My Cat Ate Watermelon Rind What Should I Do?

Reviewed By Tom •  Updated: 02/11/23 •  3 min read
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Cat Ate Watermelon Rind

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Most people agree that nothing’s better than a chilled watermelon on a hot summer’s day! Watermelon is a refreshing treat when the days are hot and muggy. As you eat your watermelon, we’re pretty sure your cat may come along and beg for her share! Some people are tempted to feed the watermelon rind to their cats. And it’s possible a cat may help herself to some watermelon rind. But what happens if a cat eats watermelon rind?

Has your cat eaten the watermelon rind? Are you worried the watermelon rind will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.

We’ve gathered information about watermelon rind and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!

It is strongly recommended to contact a Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

What is a Watermelon Rind?

When you cut a piece of watermelon, you’ll notice there are different layers to the fruit. You notice the red or pink flesh of the watermelon. This is the part most people want to eat, including the seeds. On the outer layer, you notice the green shell of the watermelon. In between these layers, there’s a layer of white. The white part is the rind of the watermelon.

Watermelon rind is edible, and many people make it into a wide range of treats, including candied watermelon rind, chutney, pickle it, and more.

However, what happens if a cat eats watermelon rind? Can watermelon rind make a cat sick?

Watermelon Rind & Cats

Unfortunately, watermelon and watermelon rind are not safe for cats to eat. Watermelon is high in carbs, and cats don’t digest carbs very well. When cats eat too much watermelon, they can develop vomiting and diarrhea. However, some cats do like watermelon and can eat small amounts once in a while.

In addition, the watermelon rind is very fibrous and difficult to eat. In some cases, a cat may choke on the rind.

And if a cat eats a large amount of watermelon rind, it’s possible the rind could cause an obstruction in her digestive system. This can be a life-threatening condition if not treated.

Symptoms of Watermelon Rind Ingestion in Cats

You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten watermelon rind:

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.

Treatment of Watermelon Rind Ingestion in Cats

Treatment depends on the vet’s diagnosis. For instance, if the vet diagnoses your feline fur baby with choking, they will work to remove the rind from your cat’s esophagus. The vet may be able to see the watermelon rind and remove it by hand. However, they may need to perform an endoscopic procedure to remove the rind.

On the other hand, if your cat is diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction, the vet may need to perform surgery to remove the watermelon rind and repair any damage it may have caused.

The prognosis is best for cats that receive prompt medical treatment after ingesting watermelon rind. In the future, it’s best to keep watermelon rind away from your cat. And never allow anyone to feed your fur baby watermelon rind. You’ll both be happier for it!

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Tom

Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!

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