Can Cats eat watermelon? This is a common question that many pet owners have when they see their family cat eyeing up the fruit bowl.
Cats are an interesting breed when it comes to eating fruit; some love them while others don’t care much about them.Few cats will go crazy over a slice of fresh cold watermelon and their reaction to it can make you laugh out loud (you know those videos where they meow at each other because one has food while the other doesn’t).
-In this article I discuss whether cats can eat watermelon, if there are any benefits, what side-effects it may have on your pet’s health, and how you should feed a slice (or more) to your feline friend.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
The answer is yes! Cats are actually able to enjoy watermelons and there are benefits as well. Some cats will enjoy the taste more than others, but it comes with risks that you need to consider before allowing them to indulge in a large portion of this fruit.
You might not know this, but there are a lot of benefits to feeding your cat fresh fruit like watermelons on occasion. They’re healthy for them and provide essential vitamins and minerals that will keep their bodies functioning properly. It also helps with felines who suffer from urinary tract infections.
However, the key word here is moderation! Cats can’t handle the sugar in fruits like we do, so giving them too much could lead to health problems. It’s OK if they get a few pieces every once and awhile, but not on a daily basis.
It will just make their pancreas work overtime, which isn’t good either, because cats have smaller stomachs than humans (this means more food gets converted into glucose).
Benefits of Giving Watermelon to Your Cat
There are many benefits that come along with giving your cats watermelons, as it not only gives them a healthy snack to enjoy but also helps with other aspects of their health.
- Rich in Anti-oxidants: Watermelon is also a “super-fruit”, which means it has a high amount of antioxidants that have been shown to fight cancer cells in humans as well as help repair DNA damage caused by aging.
- Rich in Vitamin A: It is an excellent source of vitamin A, which boosts the immune system and can help fight infection if they are feeling under the weather or have taken any medication that has side-effects on their skin.
- Great source of potassium: Watermelon is a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. These are nutrients that your cat needs to keep their body functioning properly, such as the bones, immune system and reproductive organs.
- Can help with urinary tract infections: The watermelon is a fruit rich in vitamin C, which helps flush out the urinary tract and also contains lycopene, an antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation.
- Helps in Heart Health: Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and lycopene, which are both thought to reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Improves general health: There are many benefits to giving your cat watermelon. One of the most obvious is that they’ll get their daily serving of vitamins and minerals just like in a human diet.
- Eases Constipation: Watermelon is believed to sooth the stomach and can help with constipation, which we all know cats are prone to getting from time to time.
- Helps With Hydration: One of the benefits of feeding watermelon to your cat is getting them to drink more water. Cats are notorious for their low water intake and this can lead to kidney problems in felines. However, if you give them a few slices of watermelon, they might drink more and stay hydrated, which is one less thing for us to worry about.
How Much Watermelon Can I Give My Cat?
Watermelons are healthy for cats, just like humans, but it’s important not to give too much of this fruit or else the side-effects will outweigh the benefits.
It is recommended that you don’t get more than a couple of slices every once in awhile. One or two pieces are enough for most cats, and might not cause any problems at all. However, if your cat has sensitivities, then no fruit should be given whatsoever (this includes oranges as well).
Cats are carnivorous creatures, and their diet should mostly consist of protein with small amounts of carbohydrates in order to keep them healthy. Watermelon, though it is a low carb fruit, contains about 8 grams of carbs per 100 grams-these carbs are totally unnecessary for your cat’s body!
Their bodies need meat because it contains taurine, which is an essential amino acid that helps regulate heart muscle function as well as cellular growth and regeneration.There are also minerals like zinc, calcium, and phosphorus that are found in animal products like meat.
Precautions To Take When Feeding Watermelon To Your Cat
- -Do not give more than two slices of watermelon to your cat ever, as too much can cause them harm.
- -If they are feeling sick or have taken any medication that could make their skin sensitive, then don’t feed this fruit at all.
- -Cats should not have any carbohydrates in their diet, and fruit is high in sugar with a glycemic index score of 75-89, which can cause an insulin spike for cats who don’t usually eat this type of food.
- Cats should not be given more than one or two pieces at a time because it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
- If you have a cat with food allergies, be sure to avoid any type of fruit altogether, as it can just increase what they’re already experiencing.
- If you have a cat with diabetes, then it is best to avoid this fruit as the sugar content can potentially lead them to more health problems that they don’t need.
Your cat needs taurine and other amino acids for heart muscle function. Watermelon doesn’t offer these things, so your cat should be getting their protein from meat sources.
Side Effects of Eating Too Much Watermelon In Cats:
If your cat has eaten too much watermelon, they will start to experience the following side-effects:
- -Can lead to diarrhea and stomach upset.
- -Can lead to diabetes or worsen their current condition if they are already diabetic.
- -Too much sugar can cause insulin spikes, which is very hard for cats who do not typically eat fruit in the first place; this could also result in other problems like hyperactivity and anxiety.
- -Watermelon contains cellulose that is not digestible by cats, and it can even lead to major constipation.
- -Can cause inflammation in their urinary tract that will eventually lead them to develop bladder stones, which are life threatening if they go untreated.
- -Can increase their appetite due to the high sugar content; this can be problematic if they are already overweight or obese.
- -If consumed in excess (or given more often than every one or two weeks), there is a risk of cats developing a blockage in their intestines, which can potentially lead to death.
What To Do If My Cat Has Eaten Excessive Watermelon?
If your cat has eaten too much of this fruit, then it is important to monitor them closely for the following symptoms:
-Lethargy and disinterest in activities-they might also act irritable or aggressive.
-Can lead to diarrhea that is yellowish with blood mixed into it. This can last up to forty-eight hours or more.
Do not attempt to force feed any food for sometime and let your cat recover from the impact.Keep fresh water available at all times .
If your cat has consumed too much watermelon and is displaying extreme symptoms that are not receding, then you should take them to the vet so that they can administer treatment.
How To Safely Give Watermelon To Cats:
Make sure to wash any melon thoroughly before giving it to your cat, so there’s no risk of bacteria or other harmful substances getting into their system.
Always remember to remove all the seeds and rind from your watermelon before serving it, as cats are prone to choking on them. It’s best if you serve only the fleshy, juicy red part of this fruit.
The most convenient way would be to chop up the watermelon into small pieces and freeze them for several hours before serving. This will make it easier for your cat’s teeth and gums while not making as much of a mess (although there still may be some juice on the floor).
Alternatively, you could put little cubes or balls of fresh fruit onto a plate with low sides that makes it easy for your pet to reach out and grab one if they want one.
A few rules to follow are: don’t feed them large pieces that might be choking hazards as well as seeds that could cause an intestinal blockage or infection.
You should also make sure you’re not giving them a melon that has been sprayed with pesticides, because these will most likely have negative effects on your feline friend, just like any other human would suffer from consuming such products.
Can I Give Watermelon Seeds To My Cat?
It is not advised that you give your cat watermelon seeds. They are hard to digest and can cause intestinal blockages or infections which could lead to serious problems if left untreated.
The toxic compound cyanide found in watermelon seeds can lead to an intestinal blockage or infection if too many are eaten at once.
Your cat may not be able to handle the high level of nutrients, which could cause lethargy and vomiting as well!
Can I Give My Cat Watermelon Rind?
The rind of watermelons is a terrible snack for your cat. It’s tough and rubbery, making it impossible for your cat to chew through it. It is very hard for your cat to digest as well.
Cats have a sensitive digestive system that can’t tolerate solids like fiber or hard-to-digest foods such as rinds and peels.
For the most part, your cat might just lick it or gnaw at it before giving up in disgust, but every once in a while you’ll find that some white bits have been eaten (though not with any satisfaction).
Eating too much rind can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, so be sure to remove the rind before serving watermelon to your cat.
Wrapping Up
Cats can eat watermelon, but they should be given only a few slices as an occasional treat. Watermelon is a fruit with high levels of sugar and too much could lead to health problems like diabetes for cats.
It’s best to give your cat one slice every other day or less than that if you want them to stay healthy. If you’re not sure whether a specific food item is good for your pet, talk to their veterinarian first. Your vet will know what’s right for your furry friend based on age, weight, breed and other factors unique to each animal.
XoXo
Genie
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Related Questions
Can Diabetic Cats Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon is not a good food for diabetic cats. It has high levels of sugar and too much can lead to further health problems in diabetic cats.
A diabetic cat should not eat watermelon because it is high in sugar. If you do decide to feed a diabetic cat any fruit, make sure that the other foods they eat contain lower and healthier levels of sugar.
Cats are prone to diabetes when their blood glucose level becomes uncontrolled or unbalanced, as this can lead to many health problems. If your cat has diabetes, then they should have lower levels of natural sugars such as glucose and fructose than the average cat.
If you’re not sure how to lower the sugar levels in your pet, talk to their vet about what they should eat and do! They’ll surely know what’s best for each animal because every critter is different and has unique needs.
Can I Give My Kitten Watermelon?
Kittens have a sensitive digestive system which can’t tolerate solids, so it might be hard for them to digest and not give any benefits when swallowed whole. If you still want your kitten to eat watermelon, then you should cut it into smaller chunks for them.
Watermelons are not recommended as a regular food source because they can be dangerous or toxic for kittens in large quantities. They need to have much lower levels of sugar than an average cat, so talk with their vet about what’s best for each critter.
Does Watermelon Cause Diarrhoea in Cats?
Watermelon can cause diarrhoea in cats, but only if they don’t have a healthy digestive system. If your cat has an unhealthy gut or sensitive stomach, it might upset them more than the average cat because of their condition!
If you feed your cat too much watermelon and they get diarrhea, then remove any leftover pieces from the house so that they don’t eat them again.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach or issues with their intestines, then watermelon might be hard to digest and cause more problems like diarrhoea, which could lead to severe health complications without treatment!