Can Cats Eat Plums? You may have wondered if you can share a bite with your cat while enjoying fresh plums as part of a healthy and refreshing snack. If humans can eat plums, can cats eat them safely?
The short answer is noCats cannot safely eat plums. Most parts of the plum plant, including the seeds, are highly toxic to cats due to the presence of cyanide. In some cases, eating plums can be fatal to a cat.
Here’s what you need to know about plums and cats:
Why are plums bad for cats?
According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), most parts of the plum plant are toxic to cats. “Stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide,” explains the organization’s website.
The ASPCA adds that plums “become particularly poisonous when wilted”.
If your cat manages to eat poisonous parts of a plum or plum plant and the toxins get into the bloodstream, some of the most common symptoms are:
- Students expand
- Breathing problems and wheezing
- Get into shock
- Mucous membranes turn red
In addition to plum poisoning, the plum pit can also prove to be a dangerous choking hazard for many cats.
What should I do if my cat eats plums?
First of all, it’s important to find out exactly which parts of a plum or plum plant your cat has been able to eat.
The ripe flesh of a plum itself is not necessarily toxic to cats. However, if your cat has eaten the pit, stem, leaves, or even parts of the roots of a plum plant, it is imperative to call an emergency veterinarian right away.
If you are advised to take your cat to a veterinarian’s office because they suspect plum poisoning, it may be helpful to bring samples of plums or plum plants that they have eaten along with a small amount of their vomit.
A process called trocarization, which uses fluids from the cat’s stomach to test for toxins, can help your veterinarian determine the extent of any plum poisoning that has occurred.
Depending on the severity of plum poisoning, your veterinarian may recommend using sodium nitrate to negate the cyanide. This process is carried out intravenously. All subsequent steps and procedures will depend on the levels of cyanide your cat has ingested.
Has your cat ever eaten plums? Did you feel sick afterwards? Let us know in the comments below!