Food is one of the most important aspects of cat care. Knowing which foods, they can eat and which are harmful to their health is essential, since in this way you can ensure that you provide the right food and that your feline needs to grow and develop. In summer, watermelon is a fruit widely consumed by humans, so the temptation to give it to cats is considerable.
It is probably your case and, on more than one occasion, you have given some pieces of watermelon to your cat. But, have you thought if it is a recommended fruit for your body? Not all foods that humans eat are good for felines, so it is important to analyze the case of watermelon. To find out if cats can eat watermelon, what are the benefits of this fruit, its contraindications and how to give it to your pussycat, in a we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Can cats eat watermelon or not?
Cats can eat watermelon, but with caution and moderation. The essential amino acids that your body needs are obtained from meat, along with other nutrients that provide energy. To maintain good health, they need to eat meat to ingest protein and fat.
On the other hand, they survive perfectly without carbohydrates or in small quantities. In fact, a high consumption of carbohydrates in cats can have serious consequences for their health, such as diabetes or obesity. This aspect is very important regarding watermelon, since it contains almost 8 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams, an amount that is not suitable for felines.
Although they can eat watermelon, it is an unnecessary fruit in the diet of cats. As they do not need it to nourish themselves, they should only consume it as a snack or small reward, that is, punctually. In addition, they lack taste buds that detect sweet taste, so they are not able to taste it, so when they eat it, they will only notice a fresh, moist and crunchy sensation.
What are the benefits of watermelon for cats
These are the benefits that watermelon can bring to felines:
- One of the main benefits of watermelon for cats is hydration, as it contains 90% water. With the small pieces you give your feline, you will help him ingest a significant amount of water, something to highlight in an animal that tends to drink little.
- Thanks to hydration, you help your cat prevent diseases of the urinary system, such as kidney conditions and FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease).
- Another benefit to highlight is the amount of lycopene that watermelon provides to cats, that is, an antioxidant that contributes to the prevention of heart disease and also helps protect bones.
- In addition, it is a fruit rich in fiber and has a certain laxative effect, thus helping felines in cases of constipation.
Other nutrients that watermelon provides to the body of cats and that are beneficial to their health are vitamins A, B, C and biotin and minerals such as phosphorus, copper, potassium and magnesium.
How to give watermelon to my cat
Taking into account that cats can eat watermelon in a timely manner, you can offer it to your feline once a week. How? Cutting it into small pieces, preferably into squares, without shell or seeds.
When you cut the pieces of watermelon for your cat, put them in their feeder to eat when they are hungry or you can use them by hand as a reward. Anyway, it is important that you stay close to your feline while ingesting this fruit, because despite not being very difficult to chew because it is wet, you do not know the reaction of your body (especially if you give it to him for the first time) or even if he can choke.
Another aspect that you should pay attention to your cat when eating watermelon is because some felines can be allergic to this fruit, although it is not usually common. On the other hand, others may suffer diarrhea if they do not feel well, due to excess water and sugars.
Contraindications of watermelon for cats
The consumption of watermelon in cats carries some contraindications, as with everything they can ingest. Watermelon is not recommended in cats with diarrhea, overweight or diabetes because it would worsen these medical conditions due to its high content of water, fiber and sugar.
In addition, there are possible adverse effects of excessive watermelon consumption in cats, such as:
- It can cause intestinal damage or allergies. In the case of allergy, it is not necessary that it is an excessive consumption, but that you have tried it before once or a few times, the watermelon itself or the different components of this even through other foods with a similar composition, and that from there the following times that you eat it gives you allergy.
- Risk of ingestion of seeds or shell. If they eat the shell, they can have serious difficulties digesting it, forcing their digestive system to work hard to get it. In this way, you can be damaged and suffer flatulence, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea.
- The seeds or nuggets contain cyanide in small amounts, which can trigger poisoning in a cat. To reach this extreme you should ingest a very high number of nuggets, but it is preferable not to take risks and remove them to avoid this problem and others such as choking.
Now that you know that cats can eat watermelon but in moderation, we encourage you to continue knowing what foods cats can eat and which cannot or only in small quantities. Here you can find out if can cats eat rice? and can cats beat eggs?
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