As we all know, 90% of watermelon is water, which can help dogs fully replenish water in summer. It is a good thing especially for dogs who usually don’t drink enough water.
One of the carotenoids contained in watermelon is lycopene, which is an effective antioxidant and has the effect of preventing cancer.
The vitamin B in watermelon can alleviate the problem of dull hair in dogs, and the vitamin C can improve immunity and reduce the occurrence of inflammation.
With so many benefits of watermelon, you still need to pay attention to the following when eating it for dogs:
1. Puppies and elderly dogs have weak gastrointestinal functions and are not suitable for eating.
2. Chilled watermelon is not suitable for dogs to eat
3. Watermelon seeds contain cyanide, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs. Remove the seeds and the green outer skin before feeding to avoid indigestion and other problems.
4. Feed in an appropriate amount, just give one piece a day (in principle, it should not exceed 500 grams a day), to avoid excessive sugar and calories.
5. Watermelon is a diuretic. You need to go to the toilet more often after feeding, especially before going to bed, to walk the dog again to avoid accidents such as "drawing a map".
Dogs can eat watermelon, but they must be in moderation! Please pay attention to the following points:
First, feed a small amount of watermelon;
Second, feed fresh watermelon;
Third, remove watermelon seeds when feeding.
Let’s take a look at these three things to note and see what we should do! ,
First of all, be sure to feed your dog a small amount of watermelon, preferably a small piece. Watermelon has high sugar content, and eating too much may cause burden and discomfort to the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, so we must know how to eat it in moderation.
Secondly, do not feed your dog overnight or stale watermelon. Watermelon that is stale overnight will breed a large number of bacteria, and may cause vomiting or diarrhea if your dog eats it.
Watermelon contains many nutrients that are beneficial to dogs. First, let’s take a look at the main nutrients in a cup (152 grams) of watermelon:
Calories: 46
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 11.5 grams
Fiber: 0.6 g
Rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds
Watermelon is not only low in calories, it also contains many good things that are good for your furry body!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage to cells. In addition, it can also enhance the body's antioxidant capacity and even strengthen the immune system, potentially preventing diseases (such as heart disease and cancer).
carotenoids
Carotenoids are actually plant compounds, including α-carotene and β-carotene, which will be converted into vitamin A in the body of the puppy.
Lycopene
Many people don’t know that watermelon is a source of lycopene (a natural antioxidant)! Lycopene is not only good for your health, it also reduces the risk of heart disease and may even help fight cancer.
Cucurbitacin E
Cucurbitacin E is a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Other melons, such as bitter melon, contain larger amounts of cucurbitacin E. Some studies have pointed out that cucurbitacin E has the ability to inhibit tumor growth.
Citrulline
Citrulline is an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide has great cardiovascular benefits because it helps blood vessels dilate and lowers blood pressure.
Indirectly increase the amount of water your dog drinks
Watermelon is made of about 82% water, which can quickly replenish the water lost by dogs in hot weather. For some dogs who don’t like water, watermelon is also a more attractive way to “drink water”. I really rarely see dogs that resist watermelon!
To sum up, watermelon has two low qualities: low in calories, low in sodium, and free of fat and cholesterol. It is much healthier than many dog snacks on the market.
Disadvantages of dogs eating watermelon
When I first responded to the question "Can dogs eat watermelon?", I said it was for most normal dogs. In fact, watermelon still has some disadvantages, especially for some dogs with bad gastrointestinal problems. I would advise them not to eat watermelon.
Dogs who eat too much watermelon may suffer from stomach pain, diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort. I believe everyone has experienced this phenomenon. Even humans who eat too much watermelon may have a stomachache, let alone dogs! Most of the reasons why dogs feel uncomfortable are because the portion is too large, or they have never eaten it before. It was too much to bear all at once. Dogs' bodies are always more inclined to be carnivorous, so watermelon is still a relatively "strange" food for them.
Things to pay attention to when feeding watermelon
Don’t just give your dog a piece of watermelon just because you think you are enjoying it. The answer to can dogs eat watermelon - although it can, it does not include the following two parts of watermelon, so be sure to pay attention!
watermelon seeds
One or two seeds may not have much impact on your dog, but there are actually many seeds hidden in the watermelon meat that you just can’t see! The seeds can clog your dog’s digestive tract because their bodies are not designed to handle it. of plant seeds. Large dogs may have no problem, after all, their digestive tracts are wider, but smaller dogs must be more careful! The best way is to remove all the seeds before giving them to the dog, just in case!
watermelon rind
That is to say, the green outer skin is too hard and difficult to chew. The dog may swallow the peel directly. In addition to being difficult to digest, such a hard thing can also cause intestinal obstruction. Small dogs must not eat the outer skin. The consequences will be more serious than eating the seeds. If you see signs of intestinal obstruction, such as the dog starting to vomit, the stool is not smooth, often lethargic and stomachache, you must Take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
After reading the above, I believe that everyone’s question about “Can dogs eat watermelon” has been solved, but I still have one last tip: start with a small piece and see if the dog feels uncomfortable and has loose stools. , because every dog’s situation is different, so it is safest to adjust it according to the actual situation!
Finally, there is a small detail that needs attention. When feeding watermelon to dogs, be sure to remove the seeds. Eating watermelon with seeds is also very dangerous for dogs and may cause gastric mucosal damage. Therefore, for the health of dogs, it is recommended that owners must eat an appropriate amount of watermelon, remove the seeds, and keep it fresh.