Watermelon can be a delicious treat on a warm summer day. It is only natural for people to love fruits because they’re healthy and full of essential vitamins and minerals. Some people have even started giving fruits to their dogs for the same reasons.
When a dog receives fresh fruits, it will consume important vitamins and antioxidants. Since dogs are omnivores, they don’t need to consume fruits or vegetables. Nevertheless, dogs can benefit greatly from receiving some fruits and vegetables.
Just remember that certain items could be toxic to dogs. Even if they’re okay for humans, they may not be safe for your pets. Chocolate fits into this category since it is toxic to canines. What about watermelon?
In general, watermelon can be eaten by dogs but there is an exception to the rule. Before feeding watermelon to your dog, it is essential to make sure that all black seeds have been removed.
The problem is that the black seeds found in watermelon can lead to an internal blockage. Once you’ve removed them from the watermelon, your dog can eat the watermelon without any issues. Don’t let your dog eat the rind or skin since it can lead to an upset stomach.
The Natural Benefits Of Watermelon For Dogs
Watermelon will prove to be a great addition to your diet. On top of that, it can be good for canines as well. Most dogs love watermelon because it tastes great and they love its texture. Furthermore, watermelon is very hydrating since it contains a high water content.
Plus, watermelon is crammed full of essential vitamins and minerals. It can be one of the best fruits for your dog. Watermelon contains limited calories, yet it offers Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Calcium, and Magnesium. It also has fiber which can prevent the dog from feeling hungry.
Eating watermelon is effective in lowering blood pressure and supporting healthy nerve functions. These benefits will be passed on to your dog as well. Just remember that you must properly prepare the watermelon before letting your dog eat it.
For instance, you should get rid of the black seeds. If your dog eats the seeds, they could cause an internal blockage. Furthermore, you cannot let your dog eat the rind or skin.
Cut the watermelon into small pieces and make sure those pieces are free of seeds. Then, you can let your dog enjoy the mouthwatering taste.
Recommended: Science Behind Chocolate Toxicity In Dogs
Parts Of The Watermelon: What’s Safe And What’s Not?
If you feed your dog watermelon, you need to ensure it is only eating the safe parts. Some portions of the watermelon are not safe for consumption. In particular, you cannot let your dog eat the black seeds found in watermelons.
The problem is that these seeds can cause internal blockages. Another thing to note is that the black seeds in watermelons actually contain cyanide.
If the dog eats a large amount of black seeds, it could lead to death. Don’t let this happen. Remove all black seeds before letting your dog eat watermelon. If your dog is allowed to eat the black seeds, they may cause a blockage in the intestines.
Depending on the severity of the problem, surgery may be required. Surgeries are always risky so it is best to avoid them when possible. In some situations, the blockage will require major surgery to avoid fatal consequences.
You’ll also have to worry about potential choking hazards. The watermelon’s seeds and other parts can get stuck in the dog’s throat. It doesn’t help that many dogs swallow their food without chewing fully. If your dog ate one or two black watermelon seeds, it shouldn’t cause serious problems. It would take a lot of seeds to turn toxic.
Instead, your dog may have a soft stool in the morning. In the event of cyanide toxicity, immediate treatment is necessary. Keep the seeds away from your dog to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
If your dog develops an intestinal blockage, it will have diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Dogs shouldn’t eat the rind or skin of the watermelon. However, it is normally okay for the dog to eat the flesh. The problem with the rind is that it is too tough for dogs. As a result, it will cause your dog to have an upset stomach.
Potential Dangers Of Watermelon For Dogs
Although watermelon is considered safe for dogs, it can still pose certain risks. One thing to remember is that watermelon is high in natural sugar. One serving can contain as much as 17g of sugar.
The natural sugar found in watermelon can easily impact a person’s blood sugar levels. This will also impact canines. If you want to feed your dog watermelon, don’t overdo it because the sugar could cause problems.
Small dogs are more prone to these issues because they digest sugar quickly. Shortly after ingesting too much sugar, your dog will experience diarrhea and vomiting. Their blood glucose levels could climb significantly higher as well. Give your dog a small piece as a treat and nothing more. Another issue is the fact that certain parts of watermelon could be a choking hazard.
It is common for dogs to swallow their food without chewing. Therefore, the edges of the watermelon could get stuck in the dog’s throat. Ultimately, this is why it is best to remove the rind before letting your dog have a piece of watermelon.
Digestive issues are also possible. The black seeds in the watermelon can cause a handful of problems. These seeds contain cyanide so they could potentially kill your dog when consumed in large quantities.
Another risk is that these seeds are going to cause a blockage in the dog’s intestines. Intestinal blockages occur when dogs ingest foreign objects such as rocks, bones, toys, and watermelon seeds.
If your dog has an intestinal blockage, it likely won’t be able to poop. It may strain to use the bathroom. Furthermore, the dog can become weak and lose its appetite.
You can feed your dog watermelon but must take precautions to protect it from these issues.
How To Safely Feed Watermelon To Your Dog
Watermelon can be a good treat for dogs as long as it is prepared properly. Otherwise, this treat could become a deadly risk. For instance, you should never give your dog too much watermelon.
The problem is that watermelon contains large amounts of sugar. Giving your dog too much sugar is very problematic. With this in mind, watermelon should only be a treat given once or twice a week.
In general, you should only give your dog a teacup full. Your dog will love the treat and it won’t be enough to cause any serious issues. However, small dogs should have smaller portions.
Give your dog half of this amount if you have a cockapoo, poodle, or terrier. Too much watermelon can cause constipation, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. You’ll also need to make sure that the watermelon is properly prepared.
Remove all black seeds because they can cause internal blockages. Double-check the watermelon for black seeds before giving it to your dog. Don’t forget to remove the rind because it could be a choking hazard. Use a knife to cut the watermelon into smaller pieces. Get rid of the rind to ensure your dog doesn’t try to eat it. Finally, don’t let your dog eat watermelon too often.
Once or twice a week should be okay.
Common Myths And Misconceptions
Some people have developed misconceptions about dogs eating watermelon. They’ve heard horror stories about dogs getting sick after eating watermelon. As a result, many owners will not allow their dogs to eat watermelon. Ultimately, this is understandable.
Nevertheless, it is generally okay for your dog to eat watermelon as long as precautions are taken. Dog owners should remove black seeds from the fruit first. You’ll also want to remove the rind so your dog doesn’t get choked on it.
Rest assured knowing that your dog can eat the flesh of the watermelon. Another misconception is that watermelon can be consumed every day. In tiny amounts, this may be okay.
However, limiting the amount of watermelon you feed your dog is best. Again, you can give your dog watermelon once or twice a week. More than that may lead to sugar spikes and other issues.
Real-Life Stories And Testimonials
Are you worried about giving your dog watermelon? You can rest comfortably because many dog owners have had success with watermelon. Some owners have said that their dogs have fallen in love with watermelon.
When they have some, their dogs will beg for a piece. Others say that the watermelon has helped normalize their dog’s bowel movements. This is likely the case because watermelon has a high fiber content.
Some dog owners claim that giving their dogs watermelon has helped them lose weight. Fiber is partly responsible because fiber makes the dog feel full. Then, the dog doesn’t feel like it needs to eat so much. Plus, people agree that their dogs can’t resist the delicious taste of a slice of watermelon.
Owners of diabetic canines have reported a spike in their blood glucose levels after eating watermelon. Signs of high blood sugar in dogs include excessive drinking, unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite, aggression, fatigue, and decreased energy.
Conclusion
Many people have developed misconceptions about dogs eating watermelons. They’ve heard horror stories about watermelon being dangerous so they’re not going to let their dogs eat watermelon.
Ultimately, it is understandable that a loving dog owner would be hesitant to let their dog eat something that could harm it. Nevertheless, watermelon isn’t dangerous. When it is properly prepared, the watermelon will make a great treat for your dog. It can even provide a handful of health benefits.
Still, there are some risks if you haphazardly give your dog watermelon without preparing it. First, you must remove any black seeds from the watermelon to eliminate potential obstructions.
You’ll also want to avoid giving your dog the rind of the watermelon. It is a choking hazard and it can cause an upset stomach. Finally, be careful about giving your dog too much watermelon because it contains a lot of sugar.
FAQs
Owners feed their canines fruit – apples, pineapple, oranges, and mango – for nutritional purposes. However, some types of fruit pose health risks for dogs. Watermelon has an outer layer of peel or skin and an inner layer called the rind.
The peel and rind should not be fed to dogs because they are bad for digestion. Watermelon rind and peel cause mild to severe gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs.
The watermelon is rich in vitamins A, C, and B6. It has zero fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Owners should consult a vet before feeding their dogs watermelon.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?
No, watermelon seeds pose health risks for dogs. The watermelon seed is about 9 millimetres in length and 6.5 millimetres in width. It would seem the tiny seed could not harm but when you consider a watermelon can have up to 800 seeds, the risks become apparent. Hundreds of tiny watermelon seeds can block the canine’s intestines.
A watermelon seed contains between 0.79 and 0.1 milligrams of cyanide, a fatal poison.
Is The Rind Of The Watermelon Safe For Dogs?
Watermelon rind poses health risks for dogs. If a dog eats watermelon rind, it will most likely not die. However, the incident warrants a visit to the local veterinarian’s office. The rind is a tough material that can cause intestinal blockage in all canine breeds.
Watermelon rind causes gastrointestinal and abdominal discomfort. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are just some symptoms of watermelon rind.
How many watermelons Can I Give My Dog?
A medium- to large-sized canine breed can have up to one cup of seedless watermelon. Small breeds should not eat more than ½ cup of seedless watermelon. For example, a Chihuahua can eat ½ cup or less of seedless watermelon daily.
When watermelon is added to a dog’s diet, it may be necessary to extract something of the same nutritional value. This is especially true for overweight canines on a strict diet.
References:-
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-watermelon
- https://www.purina.co.nz/articles/dogs/feeding/what-dogs-eat/watermelon
- https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/