Melon not only keeps the body hydrated in summer as well as provides essential nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins for your body to function well. Apart from providing nutrients, it works as a refreshment for your body in the scorching summer.
You might be wondering if you can share these chilled summer rewards with your feline or not.
Well, let’s just dig in and find the facts about whether melons are safe for your feline pal. If yes, then how much should be fed.
As you keep on reading our blog, can cats eat melons? You will get all your answers, as we have almost covered all the related points.
Can Cats Have Melon?
The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat melons. In fact, melons contain a sufficient amount of health benefits for a cat, mostly in the form of their good vitamin, nutrient, and water, which help her body to function well and keep hydrated in summer. But, it should be fed occasionally and in small kibble size. And as always, you must ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including melons.
It is important to jot down that you can occasionally feed a small proportion of melon to only “healthy cats”. Felines suffering from any underlying health issues such as diabetes should be avoided from feeding even small bites also. Because melons contain sugar and even a small amount is a threat to your kitty’s health.
Is Eating Melon Healthy for Cats?
The answer to your question is feeding melons healthy for cats? Is yes!
You can share a chilled slice of melon with your kitty, it won’t harm her but not on regular basis.
Melon is non-toxic and contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and fiber, most importantly, it is made up of water which helps to keep the body hydrated in summer.
Melon is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin A and C these help the body to function well, as well as promote healthy cells to fight against diseases. If you are feeding a small piece of melon as a treat to your kitty it’s good plus it will her stay hydrated in the scorching heat.
But unlike humans, cats don’t require more intake of vitamin C, a small proportion is more than enough. Because their body is already getting essential nutrients from their regular meal.
Too much intake of vitamin C might lead to bladder stone issues and create severe problems for her in the future.
How Much Melon Is Enough for My Cat?
When it comes to treating your feline with human food one thing should be kept in mind, that only a small proportion of it should be given to her. Because their body requirement is different from the human body system.
It’s better to feed her small kibble size or bite-size melons without seeds and rind. Overfeeding can cause your kitty severe underlying health issues. So, you have to be careful when it comes to feeding her something which is extra for her diet and not part of it.
Even after consulting the vet, we recommend you monitor her while feeding melon because it’s better to be prepared for any negative reaction.
Ways to Feed Melon to My Cat!
Well as you know melon is safe for your kitty, so after consulting with the vet you can feed melons to your feline pal as a treat.
But now, the question arises, what are the perfect ways to serve her melons? Right? Well, don’t worry, continue reading will clear your doubts if clouds.
All you need to do is remove the seeds and rinds and then cut them into small pieces, just like kibble sizes so that they won’t choke your feline throat. It is important to carefully remove all the seeds and rinds because they can upset your mitty’s stomach and lead to gastrointestinal issues.
Another thing to keep in mind is that melons should not be included in her regular diet. Feed her twice a week and as a treat only to satisfy her cravings for eating human food.
Also Read: Do Cats Eat Papaya? & Do cat eat vegetables?
Side Effects of Consuming Melon!
If you follow your vet’s instructions and carefully feed your kitty then she will not face any health consequences. But, if you show minor negligibility and overfeed her melon, my friend your feline will be in trouble.
Let me explain to you!
- Melon contains a lot of sugar, and if you feed her on regular basis or overfeed her sometimes it will lead to health issues such as weight gain, and obesity. It isn’t something that your kitty’s body needs.
- Melon seeds are not good for your feline pal, so if she intakes it might lead to a choking issue for her.
- Similarly, melon peel/rinds are also not good for your kitty, they can cause severe health issues such as upset digestive tract, gastrointestinal issues, etc. Plus rinds cover chemicals, it can also cause choking hazards to your kitty.
If you want to enjoy chilled melon with your kitty, be extra careful while feeding her.
Can Kittens Have Melon?
Well, as we know melon is non-toxic for cats. Similarly, you can feed small pieces of melon to your kitten also. As we have discussed melon is rich in fiber and low in carbs, plus includes all other essential nutrients so there is no harm in feeding small chunks of it.
But, here’s some advice for you, feed small pieces of the melon to your kitty and make sure it is seedless. You can also serve flesh of it and avoid rind for your kitty’s health safety or else she can face choking issues from it.
Enjoy small freeze chunks of melon with your little munchkin, Happy feeding!
The Different Melon Variants!
Melon is highly rich in vitamins A, C, K, and B6. Plus, it is also a good source of potassium, folate, and dietary fiber. Unlike humans, cats don’t require fruits or veggies in their diet, they can have small pieces of melon as a healthy treat.
We have jotted down a few common melon variants along with their nutrient facts, which your kitty can enjoy with you as a treat.
Cantaloupe:
Cantaloupe is low in calories and rich in fiber and water. Plus it’s a great source of potassium, vitamins C and B6. Basically, it is good for you and your kitty as it contains essential nutrients and vitamins. In addition, vitamin B6 helps to boost your kitty’s immune system and overcome vitamin deficiency.
After consulting with the vet you can offer small pieces of cantaloupe to your feline pal, and it is good to add a new variant to the meal. But make sure you give her in form of treats and not a food staple, because most of the nutrients and vitamins are already included in her regular meal it’s just an extra addition to her taste buds.
Watermelon:
A slice of chilled watermelon in summer is a refreshing treat for humans. Well, will it be the same for cats? The answer is yes!
Watermelon is non-toxic for your feline pal. includes vitamins A, C, B1, and B6, as well as potassium. It is also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Plus, it is made of 92% of water, which will help to keep your kitty hydrated.
However, watermelon is rich in carbohydrates, and cats’ nutrient requirements are not the same as humans. So, they don’t need much carbohydrates in their diet, it is advisable to give her a small piece of watermelon as a treat only.
One more thing, do not feed her on regular basis and it’s better to consult the vet to avoid future health consequences.
Honeydew:
Honeydew is a hydrating fruit it comprised 90% of water and is good for both you and your feline pal in summer. Plus, it includes all essential nutrients and dietary fiber. Well, yeah you can serve small chunks of honeydew to your kitty, you can also freeze small chunks and serve it as a cold treat to her.
Make sure you feed her to just satisfy her craving and do not replace it with a food staple.
FAQs
Why is my cat eating melon?
As we know felines have the curiosity to taste human food, because of the presentation, texture, and smell. This can be one of the reasons your feline wants to have melon or else there is also one high possibility that melon contains amino acids in small quantities and so to cats, it might be smelling like meat. So she wants to eat and satisfy her cravings.
Is watermelon poisonous to cats?
Watermelon is non-toxic for your cats, you can feed her, but that doesn’t mean that you can add it to her regular meal. It should be given as a treat and in very small pieces.
Conclusion
Confidently, we were able to clear your clouds of doubts related to, can cats eat melons or not.
So now you know that you can share your summer fruit melon with your feline, it is non-toxic and won’t harm her. But, in small quantity only. Human food is not meant for cats, they already get all the essential nutrients from their regular meal.
Just to satisfy her cravings and reduce her curiosity, occasionally feeding is ok.
Enjoy your summer with your feline, and have chilled melon slices, but carefully. Happy feeding!
Also Read: Do Cats Eat Mango?
References:
- Cat Nutrition Center – PetMD
- What to Know About Feeding Your Cat – Pet WebMD
- AAFP releases consensus statement on how to feed a cat – AVMA
- Cats are carnivores, so they should eat like one – Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science