Watermelon is a sweet, juicy fruit that contains 92% of water which is good for hydrating, but can dogs eat a watermelon rind? Unfortunately, it is not safe for your dog to eat the watermelon rind. Their digestive system can’t break the rind due to its toughness, which can cause stomach problems.
Besides, watermelon rind causes problems such as intestinal blockage. It can also cause gastrointestinal upset. However, the pink part of the watermelon contains many nutrients and benefits for the dog; always ensure you remove the seeds and the rind.
Is Watermelon Rind Good Or Bad For Dogs?
Although the watermelon rind has adverse effects on the dog, the red part of the watermelon has some health benefits. Read on to understand can dogs eat watermelon rind?
Significant Health Benefits Of Watermelon For Your Dog
1. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are essential for your dog as they repair cells damaged from environmental stresses put on their bodies. As dogs age, their cells also age and gets damaged, making the dog weak. Watermelon is essential to your dog because it repairs damaged and weak cells.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C, which is present in watermelon, is crucial for humans and your dog. It boosts immunity and also acts as a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C also helps to reduce inflammation and other digestive gut problems such as constipation.
3. Fiber
Watermelon provides fiber for your dog. Fiber is a vital ingredient of diet since it helps in digestion. They also keep food moving through the intestinal duct. Most importantly, they prevent constipation for your dog.
4. Moisture
Watermelon contains lots of water in them. This moisture helps keep the dog hydrated. Hydration helps your dog have smooth skin, helps heal wounds and helps in the digestion process.
5. Lycopene
Lycopene contributes to the formation of the red part of the watermelon. It prevents cancer for your dog and also aids in vision support. Research has also shown that lycopene also reduces the growth rate of cancerous tumours.
6. Potassium
Potassium is important for healthy kidneys and healthy functioning for your dog’s heart. It promotes healthy bone density, improves muscle development, and regulates fluids in the body.
Do You Know?
Lots of snacks are safe for dogs, but some snacks you should just not give your pet. We sat down and did some research and our vet has verified it: Can Dogs Eat Tuna?
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Watermelon Rind
As mentioned earlier, the rind can be detrimental to your dog’s health. It can cause indigestion and stomach aches for your dog, the reasons you should avoid feeding it to your dog. However, the rind isn’t typically toxic to your dog unless it is infected with chemicals.
It is harmful to the dog due to its rigid and firm material. First, it can cause choking, and it is difficult to digest for the dog. Call your veterinarian if your dog eats a big part of the rind. The vet will check your dog’s condition and take the best health action.
The vet will also observe if your dog can digest the rind by carrying out some scans and giving you recommendations. After talking to your vet, it is crucial to monitor your dog’s health to identify any signs of discomfort.
If your dog has digestive issues, it may whine or have diarrhea; hence, monitoring is vital to keep your vet updated.
Is Watermelon Rind Safe For Dogs?
The answer to can dogs eat watermelon rind is that watermelon rind isn’t thought to be toxic for your dog; it is dangerous for your dog’s health. Always keep your dog from watermelon rind. This will save your time and costs wasted visiting your veterinarian.
