Can Dogs Eat Watermelon

watermelon, sweet, juicy-1969949.jpg

Does your dog love watermelon on hot summer days? Can dogs eat watermelon? Are they safe for them? The short answer is ‘YES, dogs can eat watermelon safely, but with a few limitations.’

If you’re looking for a healthy treat to share with your dog on a hot summer day, safe treat for dogs! Both you and your dog can enjoy this delicious, juicy summer snack safely.

In this blog, we will look at some considerations of giving watermelon to your dogs. Let’s get started!

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Feeding your dog watermelon is absolutely fine. You just need to ensure a complete and balanced diet for your furry companion. 

Watermelon is not at all dangerous for dogs. Dogs can safely eat watermelons but in moderation. Remove the seeds before giving watermelon to your fur buddy. It is a tasty, nutritious, and healthy treat for them. 

Here are the nutrients in 1 cup (152 grams) of raw, diced watermelon:

  • Calories: 46
  • Carbs: 11.5 grams
  • Fiber: 0.6 grams
  • Sugar: 9.4 grams
  • Protein: 0.9 grams
  • Fat: 0.2 grams
  • Vitamin A: 5% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Vitamin C: 14% of the DV
  • Potassium: 4% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 4% of the DV

Benefits of watermelon in a dog’s diet

Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of watermelon for dogs:

  • Watermelon is almost 92 percent water. It is a refreshing fruit that dogs enjoy eating and it keeps them hydrated.
  • Due to its high water content, this watermelon has a low calorie density. So, it contains very few calories for its total weight.
  • This delicious fruit is high in fiber, which is good for digestion.
  • Watermelon is packed with vitamin A, C, B6, and B1 that are essential for dogs’ health.
  • It also contains calcium and potassium that helps to boost your dog’s immune system.
  • The combination of antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamin C in watermelon may help lower inflammation.
  • Watermelon helps dogs to keep their skin moist and maintain the water level in their body.

Can dogs eat watermelon rind?

Dogs should not eat the green and white rind sections of a watermelon as these can cause potential digestive issues as well as potential choking issues if consumed in large pieces. It is also best to avoid giving watermelon seeds to your dog.

Precautions while giving watermelon to your dog

It is important to understand that as a pet owner, you are responsible for the health and wellbeing of your dog. While watermelon is not harmful to dogs, there are a few things you should keep in mind when feeding them watermelon.

  • Watermelons contain some amount of sugar. If you feed it excessively to your dogs, they might develop long-run health issues.
  • Watermelon rinds and seeds can cause gastrointestinal issues. Feeding watermelon seeds might cause diarrhea, upset stomach, or intestinal blockages. So, remove the seeds before sharing watermelon with your dog.
  • Don’t feed your dog watermelon over and over again. A dog’s food should have variety otherwise they might lack important nutrients in their diet. 
  • Stop feeding your dog watermelon immediately if you notice any unusual behavior.

Useful Tip: “Remember that all fruits should be introduced into your dog’s diet gradually. This will help you to monitor your fur buddy for reactions and adverse effects.

How much watermelon can a dog eat? 

Watermelon should not make up a large part of a dog’s diet. How often dogs eat watermelon does not depend on the season. As long as the seeds and rind are removed, and this healthy snack is offered in moderation, dogs can safely eat seedless watermelon.

How to feed a dog Watermelon

Here are some safe ways to feed your dog watermelon:

  • Fresh watermelon chunks: Slice up watermelon and remove the rinds and seeds
  • Frozen chunks: After removing the rinds and seeds, freeze the fruit in the freezer and take out on a hot summer day. The treat will help cool down your dog! Make sure your dog’s teeth are healthy enough to chew frozen food without being damaged.
  • Watermelon puree: Puree the fresh fruit after seeds and rinds are removed, then freeze in an ice cube tray.
  • Watermelon ice cream: Blend frozen watermelon chunks with plain, unsweetened yogurt. Add on top of your dog’s food bowl or stuff into a kong toy.

If you’re feeling extra creative, you can mix watermelon with other safe and healthy foods.

Any products that are artificially watermelon flavored are probably not a good idea for dogs. They are usually full of artificial flavors, sugar, chemicals, or other substances that can make your dog sick.

What is the best fruit for dogs?

Just like humans, dogs also have plenty of room for snacks and desserts. Fruits are a wonderful treat for your four-legged pals.

Your dogs can happily eat these fruits.

  • Blueberries
  • Mango
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Strawberries
  • Pineapples
  • Watermelon
  • Cranberries
  • Raspberries

Dietary tips for dogs

Here are few dietary tips that you should know:

  • Your dog’s diet should be healthy, well-balanced, and include all nutrients.
  • If you’re feeding commercial dog food, it must be safe, affordable, and made with premium quality ingredients.
  • Growing puppies should be given enough proteins to meet their growing needs.
  • Overfeeding your dog is not recommended. It can lead to weight gain, obesity, arthritis, joint problems, and other health issues.
  • Give appropriate meal sizes based on your dog’s metabolism, age, weight, and activity level. This will help your pooch to remain active and maintain its ideal weight.
  • Always ensure your furry pal is well hydrated. Clean and fresh water should be made available to your pooch at all times.
  • Make sure to regularly wash your pup’s water and food bowls.
  • While introducing a new food, have a slow transition and make adjustments accordingly.
  • The best diet for your dog should be elaborated on the recommendations of veterinarian.

Final thoughts on can dogs eat watermelon

Watermelon is a tasty, thirst-quenching fruit that many dogs enjoy in the heat of summer. It has a very high water content and provides many nutrients and vitamins.

If you want to try giving your dog a watermelon, then you need to be careful. It is probably a good idea to start slowly to see how your dog’s stomach reacts. Remember that you need to remove the seeds.  

The bottom line on can dogs eat watermelon? The key is to offer watermelon to your dog in moderation. Watermelon should not become a large part of your dog’s regular diet. As a responsible pet owner, you must ensure to satisfy their tastes safely

Does your dog enjoy a bite of a watermelon? Share your experience with us. We would be happy to hear from you.

Until next time everyone!

watermelon, sweet, juicy-1969949.jpg

Related reading: Can cats eat strawberries?

Also Read: Can cats eat cheese?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *