Can cats eat cantaloupe? Perhaps you’ve been cutting up some cantaloupe melon for a refreshing snack and wondered whether you could also share some with your kitty. If humans can eat cantaloupe, can cats safely eat it too?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat cantaloupe. Letting a cat snack on some cantaloupe provides more than a few health benefits, especially because the fruit is high in both fiber and water.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your resident kitty, including cantaloupe. Here’s what you need to know about cantaloupe and cats.
How Is Cantaloupe Good For Cats?
Cantaloupe packs a number of health benefits for cats. First of all, it contains a high water content, which can be a great way to make sure that your cat stays properly hydrated.
Secondly, cantaloupe provides a good amount of fiber. This can help out with any digestion problems that your cat might be struggling with.
When it comes to other health benefits, cantaloupe is also high in the vitamins A and C — both of which can help your cat’s cells to function in a healthier way.
Finally, if you’ve been wondering why your cat might show an interest in eating cantaloupe, it’s been suggested that the reason is due to the presence of volatiles. The volatiles in cantaloupe come from amino acids, which are also key parts of protein.
Due to both melons and meat sharing some of the same amino acids, it’s been theorized that melon might actually smell a little like meat to cats!
How Can I Safely Give Cantaloupe To My Cat?
The smart way to feed cantaloupe to your cat is to use it as a treat. As with all human foods, it’s best to serve them to pets only in moderation, rather than making them a staple of daily meals.
Always peel cantaloupe before feeding it to your cat. This is because the rind could cause issues if your kitty attempts to eat it. Likewise, remove the cantaloupe seeds before serving the melon to your feline. It can also help to chop the cantaloupe up into small pieces for your cat.
Has your cat ever shown a big interest in cantaloupe? Does your cat like to snack on it whenever you prepare some for yourself? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
