Why Oranges Are Dangerous for Cats

To put it briefly, giving a cat an orange is dangerous. Fortunately, cats never eat oranges aggressively, so do not worry unless your owner only gives it.

There are several reasons why a cat does not seem to have eaten orange. First, cats are carnivores, so fruits are not subject to meal first. Also, even if a cat wants to eat, the orange which is a tree has a hard skin, mostly the skin is bitter. It cannot be done to peel the skin deftly, so it is no longer attractive. Also, that smell does not seem to be very favorable.

First of all, essential oils are included in oranges, and this essential oil requires a substance called glucuronic acid transferase for metabolism. Since our body has glucuronic acid transferase, it is possible to metabolize essential oils contained in oranges, but cats cannot metabolize because they do not have these substances. If it cannot properly digest and metabolize essential oils contained in oranges, they can accumulate in the cat's body and become poisonous.

Essential oils are indeed good for human health is undeniable, but some owners have unexpected thought that this is the same in cats. In pet's website, etc., it is often claimed that a small amount of essential oil or a proper amount of other general oil is not dangerous, but let's first understand the above-mentioned danger. There is no obvious evidence that essential oils are good for the health of cats, so it is not necessary to force them.

Orange contains a substance called psoralen, which is harmful to cats. It is a natural compound known as furocoumarins and it presents a wide range of symptoms ranging from symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea to symptoms such as depression and light sensitivity.

As many people know, the nutritional merit of eating oranges is that vitamin C is abundantly contained. However, this fact cannot be a good reason to give vitamin C to cats. Unlike humans, cats can produce vitamin C in vivo in the liver, so you do not have to actively take it. In case of vitamin C deficiency due to illness etc., as harmful substances are contained as indicated above, it is not good to give oranges but to ask the veterinarian to prescribe appropriate vitamin C supplements.

There is no direct relationship with the time to eat the contents, but the citrus skin such as oranges and lemon is also dangerous. This is the same not only for cats but also for us. Unlike in America and Australia, the self-sufficiency rate of citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons is quite low in Japan, about 5% in orange, about 13% in lemon and about 0% in grapefruit.

Therefore, we cannot help relying on imports, but at this time these citrus fruits may be painted with imazalil etc. as a preservative. These are a type of pesticide, but when ingested continually, risks such as carcinogenicity have been pointed out from time to time. Of course, this pesticide is not only harmful to people but also harmful to animals including cats. Be careful about skin treatment! In the case of imported oranges, it is better to thoroughly wash the skin before eating, basically not to eat the leather. Something will not happen soon, but it is safe to keep the situation as if the cat approaches with the intention of interest, and not to lick or touch the skin as much as possible.

In Japan, these are often displayed firmly on citrus fruits, so if there is no such indication, things that you imported without using fungicide or contract farmers in Japan etc. It will be said that it is a product (However, as there are frequent disguises such as food production areas, it is not entirely reliable). Either way it will be slightly higher.

Not limited to oranges, citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, buntan are poisonous for cats for similar reasons. Even if you mistakenly eat or give it, small amounts will not cause serious symptoms. Many show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, irritability and frustration. Once a cat who has experienced like this is clever, he says he never intends to consume a lifetime orange.