40 million pounds of watermelon are produced in the US every single year thank goodness – we can’t get enough of it!
Watermelon on a hot summer day – is there anything better? It’s crisp, cooling, juicy, fresh and sweet. It can be eaten in chunks, slices, in popsicles, slushies, cocktails and more. It’s even nutritionally bountiful, containing tons of water, vitamins and minerals all at a low calorie cost.
Just a few reasons your whole family loves to eat watermelon, right? With pets being considered an integral part of any loving family, does that mean that cats can eat this tasty fruit too?
It’s definitely a good idea not to just go through a trial and error process when it comes to giving cats human foods. Cats have very different biological makeups to humans and some foods we can enjoy safely as people, can really upset a cat’s tummy. Even worse, some human foods can cause toxicity in cats, leading them to be very ill indeed. In the worst cases, some cats can pass away after eating foods unsuitable for their bodies.
By checking which foods are safe for your cat, you safeguard them and protect their wellbeing.
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
Surprisingly cats can eat watermelon. In fact, cats can really enjoy eating watermelon when they are thirsty or hot. The texture can also be a little bit different to what cats usually eat, providing some stimulation and excitement in their daily routine.
How Much Watermelon Can Cats Eat?
Fruit does not form part of what cats eat in their natural diet, which means you have to be cautious about how much you offer them. The sugar is the aspect of the fruit you have to be cautious about as it can cause tummy troubles, or even diabetes in time.
Feline diabetes symptoms include:
- Needing to drink all the time
- Needing to pee all the time
- Struggling to jump
- Being sick
- Avoiding food
If these symptoms occur with your cat, do seek veterinary attention as soon as you can. This article also has some helpful information on diabetes in cats.
If your cat already has diabetes, it is important not to provide your cat with sugary treats like watermelon.
The key is to avoid giving your cat watermelon often. It should be an occasional treat and never a replacement of the cats regular cat food. Ideally, you will also provide your cat with feline appropriate cat treats of the most part, although they can have a high sugar content too. Checking the ingredients of your cat treats can help you understand if they are high in sugar. You can replace them with healthier options like freeze dried chicken or fish without additives.
Overall, the priority is to ensure your veterinarian is aware of your cat’s diet and oversees any changes you make. This ensures that you’re providing your cat with a balanced diet that ensures they have everything they need to thrive.
A Warning About Watermelon Seeds…
Watermelon seeds have to be removed from any watermelon you give your cat. They are a choking hazard and could cause your kitty to choke.
What About Other Sweet Treats?
In terms of feeding other fruits for your cat, it should be considered on a fruit by fruit basis with you always researching the safety for your cat first.
Cats are thought to be able to eat small amounts of banana, blueberries, apples and strawberry. However food like grapes or citrus fruits can be highly toxic to a cat.
As above, you should never give your cat any human food and then check if it is suitable for your kitty after feeding, as some are highly toxic for pets. Some fruits may be specifically harmful to your cat even if they are safe for other cats because of your individual cat’s health status.
Can Cats Eat Vegetables?
For a food lower in sugar for your cat you may think veggies are a good addition to their diet, giving them a different texture and taste to enjoy. As with fruits, vegetables should also be considered on a veggie by veggie basis and considered as part of your individual cat’s health status.
It is thought that cats cannot eat any form of veggie from the onion family like onions or garlic because of a reaction with your cat’s tummy. If eaten regularly they can also cause issues with your cat’s blood health.
Certain veggies like; steamed carrots, asparagus, winter squash, broccoli, green beans, peas, pumpkin and spinach are thought to be safe for cats in small quantities.
As with fruits and any other human foods, you should always check the safety of specific fruits and vegetables for your cat before introducing any to their diet.
“You can keep a dog; but it is a cat who keeps people, because cats find humans useful domestic animals.” – George Mikes
The main part of your cat’s diet should always be food specifically made for cats. They have very intricate nutritional needs so it is important to trust expert brands with the everyday foods you give them.
With snacks though, it makes sense you want to share human food like watermelon – you’re only human right? Just be sure to always check with your vet what is safe, and proceed with caution.
If your cat can safely enjoy a little watermelon every now and again they’re in for a real treat, and you get to share one of your greatest food loves with one of your greatest furry loves, what could be better?