Can Dogs Eat Watermelon
Find out if your pet can enjoy the sweet summer fruit or you should avoid treating it to a watermelon wedge.
Most of the people spend their summer days feeding on a bounty of fruits and vegetables that are in one season and one of their favorites is watermelon. There's nothing better than having a slice of this sweet and juicy fruit on a hot summer day, but should you share it with your best four legs? Can dogs eat watermelon, or is it better to avoid giving them this fruit ?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can eat watermelon. Of course, you shouldn't just give them a wedge and call it a day there are, after all, some precautions you need to take before giving your dog a watermelon. When served properly, watermelon, like all dog-friendly fruits, is a wonderful healthy treat. Packed with vitamins, nutrients and high in fiber, watermelon is low in calories - a win-win formula. This means that, at times, this delicious fruit can be a perfect substitute for store-bought, calorie-dense dog cakes. Perfect for dogs trying to have that bikini on a smiling face ... or, you know, they just want to keep them healthy !
Read on to learn more about dogs can eat watermelon with or without seeds and peels, how to properly give this fruit this fruit, and most importantly, if feeding them watermelon has any benefits, besides being incredibly delicious.
If Can dogs eat watermelon Are there any benefits ?
Fortunately for bushes, watermelon is on the list of safe fruits for dogs. The only real question is that dogs might eat watermelon without completely coming out, and I think you know the answer to that. Since dogs are not that picky when it comes to eating, (in fact, they actually benefit from being picky about their foods), and it is up to you to serve them with the right amount of fruit and in the right form.
When it comes to melons, this means proper seed cleaning, without peelings and in a serving that is appropriate to the size of your dog. Small dogs should not have more than the equivalent of one slice, while larger dogs can indulge in more of this fruit - however, you should not let them have too much. Even if it doesn't upset your stomach, you should get it out to pee every half hour !
Aside from being delicious, watermelon is also good for your pet's health. Watermelon contains vitamins A, B6, and C, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals support your pet's immune system and make sure their health remains in top shape (of course, with a healthy, balanced diet). In addition to these essential nutrients, watermelon is high in water (92 percent), and it will help your pet hydrate and replenish it during the summer.
Plus, if you have an obese pet, but still want to give it a treat from time to time, fruit (especially watermelon) is an excellent choice! This delicious meal is also low in calories, and the pet's scales won't be changing anytime soon, so treat your pet with some delicious watermelon.
Can dogs eat watermelon lignans ?
Is it OK if your dog gets some watermelon peels? Yes and no. While, technically, there isn't anything in watermelon peels that make them toxic to dogs, it's still a good idea to give them a pet. Dense crust can be difficult to digest, and can cause serious stomach upset, especially in hypersensitive dogs. So while most likely nothing will happen if your dog is caught stealing a bite or a few peels of watermelon, you shouldn't normally allow them to eat watermelon peels - after all, it's best to err on the side of caution !
Can dogs eat melon seeds ?
Similar to melon peels, watermelon should not be fed to dogs to dogs, even though it does not contain any toxic substances. The reason why dogs do not eat watermelon seeds is that they can be a choking hazard and cause intestinal obstruction. Small dogs, in particular, are prone to this, as a small amount of seed is needed to cause issues. Regardless of your dog's size, you should avoid giving him watermelon seeds, stick to his seedless version, or pick the seeds manually before giving them to your four-legged companion.
Are There Any Risks of Feeding Watermelon to Dogs ?
Although watermelon is not dangerous to dogs and does not contain any potentially harmful substances, too much fruit in this sweet fruit can cause problems. Too much of a good thing can be bad, especially when it comes to eating! If you wear serving size, your pet will likely have diarrhea or even vomit. Dogs are not the most reliable judges when it comes to determining how much food is too much, and it is very likely that they will eat watermelon until it is injured.
To prevent any unfortunate accidents, limit the amount of fruit to give your dog. If this is the first time you have tasted watermelon, give them a bite or two, to see how they will react. If their stomach is not upset, increase the dose according to their size - large dogs can have a few slices, but small breeds should contain no more than A cup of watermelon without seeds. Otherwise, you may get the real, real stuff quickly !
How to serve watermelon to your dog ?
Now, we clearly shouldn't be wondering - the real question is how do you serve this delicious fruit to your four-legged companion. Looking at the way dogs tend to live into moments when they gobble up something as fast as possible, you'll find the thought of how to serve them is ridiculous, but with melons, it's more about safety than it's about morality.
If you were to just let your dog fill in on a wedge of watermelon as it is, not only would they eat watermelon seeds (which they shouldn't), but they would probably just move on to nibbling on the crust okay. Not to mention the mess they were doing !
Unless you want smooth floors and / or colorful carpets and furniture, don't give your dog a watermelon indoors. Alternatively, save this treat for a beach picnic or let them outside on that outside, if you have a fenced yard. Of course, that is if we're talking about regular watermelon, de-seeding, slices and cubes for the fun of fiber. But that's not the only way your pet can enjoy this great summer fruit. For a special, refreshing treat, you can always freeze cubes of watermelon and take them out whenever you want to treat your dog.
Plus, you can check out our fab of lukewarm watermelon dog treat recipe , if you are in the mood for making something special for your furry baby. While this frozen delicacy looks fancy and tastes great (if you think four-legged taste testers), it's super easy to make. All you need is watermelon without the seeds, mashed and mixed with coconut water and a little honey. Pour the blended mixture into some nice silicone molds, preferably bone shaped, because, you know, pooches - and let freeze. Fetched !
