Do dogs have the ability to eat watermelon? Is it okay to feed watermelon to dogs even though it’s such a delicious staple at picnics? If you appreciate this juicy treat but have refrained from giving it to your canine companion out of concern that it might not be beneficial to their health, you should know that your intuition was, at least in part, correct. If it is given to them in the right manner, watermelon can actually be a nutritious treat for dogs.
Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs to Consume?
The juicy, pink fleshy fruit of a watermelon is packed with a variety of beneficial nutrients that are just as good for humans as they are for our canine companions.
According to Dogtime, not only is watermelon an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, but it is also an outstanding source of vitamins A and B6. In addition to this, it has fiber, which is beneficial to healthy digestion. This fruit is devoid of cholesterol and has an extremely low sodium and fat content. Although watermelon does contain sugar, the majority of its composition is water, so eating it should not result in any unhealthful spikes in blood sugar levels. Because it contains 92% water, in addition to being a tasty treat for your dog, it is also an innovative way to assist your dog in maintaining a healthy body temperature and adequate fluid intake during the warm summer months.
Is It Okay to Give My Dog Watermelon?
The meat of a watermelon can be given to a dog as a healthy snack, but other parts of the watermelon, such as the rind and the seeds, should not be consumed by your canine companion. The American Kennel Club reports that if dogs ingest watermelon seeds, the seeds can cause an intestinal blockage. This blockage is not only excruciating for the dog, but it also has the potential to become severe enough to require surgical intervention to correct.
It is highly unlikely that one or two seeds will cause any health issues in large dogs; however, it does not take very many seeds to obstruct the digestive tract of a small dog.
It is also not a good idea to give your dog the rind of a watermelon, which is the tough, green outer skin. If ingested, the rind can cause gastrointestinal distress, which can result in vomiting or diarrhea. When consumed in moderation, the fruit of the watermelon can be a nutritious snack; however, if your dog consumes an excessive amount of it, it may cause stomach discomfort.
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How to Prepare Watermelon for Your Dog to Eat (& What to Avoid)
A watermelon slice is presented to a golden retriever puppy for it to lick while it is held out on a fork.
How exactly should you split this delicacy with your loyal four-legged friend? When it comes to providing your dog with watermelon, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
Only feed your dog watermelon that has been seeded or cut into pieces after the seeds have been removed. Seeded watermelon is toxic to dogs.
Use a melon baller to remove the fruit from the rind, or cut it into bite-sized pieces while being careful not to leave any of the rind behind.
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Never feed your dog canned watermelon, only the real thing. Candies and treats with an artificial watermelon flavoring are more likely to contain other ingredients, such as added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which could be harmful to your dog.
According to the recommendations of Preventive Vet, the total number of calories that come from treats of any kind should not exceed 10 percent of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. Follow this rule when determining how much diced watermelon you should feed your dog, keeping in mind that one cup of diced watermelon contains 45.6 calories.
This rule applies regardless of the size of your dog. Bear in mind that despite the fact that your dog may be staring up at you with those huge eyes of a puppy dog, dogs are perfectly content eating the same dog food day in and day out. Therefore, even though you might be tempted to give in on occasion, it is best for your dog to get the nutrients it needs from the pet food it consumes on a daily basis.
In addition, prior to giving your dog any human food, you should make sure that you consult your dog’s regular veterinarian to ensure that this is safe to do. It is best to make sure that the consumption of watermelon will not have any unfavorable effects on the particular digestive system that your dog possesses, even though it is known that watermelon can be a healthy treat for many dogs.
You won’t need to worry about giving your dog a few bites of seedless watermelon the next time you go on a picnic because the melon won’t have any seeds. As a treat for dogs, watermelon is difficult to beat as long as it is served in moderation and given in a manner that is safe.
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