Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?

Can dogs eat watermelon seeds? No, dogs should not eat watermelon seeds. Mature watermelon seeds should not be given to your dog because they are toxic. It is unlikely that ingesting one or two watermelon seeds would cause any harm to your dog, but if you let your dog gnaw on a watermelon slice for an extended period of time, it may end up eating too many seeds. If this is the case, the tough seeds can get stuck inside the dog’s digestive tract because they won’t be able to move through the system easily. The intestines of tiny dogs are much more condensed than those of larger dogs. Hence they are more susceptible to bloat. Therefore, the ideal approach for your dog to enjoy this delicious popular fruit is for you first to remove the seeds and then provide them in little portions.

In this article, we will discuss why watermelon seeds are unsafe for dogs, what other parts of the watermelon are not safe for the dog, and many more. Stay Tuned!

Why are watermelon seeds not safe for dogs?

Watermelon seeds may be small, but they can pose a big health risk to dogs. The problem is that watermelon seeds contain a compound called cucurbitacin, which is toxic to dogs. Cucurbitacin can cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, and it can also lead to liver damage.

In severe cases, it can even be fatal. So, if your dog eats a watermelon seed, it’s important to watch for signs of illness and contact your veterinarian immediately. Fortunately, watermelon to dogs is largely safe to eat, as long as they don’t ingest the seeds. So, the best way to avoid any problems is to make sure that your dog doesn’t have access to watermelon seeds in the first place and try to buy seedless watermelons for your dogs.

What other parts of watermelon dogs CAN’T eat?

Watermelon rind is one of those things that we often forget about when we’re feeding our dogs. But, some parts of the watermelon aren’t safe for your dog to eat. They include the rind, seeds, and pulp.

While they can nibble on pieces of the white part of the rind or the light green part, the rind itself can be too hard for them to chew. Their digestive systems don’t work well on it either. So, while they might enjoy eating the rest of the melon, they won’t want to try the rind.

Their teeth are designed for grinding up meat, bones, and vegetables. Watermelons aren’t considered food for them because they lack protein. If your dog eats something that doesn’t contain enough protein, it could develop kidney stones. Many vets recommend that owners cut off the rind before giving their dogs watermelon.

If your dog manages to swallow the rind, it can sometimes block its intestines, just like the seeds can. And, like the seeds, the rind can cause problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, or even death.

So, if you give your dog watermelon, ensure you take away the rind and the seed before you feed it to them. Otherwise, you’ll be creating potential health issues for both of you.

Should I let my dog eat watermelon?

Watermelon is a delicious summertime favorite enjoyed by many Americans every day. 92% of water content ranks among the highest terms of water content. This makes it a great option for dogs because it offers plenty of hydration while being low-calorie. Watermelons make up about half of the USDA recommended daily intake for adult humans.

While watermelon is a tasty popular treat for you and your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when giving your pup a slice. Like humans, dogs don’t like seeds, so be sure to cut off the rind, seed cavity, and stem end before serving. Also, watermelon juice contains citric acid, which can cause upset stomachs in dogs. If your dog does experience any adverse effects, try diluting the juice with water.

Health benefits of watermelon for dogs

Watermelon contains antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene. It’s also packed with potassium, fiber, and protein. Watermelons are officially recognized as a “superfood” by the Watermelons Promotion Board of the Agriculture Department.

Besides being a great source of hydration, a watermelon is an excellent option for dogs because it offers a wide range of nutrients. Dogs love watermelon, too, especially during hot summer days when it’s so juicy.

• Antioxidants: Watermelon contains many antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect against harmful free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells throughout the body, leading to conditions such as cancer.
• Potassium: High potassium levels are essential for maintaining fluid balance. When blood volume decreases due to dehydration, potassium levels drop, causing muscle cramps and fatigue. Watermelon provides about 70 milligrams of potassium per cup.
• Fiber: Watermelon is loaded with dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes regularity. One cup of watermelon contains 3 grams of fiber.
• Protein: Watermelon contains 8 grams of protein per cup. That’s nearly double what you’ll find in beef.
• Vitamin C: This antioxidant acts as an antihistamine, helping reduce swelling and inflammation in the body.

Sugar level of watermelon

Watermelon contains natural sugars, but those are locked up inside the fresh fruit choice. If your dog has diabetes, however, watermelon should never be served because it could cause problems. A single slice of watermelon can contain anywhere from 20 grams to 30 grams of sugar. While most dogs don’t eat enough food to make a difference, some do. And even though watermelon doesn’t raise blood sugar levels as candy does, it still causes insulin spikes. This can lead to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when there isn’t enough glucose in the body to fuel brain cells. Symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures, coma, and death.

If your dog has diabetes, talk to your veterinarian about how much watermelon he should eat. He might recommend limiting his intake to one small piece per day. You can also try offering him something sweet, such as yogurt or ice cream.

How to make your dog eat watermelon?

Watermelons are a great source of vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and folate. They contain no cholesterol, sodium, or trans fats. So why not give your puppy a healthy treat? Here are 3 fun ideas for offering watermelon to your dog.

1. Watermelon Chunk

Watermelon in chunks makes a refreshing summertime treat for dogs, especially those who love sweet things. Cut the melon into bite-sized pieces, removing the seeds and the rind. Then serve up the juicy pieces of watermelon to your pup.

2. Frozen Watermelon

You’ll find frozen hydrating dog treats on store shelves during the holiday season; why not use the same technique to make watermelon chunks? Freeze watermelon chunks (without the seeds and rind) in an airtight container for a cold treat. So, frozen watermelon chunks are a great way to make your dog eat watermelon.

3. Pureed Watermelon

This recipe uses a blender, but you could easily puree watermelon chunks without one. Chop the melon into small cubes and place it into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Add plain yogurt or peanut butter to the mixture if desired.

Moreover, you should also read our article about whether puppies should eat pumpkin seeds or not.