There is nothing cooler on a hot summer day than a juicy slice of watermelon. While owners eat their favorite summer fruit, they might wonder if it’s good to give a piece of watermelon to their four-legged friend. This summer fruit is good for your dog when served in moderation.
So generally speaking, the answer is yes. Not only is this sweet fruit good for your dog, but the 92% water content means it’s a great way to hydrate for both you and your dog.
Moreover, watermelon contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients that can be beneficial for everyone’s health, whether you have four or two legs.
The health benefits of watermelon in dogs
The scientific name of watermelon, Citrullus Lanatus, is not only delicious, but it also contains a lot of nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, C, and potassium. It is a low-calorie fruit that does not contain fat or cholesterol.
The increased water content of watermelon makes this fruit a great snack to help your pet stay hydrated on those hot summer days.
The increased vitamin A content in watermelon can help improve and maintain your dog’s vision, and it’s also rich in antioxidants, which help lower inflammation. At the same time, vitamin A can boost the immune system, and help protect him from diseases like diabetes or even cancer.
This fruit has been linked with health benefits including regulating blood pressure, improving muscle health, and preventing heart disease.
While the high fiber content in watermelon can cause stomach problems for dogs and humans, offered in moderation, this low-calorie snack can help maintain their weight and improve colon health.
Like most fruits, seedless watermelon contains natural sugar, but its fiber content allows it to slowly release it into the bloodstream to avoid increasing blood sugar in your pet.
Potential health problems in dogs when given watermelon
While the pink flesh of watermelon is good for dogs, owners need to be aware that the seeds must be removed before giving it to the dog, as they can cause an intestinal blockage.
Owners should not be afraid if they accidentally drop a few small seeds, but if you let the dog swallow too many seeds, this can cause a blockage in the digestive tract that can lead to more serious complications.
It is not recommended to let the dog chew the peel from the melon. It is hard to chew and digest for the dog and can cause stomach problems ranging from diarrhea to serious intestinal blockages when large pieces are swallowed.
You might also like my articles on whether dogs can eat coconut, pumpkin, or carrots.
It can also be a danger of choking, especially if you have a smaller dog. If the dog has accidentally consumed the peel of watermelon and has symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, or lethargy, he should receive veterinary care immediately.
Just like human food, it’s always a good idea to ask your veterinarian before giving your dog watermelon, moderation being the key, especially if you don’t know how your dog will react to the fibrous fruit.
Like many other fruits, melon, and watermelon can cause digestive problems like diarrhea when your dog has eaten too much.
Always consider the size of the dog. The smaller the dog, the less watermelon it should consume. Although it is very rare for the pet to be allergic to watermelon.
Other ways to offer your dog watermelon
If you find that your dog is crazy about watermelon, there are some creative ways to add it to his diet as a special snack. This means that you as well as your dog can combat the summer heat with frozen watermelon snacks, mixing the seedless pulp from watermelon, with coconut milk, yogurt, or water with the blender, then freeze the mixture in the shape of cubes.
Be sure to choose low-fat yogurt or fat-free yogurt, and take into account not to add sugar and other additives. It’s also preferable to offer these snacks in moderation as some dogs can’t digest dairy products easily.
If you happen to have a food dehydrator, you can turn a watermelon into gummed snack, although it won’t have the same moisturizing benefits anymore. Or simply slice some watermelon, in small pieces, to give him a refreshing snack on a warm summer day.
Other healthy treats you can offer your dog
Even if they are not convinced vegetarians, some dogs are very happy when they receive a fruit or vegetable “bonus”. If you are the owner of such a furry pet and are looking for healthy snack ideas, here is a list of fruits and vegetables that can be safely eaten by your dog.
Asparagus
Cut into small pieces, asparagus is a very healthy snack option for puppies. Asparagus contains vitamins K, A, B1, B2, C, and E, along with folic acid, iron, fiber, magnesium, and potassium.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain large amounts of resveratrol and have anticancer properties. In addition, blueberries support the good functioning of the heart, and also help maintain the health of the urinary tract. If your dog appreciates them, don’t hesitate from giving them.
Sweet potatoes
They are a good source of vitamins E, A, B-6, and C. In addition, they contain calcium, folic acid, thiamine, and iron, in addition to a delicious taste.
Pumpkin
Full of fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants, pumpkin does wonders when your dog suffers from imbalances in digestion. Whether it’s diarrhea or constipation, pumpkin can be a good solution for relieving these problems.
Apples
Apples contain a lot of antioxidants and vitamin C, so they are a very healthy snack. Moreover, their crunchy consistency will delight dogs who love to chew.
Spinach
We know that spinach is very important in our diet, so for dogs. These green leaves are very healthy. Besides being rich in iron, spinach is especially good for dogs because it helps relieve inflammation and cardiovascular problems.
Green beans
Green beans contain omega 3 and vitamins A, C, and K. Also, it is a good source of calcium, iron, folic acid, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and thiamine.
Yellow melon
It is as healthy for dogs as it is for humans. Full of vitamins, melon helps support your dog’s vision and reduce the risk of developing cancer cells. It contains vitamins A, B6, and C, along with iron and potassium.
Brussels sprouts
Even though most of us don’t like it, we know it is very healthy. Brussels sprouts contain vitamins K and G, magnesium, folic acid, fiber, and potassium, but also vitamins A, B1, and B6.
Final words!
Fortunately, watermelons are safe for dogs. However, the peel and seeds are not, so you should always remove them before giving them to the dog. If you do this, watermelon can be quite beneficial.
Aside from making your dog’s immune system better and his coat brighter, watermelon is also a great snack on hot days. It is also made from natural sugars, so it can be an excellent alternative for dogs who should never consume foods treated with processed sugar.
