Can Cats Eat Watermelon? Risks And Benefits

Cats are one of the most beloved pets in the world and many people are curious about what kind of food they can give them. One of the questions that often comes up is if cats can eat watermelon. The answer is yes, cats can eat watermelon without harm, but the health advantages are not the same as for humans. In this article, we will discuss the potential benefits and risks of feeding watermelon to cats, as well as some tips on how to safely provide it as a treat.

Watermelon is not only digestible by cats, but many cats also like it. Watermelon is not only tasty during the summer, but it also helps cats stay hydrated. Fruit, however, is not a natural element of a cat’s diet. Even found natural sugar present in fruit might over time result in digestive or even diabetic problems if consumed in excess.

You should only give your cats watermelon periodically, and only in very little amounts, due to its high sugar content. Constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting can all result from eating too much watermelon. So, can cats have watermelon?

Is watermelon good for cats?

I would say no, even though watermelon can be good in small amounts as a treat for cats. Cats may obtain all of their nutritional requirements from a high-quality kitten diet that contains animal products, so they won’t actually experience any of the health benefits that we do from eating watermelon.

Additionally, because of the high amount of naturally occurring sugars in watermelon, you should never give it to cats that are overweight or have diabetes. In addition, because fruit isn’t a natural component of your cat’s diet, it’s not a good idea to give them too much of it because it might upset their stomachs and lead to diarrhea and isn’t likely to be useful for them.

Is watermelon safe for cats?

Yes, as I said above watermelon is safe for cats when feeding in moderation. But cats are classified as obligate carnivores since only meat products can be processed totally safely in their digestive system. As a result, cats are unable to fully benefit from the nutritional content of fruits, vegetables, and diets high in carbohydrates.

So, while our digestive systems, which were created to eat an omnivorous diet, can profit greatly from certain foods, cats do not. Watermelon may provide them with some more hydration, as well as some potassium or vitamin C, but the benefit is probably going to be minor.

Cats eating watermelon

Even if you believe that cats eating watermelon is safe, this does not mean that you should always give them watermelon. It is okay to give your cat a small piece of your watermelon every so often if she appears to tolerate it well.

Some cats appear to appreciate watermelon, however, most never seem to. Since cats lack the taste glands necessary to enjoy sweets, the moisture or texture of these foods is probably what these cats are drawn to rather than the sweetness.

Given that watermelon is primarily “empty calories” for cats and was presumably unavailable during the time of the saber-toothed tiger, it seems improbable that the wild ancestors of cats ever tried it.

Before feeding watermelon to your kitten, remove any seeds carefully since they contain cyanide, which can be dangerous in large doses. Additionally, they can be a choking risk. Remove the entire rind as well, as it can be a choking hazard and is extremely tough to digest. Kitty might be interested in snacking on a tiny, bite-sized cube of the flesh.

Conclusion

Can cats eat watermelon, are the risks and benefits worth it? Only you and your veterinarian can answer that. All I know is that you have little to worry about if your cat is healthy and only consumed a small amount of watermelon. The only risk could possibly be some stomach distress. But a call to your veterinarian might be necessary if your cat suffers from medical issues, particularly diabetes, or if it has a history of consuming large amounts of seeds or rind.

Generally speaking, if your cat is healthy, periodically sharing a tiny piece of watermelon with them is safe. But some cats respond with a no thanks, please feed me a piece of meat.

Related articles that you may want to read next: