Can cats eat plums? This is an important question for every cat owner to answer. Knowing what foods are safe or unsafe for your cat is vital to their health.

Every cat owner loves to give their cats treats. Of course, it’s only natural that you want to share your snack with your pet, and plums are especially delicious. But with so many human foods not meant for pets, it can be tough to keep track.

So before you offer your feline friend a slice of plum as a treat, read on to find out what you need to know!

A white cat sniffing two kinds of plums. If you own a cat, you may have wondered — Cats are known to be curious about lots of things, including foods we eat. If you have a cat, have you ever wondered “Can cats eat plums?”

Can Your Cat Eat Plums?

Even if it might be tempting for you or them, cats should generally not eat plums. Parts of plums are poisonous to felines, such as the stem, leaves, and plum pit. This can be fatal for your cat if they ingest it.

Plum pits contain cyanide levels that can be toxic to cats because of their size and physiology. Plums can become even more dangerous to cats when the fruits begin to wilt. Cats can also choke on plum pits if they swallow them whole.

Plum pits can also cause internal injuries or bowel obstructions in cats thanks to their size and sharp edges.

What’s more, cats probably won’t want to eat plums. Unlike dogs, who enjoy eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, cats are rarely interested in fruit. Unless you have a very unique feline, they will almost definitely not go after a plum as a snack.

Are There Any Health Benefits of Plums For Cats?

There are few benefits to giving plums to cats. Many pet owners desire to supplement their pets’ diets with fresh fruits and vegetables. This impulse is understandable, since pet owners want to ensure their furry friends are as healthy as can be! However, because pets have different physiological makeup than humans, their nutritional needs are quite different. Cats are better off eating alternatives like persimmon or apple.

Though plums have many vitamins that are important for humans, cats get most or all of the vitamins they need from their food. Make sure to feed your cat healthy commercial cat food formulated for their age and weight and they should not need supplementation.

Health Concerns Of Plums for Cats

An orange cat lying down with a plum in front of it.

Plums can be highly toxic to cats in even relatively small amounts. Apricots, peaches, and cherries can similarly be dangerous since these plants contain similar compounds. Cats suffering from cyanide poisoning from plums or other fruits require immediate medical treatment.

Your cat will need to be monitored for a number of hours after being treated for cyanide poisoning. This is because cyanide is such a potent poison and the treatment process can be highly uncomfortable. Make sure you keep your cat in a quiet area where it feels safe and comfortable. Ask your vet about any follow-up medications.

Should You Get Your Cat To Eat Plum?

A medium hair multicolored cat sniffing a potted heather plant next to a basket of red plums. Besides — In addition to “Can cats eat plums” is a more important question — SHOULD cats eat plums?

There’s never a need to push plums on your cat. Thankfully, most cats are uninterested in plums. Regardless, other fruits offer the benefits cat owners are after without any of the risks.

Eating plums can have severe side-effects for cats even when successfully treated for poisoning. Cats may vomit excessively and their blood pressure can drop to dangerous levels.

Are There Plum Cat Treat Recipes?

You’re unlikely to find plum cat treat recipes because of the danger they could pose. If you’re looking for some simple yet delicious cat treats you can make at home, there are many vet-approved recipes. It’s important to remember to check recipes for safe ingredients, potential allergens, as well as foods your cat may just not like!

Be sure not to let your cat’s diet consist of more than about 10 percent treats. This helps ensure they’re not taking in too many unnecessary calories and nutrients.

FAQ

What Are The Signs Of Plum Poisoning In Cats?

Plum poisoning can happen to your cat after eating any part of the plant, though the flesh is the least likely to cause it. Plums are toxic to cats at any stage, but during wilting is when they are most dangerous to your furry friend. This is because plum plants contain the most cyanide during wilting.

Knowing the warning signs of plum toxicity could help save your cat’s life. Symptoms of plum poisoning in cats include:

Reddened mucus membranes
Panting and trouble breathing
Dilated pupils
Shock

Treating your cat promptly is key to giving it the best chance at survival. Leaving plum poisoning untreated can be fatal to your cat.

How Should I Treat Plum Poisoning In My Cat?

Contact a veterinarian immediately if your cat begins to exhibit signs of plum poisoning. Try to figure out which parts of the plum plant your cat ingested. This can be vital for figuring out how much cyanide has been consumed.

Fresh plum flesh is not necessarily poisonous to cats. However, pets may accidentally eat the pit, or even intentionally consume the roots, leaves, or stem. In these cases, you shouldn’t wait to seek medical attention for your pet.

Bring any parts of the plum plant that have been partially eaten. If your cat vomits, try to collect a sample for your veterinarian. Vets can use a process called trocarization to test for toxins in your cat’s stomach fluids. This can help pinpoint the exact extent of any poisoning.

If the poisoning is severe enough, your vet may use sodium nitrate. This can help reduce the cyanide. This is done over the course of a few minutes using IV fluids. The vet will then administer sodium thiosulfate, an antidote for cyanide poisoning, orally or through IV.

How Many Plums Can I Feed My Cat?

It’s inadvisable to feed your cat any plums. While unlikely, even a single plum could be enough to make your cat sick or worse. If you catch your cat eating a plum, keep close watch for any signs of plum toxicity. Taking your cat to the vet is the safest bet, since they will be able to run lab tests to ensure your cat’s safety.

A striped cat climbing in a flowering plum tree. — Now that you know cats shouldn’t eat plums, you can take steps to keep your feline family member safe from the risk of plum poisoning.

Conclusion

Feeding your cats a plum may seem like a harmless, caring gesture. It’s understandable that cat owners want to bond with their pets over a shared snack. After all, humans often get to know each other or reconnect with a meal. But because plums can be dangerous for pets, including cats, it’s better to find another alternative.

If your cat has experienced plum poisoning, comment to let us know what you did to help. Subscribe for more important tips and the latest advice on taking the best care of your cat!

Excited for more plum content? Then check out our plum trees page for the latest growing tips, care guides, recipes, and more!