Most dog owners want to spoil their pets with something tasty from time to time. Some animals are happy to eat fruits and berries, so many dog owners are wondering: can dogs eat watermelon? But the responsible owner will also want to make sure that there is some benefit from eating watermelon.
As for benefits, watermelon normalizes and improves kidney function for dogs. In case your pet has kidneys sand, the watermelon will help him to get it out, without such consequences as stones. Also, watermelon is the richest source of cellulose and glucose, which should be entered our bodies in reduced portions. Furthermore, watermelon contains iron and folic acid, which improve blood circulation and normalize hemoglobin levels.
As for harms, watermelon contains a lot of sugar. Excessive consumption of it can lead to diarrhea, cause pet allergies, or foodborne disease that is potentially serious harm.
Additionally watermelon contains 90% water, if your dog will get extra portions and if you don’t want to plump into a couple of puddles on the floor, please prepare a dog-lead for a walk in advance.
Can Dogs eat Watermelon Rinds?
Feeding watermelon rinds to dogs is dangerous for their health. The pet does not chew them well, swallowing them in large pieces. The watermelon’s rind is too tough and can damage the intestinal wall without being digested. As a reaction, diarrhea with bloody discharge will begin. In addition, nitrates and nitrites, without which it is difficult to buy a watermelon today, accumulate mainly in the rind and pulp directly next to it. After all, it is impossible to find out if the berry was grown without the using of nitrates and nitrites. Due to this, it is not safe to feed your pet with watermelon’s rinds.
What About Seeds?
Watermelon seeds are also harmful for dogs. They can damage mucous membranes and provoke disruptions in primary digestion, while there will be no healthy effect.
Can dogs eat watermelon often?
After learning about the benefits of watermelon, please do not start giving it in large portions. Meat is still the main diet for the majority of dogs, while fruits, vegetables and berries are unnatural food for them, they still can digest it but it can be harmful in case you will feed them every day.
The best way is to give it several times a week, in small pieces. Keep in mind: the smaller the dog, the smaller the portion.
Your Dog Feels Bad After Eating Watermelon: What to do?
There are two reasons for this: allergies or food poisoning. Indeed, an allergy to this berry does happen, it belongs to the category of seasonal allergies. It is more severe for dogs than for humans. Therefore, you cannot get through it without a veterinarian.
Allergy symptoms are very similar to food poisoning, so in order to rule out a mistake and start treatment on time, call a doctor as soon as you notice an unusual behavior of the animal after a treat. If your dog eats watermelon he can get poisoned for two reasons:
- Elevated level of nitrates, that is harmful to the body;
- Concentration of harmful microorganisms in watermelon due to improper or long storage.
In both cases, you need immediately:
- Wash out the stomach by giving the pet warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Do these manipulations until clean water flows. (before giving him consultation with your veterinarian)
- Give him the sorbent (you need to calculate its dose in consultation with your veterinarian).
- Make sure your pet drinks a lot: toxins will be excreted in the urine, and you will also prevent dehydration.
Contraindications to Use:
Sometimes the use of watermelons is contraindicated for dogs. You will have to give up watermelons in the following cases:
- problems with outflow of urine;
- frequent diarrhea;
- presence of large kidney stones;
- diabetes;
- gastritis;
- frequent tympanitis;
- pancreatitis.
The consumption of any raw vegetables is strictly contraindicated in all mentioned diseases.
In addition to the above diseases, it is dangerous to feed watermelon to pregnant animals.
There are also age restrictions. It is not recommended giving the berry to puppies under 3 months old. Their digestive system at this time is in the stage of formation. After eating watermelon, the animals often face diarrhea. Do not give watermelon to dogs that have reached the age of eight, because of potential dyspepsia.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can You Give to Your Dog?
Watermelon is not the only berry that is good for your dog in moderation. Your fluffy friend can also snack on blueberries, bananas, brussels sprouts, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe (a type of melon), celery, mangoes, cranberries, cucumbers, carrots, green beans, oranges, pears, peaches, peas, raspberries, strawberries, pineapples, and spinach.
However, there are some foods that should not be used in your pet’s diet: avocados, cherries, grapes, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes can make your dog sick even in small portions.
Proper feeding animal is a guarantee of good health and well-being for every pet. Diet planning guarantees the normal functioning of the digestive tract, and as a result, the preservation of the body’s performance, because the distribution of nutrient materials plays a huge role in the functioning of the body.
In conclusion, it is important to add that we should not fall for the “persuasion” of our pets to unstintingly give them something delicious as we should not be carried away with the fruit and vegetable dog diet. Such a diet can be adversely affecting your small friend’s health. If your dog is overweight, increasing physical activity is the better decision, not fruit treats. You can pamper your pet with watermelon and the fruits listed above only in moderation.
