Alice White
On hot summer days, we humans like to refresh ourselves with juicy watermelons. The delicious fruits mainly consist of water and seeds and are low in calories. Most dogs like to eat a piece of watermelon straight out of their hand. In principle, dog owners are allowed to feed their four-legged friends’ watermelon. However, there are a few points you should keep in mind when feeding.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
By feeding watermelons, you protect your four-legged friend from drying out in the heat. As a rule, watermelons do not contain any substances that are toxic to dogs. First, try out small amounts to see if your dog can tolerate watermelons. Only feed your four-legged friend ripe fruit without peel or seeds.
Is Watermelon Good For Dogs?
Watermelons contain up to 95 percent water and barely 30 calories per 100 grams. They are generally a good alternative to normal drinking water for dogs and protect them from dehydration. You do not have to worry about a negative impact on the waist circumference of your four-legged friend when feeding watermelons. The cucurbits contain healthy vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. There are no naturally toxic substances in it for dogs.
Can Watermelon Be Harmful to Dogs?
The fruit fibers contained in watermelons and the high water content promote the dog’s digestion. They clean the gastrointestinal tract, but can also cause flatulence or diarrhea in a sensitive dog’s stomach. In the beginning, try out in small portions how well your four-legged friend can tolerate watermelon. To do this, you can mix individual pieces of pulp with the normal dog food or feed them as treats in between. If your darling does not react negatively to melon, increase the amount in small steps.
Which Watermelons Can the Dog Be Fed?
Make sure to feed your fur nose only ripe fruits. If you tap off the peel from the outside, you can tell by the muffled, hollow sound that the melon is ripe. Be sure to remove the peel and seeds before feeding. Some vendors sell injected melons to make them last longer and look shiny. The pollutants are stored in the peel of the watermelon. Your dog can also choke on it. The seeds are not poisonous, but they can cause digestive problems in your four-legged friend. It is, therefore, better to feed your dog only pure pulp. This contains most of the vitamins anyway.
In the Heat: Watermelon Provides Dogs With Hydration
Dogs benefit from the refreshing, hydrating effects of watermelon. You should pay attention to the amount and not feed too much at once. In principle, other types of melons are also suitable for feeding your four-legged friend. But pay attention to their sugar and calorie properties. Not all varieties have an H2O content that is comparable to that of watermelon. If in doubt, subtract the amount of melon you have fed from your daily feed ration.
You can offer your dog special refreshments if you puree the pulp of the watermelon, put it in an ice cube tray, and freeze it. Many dogs love to lick the cool, delicious watermelon ice cubes on hot days. At the same time, you have dog-friendly portions at hand that can be easily divided up.
