Can Cats Eat Pomegranate? Decoding This Antioxidant-Packed Fruit

As cat owners mix up their diets with trendy new fruits and veggies, many wonder if portions of this ruby red fruit are safe and healthy to share with cats. With their jewel-toned seeds and sweet-tart flavor, pomegranates have grown popular in recent years and are praised as a superfood.

Can cats eat pomegranate seeds or arils? Are there any risks associated with pomegranates for feline health?

Pomegranates themselves are non-toxic to cats. So they can technically eat small amounts of the sweet seeds or arils on occasion. However, the fruit still poses significant choking hazards and may cause digestive upset or even blockages when consumed. There are also safer ways to incorporate pomegranate without directly feeding raw fruit to cats.

Are Pomegranates Safe for Cats?

Pomegranates are not poisonous or toxic to cats, as they contain no known substances hazardous to felines. The seeds and juicy aril portions have not been shown to cause kidney failure or liver damage as grapes and raisins can. So technically, yes, cats can eat pomegranate seeds without toxic effects.

However, the fruit still carries notable risks for cats, especially related to digestion. Those tempting red gems may look harmless and tasty. But pomegranate seeds are quite large and hard for a cat’s mouth and throat to handle. Choking is a real possibility if arils are swallowed whole.

The seeds also pass through the digestive tract, mostly intact. Large amounts can lead to significant gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and even intestinal blockages requiring surgery.

So it’s best to avoid freely offering pomegranate pieces to cats as more than an occasional treat. The fruit may provide some nutritional benefits, but it is still difficult for feline bodies to break down.

What Nutrients Do Pomegranates Contain?

Pomegranate has some nutritional value for cats, as long as it is given in small amounts and occasionally. Here are some of the benefits of pomegranate for cats:

• Antioxidants: Pomegranate is a great source of natural antioxidants, such as vitamin C, anthocyanins, punicalagin, and punicic acid. Antioxidants help protect the cells from oxidative damage and inflammation and support the immune system and the healing process.
• Fiber: Pomegranate contains some fiber, which can help improve your cat’s digestion and gut health. Fiber can also help prevent constipation, hairballs, and obesity in cats.
• Potassium: Pomegranate also contains some potassium, which is an essential mineral for cats. Potassium helps regulate the fluid balance, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and heart function in cats.
• Hydration: Pomegranate has a high water content, which can help keep your cat hydrated, especially in hot weather. Hydration is important for cats, as it helps prevent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and dehydration.

The fruit may even help combat chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. However, these benefits come from the long-term ingestion of significant quantities by humans.

Cats would need to eat a great deal of pomegranate fruit and juice consistently to see major health payoffs. An occasional aril or two won’t provide enough antioxidant or vitamin power to truly enhance wellness. And the choking and digestive risks outweigh any small gains.

What Are Signs of Trouble After Eating Pomegranate?

Monitor your cat closely if they manage to grab some pomegranate arils. Contact your vet immediately if you notice:

• Repeated gagging or coughing
• Drooling more than normal
• Signs of choking, like pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Straining to pass stool with no results

This last symptom may indicate intestinal blockage from accumulated seeds. Blockages cut off digestion and can quickly become life threatening without surgery to remove the obstruction.

If your cat displays any concerning symptoms after eating pomegranate, call your vet right away or go to emergency veterinary care. Prompt treatment greatly improves the prognosis.

Can Pomegranate Still Be Safely Incorporated Into a Cat’s Routine?

While whole pomegranate fruit carries risks, other alternatives introduce antioxidants and vitamins safely:

• Opt for cat food containing fruit extracts like pomegranate juice instead of raw arils. This allows cats to benefit from nutrients without choking hazards.
• Try offering just a few seeds at a time instead of full fruit portions. Monitor closely for reactions. Discontinue at the first sign of vomiting or diarrhea.
• Avoid pomegranate juice for cats, as the unbalanced sugar content commonly causes indigestion. Also, cats should not drink juice meant for humans due to added ingredients. Even no sugar added juice is still too concentrated.
• Make your cat toys stuffed with catnip and sprayed lightly with diluted pomegranate essential oil. This allows for rewarding play without ingesting fruit.
• Mix a few drops of food-grade pomegranate oil into homemade cat treats for antioxidant power without the seeds themselves.

The bottom line? A few tiny pieces now and then may be okay for some cats, but they require close monitoring. As with any new food, introduce it slowly and watch for any vomiting, diarrhea, choking, or changes in appetite indicating trouble processing the fruit. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

Can Cats Have Parts of the Pomegranate Plant Like Leaves or Stems?

No, cats should avoid chewing on or ingesting any part of the pomegranate plant except the arils themselves.

Pomegranate foliage contains tannins and alkaloids that can cause digestive upset, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The roots also contain a compound called pelletierine which is toxic.

Make sure houseplants are out of cats’ reach and yard pomegranates are fenced off. Contact your vet if you suspect your cat has nibbled on any part of a pomegranate plant other than the red arils. Adverse reactions are still possible even from small leaf or stem amounts.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Pomegranate Around Cats Without Feeding It Directly

Want your home filled with the sweet tang of pomegranate without the risk of sharing it with your cat? Try these ideas instead:

• Add a few drops of food-grade pomegranate extract to unscented lotion or carrier oil for a nourishing fruit-infused feline massage oil
• Create a refreshing pomegranate room spray from distilled water, witch hazel, and pure essential oil; use to mist cat trees, scratchers, or bedding
• Make alluring pomegranate cat toys by spraying or filling them with extracted essence – the fruity fragrance sparks play
• Mix pomegranate juice into a bowl of baking soda and essential oil for a natural litter box deodorizer
• Craft a catnip stuffed pomegranate toy for the kitty to bat around and release juicy aromas

How to Feed Pomegranate to Your Cat

If you want to treat your cat to some pomegranate, you should follow these tips to do it safely and responsibly:

• Remove the seeds: Always remove the seeds from the pomegranate before giving it to your cat. You can use a knife, a spoon, or a pomegranate de-seeder tool to do this. Alternatively, you can buy pomegranate juice or arils (the flesh around the seeds) that are seedless and unsweetened.
• Cut into small pieces: Cut the pomegranate into small and bite-sized pieces that your cat can easily chew and swallow. You can also mash or puree the pomegranate if your cat prefers a softer texture.
• Mix with cat food: The best way to feed pomegranate to your cat is to mix it with their regular cat food. This way, you can ensure that your cat is getting a balanced and complete diet and that they are not eating too much pomegranate. You can also use pomegranate as a topping or a garnish for your cat’s food, or as a filling for a cat treat dispenser or toy.
• Limit the amount: Pomegranate should only be given to your cat as an occasional treat, and not as a staple food. A good rule of thumb is to limit the amount of pomegranate to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. For an average adult cat, that would be about one teaspoon of pomegranate per day.

Monitor your cat: After feeding pomegranate to your cat, you should monitor your cat for any signs of discomfort, allergic reaction, or intolerance. Some of these signs include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop feeding pomegranate to your cat and contact your vet immediately.

Conclusion

So can cats have pomegranates occasionally? While pomegranate fruit may provide some nutritional benefits, the risks generally outweigh the rewards for feline health. Choking hazards plus the potential for stomach upset, intestinal blockages, diarrhea, and vomiting make this fruit too problematic to recommend freely feeding.

That said, incorporating pomegranate essence into toys, treats, and food may allow cats to safely enjoy the fruit’s goodness. Just avoid offering raw arils. As with any new food, carefully monitor your cat’s reaction and contact your vet at the first sign of trouble processing this antioxidant-rich superfood.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much pomegranate can a cat eat safely?

Only tiny portions of pomegranate arils should be fed, no more than two or three seeds, twice a week. Anything above this small amount risks digestive upset or obstruction.

Are pomegranate seeds as dangerous as grapes for cats?

No, pomegranates are not considered as toxic to cats as grapes are. But they still pose notable choking hazards and can cause blockages requiring surgery if large amounts accumulate.

Can kittens have pomegranate extract added to food?

Yes, adding small amounts of pomegranate extract to commercial cat food should be safe. But kittens should not be given whole pomegranate fruit due to the greater risks of choking and digestive issues.