We usually look for ice cream, popsicle, or water to keep us cool whenever the temperatures get high. However, the same can’t be applied to our dogs, except for water of course. To make sure that your dog is well hydrated and healthy at the same time during the warmer days, a fresh slice of watermelon will do.
Generally, watermelon is great for your furry friend since it’s safe and tasty. Aside from that, this refreshing fruit also has amazing health benefits that your dog needs. However, there are some vital things you should know before giving it to your pups.
Benefits of Watermelon
If you’re careful in the preparation of the watermelon, it can give your dog a lot of nutrients. The reason why this fruit works well in hydrating your dog is that more than 90% of watermelon is water. With that, watermelon can promote diuresis, making your dogs pee more often without straining his kidneys.
Watermelon is a nourishing refreshment that is filled with vitamins and potassium. Aside from that, it has fiber that stops the possible bad effects of glucose on your dog. Also, your pup can benefit from antioxidants that are known to effectively lessen inflammation.
Preparing Watermelon for Your Dog
At this point, we all know that dogs can definitely eat watermelon, but it doesn’t mean that you can give them as much as they want. Always keep in mind that foods which are new to them may result in an upset stomach.
Therefore, you should regulate the first slice of watermelon you give your dog. Cubing the fruit is the best way to feed it to your dogs. Here are some simple steps you can follow:
- Begin by cutting the watermelon into halves equally
- Position the two halves face down and get rid of the skin
- Slice the flesh into equal one-inch portions.
- Rotate the slices perpendicularly and slash them into even one-inch cuts
- Lastly, chop the rectangular-shaped flesh into cubes
While watermelon is great for your dog, its seeds can present certain health issues. A seed or two may not have an impact, but several seeds can cause an impediment in the intestines. Large dogs might be capable to seamlessly digest the seeds, but smaller breeds are particularly vulnerable to this kind of problem.
Another part of the watermelon that is not safe to eat is its rinds. These light-green insides are hard and tough to chew for your dogs. Due to this, there’s a big possibility that they will swallow it still in big portions which may cause a serious threat.
If your dog happened to chew the skin, it can result in a more dangerous blockage. Small-sized dogs are particularly vulnerable to this.
Final Thoughts
So, can dogs eat watermelon? The answer is a big YES. Watermelon is a healthy, organic, and delicious treat for your dogs. Having said that, as long as you are always cautious about the parts that are safe and those that aren’t, and you feed your pooch in moderation, you should have nothing to worry about.