Watermelon contains high water content and is loaded with vitamins and minerals which promote a healthy gut. Can eating watermelons benefit dachshunds like humans? If you have a pet dachshund and wondering if watermelon can provide them any health benefit or give health hazards, then this article is for you.
Can dachshunds eat watermelon? Yes, dachshunds can be fed watermelon but with a few precautions. Watermelon is the powerhouse of vitamin A, vitamin B6, fiber, potassium, and loaded with nutrients. It can be the healthiest snack for your dachshunds when seeds and rinds are removed. Remove the seeds as seeds are harmful to them since they can cause an intestinal blockage.
Watermelon – a healthy and tasty treat for your dachshund
Your naughty little dachshunds might be a bit moody, especially when it comes to feeding them something healthy. They love to chew on your leather belt, but not something healthy. If your cute little four-legged friend loves watermelon just like you do, you can rest assured that your puppy is eating something healthy.
The 92% water content in watermelon makes it the tastiest treat for your dog and helps them stay hydrated. 100gm of watermelon contains –
- Water 92%
- Carbs 7.5%
- Protein 0.6gms
- Fiber 0.4 gms
- Fat 0.2grams
- Sugar 6.2 grams
Why should you keep watermelon to your dachshund’s daily diet?
Watermelon is a fantastic fruit for your dog’s health. There are myriads of reasons you should feed watermelon to your dog.
A perfect chill pill for your fur baby
Watermelon is just delicious and gives you a total refreshment in summer. The same thing happens with your dachshunds. They just love watermelon that keeps them refresh on a hot and sunny day and fulfills their water deficiency.
Great food for your dog’s weight management
Your dog’s tummy is always hungry to have some tasty. So, it becomes really difficult to manage their weight and maintain their daily calorie consumption. Watermelon is the best option for your dachshund’s weight management.
While 92% of water content makes them feel filling, only 50 calories (a cup of watermelon) give them a guilt-free tasty treat. Also, this fiber-rich food improves their digestion.
It satisfies their sweet tooth
Since watermelon contains fructose or fruit sugar, it pleases the sweet tooth of your little fur-friend. Since the fiber content in it prevent the fast release of sugar into the bloodstream, your diabetic dachshund can also have a guilt-free sweet treat.
It improves their metabolism
Eating watermelon can promote hormone production that is crucial for their growth and development and energy metabolism.
A great immunity booster
Watermelon is loaded with antioxidants that strengthen their immune system and help them fight the root cause of many diseases.
Feeding watermelon to your dachshunds
Watermelon is one of the healthiest snack options for your dogs. You can feed them raw watermelon by removing the seeds and rinds. Just scoop the watermelon flesh and cut it into pieces.
You can also serve watermelon in some tastier way; you can give them frozen watermelon. Frozen watermelon is a great snack for them. Serve 50gm of scooped watermelon every day and help them stay refresh and cool.
Safe watermelon ideas
Watermelon is the healthiest option for your dachshunds. You can also provide them food made up of watermelons. Whenever you buy something made up of watermelon, make sure it includes more than 90% of real watermelon.
Watermelon and yogurt frozen treats
Mix your watermelon with yogurt and blend it. Now freeze it, and give your dogs an icy treat. However, before feeding this, you should ensure that your pet is not allergic to dairy products.
Watermelon jerky
With a dehydrator, you can make the watermelon into chew treats. Cut the watermelon into slices and remove all the seeds. Now use a dehydrator to make it chewable. It might take long on the oven to dehydrate the water.
However, since it does not contain any water, it might be a tasty treat for your dog but not hydrating.
It does not matter how you feed watermelon to your dachshunds, make sure you give them 100% watermelon and no preservative is added in it.
What precaution should you take while feeding watermelon?
Watermelon is a safe and healthy option for your dachshunds, but you should feed them in the right way. Always take precautions whenever you feed human food to your furry friend.
Talk to your vet before including any food to your dog’s diet. If they give you a green signal, go for it. Before feeding, remove the seeds and rinds to prevent the digestive issues.
If you are giving watermelon to your dogs for the first time, start with a small number of watermelon slices without seeds and rinds. If you find they are enjoying the food, or not having any kind of stomach digestion issues, go further.
Since dachshunds are a small breed of dogs, you should never give them more than 50grams at a single-serve. Also, don’t make the slices too small. Otherwise, they will swallow it instead of chewing.
How much watermelon can you feed your dachshunds?
Watermelon is good for your canine partner, but it does not mean you will feed them as much as they can. Ideally, you should never give them more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
Also, keep in mind that fruit and vegetable should not be more than 20% of their daily diet. You can talk to your vet to understand what is the ideal calorie consumption limit for your dachshunds.
The serving portion should never be more than 50gm for your little dachshunds. You can serve them watermelon every day as a snack or as a sweet treat after lunch.
When is watermelon bad for your dachshunds?
There is a saying that too much of good can sometimes be bad, and it is exactly the point in case of feeding watermelon to your pet dachshunds.
It does not matter how much your dogs love watermelon, keep the amount in moderate. If your dog is eating watermelon for the first time, give a small part of it and observe how they react.
Remember, your dog can get a tummy ache or diarrhea if they eat too much watermelon. Always consider their height and weight whenever you give them any nutritious food. Give them natural watermelon only.
Giving them artificially watermelon flavored food is not a good idea. Whenever you prepare a tasty treat with watermelon, make sure you are not using any artificial sweeteners.
Can I feed watermelon seeds and rinds to my dachshunds?
Though one or two seeds won’t make any difference, consuming a large number of seeds can cause a blockage in their digestive system. Since dachshunds are a small breed of dogs, they have a great risk for blockage. So, make sure you remove all the seeds before serving them.
Since the harder light green part of a watermelon is difficult to chew, your little dachshunds might swallow it up without chewing. Since they are very difficult to digest for this little creature, they might suffer from an intestinal blockage.
If you find the following symptoms in your dog¸ you should talk to your vet as soon as possible to get the treatment done –
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
If they have an intestinal blockage issue, the signs will be visible within 24 hours of eating the seeds and rinds.
How to choose the best watermelon for your dog?
All types of natural watermelons are safe for dogs, and they can give the same health benefits. However, if you want to give them a sweet treat, Choose a watermelon with an internal crack in the flesh.
The internal crack of the flesh, also known as Hollow Heart, is caused due to the temperature fluctuation during the growing season. They tend to be sweeter and safe to eat.
The final thought
Can your dachshunds eat watermelon? The short and simple answer is yes, but not all parts of it.
It is safe, healthy, and tasty only when you feed them the flesh of it. While the seeds and rinds are dangerous for their health, watermelon is highly beneficial.
Give them the right amount of watermelon (only the flesh) every day as a snack or after a meal and let them enjoy all the health benefits of it.
Watermelon contains Vitamin A, which promotes bone growth and improves the eyesight of your pet. Vitamin B, in it, is used to form amino acids that prevent tooth decay.
In short, this super-fruit must be in the daily diet of your little dachshunds.