Watermelon For Dogs

How Safe is Watermelon For Dogs?

Dogs are domesticated animals that have lived close to/with humans for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. They have over time evolved to be man’s best friend and companion. They are omnivores meaning that when it comes to eating, they can eat and digest meat as well as vegetables, fruits, and grains.

While their front teeth are built for tearing and eating meat, they have molars that are suited for grinding plants. Furthermore, they have long intestines that assist them in breaking down fruits, vegetables and grains.

Considering the above, it follows that dogs can get their nutrients from several sources and not just from meat as many are wont to believe. Admittedly, they can survive on meat only but occasionally giving them fruits or vegetables is also fine.

Some common fruits that they can eat include apples, bananas, blueberries, mushrooms, mangoes, oranges, broccoli, peaches, pears, carrots, cucumbers, and celery. You can find more in the article here https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/what-fruits-can-dogs-eat/.

There has been a debate as to how safe watermelon is for dogs. Some believe that it is not safe. This may be due to the seeds which can cause a blockage in their intestine and the rind; the outer part of the fruit which can lead to gastrointestinal trouble. Asides from these two, your pet can eat the fruity, fleshy and watery part of the fruit.

You need to be careful when giving your pet watermelon so as to avoid stomach trouble. In furtherance to the above, let us see what watermelon is made up of and also find out how much of it you can give to your dog.

What is Watermelon Made of?

Watermelon is a summer fruit that is loved by humans for its delicious tastes and health benefits. It is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, water and electrolytes amongst others. The flesh is made up of vitamins A, C and B6. It is also rich in potassium.

Just as its name suggests, watermelon is made up of 92% water and this helps in hydration. It also contains fiber that is useful for sugar absorption although not in a high quantity. All these can be beneficial so there is no use stopping your dog from eating it.

The seeds, as well as the rind, also contain vitamin B and C as well as fiber and in addition to these, they contain other compounds such as citrulline, folate, iron and magnesium.

Although most of these nutrients are good for your pet and humans do not have a problem eating it, a dog may not be able to fully break down the seeds and rind or digest them fully. As such, they may be more harmful than beneficial. This is why it is safe to stick with giving them just the fruit part.

How Best To Feed Your Pet Watermelon

It is always best to talk to your veterinary before giving anything to your pet especially if it has special needs.

You should only give your pet seedless watermelon and do not give the rind. You can scoop out the flesh and cut into small bites. Also, you should only give real and natural watermelon and not artificially flavored ones.

Furthermore, except your pet has enamel or gum issues that can cause sensitivity to its teeth, giving frozen watermelon is also a good option. Other good options are watermelon jerky, yoghurt, or smoothie.

How Much of Watermelon Can You Give Your Pet?

Now that we have established that giving your canine the fleshy part of the fruit is safe, how much of it can they eat?

As a recommendation, treats should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily intake of calories no matter their size. Keep in mind that a cup of watermelon contains around 45.6 calories. Do not give in to the temptation to keep giving it to your pet after they have reached their maximum daily calorie limit even when they beg with their inviting puppy-eyes. At best, you should give it on occasion especially during the hot summer months but not as a staple. You can click here for more info on this topic.

Conclusion

Contrary to some belief that dogs can only eat meat, they can also eat fruits and vegetables. One of these as seen above is watermelon. Though it is a beneficial fruit to all, when it comes to canines, there is a need to be careful when giving it to them.

You should ensure that you do not give them parts that can harm them and also not give them too much of it as that can cause stomach trouble and this can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. You can also get creative with different options in giving it to your pet.

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from David's Been Here https://davidsbeenhere.com/2020/11/12/watermelon-for-dogs/
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