Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind?
Your dog probably loves munching on some juicy and sweet watermelon in the summer. The good news is that watermelon is one of the safest and healthiest fruits for canines. It has a high water content of over 92%, so it is an excellent fruit for keeping the pup hydrated. The watermelon also contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, and B6, and potassium, which can boost your pet’s health.
But can dogs eat watermelon rind too?
No. While this delicious fruit is a tasty and healthy snack for your pup, it is only safe for it after the seeds, and the rinds have been removed.
The rind is the tough green outer skin of the watermelon. It has a tough texture and is pretty hard, making it difficult to swallow and digest by canines.
The main reason is that they both can be a choking hazard or can cause an obstruction which can be very dangerous and even fatal for the dog.
My Dog Ate Watermelon Rind – Now What?
Dogs love the taste and texture of ripe watermelon. It is an excellent treat to keep your pup happy and hydrated, especially in hot climates.
But, please note that while it is not toxic to canines (unless treated with pesticides and herbicides), the rind is very difficult to digest. As such, it can cause indigestion and abdominal pain, and in more severe cases choking or an obstruction which usually requires emergency surgery.
This is why you should remove the rind and the seeds of the watermelon before serving it to your four-legged companion.
So, while humans can eat the seeds and, if needed, the rind of the watermelon, pups cannot handle them so well. This is especially true for smaller dogs which are at a greater risk of blockages from the rind or seeds.
In other words, always cut off the entire rind and remove all seeds before you cut the fleshy part of the watermelon to give it to your furbaby.
Always ask your veterinarian before introducing new human foods to your dog’s diet. And when introducing new foods, start with minimal quantities and watch for possible adverse reactions first.
Give Your Vet a Call
If you are worried about your dog ingesting watermelon rind, then you should call your veterinarian immediately. You can get the best advice for the actions to take depending on your dog’s size, age, and health, the amount of rind ingested, and any symptoms it shows.
Sometimes, your vet will ask you to bring the dog into the clinic for a physical examination and tests. This will help determine whether there is an obstruction somewhere in the pup’s digestive tract or whether it will be able to pass it naturally without the need of surgical intervention. This can easily be diagnosed via an x-ray or scan.
Keep an Eye on Your Dog for Worrying Symptoms
If your veterinarian recommends that you monitor your dog at home, then you should watch for worrying symptoms or other signs of pain or discomfort.
Some symptoms to watch for after your dog has consumed watermelon rind include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, whining, or lethargy.
Keep your veterinarian informed, and be ready to rush your dog off to the clinic if the symptoms seem to get worse.
Is The Rind Of Watermelons Toxic For Canines?
Unless it has been treated with potentially toxic and harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, and others, the rind of the watermelon itself is not toxic for dogs.
Still, it poses a danger for pups because it is hard and very difficult to swallow and digest. This makes it a choking hazard and can lead to life-threatening obstruction of the dog’s digestive system.
The easiest way to prevent these risks is to always remove the rind and seeds from the watermelon before serving it to your furbaby.
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