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Yes! Dogs can eat watermelon but in moderation. Watermelon is a particularly good choice for dogs during the summer months. When it can help keep them cool and hydrated and is also good for their health.
However, you should always consult with your vet before feeding your dog any new fruit. They might react differently to watermelon and can turn out to be allergic.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at watermelon treats for dogs. We’ll discuss the benefits of feeding this delicious fruit to your pup and list a few alternatives if your dog isn’t interested in watermelon.
Watch out for our DIY watermelon dog treats later in this post!
Can Puppies Eat Watermelon
Yes, puppies too can eat watermelon. Just be careful to give them a much smaller quantity than their adult dogs.
Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs
Watermelon is safe for dogs to eat. It’s a healthy treat for most dogs, and it’s low in calories and high in water content.
However, not all parts of the watermelon are safe for dogs. You should only stick to feeding your dog the seedless fleshy part.
You also need to avoid giving your dog processed watermelon snacks because they contain added sugar and preservatives.
Watermelon is high in sugar, so you don’t want to give your dog too much of it. Always be careful about the quantity, and keep an eye out for any unwanted reactions.
If you’re in doubt about anything, you can always consult with your nutritional vet for your dog-specific advice.
How Much Watermelon Should I Give My Dog?
Dogs should take watermelon only as seasonal treats. The amount of fruit that you should give your dog depends on two main factors; the size of the dog and their health status.
Small dogs should take ½ cup of diced watermelon while large dogs can manage 1 cup. This is enough for them to get the benefits of this fruit.
If you’re starting your dog on this fruit, it’s best to start with a small amount and see how they react before increasing the amount.
7 Benefits of Watermelon for Dogs
Is watermelon good for dogs? Yes, it is. Here are some of the benefits your pooch will get when eating this fruit:
1. Watermelon constitutes 92% water which helps to hydrate and refresh your dog. They will certainly appreciate this treat on a hot day.
2. Watermelon is also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate your dog’s heart rate and blood pressure, and those who are prone to renal failure.
3. Watermelon has some dietary fiber (0.4g per 100g) that ensures proper digestion and reduces inflammation throughout the dog’s body.
4. Watermelons are low in sodium, calories, and fats, and free from cholesterols. This makes them an ideal food for dogs who need to lose excess weight or maintain their current weight.
5. The fruit is high in vitamin C, which is good for their immune system and helps boost their energy levels.
6. Watermelon is an excellent source of beta carotene which forms vitamin A (the ‘anti-aging’ vitamin). This can help keep your dog’s coat looking vibrant and healthy.
7. Watermelon contains lycopene, which has antioxidant properties. This protects them against cell damage caused by free radicals in the dog’s body which in turn prevents heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
In addition to their health benefits, watermelon slices are easy for your dog to chew and digest.
You don’t have to worry about them choking on it or having a big mess to clean up afterward. Plus, it’s sweet and juicy, your dog will love it.
Homemade Watermelon Dog Treats You Should Try
1. Refreshing watermelon treat
What you will need
- ¼ Medium sized watermelon
- 1 ripe mango
- Blender
Procedure
- Peel the mango and blend it until smooth
- Cut the watermelon into chunks.
- Put the pieces in a bowl and add the mango juice.
- Refrigerate for about 2 hours to make it cool
Give your dog this refreshing treat after a long day in the hot sun. You can also mix in some other fruits that your dog love.
2. Frozen watermelon & yogurt
What you will need
- 4 cups of chopped watermelon cubes
- 1.5 cups of plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds
Procedure
- Mash the watermelon to form a smooth puree.
- Mix the puree with yogurt and chia seeds in a clean bowl.
- Place the mixture in an ice cube tray.
- Freeze for about 4 hours.
You can store the treats in an airtight container in the freezer for later use. Make sure to use unsweetened yogurt.
How To Give Watermelon to Your Dog
Dogs love watermelon, but they can be picky about how they eat it. Here are some tips on giving your dog these delicious summertime treats.
First, make sure to wash the fruit with clean water. You can use a scrubber to remove all dirt, stains, and pesticides from the skin before peeling.
a) Chunks
Cut the watermelon into chewable pieces. Try not to cut it too small, you want something that will be easy for your dog to eat and chew up quickly. Be sure to remove all the seeds and rind.
b) Frozen
Put the watermelon chunks in the freezer to give your dog a more refreshing treat after long walks in the sun. You can also put the frozen pieces in a Kong for alternative fun.
c) Mashed
You can also mash the watermelon to make it easier for your puppy to feed. Mashed watermelon can also be used as a topping for your dog’s main diet.
d) Blended
Blend some watermelon for your dog and give them plainly or use it to spice up their dry foods. Feel free to blend with other fruits that are safe for your dog but be cautious with the quantity you give them at a time.
FAQs on Feeding Watermelon to Dogs
1. Can dogs eat watermelon seeds
Watermelon seeds are dangerous to dogs because they can cause digestive blockage when ingested in large quantities.
The small size of the seeds causes them to easily penetrate a dog’s throat and may cause an obstruction. This can result in very serious effects if not handled immediately.
2. Can dogs eat watermelon rind?
Watermelon rinds are very hard for dogs to chew and digest. This might cause digestive upset in dogs if ingested. Small dogs and puppies are at greater risk and therefore you need to be careful with them.
The rind also contains high amounts of pesticides which can be toxic to dogs’ digestion systems.
If your dog ingests too much, they could end up suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, or intestinal blockage. It’s best not to give them any watermelon rinds at all.
When you are eating your watermelon, be sure to dispose of the rinds appropriately. Not in an open place where your dog can easily get.
3. What to do if your dog ate watermelon rind
If your dog ate watermelon rind, you should treat them with care. Dog’s digestive system cannot properly handle watermelon rinds, which may cause serious problems.
You can induce vomiting by giving your dog one tablespoon (per pound) of 3% hydrogen peroxide using a pet feeding syringe.
The dog might vomit within the first 15 minutes of taking the solution.
If they fail to vomit, then you should call your vet right away. They will be able to help you determine what should be done next.
4. Can watermelon give dogs diarrhea?
Too much watermelon can cause diarrhea in your dog. Here are some of the reasons why this might happen:
i. Dogs are more likely to get diarrhea when they eat too much of any human food. The reason is simple: their digestive systems aren’t designed to handle big chunks of human food.
When your dog eats too much watermelon, the large portion of fruit can irritate the lining of their digestive tract and cause them to have diarrhea.
This is especially common in older dogs who have trouble with some foods because their stomachs aren’t as strong as those of younger dogs.
ii. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins and fiber, but it’s also high in sugar. The sugar in the watermelon will cause them to have loose stools which can cause diarrhea.
iii. Diarrhea can also be caused by too much water in the GI tract. This can happen when your dog eats too much watermelon which causes them to have too much fluid in the intestines.
Moderation is key. A few small pieces of watermelon should be enough to satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth.
If you notice that your dog has diarrhea after eating too much watermelon, try giving them bland foods or a probiotic supplement to help restore their digestive health.
Always keep your dog’s treat at 10% or less of their daily food intake. 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet.
What Other Fruits Are Safe for Your Dogs?
If your furry friend is not interested in watermelon, or when it gets to cooler months, you may want to switch to other dog-safe fruits. Here are the other safe fruits for dogs:
In a Few Words
Can dogs eat watermelon? Yes, they can. It is a healthy, delicious treat for dogs. It can help with weight management, has a whole load of health benefits, and it tastes great.
If you’re looking for some novel ways to treat your doggo during the summer, try serving up a slice of watermelon instead of the regular treats.
So next time you’re enjoying a slice of watermelon, don’t forget to tag your furry friend along.
Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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