It is never too late to give your dog a refreshing treat! Be it summer or winter, fleshy, juicy fruits never disappoint! But when it comes to feeding your dog human foods, it can get a little tricky. In this article, we will explore “can dogs eat watermelon?”
Well, congratulations – Yes! Watermelon is a safe dog in moderation. But there is a lot more you should know about watermelons and dogs. Don’t worry! We have got you covered!
Is Watermelon Good For Dogs?
There are several health benefits of feeding your dog watermelon. Apart from its freshness and taste, the nutritional value of watermelon makes it a choice for many dog owners. Now that dogs can eat watermelon, let’s dig into the reasons why:
1. Hydrating
Watermelon is known for being super juicy, and any guess why we call watermelon dogs besties in summer? Because this fruit is super hydrating. If you feed your dog watermelons on humid days, you will surely be slathered with slobbery kisses from your pooch. Hydration is essential as it will keep your dog full of energy and cool even during hot weather.
2. Nutrients
Another health benefit of feeding your dog watermelons is that they are packed with many nutrients. Such as:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Amino acids
- Antioxidants
3. Low calories
Last but not least, watermelon is an excellent low-calorie snack for dogs. If your dog struggles with obesity problems, which is a common health concern in dogs, we know you keep searching for low-calorie snacks! Hence, if you feed your dog these juicy watermelons in moderation, it will not add much to their weight and can be an excellent training treat.
Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Your Dog Watermelon
Before you feed your dog watermelon, here are the things you should keep in mind:
1. Remove the seeds and rind
The very first thing you should do while preparing watermelon for your dog is remove the seeds and keep their paws off the rind. The rinds and seeds can lead to severe choking hazards in dogs. Especially if you have a small dog famous for its eager eating- you better be super cautious!
The seeds and the rind are not digestible; chewing them isn’t possible, so swallowing them is your dog’s only choice! DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN. These hard parts of the watermelon can get stuck in your dog’s intestines or throat, which may need a professional intervention.
2. Chop into small pieces
As a responsible pet owner, you should always chop the food for your dog. Similarly, before you feed your dog watermelon, you must chop it into bite-size pieces so it is easier to eat and digest. Chopped watermelon is also a fantastic treat for dogs with no teeth, as they will not need to chew much on the mushy melon treats.
3. Moderation
Lastly, but most importantly, you should know that just because something is good for your dog does not mean you should shower your dog with it. Cuddles and belly rubs are excluded; you should only give your dog watermelon in moderation. It does not hold enough nutrients or value to compensate for their primary meals. Hence, please only give your dog watermelon as a treat or topping.
Safe and Fun Ways to Feed Your Dog Watermelon
Let’s move on to the fun part! Here are the fun and cool ways to serve watermelon to your dog:
1. Watermelon coconut bites
If your doggo loves watermelon and coconuts– why not combine them? All you have to do is make a slushie, mixing the two. Then, you can freeze them overnight, and you’ll wake up to a super gooey ice cube that will be fun for your pooch to play with.
2. Watermelon slushie
Again, this is a super easy way to incorporate watermelon into your dog’s diet. After a tiring grooming session, you can give them a small bowl of watermelon slushie as a treat or a reward. You can also top the slushie with other fruits like- melons, apples, blueberries, blackberries, cantaloupes, cranberries, etc.
3. Frozen watermelon goodies
All you have to do is make watermelon slushies, and when you freeze them into ice cubes- just top some of their favorite toys in there! So once it’s frozen, your dog will have to lick and melt it to reach and collect the toy. This will be super mentally stimulating and refreshing for them!
Conclusion
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat watermelon?” is a BIG YES! Dogs will love this refreshing treat. The only catch is to keep your dog far away from the seeds or the rind. These can cause severe choking hazards that need immediate veterinary attention. Also, if your dog is diabetic or under medications, please consult a professional before introducing any new food item.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Dogs cannot and should not eat watermelon seeds. The seeds are very harmful as they can cause choking hazards or gastrointestinal blockage, especially in small or medium-sized dogs.
You should NEVER feed your dog watermelon rind or even let them be near! They are an absolute disaster and can even cause choking hazards in large-sized dogs. The rind is super hard and can neither be chewed, swallowed, or digested. Be sure to get in touch with your veterinarian immediately if your dog ate some from the dustbin.
Your dog should not eat the whole watermelon! You can feed them a few bites or 10% of their whole diet. It should be in moderation as too much of watermelon can lead to a rise in sugar levels or cause digestive problems in dogs.
Yes! Both of these cousins of the melon family- watermelon and cantaloupe are safe for dogs. However, you should feed them to your dog in moderation and as treats only.
Leaves and stems are neither for humans nor dogs. Eating watermelon leaves can cause gastrointestinal upset and choking hazards. You should not feed your dog leaves at any cost. If they ate, please consult your veterinarian.
