A favorite summer snack of most of the folks during the summer is the red juicy fruit “watermelon”. While we enjoy this juicy fruit during the soaring climate our dogs drool over. Have you ever wondered if this fruit is safe for the canines? This article will provide all the insights.
Is watermelon safe for the dogs?
The summer fruit watermelon is indeed safe for the dogs but with some precautions as they tend to can cause some health problems.
What are the benefits of feeding a piece of watermelon to the canines?
The water melon is a healthier snack option for the pet due to its high-water content it helps to combat dehydration with the soaring temperatures. This juicy fruit is full of micronutrients like vitamins, potassium, antioxidants, and amino acids that are seen to benefit the dogs.
The benefits of each micronutrient are explained in the section beneath.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is also an antioxidant that is seen to boost the immune system, aids in tissue repairing, and helps to potentially reduce cancer by blocking the free radicals.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin helps the body in converting food into energy, assists in the neurotransmitter growth, and helps the body to produce serotonin.
Vitamin A
Promotes the healthy vision and helps in the formation of many body’s tissues and membranes.
Potassium
Aids in the functioning of the muscle and helps with the blood pressure regulation too.
Lycopene
This cancer-preventing antioxidant is also seen to prevent heart ailments.
Although this red fruit contains sugar, the fiber content in the fruit is seen to insulate the sugar and thereby controls its release into the bloodstream too quickly. Watermelon not only possesses fewer calories and sodium but also are fat- as well as cholesterol free. Hence this makes it a healthier choice over the store-bought treats.
What are the health hazards of feeding the pup with watermelon?
Any food that is fed over the limit poses a health hazard. Hence expert’s advice to feed dogs with watermelon in moderation, especially if they are trying this fruit for the first time. A veterinarian or nutritionist will guide the appropriate amount of watermelon that needs to be fed to the dog.
Dogs who eat too much of watermelon can probably get a tummy ache accompanied by some diarrhea or other signs of gastrointestinal upset. The parts of the watermelon that is not safe to eat include
1. Seeds
The seeds of the juicy fruit are seen to pose a problem in dogs. Consuming many seeds can end up causing a blockage in the digestive tract. Medium to large dogs may be successful in passing the seeds, but smaller dogs are at risk for an intestinal blockage.
2. Rinds
The rinds of the watermelons are not safe to eat as this is firm and difficult to chew. Hence the pooches may swallow the rind without completely chewing it, this can result in intestinal blockage.
3. Skin
The skin of the watermelon is also very difficult to digest hence are seen to further aggravate the intestinal blockage.
If the dog accidentally or does eat the seeds or rind of a watermelon. One needs to carefully monitor the signs of an intestinal blockage for at least 24 hours post the dog eats the rind or seeds which include vomiting, constipation, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If any of the following symptoms are noted one needs to rush to the vet to avoid further complications.
Note: Refrain feeding the dogs with sweet products that contain watermelon or anything that is artificially watermelon flavored. These are usually full of sugar, chemicals, or other substances that tend to make the dog sick. Heavy sugar intake can lead to a gastrointestinal upset in the short term and diabetes or obesity in the long term. Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol are proved to be toxic to dogs, so always feed the natural fruit to the pets.
How can watermelons be fed to the pooches?
Dogs can be fed watermelons in the following ways.
1. Chop the fruit in small cubes.
A very easy technique is to cut the fruit into small chewable cubes that are free of rinds or seeds.
2. Frozen melon cubes
One can also freeze the fruit cubes and treat the pet during summers.
Note: Make sure the pet has strong teeth to chew the frozen fruit.
3. Watermelon-yogurt pops
An innovative way to feed these juicy fruits is to mix with other natural healthy pet foods. This recipe used yogurt along with watermelons in the form of pops.
Materials required
- One cup plain yogurt
- Two cups of deseeded watermelon cubes
- Normal or bone shaped ice cube mold or a silicon baking tray or ice tray
Directions
- Puree the watermelon chunks to a semi-smooth texture.
- Add one tablespoon of yogurt to each ice cube mold or tray slot and fill the remaining space with the prepared watermelon puree.
- Freeze for four hours approximately.
- Post freezing de-mold, the pops from the tray/mold and store in an airtight container in the freezer. Treat the dog when required.
4. Watermelon Smoothies
The watermelon can also be mixed with other fruits and veggies like Bananas, apples, carrots, pineapples, strawberries, and blueberries and ground into a smooth paste to form a smoothie.
5. Fruit salads
Watermelons can also be added with other fruits to form a salad and can be fed to the fido.
Final thoughts
The four-legged companions love to binge on the juicy watermelons. Let it enjoy the fruit during the summers to beat the heat along with its pet parents. But always remember to feed the fruit with caution. If one abides by these guidelines mentioned above, watermelon can be a healthy choice of treat for the man’s best pal.
Sources
- https://www.certapet.com/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/
- https://www.countryliving.com/life/kids-pets/a44877/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/
- https://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-food-dog-nutrition/58895-can-dogs-eat-watermelon
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/
