Can Cats Eat Oranges? Potential Effects Explained

Part 1: Can Cats Eat Oranges?

1. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has listed oranges as a food that can be toxic to cats. This is primarily due to the presence of a certain essential oil in the peel, which can severely irritate a cat's stomach, leading to symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting and diarrhea. In comparison, the flesh of the orange has a lesser impact on cats.

2. But does this mean that cats can safely consume orange flesh? Not exactly. The fruit contains a compound called psoralen, which has phototoxic properties. When cats ingest it, their skin becomes highly sensitive to sunlight, and they may exhibit symptoms of photophobia after consuming a significant amount of the fruit.

3. Cats have a weaker intestinal immunity and a delicate digestive system. Fruits like oranges and tangerines are highly acidic, which can cause considerable irritation to their stomachs. Overfeeding these fruits might lead to symptoms like soft stools and diarrhea.

Part 2: What to Do If a Cat Accidentally Eats an Orange?

Generally, cats are unlikely to accidentally eat oranges due to their keen sense of smell. The scent of oranges is quite刺激性 to them, and cats naturally avoid the smell of oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits. However, some cats might develop an interest in these fruits if they are overly hungry or if they have become accustomed to the smell from their owners frequently eating them.

Accidentally eating a small amount of orange flesh typically won't cause significant harm to cats, and it can even provide some vitamins and hydration. Owners can first offer the cat some water to observe. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within two hours, it's important to take the cat to a veterinarian immediately for induced vomiting. Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration, and failure to seek timely treatment can be lifethreatening for the cat.

If owners wish to supplement their cat's vitamins, they can directly feed them Purina's multivitamin tablets, which contain a variety of vitamins such as B and A, promoting muscle strength, healthy hair, and improved vision. For more information, refer to "Can Cats Eat Fruit? What to Know About Feeding Your Cat Fruits."