Can cats eat watermelon?
The answer is probably not.
Cats are obligate carnivores and do not possess the required enzymes to digest fresh fruits and vegetables.
They also lack the necessary proteins that help break down these foods, which leads to stomach upset, weight gain, or other digestive health problems.
Some cats are more sensitive than others to watermelon, but most cats will likely not like the taste of it.
Watermelon is mostly made of water and sugar, so cats will find no nutritional value in eating it. It can be a choking hazard for them as well, as they may try to swallow a whole piece of the fruit whole.
Let’s talk about cats and watermelons in this blog post!
Why cats shouldn’t eat watermelon
Cats can easily choke on or swallow pieces of watermelon. If this happens, they may experience stomach upset or pain.
Additionally, watermelons are high in fructose, which can cause the liver to metabolize the fruit in an unhealthy manner. This may also result in diabetes or liver disease.
Because of this, it is best to avoid feeding watermelon to cats unless you are sure it will not make them sick or cause other digestive issues.
Remember that cats, like people, can also have allergies to certain foods, including melons.
In rare cases, they can also become addicted to the taste of certain foods and eat an excessive amount of it.
If your cat becomes a dedicated watermelon junkie and consistently eats an excessive amount of watermelon, you may want to consider a watermelon allergy test.
The Truth about Cats and Watermelon
Why should you avoid feeding watermelon to your cat?
Feeding pets table scraps such as watermelon can potentially result in digestive problems for them, especially if the cat is a carnivore. In addition to digestive troubles, you are also exposing your pet to potential toxic chemicals and allergens in foods like corn and watermelon.
If your pet is a bit older, or an older female, the seeds in watermelon can cause uterine tumours. Watermelon seeds and melon rinds can be toxic for cats and should be avoided.
What should you do if your cat likes watermelon?
If you’ve tried to feed your cat watermelon and have not seen a problem, there is a good chance it’s not harmful to them.
How to make watermelon a healthy snack for your cat
The best way to introduce a cat to a new food is to provide it with some of the food you usually give them and see how it reacts.
Cats that are more accustomed to softer foods will find watermelon easier to swallow, but they will need to eat at least one serving before you start feeling confident that they can manage it on their own.
You could also try mixing it with other kitty treats, but make sure you keep it as a treat, rather than something they are meant to be fed regularly.
A plate of fresh cat food will suffice for most cats, though some may need more complex tastes to enjoy their new food.
Consider offering watermelon in a bowl, rather than allowing it to sit in a bowl on the counter.
All in All: Can cats eat watermelon?
Cats, much like many other domestic pets, have their own unique dietary requirements that they must adhere to.
Many cats dislike the taste of many of the fruits and vegetables that we commonly consume, including cucumbers, asparagus, and most berries.
When it comes to fruit, most fruits are highly acidic and can cause stomach upset and weight loss in cats if ingested.
To prevent this from happening, it is recommended that cats only eat soft fruits, such as grapes and bananas, and canned varieties of sweet fruits.
The best way to tell if a cat has eaten a whole fresh fruit is to look at its mouth when it wakes up the next day. If it is unusually wet or appears as if the mouth may be bleeding, this may be a sign that the cat has eaten a whole fruit.