This cat blog will answer the main query, “Can cats eat cantaloupe?” we will also discuss the major health benefits of cantaloupe for your cat, the major health threats of consuming cantaloupe for your cat, and how you can safely give cantaloupe to your cat.
Can cats eat cantaloupe?
Yes, cats can eat cantaloupe. Melons are generally safe for your cat to consume. Cantaloupe has B vitamins, fiber, water, and potassium which adds to the health of your cat. Consuming more than the required need of cantaloupe can cause stomach upset and even choking in your cat. Choking and obstruction can kill your cat.
What are the major benefits of consuming cantaloupe for your cat?
Following are the major health benefits of consuming cantaloupe:
B vitamins
The healthy parts of the cantaloupe are B vitamins that add to the digestive health of your cat. B vitamins help to improve the digestion and brain health of your cat.
The brain is the major organ of the body. B vitamins also help to convert food into energy and help in regulating the reproduction of your cat. B vitamins also help to reduce the risk of seizures and imbalance in your cat which are related to brain damage.
Fiber
Fiber helps to regulate the bowel movement of the digestive tract of the body. Healthy bowel movements prevent diarrhea and constipation in your cat. The insoluble fiber attracts the water in the large intestine which helps to remove the feces.
Moreover, fiber can regulate the food intake of your cat it is best to give fiber to obese animals to lower their food intake. Lowering the food intake of your cat will reduce the risk of high blood pressure and will help the body regulate weight gain.
Lowering blood sugar levels will significantly decrease the risks of diabetes in your cat.
Potassium
The next nutrient is the potassium in the cantaloupe. Potassium is essential for regulating blood pressure in the body. It is also essential for healthy nerve conduction in the body of your cat.
Potassium lowers the sodium in the blood of the body which will significantly decrease the blood pressure in the body. Sodium is responsible for increasing blood pressure in the body.
Potassium plays an important role in the depolarization of the nerve impulse and due to depolarization the nerve impulse is generated and transmitted throughout the body of your cat.
Potassium helps in coordination in the body.
What are the unhealthy effects of consuming cantaloupe on your cat?
Following are the unhealthy effects of cantaloupe on your cat:
Choking
Consuming cantaloupe can cause obstruction in the esophagus of the body. Cantaloupe rind is hard to swallow and there it can get stuck in the throat.
The expanded esophagus can put pressure on the trachea which can lead to a respiratory collapse in your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of choking in your cat:
- Head towards the ground
- Pawing at head
- Unable to breathe properly
- Unable to vomit
- Unable to cough properly
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Stomach upset
The next problem is the stomach upset in your cat. The rind of the cantaloupe is hard to digest so it will lead to indigestion in your cat. Indigestion will lead to:
- Gas production
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Decreased appetite
Intestinal obstruction
The next problem is an intestinal obstruction in your cat. Intestinal obstruction is very painful and is due to consuming the rind of the cantaloupe. The rind of the cantaloupe can get stuck in the intestine because the intestine is narrower than the esophagus of the body.
Following are the clinical signs of intestinal obstruction in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Distended abdomen
- Vomiting
- No feces
- Constipation
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Toxicity
The next problem is toxicity which is due to licking the outer side of the rind. The outer side of the rind has bacteria and pesticides which can cause toxicity in your cat.
Following are the clinical signs of toxicity in your cat:
- Seizures
- Pale mucous membrane
- Confusion
- Imbalance
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
How can you safely give cantaloupe to your cat?
You can remove the outer covering and can reduce the cantaloupe to bite-size. The bite-size should be according to the age of the cat. You should also remove the seeds of the cantaloupe. You shouldn’t give cantaloupe as food to your cat. Cantaloupe should be given as a treat to your cat.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the main query, “Can cats eat cantaloupe?” we also discussed the major health benefits of cantaloupe for your cat, the major health threats of consuming cantaloupe for your cat, and how you can safely give cantaloupe to your cat.
References
https://feline-nutrition.org/the-blogs/cats-and-cantaloupe-a-method-in-their-madness
https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-cats-eat-cantaloupe-4847124
