Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
Looking for healthy treats for your cat and wondering if watermelon is safe? Take a look at our guide for all the answers!
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
Who doesn't love a cold slice of juicy watermelon on a hot day. Even some furry carnivorous felines enjoy chomping into this watery sweet fruit.
But is watermelon safe for cats to eat?
The answer is yes, so long as you remove the seeds and rinds. The fruit is completely safe for cats. The rind from watermelon can cause gastrointestinal blockage and gut upset, and watermelon seeds contain a very small trace amount of cyanide. While the cyanide in watermelon seeds is unlikely to harm your cat in small amounts, it is reason enough to avoid seeds.
Health benefits of watermelon for cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, so don't benefit as much from the nutrients in watermelon (such as Vitamin A, B, and C) in the same way dogs do. However, there are still benefits to giving your cat the odd morsel of watermelon, including:
- Watermelon is 92% water, which can help promote hydration
- Watermelon only contains about 50 calories a cup - which means it is a good option for cats on a diet (unless your cat suffers from diabetes, in which case it's best to avoid sugary fruits!)
- Watermelon also contains no fat or cholesterol, so it's a safe treat for cats who experience pancreatitis or IBD.
Ultimately, watermelon is best given in small amounts, as your cat is an obligate carnivore and has no real need for fruit in their diet.
Can cats eat watermelon seeds?
While they're not highly toxic, watermelon seeds are not ideal for cats. Watermelon seeds contain a very small trace amount of cyanide, (although far less than apple, cherry, and apricot seeds) - and even less than sweet potato leaves. This tiny amount of cyanide in watermelon seeds is unlikely to cause toxicity in small quantities, but is reason enough to avoid giving seeds to your cat if you can help it.
If your cat has eaten a few watermelon seeds, it's not likely to cause poisoning. However, too many watermelon seeds can cause intestinal blockage.
So what's the take home message? Ultimately it's best to remove the seeds before sharing watermelon with your cat.
How to Give Your Cat Watermelon
Watermelon can be given to your cat in a number of ways. You can cut it into small slices with the rind removed, you can freeze it and give as a natural popsicle on a hot day, or you can blend it into a puree. You can also freeze some watermelon into a block of ice to promote hydration on a hot day, or mix it in with your cat's regular food. The options are limitless!
Watermelon themed pet products
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
How to Tell if your Cat Loves You
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more pet tips.
