Loquat

Loquat flesh is sugary and can loosen a cat's stool; **the seed and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds** that release cyanide when chewed, and the seed can obstruct the gut, so remove them completely. Cats need no fruit.

Vomiting, loose stools, poor appetite, lethargy and hiding; a swallowed seed causes retching and trouble swallowing, while cyanide poisoning can bring rapid breathing, abnormal gum colour and weakness.

Stop feeding and watch; **contact a vet immediately** if a seed or leaf was eaten or if breathing, gum colour or weakness changes, and never induce vomiting at home.

Cats need no fruit, so at most a nail-sized piece of peeled, pitted flesh; **never offer seeds or leaves**, skip loquat syrup and preserved loquat, and keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake.

A little peeled, pitted loquat flesh is low risk (it is still fairly sugary), but **the seed and leaves hold cyanogenic compounds** that release cyanide when chewed, and the seed can choke or block the gut, so remove them completely.

Vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea from too much flesh; after a seed is swallowed, retching, repeated swallowing and drooling, while cyanide poisoning can add rapid breathing, abnormal gum colour, weakness and seizures.

A small piece of peeled flesh means stopping the treat and watching; **contact a vet immediately** if a seed or leaf was eaten or if breathing, gum colour or weakness changes, and never induce vomiting at home.

Give only a little peeled, pitted flesh cut small; **loquat syrup and preserved loquat are extremely sugary and often carry other ingredients such as honey, so never feed them**, and keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake.