Among melons, cantaloupe is one of the most delicious fruits. Its smell and taste attracts humans and pets. If you ever see your cat craving a slice of cantaloupe, you must first find out, Can cats eat cantaloupe?
Luckily, cantaloupe is a safe fruit for not only humans but also cats and other pets. You can give it to your cat as an occasional treat or add it to her meals. Since cantaloupe doesn’t have any animal protein, your cat can’t eat it regularly or in a vast quantity.
There is more to learn about the merits, demerits, and ways of feeding cantaloupe to cats.
All About Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a fruit also known as sweet melon, rock melon, and spanspek. We classify it in the family Cucurbitaceae and as a melon.
We can eat cantaloupe as a fresh fruit, salad, or with any dessert. Its key nutrients are vitamin A and vitamin C, which can help in eye vision and healthy skin.
Do Cats Like Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a sweet fruit. Cats don’t have “sweet” taste buds, so they won’t like cantaloupe because it is sweet. Besides, cats are lactose-intolerant and obligate carnivores, so they will mostly seek meat protein.
Many cats love eating cantaloupe, although it doesn’t have any animal protein. One reason is that cantaloupe has volatiles, which give it a great smell. Cats go baffled at this smell and can’t resist eating the cantaloupe.
When it comes to smelling meat or fish, cats are pros. They can sniff and sense each particle in the meat. However, cantaloupe has amino acids, which act as building blocks for protein. Cantaloupe can give a tiny sense of meat to cats, which cats crave.
Can Cats Eat Cantaloupe?
Like human beings, cats can also benefit from cantaloupe. As this melon is not poisonous, you can include it in your cat’s diet as an occasional treat.
All cats don’t have the same way to digest food. Some of them may find it difficult to eat melons. Again, some cats can have gastrointestinal issues or are allergic. If your cat doesn’t have any of these issues, you are good at feeding cantaloupe to her. You must have your vet’s approval; only then can you feed it to your cat.
Benefits Of Eating Cantaloupe For Cats
Cantaloupe has many essential nutrients that can support a cat’s immune system and overall health. For instance, it has vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, niacin, folate, and fibre. These nutrients can help to improve your cat’s eye vision, protect body cells, support brain function, and so on.
You will also find antioxidant properties in cantaloupe that can capture free radicals in your cat. Besides, its fibre and water content will aid in digestion. Hence, cantaloupe can help with constipation and dehydration for your cat.
Risks Of Eating Cantaloupe For Cats
Cantaloupe can be dangerous for your cat if you don’t feed it the right way. For instance, cantaloupe is high in sugar. Therefore, eating more than required can cause weight gain and obesity in your cat. Some cats can deal with diabetes by eating this fruit in excess.
Like watermelon rinds and seeds, cantaloupe rinds and seeds can pose choking hazards to cats. If your cat eats them, she can have a gastrointestinal upset and stomach pain. Besides, licking the outer part of the cantaloupe can cause vomiting and digestive issues in your cat. This is because the cantaloupe’s outer part is prone to pesticides, bacteria, and harmful chemicals.
How To Feed Cantaloupe To Cats?
To feed cantaloupe to your cat, you have to first wash it properly. This will remove the bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. Then remove all its seeds and rinds so that your cat doesn’t face any choking hazards. Now cut the cantaloupe and make a few slices of it. The slices should be cube-shaped and one to two inches thick. Now you can offer a few slices of cantaloupe to your feline friend.
When Can Cats Eat Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a safe fruit for a healthy cat. Unless your cat has any digestive issues or stomach pain, you can feed it. Some cats can be allergic to plant-based foods, so consider that as well. Don’t feed this melon to your allergic cat.
As cats’ most important nutrient is animal protein, you can’t include cantaloupe as their regular meal. Offer a few slices of it occasionally, like once or twice a month.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Cats Eat Cantaloupe?
Is cantaloupe safe for cats?
Cantaloupe is safe for cats as it does not have any toxic substances. In fact, its vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and antioxidant properties can help cats have a healthier body.
Are melons safe for cats?
Melons like watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe are safe for cats without seeds or rinds. They contain a good amount of vitamin A and vitamin C, which can help with cats’ immune systems.
Which fruits cats should not eat?
Most vets restrict cats from eating raisins and grapes, as they can be dangerous for cats’ body organs. Also, citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, are not safe for cats.
What makes a cat obsessed with cantaloupe?
Your cat may become obsessed with cantaloupe because of the smell that comes from the amino acids. Amino acids act as the building blocks of proteins. That’s why cantaloupe gives off a little smell of meat, which makes cats go baffling.
Final Thoughts
Since cantaloupe offers health benefits and side effects, you may still wonder, Can cats eat cantaloupe? The answer is yes if your cat does not have digestive issues or is allergic to plant-based nutrients.
Whenever your cat eats cantaloupe more than required or eats its rinds or seeds, call your vet immediately. In such cases, your cat will vomit, have diarrhoea, and have stomach pain. Let her discharge everything and treat her with medications prescribed by your vet.