Last Updated on April 14, 2022 by Fabiola L.
Dogs love eating all things sweet. But, can Chihuahuas eat watermelon? Here’s all you need to know about feeding your Chi fruits safely.
Who doesn’t love eating a chilled slice of watermelon on a hot, sunny day? It’s a well-known fact that canines have an incredible sweet tooth and, like all things sweet – that includes fruits. And, while feeding your pet, fruit is undoubtedly better than candies pumped with refined sugar – does that make it 100% safe?
For instance, Chihuahuas belong to the toy breed category. So, Chi parents need to be extra careful about what they feed their pets because they’re more susceptible to food-related upsets.
So, can Chihuahuas eat watermelon? The short answer’s yes! However, there are certain risks involved that you should know about. Luckily for you, we’ve done all the heavy lifting. This article will deal with all aspects of feeding your pets watermelon – the good and the bad. Ready?
Can Chihuahuas Eat Watermelon – What Are The Plus Points?
Before covering the precautions you should take while feeding your Chihuahua watermelon, let’s talk about its plus points. If you’ve been wondering can dogs eat watermelon safely – don’t worry, they can. So you don’t have to concern yourself with asking questions like is watermelon poisonous to dogs. Seeing as how watermelon is a natural food source with no additives, preservatives, or pesky food colorings – it’s definitely healthier than feeding your pet candies. Plus, watermelons contain some top-notch vitamins and nutrients that can help boost your canine’s health. Here as some of the best benefits of feeding your Chi watermelon – nutritionally speaking.
1. Vitamins & Minerals
Watermelons are jam-packed with some of the best vitamins, and minerals fruits have to offer. In addition to that, they have non-existent calories. For example, 150 grams of the fruit contains approximately 40-45 calories.
Watermelons also contain ample amounts of Vitamins: A, C, B1, B5, B6. If you’re not aware of how B vitamins can help your doggo’s health – allow us to explain. The B group of vitamins play an essential role in cell health and metabolism. They can help promote and sustain brain function and energy levels and also help to ward off infections. On the other hand, Vitamin A and C help build up your pet’s immunity and prevent cell damage by eliminating free radicals.
As far as minerals are concerned, watermelons contain potassium, magnesium, lycopene, and citrulline.
2. Digestive Health
Folks wondering is watermelon safe for dogs to consume will be happy to learn watermelons are about 92% water. That means they’re a highly suitable way to stay hydrated during summers when there’s a danger of dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Plus, they also contain a modest amount of fiber – which can aid in your Chi’s digestion. Long story short, feeding your Chihuahua watermelon can help boosts its digestion and promote a regular elimination schedule.
3. Heart Function
Chihuahuas are prone to developing heart conditions. And generally, the cause is weakening or deformity of heart valves. However, other contributive factors may also include an unhealthy diet or inadequate exercise. Thankfully, watermelon contains several nutrients that can promote heart health, like lycopene and citrulline. Additionally, magnesium and potassium can also contribute to heart health.
Learn more about: Deer Head Chihuahua Weight: How To Keep Your Pet Healthy?
What Are The Dangers Involved In Chihuahuas Eating Watermelon?
Watermelon has numerous nutrients that are good for your Chihuahua health-wise. Unfortunately, watermelon is also high in sugar. A medium-sized watermelon wedge can include about 17 grams of sugar. This is not necessarily a bad thing because Chis often develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
That means you can help bring up your canine’s sugar levels in a healthy way by feeding it some watermelon. Nonetheless, if you’re feeding your pet watermelon as a treat (in between meals), you may have to be careful about not giving your Chihuahua too much sugar.
Aside from that, too much sugar in your pet’s system can cause tummy upsets. A higher-than-usual hit of sugar can upset the delicate balance of gut flora in your Chi’s tummy. And that may lead to diarrhea or even vomiting. Weight gain is another problem that can result from too much sugar consumption in dogs. So, if your Chihuahua is already a little on the chubby side – you may want to limit its surgery treats. This way you’ll be able to avoid unwanted weight gain and cavities.
How Your Chihuahua Can Eat Watermelon Safely
If you’re concerned about what’s the right way to feed your Chi a yummy watermelon treat – don’t worry. This section is all about discussing ways to feed your pet watermelon safely so that its health doesn’t suffer in any way.
-
Frozen Watermelon Chunks
You can feed your Chihuahua frozen watermelon chunks on a scorching day to help it cool down a little. Start by carefully removing the rinds and seeds of the fruit. Then cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces for your doggo. After that, stick it in the freezer for an hour or two. When it is time to feed your Chi, remove the watermelon from the freezer, put it in your pet’s food bowl, and let it enjoy its icy treat.
For those of you who are not keen on freezing the watermelon chunks – no problem. Just serve your pet the fruit right after getting rid of the rinds and seeds and chopping it down to size.
-
Yogurt-Watermelon Ice Cream
If you’re in the mood to up the nutrient scale of your Chihuahua’s fruity treat, you can try feeding it some yogurt-watermelon ice cream. You’ll need to remove the rinds and seeds of the watermelon. Cut the fruit into squares and blend it until it forms a paste-like consistency. Add a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt (avoid the heavy stuff or anything that contains artificial sweeteners) and mix the two. Pour the mixture into an ice tray and set in the freezer until the ice cream sets. You can give your pet a single cube of ice cream whenever you feel like treating your Chi to something sweet.
Learn more about Can Chihuahuas Eat Peaches? 5 Amazing Things You Need To Know About Peaches And Chihuahuas
Conclusion
We hope we’ve answered the question – can Chihuahuas eat Watermelon – adequately enough to satisfy all the Chi enthusiasts out there. We’re all for pet parents searching for healthy treats to feed their canines. However, when dealing with treats, moderation is best. Feeding your Chihuahua a watermelon treat once a week is more than enough. Also, always remember to remove the rinds and seeds of the fruit carefully to avoid choking hazards. If you’re still not convinced, consult with your vet about feeding your Chi the fruit on your next visit – and remove all doubts!
