Have you ever heard of jackfruit? Can you imagine an unusual-looking fruit that cats shouldn’t eat?
Now that you know what jackfruit is and why cats shouldn’t eat it, I’ll show you how to determine if it’s safe or not — along with what it can do and why cats love to eat it.
I know it sounds bizarre, but it is true: cats can’t eat jackfruit.
Let’s start now.
Can Cats Eat Jackfruit?
The answer is no, and cats must never eat jackfruit.
Jackfruit is extremely high in sugar, and cats can easily become sick or even die from eating too much fruit.
This fruit is poisonous to cats, as they share the same chemical makeup as figs.
Eating a large amount of jackfruit can cause a cat to become very sick indeed, and urgent veterinary attention is required.
And, unfortunately, cats have been known to get sick from eating jackfruit. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and depression.
What is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a mainstay product in Southeast Asian cultures. Some people, myself included, like to use jackfruit as a substitute for meat, and in Southeast Asian cuisine, it is often used when making curry.
While jackfruit can be eaten raw, most people enjoy it roasted, mashed, stewed, or boiled.
A member of the mulberry family, it is a toxically important plant, as the roots of many jackfruit trees have been used to manufacture the deadly poison gas tetrahydrocannabinol.
The Jackfruit tree grows to be about 15 to 30 feet high.
They are usually grown in farm areas of India but have been transported and propagated across the country. It has very large leaves, big thorns, small flowers, and large, edible seeds.
In addition, jackfruit can be used in curries and even canned in syrup.
The canned jackfruit products are red, yellow, or green, depending on the ripeness of the fruit.
The Nutritional Value of Jackfruit
The nutritional value of jackfruit is abundant due to its high water content.
Jackfruit has fewer calories compared to its counterparts.
Even though jackfruit contains protein and vitamin B, nobody would eat it for its nutritional value.
It also contains a large amount of polyphenols. Polyphenols are very beneficial to the cat health. The fruit’s high fiber content can also help reduce the risk of certain diseases.
This fruit can be included in a number of dishes.
So, it’s important to cook jackfruit properly.
The nutrient content of this fruit varies widely depending on the type. Yellow jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) that’s grown in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia contains higher amounts of vitamin C and potassium, while white jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) contains high levels of iron and magnesium.
Ripe jackfruit can be stored for several months in the refrigerator.
Health Benefits Of Cats Eating Jackfruit
The health benefits of feeding jackfruit to cats are particularly beneficial for the skin.
Jackfruit contains linoleic acid, which helps in easing joint pains.
The regular consumption of jackfruit promotes good digestion, and its dietary fiber helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the body.
Jackfruit contains a lot of fiber.
Pureed jackfruit is an excellent source of fiber.
Jackfruit does not need any added sugar, which is important to good health.
The syrup itself contains lots of nutrients. Vitamin C, carbohydrates, and magnesium can also be found in a ripe jackfruit. At 15% fat, jackfruit is low in calories.
Experts say that the apple is a “good” source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Some of their benefits include helping with digestion, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing bad cholesterol, relieving stress, and preventing and treating cancer.
Risks of Feeding Jackfruit to Cats
The risks that jackfruit poses to cats are high.
The dietary fibers in jackfruit can cause diarrhea, vomiting, pancreatitis, and intestinal blockage.
High levels of potassium in jackfruit can provoke cardiac symptoms, like irregular heartbeat and heart failure, in cats.
Sometimes, cats eating jackfruit may trigger allergic reactions, though your skin rash may not be severe.
The reason why the allergy cannot be diagnosed is that it mimics the symptoms seen in other food allergies.
For this reason, researchers believe that jackfruit may cause hypersensitivity reactions, which aren’t formally called allergies.
Jackfruit contains enzymes that must break down in order to become edible.
These enzymes have the potential to irritate the digestive system, causing symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Can Jackfruit Cause Cats Diabetes?
The answer is no. Jackfruit does not cause diabetes in cats.
Diabetes is a medical condition that affects both humans and cats.
Jackfruit is high in sugars, which may make it difficult for diabetic cats to process it.
Diabetic cats will sometimes need supplements to help boost their immune systems and help them recover.
So, you should avoid giving your diabetic cat more than a small amount of it and, if possible, keep the number of servings of fruits that you give your cat to a minimum.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Dragon Fruit?
Should You Feed Your Cat Jackfruit?
You can not feed your cat jackfruit because jackfruit is similar to figs and can be a cause of toxicity in cats.
And if you do feed your cat jackfruit, he or she might experience an allergic reaction.
In addition, jackfruit contains a lot of calories and carbs, which can make your cat gain weight.
Conclusion
You should never feed your cat jackfruit.
Jackfruit may not be a portion of appropriate food for cats.
Jackfruit is not recommended for diabetic cats.
Instead, it is recommended to feed them fruits like strawberries, apples, and bananas.
All in all, it is best to feed your cats appropriate cat maintenance food.