Do you often give your dog watermelon slices? Does your furry friend enjoy eating watermelon? Watermelon is high in Vitamin C and potassium, both of which are beneficial to the health of your dog. It is also a natural sweetener, which means it will not harm your dog’s health. But the real question is Can dogs eat watermelon?

Is it safe for dogs to eat watermelon? Well, the questions are too many but we will try to put forward all the answers before you in an orderly manner. If your dog likes watermelon, the answer is YES, it is okay to feed it to them. Find out the answers to all your questions right here. Read on. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Mango?

Can dogs eat watermelon? Image Source @teacupdogdaily.com

Benefits of Watermelon for Dogs:

Watermelon can provide a variety of health benefits to your dog if you feed it properly. Because watermelon contains over 90% water, it is a fun way to keep your dog hydrated, especially on a hot summer day.

It can be turned into tasty ice cube treats, with or without additional healthy components, that your dog won’t be able to refuse while staying cool. However, be sure your dog’s teeth are in good shape and that chewing frozen food won’t harm them.

Watermelon is rich in Vitamins A, B6, and C. Vitamin A is essential for preserving excellent vision as well as supporting bone development in young animals. Vitamin B6 promotes protection against viral illnesses while Vitamin C aids in numerous key chemical processes within the body. Potassium is also found in the watermelon and is necessary for optimal neuron function, muscular contraction, and heart rhythm.

Furthermore, watermelon is a high-fiber food. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion and regular bowel motions. Fiber also helps to offset the effects of watermelon sugar by preventing it from being absorbed too fast into the circulation.

As if all of these advantages weren’t enough, watermelon also includes lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to a lower risk of cancer.

As you can see, watermelon is a nutritious alternative to a dog’s diet. However, treats should account for not more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, and fruit and vegetables should account for not more than 20%, so give watermelon to dogs in moderation. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Peaches?

Is Watermelon Bad for Dogs?

The red flesh of the watermelon is safe for dogs to consume and provides a variety of health advantages, which we shall discuss momentarily. The seeds and rind (skin) can, however, be harmful to dogs and should be avoided.

Although not poisonous, watermelon seeds can induce a gastrointestinal obstruction if ingested in high enough amounts, resulting in stomach pain and discomfort.

Surgery may be required in extreme situations to remove the seeds that are causing the obstruction. Larger dogs may typically get away with eating a few seeds without creating problems, but smaller dogs, who are more prone to obstruction, should be avoided. If you’re unsure, remove as many seeds as possible before giving your dog watermelon.

The rind (skin) of the watermelon is quite rough, and while your dog may like chewing on it, there is a risk of ingesting big portions that are exceedingly difficult to digest, which might produce obstruction difficulties similar to those seen with the seeds.

Furthermore, if your dog has already had dental difficulties, chewing on the rind may cause further tooth damage and be highly unpleasant for your dog. It’s also better to avoid the pale green layer beneath the skin, which is extremely stiff and difficult to chew. Don’t give your dog an entire slice of watermelon for all of these reasons.

How To Feed a Dog Watermelon?

Watermelon, like any other treat, should be given in moderation to your dog in addition to their regular, balanced diet. Here are some safe ways to feed watermelon to your dog:

• In chunks: 

Slice the watermelon into chunks and remove the rinds and seeds.

• Puree: 

After removing the seeds and rinds from the fresh fruit, puree it and freeze it in an ice cube tray.

• Watermelon Ice-cream: 

Combine frozen watermelon chunks and plain, unsweetened yogurt in a blender. Place on top of your dog’s food bowl or stuff into a Kong-style rubber toy. Plain yogurt is safe to eat for most dogs unless they have lactose intolerance. It’s usually more tolerable than ice cream, and yogurt’s bacterial cultures are beneficial to intestinal health. Simply select plain yogurt, free of added flavors, fruit, sugars, natural sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners.

Side Effects of Watermelon for Dogs:

• A dog’s diet should not include a lot of watermelons. Overeating is likely to cause issues such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, and bellyache.
• Watermelon seeds can induce intestinal obstructions and blockages in tiny dogs’ digestive tracts.
• The rind should not be consumed by your dog since it might cause stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction.
• Constant urination is caused by eating too much watermelon.

Key Takeaways:

Watermelon syrups and soft drinks should be avoided since they are typically high in sugar and chemicals that are harmful to your pets. Too much sugar can make your dog overweight, and some of these items include xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is very harmful to dogs. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

Hope we were able to answer your query about “Can Dogs Eat Watermelon“. Happy Feeding!