Watermelon is a popular fruit amongst humans and canines alike. Is it, however, safe for them to consume?
With some caveats, the answer is yes. First, seeds can get stuck in your gut and cause serious health problems. The rind should be removed because it has been linked to stomach problems.
What are watermelon’s dog-friendly benefits? The fruit contains a wealth of beneficial nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as potassium, and has a low calorie count.
The fruit is low in calories (about 50 per cup) and high in water content (92 percent), making it an excellent choice for staying hydrated on a warm day. It’s practically guilt-free because it contains no fat or cholesterol.
Is Watermelon Good for Dogs?
For the most part, feeding your dog some watermelon, whether it be red or yellow, is a good idea. Dogs should not be given the fruit if they are diabetic, have a sugar sensitivity, or are overweight.
Because it lacks both fat and cholesterol, watermelon is a healthy option for those watching their weight. Also, watermelon is great for rehydration, especially on hot summer days, as it contains water (92%) as its primary ingredient.
Because of the small amount of watermelon your dog should eat as a snack, it is not a good source of water for your dog.
Watermelons are an excellent source of many essential nutrients, including:
- Vitamin A
- B6 Vitamin
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
Health benefits of feeding your dog watermelon
Because it is so high in both water and nutrients, watermelon can be given to your dog on occasion as a special treat. Packed with cancer-fighting nutrients like antioxidants, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene.
Although watermelon does contain some sugar, the high fiber content slows the sugar’s absorption into the bloodstream. If your dog has diabetes, however, you should consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
How Much Watermelon Can a Dog Eat?
A dog’s treat ration should never exceed 10% of his or her total food intake, even if it’s 100% healthy. And the remaining 90% should come from a nutritionally complete dog food.
Below are some rough guidelines for how much of a watermelon treat is appropriate for your dog based on its weight. Cut your “slices” to a maximum of 1 inch in length, 1 inch in width, and 1/4 inch in thickness.
- Two to three watermelon slices for a small dog (less than 20 lbs).
Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs, and Yorkies are just a few examples.
- If you have a small dog (21-30 lbs. ), feed them two to three slices of watermelon.
Here are some canine case studies: Basenjis, Beagles, and Miniature Australian Shepherds
- 5-6 watermelon slices for a medium dog (between 31 and 50 lbs).
Dog breeds like the Basset Hound and the Australian Cattle Dog are good examples.
- A few watermelon slices for a big dog (51-90 lbs).
The Pit Bull, the German Shepherd, the Labrador Retriever, and the Australian Shepherd are just a few examples.
- The equivalent of a large handful of watermelon slices for a huge dog (91 lbs)
The Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, and Great Pyrenees are just a few breeds that fall into this category.
If you think your dog may have eaten too much watermelon when you weren’t looking, watch for the following signs of gastrointestinal distress:
- Loss of appetite or a decrease in appetite
- Fatigue
- Pretending to be sad
- Presenting a Discomforting Appearance
- Sucking on their lips, air, or objects
Do not delay in getting in touch with your vet if you observe any of these conditions.
Some of the worsening symptoms are:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration and severe diarrhea
- Having blood in their feces or vomit
- Weakness
- Collapse
If you see any of these severe signs, don’t hesitate to make an appointment for your dog at the vet.
How to Feed a Dog Watermelon
Watermelon is a treat, and as with any treat, it should be given to your dog only occasionally, in addition to their regular, balanced diet. If you want to give your dog watermelon, here are some suggestions for doing so safely:
- Cut watermelon into bite-sized pieces after removing the rind and seeds.
- Fruit can be frozen in chunks and then enjoyed on a hot summer day by removing the rinds and seeds before thawing. Your dog will feel more comfortable after eating the treat.
- After removing the seeds and rinds, puree the fresh fruit and freeze in an ice cube tray.
- To make watermelon ice cream, simply mix frozen watermelon cubes with unsweetened plain yogurt. Place atop your dog’s bowl of food or fill a rubber toy, like a Kong, to give him a treat. Most dogs can safely consume plain yogurt unless they have lactose intolerance. Yogurt is more well-tolerated than ice cream, and the probiotic cultures in it are fantastic for digestive health. Make sure you get plain yogurt, which is yogurt that hasn’t had any additional flavors, fruit, sugars, natural sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners added to it. Make sure there is no Xylitol, a potentially dangerous sugar alcohol, in the product by reading the label. If your dog has digestive issues with regular yogurt, you may want to try a lactose-free variety or one made without dairy using plant products. For your safety, always check the label to see if there are any potentially harmful ingredients or additives.
Watermelon Facts
In terms of serving size, a watermelon weighing between 15 and 20 pounds will provide 90 six-ounce wedges or 11 cups of cubes.
Have you ever seen a watermelon with cracks running through its flesh? It’s called Hollow Heart, and it’s brought on by temperature swings in the growing season. Because sugars concentrate along the cracks, Hollow Heart melons are sweeter in some places even though they are perfectly safe to eat.
A watermelon requires three months to mature from planting to picking.
Fifty years ago, researchers succeeded in creating a melon without seeds. There are no mature, black seeds inside. On the other hand, immature seeds sometimes have white seed coats.
Watermelon, or Citrullus Lanatus as it is known in scientific circles, is a type of cucurbit.
Like cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash, it is a member of the plant family Cucurbitaceae.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rinds?
Ensure that your dog does not ingest any watermelon rinds. Aside from being extremely dangerous as a potential choking hazard, it can also cause an intestinal blockage, so it’s not safe for them to eat. A watermelon rind in the stomach of a dog is a medical emergency.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?
If you want to feed your dog watermelon, you should cut out the rind and the seeds first. Even though a dog probably couldn’t eat enough of these black seeds to become poisoned, they are poisonous because they contain cyanide. The seeds present a hazard of choking as well.
In spite of the name, seedless watermelons can still have tiny white seeds. Even though your dog is unlikely to choke on them, they may cause stomach problems. It’s best to play it safe and get rid of those, too.
Get in touch with your vet if you suspect that your dog has ingested any of the seeds.
Are seedless watermelons the best choice?
Yes, the seeds in seedless watermelons are softer and whiter, and there are fewer of them. Since these seeds will have less resistance while passing through your dog’s digestive system, feeding him seedless watermelons is a safer option.
Can a dog eat too much watermelon?
Any human food, including watermelon, can be harmful if consumed in excess. In order to prevent obesity and diabetes, watermelon, like all treats, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily food intake. A large dog can eat one cup of diced watermelon. A couple of bite-sized pieces should suffice for toy and small breeds of dogs.
How will I know if my dog eats too much watermelon?
Watermelon is a popular treat for dogs and is usually well-tolerated. The refreshing treat it is, but consuming too much of it can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Before introducing a new food to your dog’s diet, you should always check with your vet.
While there are no known safety concerns associated with feeding watermelon to your dog, as with any human food, it’s important to monitor your pet for any reactions and limit their intake. If you’re not sure if watermelon is safe for your dog, give your vet a call.