon. Just make sure that your hand and all the other tools that you’ll use are clean.
Similarly, you can also mix the papaya in their cat food or whatever they eat for their diet.
Do note, papaya isn’t a necessity. This means that you should not have to force-feed your cat with this. If you serve your cat papaya, and they don’t eat it, then it simply means that they don’t like the smell or the taste. You won’t miss out on heavy benefits, so don’t try to push your cat into eating the fruit.
How Much Papaya Can a Cat Eat?
To keep a safe intake, stick to around one to two teaspoons of papaya slices. Going over this can already give way to several risks and side effects. You shouldn’t also make the servings generous, even if your cat likes it.
Can Cats Eat Papaya Seeds?
You should avoid feeding papaya seeds to cats. This rule applies to any kind of fruit seeds in the market.
The reason behind this is the cat may have issues in properly digesting the seed if they even get to swallow it. In some cases, seeds can simply latch on to cats’ teeth. This is also considered a choking hazard, especially for comparably small animals like cats.
Because of this, make sure that the papaya slices that you will feed your cat are all free from seeds. It’s better if you thoroughly handpick them to avoid unlikely situations.
Can Cats Eat Dried Papaya?
Similarly, cats also shouldn’t eat dried papaya. Unlike fresh, regular papaya fruits, dried papaya has a dangerously high amount of sugar, which is never good for felines. This can cause dehydration, either hyperactivity or too much fatigue, and increased risks of teeth-related issues and diabetes.
Conclusion
If you’re still asking, “Can cats eat papaya?” and wondering if you can feed the said fruit to your cats, feel free to do so. Just keep it in moderation. Remember that it isn’t meant to replace anything in your cat’s diet or meals. You should also avoid giving a whole slice of papa, and instead, stick to giving a small portion.
As a rule of thumb, think of papayas as simple, mini treats rather than full-on food. Although it comes with a number of benefits, it can also cause digestive issues like stomachache if your cat eats too much.
