Can Cats Eat Watermelon?

If you have a cat at home, you know that they can be soft, friendly, fluffy, and cuddly creatures. Most pet owners view pets as members of the family, and you may want to give your cat human food from time to time. At the same time, cats have different digestive tracts when compared to people, and they cannot necessarily handle everything that we can. So, can cats eat watermelon?

Yes. In general, if you are wondering, “can a cat eat watermelon,” the answer is that it is safe for them to do so. However, you must remember that watermelon can displace some of your cat’s regular food. You do not want watermelon to replace cat food, which is what your cat should truly be eating to fulfill their nutritional needs. 

As a general rule, treats like watermelon for example, should account for no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.

In this post, we’ll explore the benefits and risks of feeding watermelon to your cat and we’ll answer some frequently asked questions on the subject.

• Benefits & Risks Of Feeding Watermelon To Your Cat
• How To Feed Watermelon To Your Cat
• FAQs
• Final Notes

Benefits & Risks Of Feeding Watermelon To Your Cat

Even though watermelon is a tasty treat that has a lot of vitamins and minerals, there are not a lot of benefits that come from feeding watermelon to your cat. Because cats can receive all of the nutrients they need from their regular food, feeding cats watermelon is not going to provide them with any additional benefits other than time to share snacks together.

At the same time, there are a few risks that you need to know if you give your cat watermelon. For example, too much watermelon could increase your cat’s risk of developing diabetes. That is because watermelon is very high in sugar. If you give your cat a lot of watermelon, you run the risk of increasing your cat’s blood sugar too much. Eventually, this could cause your cat to have a difficult time regulating his or her blood sugar, resulting in diabetes. Diabetes can lead to a wide variety of other health complications, so you need to keep a close eye on how much watermelon and other fruits you give your cat. 

Always assess the benefits and risks of giving your cat a new food, such as watermelon. If you have questions about what cats eat, you may want to reach out to your vet. That way, you can make sure to provide your cat with a well-rounded, healthy diet. There are some benefits of giving your cats a treat from time to time, but you need to make sure that food is safe for your cat before you decide to give it to your furry friend. 

How To Feed Watermelon To Your Cat

If you are wondering, “can my cat eat watermelon,” the answer is yes. Watermelon is safe for cats, but you need to know how to give your cat watermelon properly. Some of the steps that you should follow before you give your cat watermelon include:

• Get approval from your vet: If you want to give your cat watermelon, the first thing you should do is get approval from your veterinarian. Just because most cats can eat watermelon doesn't necessarily mean it is safe for your cat. For example, your cat could be taking medications that might interact with watermelon. Or, there is a chance that your cat might already be on the verge of developing diabetes, which means that watermelon may not necessarily be the best treat for him or her. 
• Remove the rind: If your veterinarian says it is okay for you to give your cat watermelon, you might be wondering, can cats eat watermelon rind? You should always remove the rind before you give your cat watermelon. The rind does not have any nutritional benefits, and there is a good chance that your cat will not like the taste. You must make sure that you cut the watermelon away from the rind before you give it to your cat. In addition, you might be wondering, can cats eat watermelon seeds? You need to make sure that you remove the seeds from the watermelon before you give this to your cat as well. Watermelon seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic to cats. Make sure you get rid of them before you serve watermelon to your cat.
• Cut the watermelon into small pieces: In addition, you should cut the watermelon into small pieces before you give it to your cat. If you do not cut the watermelon into small pieces, it might be too big for your cat to chew.
• Serve watermelon in moderation: After cutting watermelon into small pieces, you can serve it to your cat. You need to make sure that you serve watermelon to your cat only in moderation. If you serve watermelon to your cat too often, your cat could have spikes in his or her blood sugar. Overfeeding your cat watermelon could increase your cat’s chances of developing diabetes. Furthermore, if you give your cat too much watermelon, your cat might not be hungry for his or her typical food. As a result, your cat might not finish his or her meal, which could cause your cat to develop nutritional deficiencies. That is why you should only serve watermelon to your cat in moderation. 
• Watch your cat closely: You should always watch your cat closely after giving him or her a new food. Pets, just like people, can develop allergies. You must make sure your cat does not have a reaction to watermelon after giving it to him or her for the first time. You should watch your cat for a few minutes, make sure he or she looks okay, and reach out to your veterinarian with any questions or concerns. 

If you follow this process, you should give your cat watermelon safely. Always reach out to your veterinarian for more information before giving your cat watermelon for the first time. 

FAQs

Do cats enjoy watermelon?

Yes, there are plenty of cats that enjoy watermelon. Because watermelon is very sweet, some cats may not  enjoy the taste. If you are looking for a tasty treat that you can give your cat from time to time, watermelon could be a solid option. At the same time, you must make sure that you reach out to your veterinarian before giving your cat watermelon for the first time. That way, you can make sure that it is safe for him or her. 

Should I feed my cat watermelon?

It is fine for you to give your cat watermelon from time to time, but it is important to do so only in moderation. Watermelon is very high in sugar, so if you give your cat too much watermelon, you could increase his or her chances of developing diabetes. You also need to make sure that you give your cat watermelon safely. You should remove the rind before you give your cat watermelon and do not forget to take out the seeds, which contain cyanide. You should watch your cat closely after giving him or her watermelon for the first time to make sure your cat does not have a reaction. 

What other fruits can cats enjoy?

There are plenty of other fruits that cats might enjoy as well. For example, there are a lot of cat owners who like to give their cats apples. Apples should work well as long as they have been peeled. You may also want to give your cat bananas, which have plenty of potassium. A lot of cats also enjoy berries. For example, blueberries and strawberries are popular options for cats. Keep in mind that you should always reach out to your veterinarian before you give your cat new food. That way, your veterinarian can make sure the food is safe for your pet. 

Final Notes

In the end, it is generally fine for you to give your cat watermelon, but you need to reach out to your veterinarian before giving it to him or her for the first time. Your veterinarian has to make sure that your cat is healthy enough to eat watermelon. You should also make sure you remove the rind and seeds before you give your cat watermelon. Finally, watch your cat closely after giving them watermelon for the first time to make sure your cat does not have a reaction. 

If you are looking for help with online vet care, look no further. At Dutch, we provide you with access to comprehensive resources from trained veterinary professionals. If you have other questions about pet care, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you.