Yes, your cats can eat watermelon. The fruit is safe for cats, and they enjoy eating, especially during summertime since it keeps them hydrated. However, you need to know that fruits are not the cats’ natural diets. They contain too much sugar that can cause diabetes or digestive issues over a particular period.
You need to know some of the precautions you have to take when feeding watermelon to your cats. As the saying goes, “too much of something is poisonous,” it is advisable not to give your cats large quantities of watermelon. When feeding your cat watermelon, ensure you remove the seeds as they can have a choking hazard.
What Are Watermelon Health Benefits For Cats?
Just as with humans, watermelon has many nutritional benefits to your cats. First, the fruit contains 92% of the water that keeps your cats hydrated and refreshed on hot days.
It is a great snack choice for cats that do not like to drink water from the bowl. If you have a fussy cat, try to give him watermelon, especially after feeding on dry diets.
Watermelon is rich in fiber that helps in your cat’s digestive system, enabling it to run smoother. This makes watermelon a perfect choice for constipated cats.
The fruit contains major vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B6. It also has micronutrients like protein, biotin, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, carotenoids, and fatty acids. All these are some of the nutrients that your cat needs for overall health.
In addition, watermelon has very low calories and cholesterol levels. The fruit has a compound called Lycopene that gives it a red color. The compound helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases and decreases blood pressure.
What Are Watermelon Health Concerns For Cats?
Do not give watermelon to cats with health problems such as obesity and diabetes due to high sugar levels in the watermelon. Even if you serve low amounts to your cat, watermelon can still trigger diabetes symptoms.
Watermelon is not suitable for cats that are trying to lose weight. Although it has low calories, you need to be more concerned with your cats’ sugar levels.
Finally, watermelon can be allergic to some cats. If your cat starts to experience indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation after eating watermelon, do not serve it again to him. Besides, it has high carbohydrates, which is not essential for your cat’s diet.
Note that if you are feeding your cat watermelon for the first time, keep a close eye on him to ensure your cat does not react adversely.
How To Give Watermelon To Your Cat
To ensure nothing happens to your cat after eating watermelon, you need to heed the following safety precautions:
• Give Your Cat Only Small Amounts Of Watermelon
Your cat may enjoy this type of snack and want to eat more and more, but ensure he consumes only the right proportion.
You need to do your maths well. Specialists say that treats should only account for less than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake. This means that if your cat consumes 200 calories every day, only 20 calories need to come from those treats.
A cup of watermelon has 45 calories. You can consult your veterinarian about how many calories your cat requires if you are unsure about it.
• Prepare The Watermelon Well
Ensure you wash the watermelon thoroughly before you cut it into small pieces. Make sure the pieces are small enough for your cat to manage to eat.
Do not forget to remove all the seeds to ensure you prevent gastrointestinal irritation. Also, the seeds have cyanide, which is very poisonous and may hurt your cat.
In addition, you should not give your cat the rinds since they may be hard to digest, causing severe stomach upset.
• Monitor Your Cat After Eating The Watermelon
Specialists say that even if the food is safe, it can still cause unexpected reactions. Therefore, ensure you monitor your cat for any signs of vomiting or diarrhea after feeding this snack.
It is advisable to introduce a new food separately over time. By doing so, you will quickly identify which food is not ideal for your cat.
Conclusion
If you enjoy watermelon while your feline friend is looking at you, wondering whether to give him or not, now you are sure the fruit is safe for your cat. It is not toxic to cats, though it contains a lot of carbohydrates that may not be essential to your cat’s diet.
However, ensure you feed only the right amount of watermelon to your cat. Observe your cat for a while if it is the first time you are feeding him a watermelon. In case you notice any visible signs like vomiting or diarrhea, do not give him again.
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