Longan is an exotic fruit widely popular in various parts of Asia, such as India, China, and Thailand. The longan fruit is mainly loaded with water and has the consistency of a grape. Not only is it a sweet and delicious fruit to snack on, but it also has various health benefits for humans, such as improving the skin, immunity, memory, and sleep quality.
You might have noticed your cat showing interest in the fruit if it is kept in front of them. This interest may raise the question: Can cats eat longan? The answer is yes; cats can eat longan fruit only if it is fed in the right way.
Can Cats Eat Longan?
Although your cat may not be able to gain all the benefits of longan that humans get, they can still receive some from consuming it. However, as cats are obligate carnivores, you should feed longan in small amounts rather than using it as a replacement for their protein-rich meat diet.
Is Longan Toxic To Cats?
Longan is not toxic or poisonous to cats. According to the ASPCA, longan fruit does not pose any threat to a cat’s health or does not cause any disease. Therefore, it is safe for your cats to consume this fruit. However, like most edible fruits and vegetables, longan should also be fed in small quantities no matter how much your cat loves it.
Read more can cats eat mango
Ensure that you do not make longan the primary source of your cat’s diet. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require high amounts of protein in their everyday diet, mostly in the form of meat. Furthermore, to rule out any allergies and to know the correct portion size of longan, talk to a veterinarian feeding the fruit to your cat.
Is Longan Good For Cats To Eat?
Like most other edible fruits, longan is good for your cat to eat if only given in a certain amount. In the case of longan fruit, it is generally recommended to give your cat a maximum portion of 1 or 2 of its berries a day as snacks.
This tropical fruit contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, A, Riboflavin, and Potassium that can aid in your cat’s metabolic functioning. The high water content in longan also helps in keeping cats hydrated during hot summer days.
Benefits Of Longan For Cats
A few benefits of the longan fruit on a cat’s health are as follows:
- It contains high amounts of Vitamin C, which helps in tissue regeneration and maintenance, and immune regulation, and acts as an antioxidant.
- Longan is also rich in Vitamin A, which nourishes your cat’s skin and makes its fur healthier and fluffier. Intake of this vitamin also aids in enhancing your cat’s night vision.
- The high content of Vitamin B1 regulates your cat’s metabolism. It also enhances brain function and maintains energy levels.
- With the help of Riboflavin or Vitamin B2, your cat’s metabolism is enhanced, increasing the synthesis of carbohydrates, breakdown of fats, and oxygen absorption. It also nourishes their fur coat.
- The Calcium in longan maintains your cat’s bone health. It also strengthens the teeth and helps with their repair.
- Potassium within longan regulates nerve functioning, heart health, and muscle condition.
- Longan is loaded with water. The high water content maintains hydration levels while protecting organs and aiding body functions.
- The fruit’s fiber portion improves your cat’s bowel movements, preventing constipation.
While longan provides these nutritional benefits, it is essential to note that you should not feed the fruit to cats in large portions frequently.
Is It Bad For Cats To Eat Longan?
Longan is not bad for cats to eat and does not pose any serious health concern when given in the appropriate amounts. Moreover, unlike other fruits with seeds toxic to cats, the seed of longan fruits is also healthy to consume.
The only adverse health effects your cat might experience would be due to overeating the longan fruit. If the fruit is added to a cat’s diet in large portions, it might cause stomach irritation leading to diarrhea and vomiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Longan Can Cats Eat?
Since cats have a carnivorous dietary nature, longan should be fed in small portions occasionally. The recommended intake of longan for cats is around one or two berries a day. Overfeeding longan can lead to gastrointestinal irritation. Hence, you should avoid large quantities of the longan fruit in your cat’s diet.
Are There Any Health Risks Of Longan For Cats?
Longan fruit does not pose any health risk to cats. However, it is recommended not to overfeed your cat longan fruit and frequently give them a large portion. Overfeeding can cause gastrointestinal-related adverse effects in cats, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Can Cats Eat Longan Seeds?
Yes, cats can eat longan seeds. Besides being edible, the seeds also contain various essential nutrients that can aid your cat’s health. Along with the longan fruit, longan seeds are also rich in vitamin B1 and Calcium. They are also high in Phosphorus, Iron, and Vitamin E. However, longan seeds can be a choking hazard for cats. Therefore, it is recommended to feed in with care under supervision.
Bottom Line
Cats can eat longan while receiving several health benefits from the different nutritional contents contained within the fruit and seeds. If you opt for feeding your cat longan, ensure giving only a tiny portion infrequently as overfeeding can impact negatively on their health. Before feeding your cat consult with a veterinarian to get proper guidance and to rule out any possible allergies.
