Can poodles eat watermelon? We all know it’s a very tasty fruit so why not? Watermelon is known to be a juicy fruit that most people enjoy eating, however, you might not feed it to your poodle because you have a fear it might cause them harm, then your instinct maybe a bit on the right side. Though watermelon can actually be really healthy for your dog, it can be harmful if not fed to them correctly.
So, can poodles eat watermelon? The short answer is yes. Watermelon is known to be packed with a wide range of healthy nutrients that are beneficial to humans as they are for your dog. Not only that but these melons are also made up of 92 percent water, which means it can be quite refreshing on a hot sunny day.
It is sad to say that too much of one thing can sometimes be a bad thing and the rinds and seeds may affect your dog in a negative way causing serious health problems. Before feeding your poodle watermelon it is important to know how to properly serve it to them so that they don’t get sick.
Apart from that, to be on the safe side, you should first ask your vet before sharing your watermelon with your poodle. Here are several things you should know when it comes to feeding watermelon to your poodles.
How is Watermelon Good For Your Poodles?
The first thing you should keep in mind is the fact that watermelon is full of beneficial nutrients that would play a very important role to your dog health, these include: potassium and vitamins A, B6 and C. It’s also high in fiber, which can aid healthy digestion.
Though watermelon is said to have lots of sugar, the fiber that’s in the fruit will help to absorb the sugar slowly into their bloodstream. Apart from that, it is considered to be a source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that does a pretty good job at preventing cancer.
On the other hand, watermelon doesn’t contain any form of sodium, fat or cholesterol and because of this it is considered to be a lot healthier compared to other store bought treats. Due to the fact that it is consist of 92% water, it can help when it comes to keeping your dog hydrated during the hot season.
Check: Best Dog Food For Poodles
When is Watermelon Bad For Your Poodles?
Even though watermelon is on the healthy side, it shouldn’t make up a large part of your poodle’s diet. If it’s a case where your poodles eat too much watermelon it might cause them to have a serious belly ache which includes some form of diarrhea or signs of upset stomach.
It’s very popular for dogs to have an upset stomach when they try new food that they’ve never eaten before. It is best to test your dog with a slice of the watermelon to see how they would react before actually feeding them too much.
What you can do is ask your veterinarian or nutritionist about the correct amount for your dog.
Some Parts of the Watermelon Can be Dangerous
The seed of the watermelon can pose a serious risk for your dog. One or two seed may not be a problem but if it contains multiple seed it can cause blockage in the digestive tract. Dogs with large body size may be able to pass the seeds with ease, but smaller dogs such as poodles are definitely at risk.
Also you should avoid feeding your dog the rinds as it is not safe to eat. Though you may have dogs that safely nibble there way through, for poodles it can be difficult to chew. Poodles may even swallow the rind without actually chewing which may result in blockage of the intestinal.
Even the skin of the watermelon is also difficult to digest and can result in further blockage, which is why poodles are at risk compared to larger dogs.
If it is a case where your poodle mistakenly eaten multiple seeds or even the rind of a watermelon and you notice signs of an intestinal blockage, including abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, etc, you should get your veterinarian right away to get your dog treated.
After your poodle eats the rinds and swallowed the seeds, you should check on your poodle regularly for about 24 hours in case there are any signs of intestinal blockage.
You should also stay away from sweet products that contains anything that is artificially watermelon flavored because they are usually packed with sugar, and other unusual chemicals that can make your dog sick.
As mentioned above, too much sugar can cause your dog to have upset stomach and diabetes in the long term. We only recommend that you stick to plain watermelon as it is all natural.
What is the Best Way to Feed Your Poodle Watermelon?
To be on the safe side, before you feed your poodle watermelon or any type of fruits, you should ask your veterinarian or nutritionist about the amount and how often can give your dog. There are lots of dogs with different dietary needs, while others have medical conditions that watermelon may even cause potential harm.
Once you contact your veterinarian or nutritionist and get the go ahead. The first thing you need to do is remove the seeds or rind from the watermelon before giving it to your poodle. It would be best if you slice them up into small pieces since it would make it easier for your dog to chew.
If you have the time and feeling a bit creative, you can mix the watermelon with other healthy fruits like blueberries to make your dog a fruit salad.
Please take the time out and follow all the safety tips your vet recommend for feeding your dog safely without causing any harm.