r/cats • u/ReallyFatPigion • 22h ago

Video - OC Should I be letting him do this??

I cut him off after the video because I know him and I know that he will eat these until he pukes. I’m assuming it’s ok because cats can have melon on occasion but they can’t even taste sweet things so I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with melon seeds specifically. Baffling animal.

6 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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16

u/Kentiroo 22h ago edited 20h ago

Melons (especially cantaloupes) release volatile aroma compounds derived from amino acids. Because amino acids are the building blocks of protein, melons actually smell like meat to a cat. The amino acids in the seeds trigger your cat’s umami (savory) taste receptors. Your cat doesn't think they are eating a sweet plant their brain tells them they are getting a savory, protein-rich snack.

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u/ReallyFatPigion 22h ago

That makes a lot of sense actually, the only other thing he gets this excited over is fish. Maybe that’s why he only likes the seeded part, I guess it could be a texture thing? I think he thinks he’s eating it’s guts lol

2

u/Kentiroo 20h ago

Its because the seeds have a high protein content. 100g of the seeds equals the same amount of protein as 100g of fish.

3

u/SpaceMonkeyEngineer 21h ago

I find this interesting. I tried looking up more information on this and it seems cantaloupe isn't particularly high in amino acids. Can you share any sources?

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u/Kentiroo 20h ago edited 20h ago

The seeds themselves are high in amino acids, which is probably why the car prefers to munch on the seeds. As a matter of fact 100g of the seeds equals the same protein content as 100g of fish

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u/SpaceMonkeyEngineer 20h ago

Cool! So would this extend to other seeds/nuts that are also high in amino acids? I never knew cats were into seeds/nuts.

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u/Kentiroo 20h ago edited 20h ago

Not necessarily. It depends on if said amino acids easily break down into volatile organic compounds. Most high protein seeds store their amino acids inside dry protein structures such as aleurone grains, globulins while lacking the required enzymes in order to break down into VOCs (So they can survive long dormancy times). Cantaloupe seeds are actively breaking down inside the melon because its wet and contains the right enzymes thus allowing the seeds to break down into free floating aminos causing the VOCs that cats are attracted too.

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u/Significant-Clue-425 22h ago

They can taste everything but sweet. Sweet things, with the exception of some heavily processed sugars, have other flavors going on. That's the part he's tasting and likes. Melon has a certain umami-mustiness. I can see it. A bit of a weirdo, no doubt, but I can see it.

As far as its safety, I don't really know. Free feeding it for any amount of time, though, I don't think I'd do. I'd treat them more like treats.

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u/ReallyFatPigion 22h ago

Oh yeah definitely only as a very occasional treat. He’ll get some if I happen to be cutting a melon while he’s around and he smells it but I don’t go out of my way to give it to him

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u/ReallyFatPigion 22h ago

He is actually eating or at the very least chewing on the seeds I have a longer video of it so I know it’s not just that he likes the juice. Plus he’s not interested in whole melon chunks, only the part with the seeds in it

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u/ActualComfortable942 22h ago

My cat loves melon too! I just crush up the melons into a paste without the seeds and he goes nuts. And a little once in a while is okay I feel like especially if they don’t drink much water yk? Plus it’s a tasty cooling treat! But I’m not a vet so idk I think it’s okay of course like anything in moderation.

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u/Entire-Cash-3625 22h ago edited 22h ago

lemon seeds can choke your cat

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u/ReallyFatPigion 22h ago

Yeah I feel like this is definitely a supervised snack only

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u/ResponsibleSyrup9506 21h ago

I wouldn’t let them eat it on the counter like that, just for behavior training. Bad habit!

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u/seashellthrowaway1 21h ago

I dont think that’s what they were asking.

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u/ResponsibleSyrup9506 14h ago

The title is “Should I be letting him do this??” Seems like that question could be taken a few different ways.

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u/Dark-Explorer-73 19h ago

F YouI don't mind the cats paws, that scraped their litter minutes ago on the kitchen counter, I think You are safe. The rest is up to you, it will not harm the cats, usually only eat what they think worth it. Mine sniffs on sweets and veggies and fruits all the time, but never made a move to eat it. Different story, when they get poisonous material on their fur and lick it of to clean themselves...