Can Cats Eat Figs? Is it Safe or Dangerous?

Have you been wondering if your cat can eat figs? Then It’s important to know the real facts before offering figs to your feline friend.

Cats can’t eat figs because they can’t digest the fruit. Figs are high in natural sugars and can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea in cats. This is why it’s not recommended to offer your cat figs as a treat or snack.

In this article, we will discuss the health risks of feeding figs to your cat.

We will also answer some questions related to this topic.

Contents show

About Figs

What are figs?

Fig trees produce edible fruit that grows in clusters with thin skin and small seeds. Actually, those are not “fruits”, they are inverted flowers.

The fig is a popular fruit that has been enjoyed by humans since ancient times.

They are often used to make jams, jellies, pies (especially around the holidays), or eaten fresh as an appetizer.

Figs also have many health benefits such as providing essential minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium, also vitamins A and C, fiber, healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants.

But these are good for us humans, not for our furry friends like cats, dogs, etc.

Fig trees can thrive in most climates but their production is limited to certain areas of the world including California, Morocco, Turkey, and Greece because they need hot summers without any frost for pollination.

What’s inside a Fig?

The fig has three layers: The fleshy part of the fruit is called endocarp, the seed is called the pyrene (note: can’t be eaten), and the thin skin that covers it all is called pericarp.

Fig fruits can come in many colors, from shades of white and purple to green or brown-spotted varieties. The color depends on how ripe they are when harvested- green figs will typically ripen to a purplish-brown color.

Fig fruit can also be dried for preservation but this can cause the flesh of the fruit to become tough and hard.

Why Cat should Stay Away from Figs?

Fig trees are not a safe place for cats to hang out. Figleaves contains sap-like substances Proteolytic enzyme (Ficin) and Psoralen (Ficusin) which is toxic to cats and dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, or even death in some cases! If you’re a fig tree owner with curious kitties then here are few reasons why your kitty should stay away from that tree.

1) Cats love climbing trees so they might be attracted to the fig’s branches and leaves while trying to get higher up on the bark.

2) The sap from the fig contains Ficin which will stress out their immune system and could lead them towards other illnesses such as diabetes or cancer later in life.

3) The fruit inside of the fig may seem appetizing but can actually be harmful to a cat’s digestive system. The high sugar content can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea in cats which is why it isn’t recommended as a treat or snack for them.

Fig trees contain natural latex which can cause allergies to your kitty. The severity of the poisoning varies depending on how much figs your cat consumes and how long it takes for them to vomit up the plant material.

Most cases involve mild symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea that go away after a few days without treatment from a veterinarian. However, some cats can become very ill with more serious symptoms if they ingest enough figs over time.

If you suspect your cat has ingested fig leaves, contact your vet immediately because time is critical when dealing with this type of poisoning!

Is a Whole Fig Poisonous to Cats?

The actual fig fruit would not be poisonous/ toxic to your feline, but the sap contains toxicity that is poisonous and cause irritation.

Those who have had sap contact with their skin know that it has a sticky adhesive quality that can get under your fingernails and create an allergic reaction in some people.

Fig trees produce a resin called “sap”, which coats the leaves and fruits of the tree. If your cat licks this coating- whether on the figs themselves or on other objects such as furniture- it could lead to poisoning through intestinal irritation, oral and esophageal burns, nausea, and vomiting with abdominal pain.

Cats should avoid eating the stem or leaves of a fresh fig plant as well as any dried figs that have been left unattended on a countertop because the dried fruit may have become past its prime.

Are Figs Toxic to Cats?

It’s been well documented that figs are toxic to cats but the exact reason is not yet understood. There are two unproven theories as to why this is the case- one biochemistry theory suggests that a protease inhibitor in figs disrupts normal digestion and another speculation is that there may be something present in the unique chemistry of the fruit that renders it completely indigestible for cats, causing nausea or digestive issues. It has been found that ficin and psoralen cause skin irritation in cats so these might account for some of the problems associated with eating figs, as well.

Another component present in figs known as Fingonine has the potential to be toxic, mostly because it blocks some of the enzyme activity required to break down folic acid. The same can be said for psoralen, which is found in many plants including figs, and can also inhibit enzymes that belong in certain metabolic pathways.

Figleaves are poisonous if eaten by a cat as they contain compounds that affect the central nervous system causing seizures. Cats may experience vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia following ingestion of a fig leaf or whole raw fig fruit.

Diagnosis of Fig Poisoning in Cats

Fig poisoning in cats is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition. Figleaves are poisonous to felines, and the symptoms may not be evident for up to 12 hours after ingestion of figs or fig leaves.

If you suspect your cat has eaten any part of a fig tree, please contact your veterinarian immediately! Some signs that indicate your cat may have been poisoned by eating figs include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling excessively, increased thirst/urination (polyuria), lethargy, loss of appetite (anorexia), depression, and seizures.

Treatment of Fig Poisoning in Cats

Fig exposure is a common cause of acute gastrointestinal signs in cats. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration.

Treatment for fig poisoning consists of supportive care including IV fluid therapy, antiemetics to control nausea and vomiting, antibiotics to fight secondary bacterial infections, and mannitol as an osmotic diuretic to help rid the body of excess fluid.

If you suspect your cat has ingested figs or any other toxic plant material seek veterinary attention immediately!

Will Fig Newtons Hurt my Cat?

Fig Newtons are safe for humans, but they contain a type of sugar that is toxic to cats.

Fig Newtons can be harmful to your cat’s health because they contain high levels of fat, sugar, and sodium that may cause Gastrointestinal Upset or diarrhea.

The carbohydrates in Fig Newtons break down into sugar which is bad for cats with diabetes who need a controlled diet.

If you want to spoil your cat but still keep them healthy try feeding them some fresh fish instead!

Conclusion

It is important to keep your kitty away from fig plant. If you have a fig tree in your yard or know someone who does, make sure that cat is never allowed near it and always watch out for any signs of skin irritation on their body. Cats should also be prevented from eating ripe figs as well because they’re not good for feline health either.

But if your kitty somehow comes into contact with one of these fruits, don’t worry too much! The fruit itself isn’t harmful but only when eaten by felines we do see some side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting occur which can be easily treated with medication.