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Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? When the warm summer months hit, we start to see more of the most popular fruits in the open markets, and superstores are big, juicy, red watermelons. They are the iconic quenching summer fruit. But, when you and your family are in the garden tucking into your fruity treats, you may have found yourself wondering – can dogs eat watermelons? This article will find out if it is safe for you to feed Watermelon to your dog, the risks and health benefits, and how you can feed Watermelon safely to your dog. In this article, we will discuss the following: Is Watermelon toxic for dogs? Can dogs eat Watermelon rind? Can dogs eat watermelon seeds? What are the risks of feeding Watermelon to dogs? What are the health benefits of Watermelon for dogs? How much Watermelon can I give my dog? Can dogs eat Watermelon every day? How to feed Watermelon to dogs? What to do if your dog becomes sick after eating Watermelon Is Watermelon Toxic For Dogs? Firstly, you will be glad to know that Watermelon is safe and not to mention a refreshing treat for your dog. Dogs can quickly become overheated in the hot summer months, and one way of keeping them cool is to provide cold fresh water and safe cooling treats like Watermelon. The great thing about Watermelon is that not only is it tasty and supercooling for your dog, it also is very healthy. We will explore the health benefits of Watermelon for dogs later on in the article. Can Dogs eat Watermelon rind? While fruit rinds are generally not recommended for dogs, we still need to answer the question: Can dogs eat watermelon rinds? The good news is that if you have a dog who really loves watermelons and always wants to feast on the juicy flesh, then it's entirely safe for your dog to enjoy just the melon rind. After all, the rind is made up of 95% water, so it will be a great treat for your dog to have something to chew on in the garden. Can Dogs eat Watermelon seeds? Watermelon seeds are also relatively safe for dogs to eat, but just as with most things you feed your pet, it is best to limit this completely nutritionally unnecessary treat. Can dogs eat watermelon seeds? Yes, they can! But only a handful. What Are The Risks Of Feeding Watermelon To Dogs? The main risk for dogs eating Watermelon is that the rind, skin, or larger pieces of the fruit may pose a choking hazard. Don't be fooled into thinking that the rind would make a healthy or safe chew for your dog, as chewing on the rind of a watermelon can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, and they are likely to chew or bite pieces off and swallow them. The seeds of the fruit can also cause intestinal blockages. Try to remove as many seeds as possible to avoid your dogs ingesting too many of them, or buy a variety of melon that does not contain mature seeds. Although generally speaking, Watermelon is a very healthy treat for your dog, this doesn't mean that you should overindulge your dog. Feeding too much Watermelon to your dog will lead very quickly to an upset stomach. Give Watermelon in moderation As with other fruits, Watermelon should always be given in moderation. Dogs don't need to eat any fruit or vegetables to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. However, adding large quantities can cause gastrointestinal issues that can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful for your dog. You should also avoid feeding your dog anything that is not 100% natural watermelon. Watermelon Flavoring and Artificial Sweeteners Any other human foods that are Watermelon flavored are likely to contain unhealthy or even unsafe ingredients for your dogs. For example, artificial sugar sweeteners, coloring, additives, preservatives, or desserts like ice cream can cause an upset stomach. An artificial sweetener to be very wary of is xylitol. Xylitol is toxic for dogs found in a surprising amount of human foods and products that your dog may have access to, such as some peanut butter toothpaste. What Are The Health Benefits Of Watermelon For Dogs? One of the main benefits of Watermelon for dogs, especially when feeding it when the weather is hot, is that Watermelon contains a lot of water. Watermelon is 92% water, in fact, and this is perfect for helping to keep your dog hydrated in the summer heat. Watermelon is also a powerhouse of nutrients for your dog, making it an even more desirable treat for your dog, containing vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as potassium. The high fiber content means that Watermelon is excellent for your dog's digestion. The fiber insulates the sugar content of the fruit, which prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly. An added benefit is that the lycopene found in watermelons is an antioxidant that may help to prevent cancer. Did you know that Watermelon has only about 50 calories per cup and no fat or cholesterol? This is great news for dogs on diets or with particular health or digestive system requirements. It is also low in sodium, making the fruit a much healthier treat than most commercial dog treats found in pet stores. You could even go as far as to say that Watermelon is a guilt-free treat for your dog! How much Watermelon can I give my dog? Dogs love Watermelon. It's juicy, delicious, and a natural source of water. But how much can you give your dog? The answer is easy! It might be more than you think because the fruit is low-calorie and contains antioxidants and vitamin C. A good rule of thumb is about one cup per 20 pounds (or 10 cups for 100 pounds). Of course, if your pup has any allergies or sensitivities to this food, we recommend not giving them any. Otherwise, enjoy the summer with your four-legged friend by giving them some sweet treats now and then! Can dogs eat Watermelon every day? Yes, dogs can eat Watermelon every day, but some precautions must be taken to avoid any contamination. Watermelons are a source of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that provide health benefits to us. How To Feed Watermelon To Dogs? If you are feeding Watermelon to your dog as a cooling treat, serving it fresh is a great way to give it a hydration boost. But did you know that you could also freeze Watermelon to make it an even more fabulous treat that lasts for longer? When you freeze Watermelon, you prolong the mental stimulation and enjoyment, the taste, the refreshing experience, and the cooling experience, meaning that your dog stays happier and occupied for longer. Is Frozen Watermelon Safe for Dogs? Try freezing Watermelon with a selection of other safe fruits such as cantaloupe for your dog to enjoy, like blueberries, for example. You can puree the fruit together and then stuff and freeze a Kong for your dog to enjoy or make ice cubes for your dog to lick. Just make sure that you offer your dog a size that they are not likely to swallow and choke on, and if your dog likes to chew ice up in his mouth, ensure that he has a healthy set of teeth to avoid any dental issues. Smaller Pieces are better for dogs To make Watermelon safe and easy for your dog to eat, you should first remove the rind and skin and cut the watery flesh of the fruit up into pieces. This will prevent a larger dog from trying to swallow a slice whole, resulting in choking, especially if the rind was still attached. Smaller dogs or dogs that you can trust to nibble at or bite into and chew the fruit can be given larger pieces of Watermelon. What To Do If Your Dog Becomes Sick After Eating Watermelon As mentioned earlier in the article, you should not overfeed Watermelon or any fruit to your dog if you have fed too much Watermelon or may experience adverse side effects. Your dog will probably have a stomach ache, and there may be some vomiting or diarrhea. However, these symptoms should pass, so keep an eye on your dog for the next 48 hours. When is it time to call your Veterinarian? If you are concerned about your dog during this time, you can call your veterinarian helpline for some advice. Alternatively, suppose you want to avoid your dog becoming sick in the first place. In that case, you could call the veterinarian clinic for advice on how much Watermelon to feed to your dog, and they will provide you with advice based on your dog's size, breed, age, and overall health. It may not be advised for some dogs to have Watermelon due to their specific dietary needs or medical condition. Your vet should advise you on this and perhaps even suggest an alternative healthy and cooling treat for your dog to enjoy. You should alert your Veterinarian if your dog has eaten some of the rind, skin, or seeds of the Watermelon. They may advise you to observe your dog for any sign of illness or blockages, or they could ask you to bring your dog into the clinic. Summary: Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Watermelon is a refreshing and hydrating fruit that your dog can enjoy all summer long. Not only does it provide much-needed hydration for dogs, but it also contains a range of healthy nutrients in its fleshy pulp to help keep them happy and healthy! So if you're looking for something new to try with your pup this summer, consider adding Watermelon into their diet." Watermelon is such a great choice of summer fruit for dogs to enjoy while benefiting from extra hydration or a range of healthy nutrients at the same time.

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