Watermelon is a fantastic food for humans because it has lots of nutritional value.
However, if you own a cat, you might wonder if you need to be careful with it when your cat is around.
You might ask, can cats eat watermelon without experiencing adverse side effects?
We will answer that question and more in the sections below.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
So, there is nutritional value in watermelon, but is that the case for cats?
Fortunately, watermelon is not considered poisonous to our feline friends.
However, there are some things that you need to be careful about.
Notably, the entire watermelon is not safe for a cat.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon Rind?
If you want to feed watermelon to your cat, you should remove the rind beforehand.
It is unlikely that it will kill them, but it can still have adverse health effects.
The rind can be difficult for cats to chew, and as a result, it is a choking hazard.
Even if it safely passes down their esophagus, it can cause intestinal blockages or an upset stomach.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon Seeds?
No, watermelon seeds are not healthy for your cats.
They contain cyanide, which is a hazardous substance.
The amount is not significant to humans, but cats are much smaller, so they can not tolerate as much.
If your cat accidentally eats one seed, it likely won’t be fatal, but it could cause some digestion issues.
Furthermore, the seeds can be a choking hazard.
So you should remove the seeds along with the rind before feeding watermelon to your cat.
Can Diabetic Cats Eat Watermelon?
You should also be careful about feeding your cat watermelon if they have health issues.
If your cat has health issues, you should try to avoid feeding them anything outside of their veterinarian-prescribed food.
Moreover, diabetic cats should not be fed watermelon.
The reason cats with diabetes should not eat watermelon is it is very high in natural sugar.
A cup of watermelon has 9.5 grams of sugar.
Too much sugar can worsen the symptoms and condition of diabetic cats.
It can lead to digestive issues, weight gain, and other harmful side effects.
Are There Nutritional Benefits To Feeding Cats Watermelon?
You should not feed your cat human food just because they want it.
Cats love to eat, and many cats love to eat human food.
However, their desire to eat does not mean you should give in to their cries for food.
Cat food is carefully designed to give them all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
As a result, there is no need to feed them other food.
However, if your cat is very interested in watermelon, you can feed it to them every once in a while.
Fortunately, watermelon has several nutritional benefits that can help cats live long lives.
Here are a few of the nutritional benefits of watermelon for cats.
Hydration
Watermelon has a lot of water in it, so it is perfect for keeping your cat hydrated.
It is extra important to keep your cat hydrated in the summer.
Unfortunately, most cats do not like drinking water, especially if it is near their food.
This is because they have an instinct to avoid contaminating their water with bacteria sources.
Cats get a lot of their water from their food because they do not like to drink water from still water.
This is why it is essential to feed them wet food as part of their diet, or they may get dehydrated.
Another option available to you is to feed them watermelon.
This fruit has an incredible amount of water, and as a result, it will keep it hydrated for a long time.
High in Fiber
Another nutritional benefit of watermelon is its high fiber content.
Fiber is a carbohydrate that everyone, including your cat, needs in its diet.
It is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.
Eating something you cannot break down might sound counterintuitive, but we assure you it is essential for your cat’s functioning.
Most carbs are broken down into glucose, which you use to stay energetic throughout the day.
Fiber helps regulate your body’s use of sugars and keeps hunger and blood sugar at standard levels.
Another benefit of fiber is it helps keep your bowel movements on a regular schedule.
Nutrients
Watermelon also has several nutrients that will help your cat function.
Notably, watermelon contains vitamin C, potassium, copper, vitamin B5, and vitamin A.
These vitamins contribute to various functions that are crucial to your cat’s survival.
How Often Should You Feed Your Cat Watermelon?
Even though there are nutritional benefits to eating watermelon for your cat, you should not feed it to them all the time.
Instead, it should be a treat that you give to them on occasion.
Unfortunately, we cannot give you an exact timeline for how often you should feed your cat watermelon.
All cats are different, so you should consult your veterinarian to determine how often you can feed watermelon to your cat.
Do Cats Like The Smell of Watermelon?
Cats have very sensitive noses that they developed through evolution as a way to stalk their prey.
As a result, many scents get their attention.
Notably, several fruits emit distinct and intense aromas that get the cat’s attention.
Watermelon is included on that list, and as a result, many cats are attracted to the scent of watermelon.
Why Some Cats Love Watermelon
All cats are different in the same way that all humans have differences.
However, there are trends that most cats follow.
For example, many cats love watermelon for two notable reasons.
Firstly, cats love food that keeps them hydrated.
For that reason, most cats love wet food more than their kibbles.
Watermelon is a fruit with a high percentage of water, and as a result, it is attractive to cats.
Additionally, many cats love watermelon because of its texture.
Watermelon is soft and chewy, which is easy on cat’s teeth.
They can easily bite into it, so they do not hesitate to eat watermelon.
How to Feed Your Cat Watermelon
If you are going to feed watermelon to your cat, it is crucial to know how to do it.
The first thing you should do is consult your vet.
Ask them if it is safe for your cat to eat watermelon in moderation.
They will likely tell you how much watermelon is safe for your cat to eat based on their size.
When you feed your cat watermelon, you cannot give them a slice as you would eat yourself.
Instead, you need to carefully prepare it to remove toxins.
That means cutting up small pieces, washing them, removing the rind, and taking out any seeds.
Finally, you should watch your cat while they are eating human food like watermelon.
Make sure your cat does not have a bad reaction or choke.
Final Thoughts
So, can cats eat watermelon?
Yes, most cats can eat watermelon, but that does not mean you should give it to them all the time.
Instead, you should only give it to them in moderation, and it is smart to consult your vet beforehand.
You do not want to give your cat something that could harm them.
Comment if you have any questions!