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Can Cats Eat Watermelon?

Can Cats Eat Watermelon?

Updated on July 18, 2024
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Watermelon is a wonderful treat, especially when it’s served cool on a warm summer day. On one such occasion, you may ask yourself, “Can cats eat watermelon?” The short answer is that it’s nontoxic to cats and unlikely to cause problems for them in small doses on rare occasions.

Before offering a bite of this tasty fruit to your cat, however there are a few important points to consider. Can cats eat watermelon rind? Can cats eat watermelon without seeds? Should cats eat watermelon?

The answers could affect your decision to provide watermelon to your feline, so read on. And, as always, remember to consult your veterinarian before adding any new food to your cat’s diet to ensure it’s an appropriate snack for them.

Is watermelon good for cats?

Watermelon is not toxic to cats in that an adult cat without any health conditions is unlikely to experience any serious negative effects from occasionally eating a small amount of seedless fruit without the rind. The big exception when considering if cats can eat watermelon comes up if your pet has health issues. For cats with pre-existing health conditions—particularly diabetes—the unnecessary carbohydrate and sugar content of watermelon may have adverse effects. If your cat falls into this category, they should never eat watermelon.

It’s also possible for watermelon to not agree with your cat’s digestive system and lead to gastrointestinal upset, typically diarrhea or constipation. Every cat is different, however, so, while one cat may be able to eat small amounts of watermelon just fine on occasion, another may experience immediate digestive discomfort. If these symptoms emerge or become more severe for your cat, call your veterinarian right away.

While the answer to, “Can cats eat watermelon?” is yes since it’s not toxic and is generally considered safe in small amounts on occasion, cats are natural meat eaters whose digestive systems are not accustomed to fruit. Watermelon is not a great treat option for cats since it contains sugar and carbohydrates that can be bad news for a pet with a health issue like diabetes.

Providing your cat with high-quality cat food is typically the best way to ensure they eat a wholesome diet and get all the nutrients they need.

How to Feed Watermelon to Your Cat

If, after reading everything above, you would still like to offer your cat a small, bite-size piece of seedless watermelon, do so very sparingly. Since watermelon is not part of a regular feline diet, it should be considered a rare treat, not a daily indulgence.

When introducing new foods to your pet, it’s advisable to do so one item at a time. Then, if there are problems, you’ll be able to pinpoint the cause quite easily. If your cat shows signs of gastrointestinal upset, discontinue feeding them watermelon, monitor them closely and call your veterinarian if symptoms become worrisome.

Can cats eat watermelon rind? Can cats eat watermelon seeds? The answer to both questions is no, as the rind and seeds are choking hazards and can cause digestive upsets. They can also lead to gastrointestinal impaction. Be sure to remove the rind and seeds and cut up the watermelon into small bits that are easy for your pet to swallow and digest.

FAQs about feeding your cat watermelon

Cats are funny creatures who can have fussy eating habits. Perhaps your cat will enjoy the sweetness, the moisture or the consistency of watermelon, or maybe they’ll be attracted to it because they’ve seen you enjoying it. Many cats, however, would prefer tuna or even their regular cat food, as they should. If your cat happens to love watermelon, be sure to only offer very small portions on rare occasions to help avoid gastrointestinal upset.

Yes, cats can get diarrhea from watermelon, and it’s one of the main caveats when asking, “Can cats eat watermelon?” While watermelon is nontoxic and unlikely to cause problems as long as your cat only eats a small amount of it infrequently, it does have the potential to cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea.

When introducing new foods to your cat, it’s recommended that you do so one item at a time. That way, if your cat does start to experience gastrointestinal upset, you will know which food is responsible.

Cats don’t need to consume any fruit to maintain good health since it contains sugars and carbohydrates that the feline digestive system has not evolved to handle.

That being said, if you do want to feed your cat a small amount of fruit on rare occasions, some nontoxic ones to consider include apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries and seedless watermelon. In all cases, be sure to cut the fruit into small enough pieces for your cat to chew easily, and also consult your veterinarian before feeding your cat any new food.

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