Watermelon is considered perfectly fine for a dog to ingest on occasion, but it shouldn’t make up the bulk of their diet. If you want to feed your dog watermelon, they should eat small amounts, an amount no bigger than the size of their head. Feeding a dog watermelon on occasion is fine but don’t make it a staple in their diet.
Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A and C and potassium but it also contains very high levels of citrulline. Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid and when consumed in high amounts, it can be toxic to a dog’s red blood cells.
Watermelons can be poisonous to dogs if ingested in large amounts. It is not recommended that watermelon be fed to a dog on a regular basis, or as a substitute for other food types.
How much watermelon can a dog eat?
It is said that one good-sized watermelon a day can be given to a dog on occasion, as long as it doesn’t make up the bulk of their diet. The melon should not weigh more than ten percent of your dog’s body weight.
When feeding a dog watermelon, you should only give a slice or two. Watermelon is not recommended as a steady diet for dogs and may lead to stomach upset if they eat too much of it.
Watermelon contains many vitamins and minerals that are essential to your dog’s health so don’t restrict it completely. It is fine for them to eat it on occasion as long as you are careful about how much they consume.
Dogs have a sweet tooth and love to eat watermelon, just like their owners. If given the chance, your dog will devour a whole slice of watermelon in one sitting. When giving watermelon to a dog for the first time, start off slow and don’t offer them more than one slice a day.
Dogs that are overweight should not eat watermelon or any other high-calorie foods. If your dog needs to lose weight, watermelons will only cause them to gain more weight.
Watermelons are tasty treats for a dog and as long as they don’t consume too much of it, it is perfectly fine for them to munch away on a slice every now and then.
How should I serve watermelons to my dog?
Dogs can eat the rind, skin, and all of the watermelon. Just make sure that you aren’t giving them too much at one time or they may become sick from it. You can also give them watermelon juice which is healthy for their liver, kidneys, and heart.
What happens if a dog eats watermelon?
If a dog eats too much of it, watermelon can cause diarrhea and in some cases, blood in the stool. If a dog is consuming large amounts of watermelon, it may also have trouble sleeping.
Too much citrulline found in the melon can lead to a condition called citrullinemia which prevents red blood cells from being able to absorb oxygen. If the melon is not causing diarrhea but you know your dog has eaten some, be sure to check with your veterinarian.
If you give your dog a slice of watermelon on occasion, it may not cause any stomach upset at all and they will feel just fine afterward. However, too much watermelon may cause stomach upset, and diarrhea.
You should watch your dog carefully after feeding them a large slice of watermelon to make sure they are not having any allergic reactions to it. Dogs with an allergy to horses or other farm animals may have a reaction if given watermelon because the fruit is in the same family as these animals.
What other fruits dogs can eat?
Other fruits your dog would love to eat include:
- Apples: An apple a day keeps the doctor away and if your dog loves them, they are loaded with health benefits for them. Apples help to lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce blood clots which could help prevent heart attacks.
- Grapes: Grapes can be toxic to dogs so it is important that you keep an eye on their intake. Dogs don’t care about the sweetness of grapes so they can eat them right off the vine. If you notice that your dog is not gaining weight, it may be time to cut back on the number of grapes they are eating.
- Cantaloupe: If you haven’t tried giving your dog a slice of cantaloupe, you should give it a try. They love the sweetness of this melon and it only contains about forty calories per serving so they can eat quite a bit without going over their calorie limit for the day.
- Kiwi: Kiwis are rich in Vitamin C which helps to boost your dog’s immune system. They are a delicious treat for them and they can eat the whole thing, skin and all.
- Blueberries: Dogs love to dig into a bowl of blueberries because the sweet taste appeals to their palate. Blueberries contain antioxidants that may help to slow down your dog’s aging process as well as strengthen their heart and other organs.
- Strawberries: Strawberries are a delicious snack for dogs and provide them with essential nutrients that they may not get from other fruits. They can eat the whole thing without peeling it or removing the stem and leaves. Dogs absorb more Vitamin C from strawberries than people do because of their shorter digestive tract.
- Grapefruit: Dogs can eat the whole grapefruit, but do watch them make sure they aren’t most of it in one sitting. Grapefruits contain Vitamin C which is an antioxidant that dogs need on a daily basis.
- Cranberries: Cranberries are packed with antioxidants and provide your dog with anti-inflammatory properties. They help to ease your dog’s arthritic pain and also coat their digestive tract. If you are looking for something healthy to give your dog, try giving them a small bowl of unsweetened cranberries.
Can dogs eat watermelon rind?
Dogs can eat the watermelon rind if it is given to them in moderation. The rind contains citrulline which your dog’s body converts into arginine and that helps their blood vessels expand.
What happens if my dog eats a seed?
It depends on how big the seed is and what type of seed it is. If the seed is a cherry tomato, it will be digested before your dog even notices they have eaten it. However, other seeds may cause constipation or diarrhea and can be harmful to your dog if he eats them in large quantities.
Can dogs eat yellow watermelon?
Yes, yellow watermelons contain the same vitamins and nutrients as red ones and dogs can eat them without experiencing any negative side effects. The color has nothing to do with its nutritional value so you don’t have to worry if your dog eats a yellow watermelon instead of a red one.
Can dogs eat frozen watermelon?
Dogs can eat frozen watermelon if it is pureed in a blender. You may want to thaw it first, but then you need to watch your dog make sure they don’t gorge on the whole thing at once.
What happens if my dog eats moldy watermelon?
If your dog accidentally eats some moldy watermelon, he may become sick. If you know he has eaten some moldy food, watch him closely over the next few hours to make sure that he isn’t having any adverse reactions to it.
Moldy foods can cause indigestion and diarrhea in your dog. If they vomit or have other symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, call your vet to make sure that nothing more serious is causing the symptoms.
Summary
Dogs can eat watermelons without experiencing any negative side effects. Here are some of the health benefits that they receive from this juicy treat:
- Vitamin C helps to boost your dog’s immune system and delay its aging process.
- Antioxidants strengthen their organs such as their heart and give them a healthier life.
- Watermelons are also rich in citrulline which helps their blood vessels expand.
