Can Cats Eat Watermelon? The Benefits And Dangers

Watermelon is a delicious snack that is full of health benefits, but can cats eat watermelon? The short answer to this question is yes, cats can eat watermelon as it is non-toxic, but there are some dangers and important facts you will need to know.

Cats are obligate carnivores which means they only need meat to survive. This means that watermelon is not an essential for their diet. There are benefits of feeding your cat watermelon, but also a number of dangers you need to be aware of.

Everything will be covered inside of this post and will we answer the question of can cats eat watermelon in-depth to give you all of the knowledge you need to know.

Can Cats Eat Watermelon?

Yes cats can eat watermelon. It makes a great snack for your cat, especially in the summer months where the water content of the watermelon will help to keep your cat hydrated. Here are some important things to remember:

• Never use watermelon to replace regular meals.
• Don’t feed too much watermelon to your cat.
• Ensure that chocking hazards and all other safety measures are taken before you feed watermelon to your cat.

We will cover each of these topics in more-depth below. Let’s start off by taking more detailed look at the health benefits of watermelon.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is delicious fruit that is 90 percent water, very low in calories, and has zero cholesterol. Let’s take a look at some of the nutritional facts:

• Carotenoid lycopene
• Phenolic antioxidants
• Pantothenic acid
• Copper
• Biotin
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A in the form of carotenoids
• Vitamin B1

The Dangers of Watermelons to Cats

Before you feed watermelon to your cats, it’s important to know all of the possible dangers. Here’s the important information you need to know:

• Blockage/Chocking: The seeds or even large pieces of watermelon can be a chocking hazard.
• Gastrointestinal upset: Too much watermelon can cause gastrointestinal upset such as constipation.
• Sugar: Although watermelon is mostly made up of water, it contains natural sugar that can lead to long-term health conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Although this it only contains a small amount of sugar in comparison to candy, cats are not designed to process sugar very well.

Feline Diabetes Symptoms:

• Excessive thirst
• Constant urination
• Lack of appetite
• Inability to jump
• Vomiting

If you see any of the following symptoms in your cat, it’s advised to never feed them watermelon and you should book an appointment with a veterinarian.

Symptoms Of Watermelon Allergies

If ever you are giving your cat new food, you should always keep an eye out for allergic reactions. The following are potential reactions to look out for:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Poisoning
• Intestinal blockage
• Choking
• Internal damage

If your cat experiences any of these symptoms then you should stop feeding them watermelon immediately.

How to Safely Give Watermelons to Cats

If you are going to give watermelon to your cat, here are some tips and important things you need to know.

How To Prepare Watermelon For Your Cat

Just simply remove the rind and seeds and cut the watermelon into very small pieces.

How Frequent Should You Give Watermelon To Your Cat?

As previously mentioned, feeding your cat too much watermelon can lead to long-term health conditions such as obesity and diabetes. You should only feed them them a tiny amount on the odd occasion as a special treat.

Experts state that watermelon and any other kind of treat should not take up more than 10 percent of a cats diet.

Can Cats Eat Fruit?

As well as watermelon, cats can also eat other fruits, although they more than likely will not show any interest in eating them. There are some fruits that you should never feed your cat. Here’s the details:

• Citrus: This can cause central nervous system issues and stomach upset due to the levels of citric acid found in all citrus.
• Grapes/Raisins/Currants: The following are toxic to cats according to the ASPCA.

Alternative Healthy Snacks

It’s always good to mix up your cats diet to prevent boredom and add a bit of variety. The following veggies are on the list of non-toxic food for cats;

• Zucchini
• Celery
• Carrots
• Green bell peppers
• Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
• Peas (Often found in many prepackaged foods for cats and dogs as a vitamin-filled addition)
• Pumpkin (Pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your cat’s diet)
• Broccoli

Although these foods are non-toxic, they should still only be given to a cat in small quantities on the odd occasion. You should also check with a veterinarian before adding any new foods into your cats diet.

Can Cats Eat Watermelon Conclusion

Just to summarize, cats can eat watermelon providing it is prepared in a safe manner and only given occasionally as a treat. If you have ever given watermelon to your cat, let us know how you got on and if your cat liked it in the comments below.