Pet owners around the world love the idea of sharing their food with their beloved furry friends, which might lead you to ask, can cats eat watermelon?
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon is not toxic to cats therefore cats can eat watermelon however, there are definitely a few rules to follow which I’ll cover in detail below.
According to vets, human foods such as fruits are not considered the best healthy treat for a cat.
Fruit doesn’t form part of a cats healthy diet and if they are fed to much fruit the sugar content can cause health problems or at the very least an upset stomach.
A high quality cat food with a balanced diet is all you need for a healthy cat. I’ve put together a list of the best kitten foods here.
Cats are carnivores by nature and introducing fruit into their regualr diet can lead to high blood sugar levels, kidney issues or leave you with a diabetic cat.
Offering cats watermelon has little to no health benefits, if your looking for a health snack there are plenty of formulated cat treats you can give the.
Is There Any Heath Benefit?
The short answer is no, cats won’t benefit from watermelon. Cats are carnivorous and their digestive system works in a completley different way to ours.
Watermelon is a healthy snack for humans with great benefits such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B6. It also has the nutrients biotin, magnesium, potassium and plenty of healthy antioxidants.
Cats get their vital nutrients from raw meat or a high quality cat food. To avoid any health issues, watermelon should not be a used as a meal replacement for your cat.
Can Cats Eat Watermelons seed?
Absolutely not, the seeds of fruit including watermelon can contain small amounts of cyanide which is very toxic to cats and kittens.
Aside from being toxic the seeds of fruit can be a potential choking hazard and can even block your cats intestines.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon Rind?
No, cats can’teat watermelon rind. Watermelon rind is very difficult for cats to digest and swallow. There is a potential it could lead to gastrointestinal problems and should be avoided at all times.
What Nutrition Does Watermelon Contain?
As the name suggests watermelon contains mostly water, about 92% water content in fact. It’s packed full of healthy nutrients for humans and is a popular summer fruit.
Seedless watermelon offers a fantastic source of vitamins such as Vitamins A and C, B6, potassium and a whole bunch of amino acids to boot.
While great for humans, it’s not really the best sfood for cats to snack on.
How Much Watermelon Is Safe for Cats?
As a general rule of thumb keep watermelon or any fruits to a maximum of 5-10% of your cats natural diet. Even then it’s not necessary to feed your cat any fruit at all.
The sugar content of fruit including the natural sugar fructose can be detrimental to your cats health. While most fruits contain high amounts of water, be careful as some do contain more sugar than others.
Our local vet tech recommends you give your cat no more than a couple of small cubes to your cat at one time. You can safely feed them 1 or 2 cubes at a time 2-3 times a week maximum.
Symptoms Of Watermelon Allergies And Toxicity In Cats
If you do decide to let your feline friend have some watermelon remeber to remove any watermelon seeds and rinds.
If it’s their first time eating watermelon you’ll want to keep an eye on them afterwards as in rare cases they can have an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of a watermelon allergy are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Digestive issues
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should avoid feeding your cat watermelon immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Watermelon Can Cats Safely Eat?
A cats sugar intake should be kept to a minimum. If you’re going to feed your cat watermelon I recommend keeping it to one or two small cubes.
Can Cats Eat Fruit Snacks?
Offering fruit to your cat can present some health risks. Ideally you should stick to a well balanced diet of raw meat or high quality cat food.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon Rind?
Avoid giving cats watermelon rind as this can be a choking hazard and cause intestinal irritation.
