Everyone loves to eat watermelon, especially in summer, even the dogs. But you might wonder if it is safe for the dog. Eating watermelon is very healthy as it keeps the body hydrated. But when consumed in large amounts, watermelon can cause diarrhea, both in dogs and humans. Dogs can eat watermelon but with a few precautions. One might ask can dogs eat watermelon rind or seeds?
Dogs are unable to digest watermelon rind or seeds. Rind and seeds are hard, and if not appropriately chewed by the dog, they can cause digestive issues. The seeds and rind consumed by a dog are not indigestible and it can cause gastrointestinal blockage. Also, the hard rind can also damage your dogs’ gums and teeth.
Watermelon is very healthy and nutritious for dogs, but some parts can cause severe damage to your little friend. For instance, if a dog swallows watermelon rind or seed, then it can cause severe damage. It will cause an intestinal blockage that is not only painful but can also lead to surgery if not taken care of properly. So we will discuss in detail whether or not your dog can eat rind or seed, or watermelon as it depends on various other facts addressed in detail in the following sections.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind?
The rind of the watermelon is not safe to eat. The rind has two portions, the light green inside part and the hard outside. Many dogs can pick over the light green portion, but that part is very firm and hard to chew.
If any of such hard parts are taken in by the dog, then the dog may not chew it thoroughly and swallow it as a whole. This is a point that can cause issues. Any such indigestible piece can cause gastrointestinal upset and intestinal blockage in the dog.
The skin is also indigestible, so that it can lead to constipation, vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain in the dog. The smaller dogs are at greater risk in this condition.
They have a small stomach, and their teeth are not that strong enough to thoroughly chew the rind. Teeth and gums can also be damaged if the dog tries to chew the hard rind.
Larger dogs have the strength and larger body cavities, so they can chew the rind a bit and may be able to remove it through the body in defecation.
These are the reasons why it is not recommended to give a watermelon rind to your dog. But, in case your dog swallows a larger piece of rind and shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, then consult your vet as soon as possible. It is discussed in detail in the next sections.
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How Much Watermelon Rind to Give to Your Dog?
Normally it is recommended that watermelon should make a small part of your dogs’ diet. In larger amounts, it can cause diarrhea and stomach ache. The rind should not be given to the dog along with the watermelon because the rind can cause various stomach issues for your dog.
If your dog swallows a small part of the rind and can remove this indigestible part in the bowel, there is no issue. But in a large amount or even for smaller dogs, a few rind bites can cause severe intestinal problems. Smaller dogs can’t chew the rind so it can hurt their gums as well.
Larger dogs are safe if they chew the rind, but they can also face the same issues if they swallow the rind without proper chewing.
In short. The rind should be removed from the watermelon to make the fruit treat safe for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon With Seeds?
The answer is again a no! Seeds are not recommended for dogs. Both white and black seeds are indigestible. Most of the vets ask to remove seeds from fruits before giving them to your dog. As the seeds are indigestible, so like humans, dogs also face difficulty in digesting seeds.
If one or two seeds are taken in with the watermelon, it may not be an issue as it can easily be removed through the body. But, if the seeds are not removed and are all taken in by the dog, it can cause severe intestinal problems.
The undigested seeds may slow down the dog’s digestive process, and the dog can face constipation. Abdominal pain is a common symptom of this. Seeds are a greater risk for smaller dogs. Larger dogs can easily pass out the seeds, but smaller dogs can be at a much greater risk of gastrointestinal blockage due to seeds than the larger ones.
So, remove all the black and white seeds from the watermelon before giving it to your dog. This is a safe way to save your dog from any stomach or intestinal issue.
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How Many Watermelon Seeds to Give to Your Dog?
Watermelon seeds should usually be avoided in a dog’s diet. If the dog consumes a few seeds just by chance, then there is no issue. They can easily be removed in defecation. But, if you did not remove the seeds and the dog consumes the watermelon, this can cause problems.
A large number of seeds taken in by the dog stay undigested, thus causing intestinal blockages. If the dog is smaller, then even a few seeds can also be fatal. But larger dogs can remove a small number of seeds easily.
So, it is better to prevent the risk and for that, try to remove all the black and white seeds from the fruits, especially from watermelon, for your dog’s prolonged health.
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Why Do Dogs Like Watermelon?
Dogs like watermelon because it is a good source of hydration. 92 percent of watermelon is water. The rest is rich in vitamins and nutrients. It is a healthy source of Vitamin A, C, and B6. There is no fat and cholesterol in watermelon. This is why, along with humans, it’s the favorite fruit of dogs, especially in summer. It also keeps them from sunburns.
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What To Do If My Dog Ate Watermelon Rind?
If your dog ate watermelon rind or even seeds, then look for symptoms. If the dog shows constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy, then immediately consult your vet.
The indigestible rind and seed can cause severe issues if not treated properly. Not only can they cause abdominal blockage, but they also can be fatal and lead to surgery. So it is better to consult your vet as soon as possible to avoid all the complications.
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Can Dogs Eat Watermelon With White Seeds?
No, the dogs can not consume seeds even if they are soft like white seeds. All types of seeds are indigestible and can cause stomach issues like gastrointestinal blockage and constipation in dogs. If taken in large amounts, they can also lead to severe damage to the intestine. Therefore, white seeds should also be avoided for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Black Watermelon Seeds?
The answer is again no. Dogs can not digest seeds, and these indigestible seeds can cause various intestinal blockages in the dog. Seeds are therefore recommended to be removed from the dogs’ diet. Even a small amount of seeds can be fatal for smaller dogs. To avoid the risk, make sure the watermelon is almost free of seeds before you give it to your dog.
What to Take Away?
Watermelons are a good summer delight for humans and animals. It is the best way to stay hydrated, especially in summer. Dogs love to eat watermelon, but you must be cautious while giving it to them.
You should make sure that your dog is not eating the seed and rind of the watermelon. Both of them are fatal for your dog’s health and can cause serious complications. The most severe case can cause surgery due to blockages in the intestine.
To be risk-free, remove all the black and white seeds from the watermelon and make sure that the dog does not consume the rind. In case of any abnormal symptoms, consult your vet immediately!
