Can Pugs eat watermelon? Most first-time pet owners have no clue what fruits and vegetables are good for their dogs. Today, we’re going to look at the watermelon and why it’s good for your dog.
Watermelon is not poisonous to dogs, in fact, the fruit is a health food powerhouse. It is low in calories and packed with potassium, Vitamins A, B6, and C. That being said, you don’t want your dog to chew on the rind, or swallow the seeds. (we’ll discuss this more in depth later on)
Be sure to check out my article on Fruits Pugs Can and Cannot Eat.
Related articles for fruits that are safe for your Pug:
Is Watermelon Bad for Pugs?
There are some fruits and vegetables that can be good for your pet. Watermelon happens to be one of them.
This can make a great summer snack and help keep your Pug cool while spending time outdoors. Yes, watermelon is a safe nutritious snack for an adult dog and puppy.
However, that being said, there are certain precautions you need to take to avoid potential health hazards.
- Don’t let your dog chew on the rind, because it can cause gastrointestinal upset. This usually results in an upset stomach and diarrhea, which can eventually lead to dehydration.
- Make sure that it’s a seedless watermelon. The seeds are NOT toxic to dogs, but if your pooch eats too many of them, it can lead to intestinal blockage.
Whether your dog is eating bananas or any other type of fruit, moderation is the key.
Why Watermelons Make Healthy Snacks
Watermelon is classified as both a fruit and vegetable and it has a high water content and is full of minerals and vitamins. Did I mention that it’s low in calories, which is great for Pugs?
This is what makes it great for your pup. They get to enjoy this fruit on a hot day while enjoying the benefits of the amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Let’s take a closer look at what nutritionists from Watermelon.org say about the nutritional value of this fruit.
Vitamin C: Helps bolster the immune system to help protect against infections and viruses.
Vitamin B6: Aids the immune system in producing antibodies, which are required for fighting diseases.
Vitamin A: Important for healthy vision, and helps form many of the body’s tissue membranes.
Other Fruits That Are Good For Your Pug
There are several other fruits that can be beneficial for your Pug’s health. The most important thing to remember is to feed them in moderation. If you’re going to be giving your Pug fruits to eat, you will want to check out some of the best dental treats for Pugs, to help protect their teeth.
Pugs are prone to gaining weight easily. Take into consideration the number of calories they are getting from fruits, snacks, and their regular dog food.
Some fruits and vegetables that are safe for your Pug include:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Avocados
- Kiwis
- Oranges
- Pears
- Pumpkin
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Clean the fruit thoroughly before giving it to your dog. If they have a negative reaction to the fruit, make sure you give them plenty of water to drink.
Any of these fruits can be a great treat for your Pug. This breed loves eating and you can motivate them to do something just by giving them a treat.
Three Ways to Feed Your Pug Watermelon
This fruit is made up of 92% water, which makes it easy to feed to your dog. Let’s take a look at all the possibilities of feeding it to your pup.
Raw
This is the most common method that people feed it to their dog. There’s no mixing, baking or any type of preparation involved. You just need to remove the seeds and the rind and give it to Fido.
Cooked
After doing some research, I wasn’t able to find any recipes that involved cooking it. You’ll be better off using a frozen recipe below.
Dehydrate
If you have a food dehydrator, you can make some taffy dog treats. Keep in mind that the fruit will shrink in the food dehydrator. Yes, I found a great recipe below that will help you make your own watermelon taffy treats.
How to Feed Watermelon to Your Pug
Okay, now that you know this fruit is great for your pooch, let’s take a look at the best way to introduce it to your pet. I’ve rounded up some of the best Watermelon DIY treats for your pooch.
DIY Frozen Watermelon Treats for Dogs
This delicious recipe calls for seedless watermelon, coconut water or milk. You’ll need a sharp knife to slice off the rind and cut the fruit into small cubes. Then you’ll need to wait 2-3 hours for the treats to freeze up.
These are perfect for those hot days when your Pug gets too hot. Click here to see the full DIY Frozen Watermelon Treats for Dogs recipe.
Frosty Watermelon Dog Treat
Cool treat that is perfect for those hot days. You’ll be using 2 cups of seedless watermelon, coconut water or milk and honey. You’ll need to pour it into ice cube ice trays if you watch the video, she uses silicone bone mold trays to create awesome looking dog treats.
For the best effect, she recommends freezing them overnight. Click here to see the full Frosty Watermelon Dog Treat Recipe.
Mouthwatering Watermelon Dog Treats
Your Pooch will love these frozen dog treats during the summer. This is a great way to give your Pug a treat while quenching their thirst since watermelon is made up of 92% water. You’ll need some fruit and plain Greek yogurt.
If your dog has allergies or has trouble digesting dairy, you can omit the yogurt. Click here to see the full Mouthwatering Watermelon Dog Treats Recipe.
Watermelon Taffy Dog Treats
You’ll need to invest in a dehydrator. This recipe doesn’t call for anything other than one seedless watermelon. You’ll also need some saran wrap and a glass jar to refrigerate the treats for a few days.
It’s a quick easy one-ingredient recipe your pooch will love. Click here to see the full Watermelon Taffy Recipe.
Just Give It To Them
It doesn’t take much to get this breed to eat. My black Pug would eat all day long if I let her, watch this video to see how much Pugs love watermelon.
Possible Side Effects
If you feed your Pug this fruit in small portions without the seeds or the rind, there’s a good chance you won’t see any side effects. If they do get a tummy ache, stop feeding them the fruit.
Watch your dog closely to see if they have any signs of intestinal blockage, which include constipation, lethargy, vomiting, or any abdominal pain.
These symptoms can take up to 24 hours to be noticeable.
If your pooch does have serious complications, you’ll want to contact your veterinarian to find out what’s causing the issues.
Related Questions
When Can Pug Puppies Eat Watermelon? This fruit is great for both adults and puppies. Your pup requires a strict diet, to ensure they get the required nutrition to help their bodies grow. However, there’s nothing wrong with giving them some watermelon as soon as they are able to eat regular puppy food.