In this brief discussion, we’ll answer the question, “can cats eat lime?” We will also discuss why is lime toxic to cats and what will happen if your cat licks a lime.
Can cats eat lime?
No, cats cannot eat lime. If a cat eats lime or any other citrus fruit, it may become ill. Lime is considered toxic to cats due t the presence of certain compounds in lime. Cats can be poisoned by the peel, fruit, and seeds of limes (or any citrus fruit).
Lime cannot be used in foods (like pie or meat) you plan on feeding your cat. Fortunately, All citrus fruits are disliked by cats. They are even repelled by the scent of citrus. If a cat tried to chase lime, I would be really surprised because its natural instinct would be to avoid it.
Can I use lime to get rid of fleas on my cat?
Yes, you can but you need to consult your vet first. Lime and other citrus fruits are excellent pesticides that can kill and scare away fleas, making them a popular choice for treating pets for fleas.
If you choose to go this way, it’s crucial to see a veterinarian to determine the ideal citrus-to-water ratio (to avoid skin absorption) or to buy a cat-specific shampoo. And while you’re washing your cat, be sure to avoid getting any of the water in their eyes, ears, or mouth.
Do cats like lime?
No, cats don’t like lime. Citrus fruits, like limes as well as lemons grapefruits, and oranges. Are not very appealing to cats. It’s extremely possible that your cat won’t simply take a bite out of lime in the first place because they don’t enjoy citrus.
The first reason is that cats must eat at least 70% meat in order to thrive because they are obligate carnivores. If your cat shows any interest in the lime you’re eating, it’s generally because it’s curious because your cat will always prefer meat to any other type of food.
Many human meals just have a smell or texture that attracts cats. Even if they don’t intend to consume it, they sample it out of curiosity and to learn more about it. However, due to the smell that citrus fruit emits, cats often don’t appreciate it.
You’re undoubtedly well aware of how distinctive and aromatic the citrus smell is. However, cats’ sense of smell is far more acute than that of humans, and the scent of citrus is simply too strong for them to tolerate.
Why is lime toxic to cats?
Lime juice contains two substances that are harmful to cats if consumed. The first component is limonene, which is mostly present in the skin of citrus fruits like limes and other citrus fruits.
Humans can utilize limonene to treat a variety of ailments, but it is also included in many household items as a scent and cleaning ingredient. Additionally, because it is a volatile substance, excessive ingestion or inhalation of it might irritate the throat and lead to various health issues.
Psoralen, another chemical present in limes, is harmful to cats. Although psoralen occurs in plants other than limes, it is utilized as a medication to treat specific skin conditions in people.
It functions by making the skin more sensitive to UV radiation, but regrettably, as cats aren’t often receiving any type of treatment using UV light, this can result in skin issues in cats.
Lime is not hazardous to people even though limonene and psoralen are both thought to be toxic to cats. This is because they are both safe for humans to consume.
We are able to digest these nutrients in a way that can actually be useful to us because our digestive systems are less sensitive than a cat’s. However, cats cannot metabolize either limonene or psoralen, which is why they face negative health effects after consuming lime.
What could happen if my cat licks a lime?
Even though limes are poisonous to cats and they can become ill from eating one, if your cat licks some lime juice or even eats a small bit of lime, they shouldn’t feel any negative consequences.
However, the more your cat consumes, the more likely it is that it may experience a negative reaction. It’s also crucial to remember that the lime’s rind, and not necessarily the fruit, contains the majority of the limonene and psoralen.
If your cat consumes lime fruit, it won’t be as harmful to him as if he were to consume lime skin. There are very unlikely to be any negative effects from licking lime juice.
Conclusion:
We answered the question, “can cats eat lime?” We also discussed why is lime toxic to cats and what will happen if your cat licks a lime.
References:
https://www.hepper.com/can-cats-eat-limes/
https://www.freakypet.com/blogs/news/kitties-and-citrus-can-cats-have-limes
