Watermelon is enjoyed by many people and animals and as a spaniel owner you may be wondering Can Cocker spaniels eat watermelon?
The answer is yes they can. Watermelon is safe for Cocker spaniels to eat provided that you take the skin off so that the dog cannot eat it and that you also do not let him eat the seeds.
Watermelon is a healthy food that is packed with nutrients vitamins A, B6 and C, is low in calories and rich in potassium.
The US based National Watermelon Promotion Board tell us that this fruit contains about 50 calories per cupful and is comprised on 90% water, it contains no fat or cholesterol , and this makes it an ideal treat on a hot day when hydration is important.
Some interesting facts about watermelons:
- Watermelons are related to pumpkins and cucumbers and they are members of the same plant family.
- It takes a watermelon only 3 months to grow from seed.
- Most watermelons weight between 15 to 20 pounds, enough for 90 wedges!
How much watermelon can a spaniel eat?
As is the case with most things for dogs and humans, too much can be a bad thing and it is wise to not overfeed your spaniel with watermelon.
Fruits and vegetables are enjoyed by most dogs but they should not be used as the main part of a dog’s diet.
If you want to use watermelon as a treat for your spaniel then the best way to do this is to keep it for hot days when your dog is thirsty and needs the water intake.
So that you don’t upset your spaniel’s tummy he should only have between 50 to 100 grammes of watermelon daily. This will ensure that you don’t exceed his recommended daily vitamin intake or upset his stomach.
Benefits of watermelon for dogs
Watermelon can have some great health benefits for your spaniel.
A great thing about watermelon is that it’s more than 90% water. This means that the fruit is a good treat to help your dog stay hydrated, especially on a hot day.
Watermelon can have a diuretic effect, meaning it will make your dog pee more, but considering it has so much water in it, they’re likely to do this anyway if they eat it.
Watermelon is a highly nutritious snack that your dog will enjoy, it contains high levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as potassium.
Watermelon contains fibre, which helps to stop sugars in the watermelon from having a overly unhealthy effect on your dog.
The antioxidants in watermelon have also been linked to a decrease in inflammation.
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Which part of a watermelon can my spaniel eat?
There are two bits of the watermelon that you should not feed to your spaniel ( or any other dog).
The skin ( aka the rind) and the pips (aka the seeds) should never be fed to a dog.
Both can cause a dog to choke if he does not chew them and they can also be difficult to digest.
Always just feed the nice, juicy flesh of the fruit to your dog, it’s the nicest and best bit.
What is the best way to feed watermelon to a spaniel?
- Cut the melon in half and then remove the skin from both halves.
- Remove the ends.
- Chop the melon into chunks.
You can serve the chunks in your spaniel’s dish or you can offer them to him by hand. Make sure that there are no seeds left or pieces of skin before he eats it.
Try a small amount first and never give him too much ( 50 to 100 grammes will be enough ).
Always watch your dog after introducing a new food and if he develops an upset tummy then stop feeding until it settles down.
Watermelon is a great, safe and healthy treat for your Cocker spaniel. Fed on a hot day your dog will love the refreshing taste and will benefit from the vitamins and nutrients that watermelon contains.
With a little creativity you could create watermelon smoothies, frozen watermelon lollypops and other cool treats to give to your spaniel when the weather gets hot.
Last update on 2021-10-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API