Watermelons are a popular food among humans, and it’s easy to see why. They’re nutrient-rich, delicious, and relatively inexpensive—which is why so many Pug owners feed them to their pets.
But can you really feed watermelons for your Pugs? The short answer is: yes! But there are some important factors to consider before you decide whether it’s a good idea for your pooch.
We’ll answer every question regarding watermelon and Pugs in this post, so let’s get to it!
Are watermelons safe for Pugs?
Only the flesh of the watermelon is safe and nutritious. Watermelon rind, seeds, and other parts of the fruit should not be fed to your Pug.
This is because they contain a compound called citrulline malate. This compound can cause diarrhea in Pugs if they eat too much of it. This can lead to dehydration if left untreated, so it’s important to watch for signs of illness after giving your Pug watermelon for the first time.
If you are feeding for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you observe any abnormal symptoms or if your Pug becomes lethargic or sluggish, stop feeding the watermelon immediately and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of watermelons in Pugs
Moisture: watermelon is 92% water, which makes it a great way to keep your Pug hydrated.
Vitamins A: While you can get most of these vitamins from your Pug’s food, we only found vitamin A in a few foods. Watermelon is one of them!
Vitamin B Complex: This vitamin complex helps boost energy and metabolism, so it’s great for Pugs who need a little more pep in their step.
Vitamin C: If you’re feeling extra generous with your Pug this summer, watermelon can also help keep his immune system strong!
Lycopene: Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease and cancer in humans—and Pugs, too.
Potassium: Potassium helps regulate blood pressure in both humans and animals alike, so it’s important to keep our pets healthy too.
Do all Pugs like watermelons?
Unfortunately, not all Pugs like watermelon.
Your Pug’s food preferences may have something to do with it. Some Pugs can be allergic to watermelon, so you should consult with your vet if you suspect your Pug has an allergy or intolerance for watermelon before introducing a new food to their diet.
One way to introduce new foods is to mix it in with their current food.
For example, if you are feeding them kibble or wet food, mix one part of the new food with three parts of their regular meal. Then gradually increase the amount of new food until they are eating 100% of the new food on its own. This will help avoid stomach upset and diarrhea while still allowing them time to adjust to their new food source.
Can my Pugs have watermelons every day?
There’s no rule on how often Pugs can eat watermelon. You can feed Pugs the recommended amount of watermelon every day if they like it. But we recommend you to vary the treats because your Pugs can get bored with the same treats all the time.
Also, different treats contain different nutrients and vitamins, so make sure you’re giving them a variety of healthy treats.
Can Pug puppies eat watermelons?
It’s a good question, and the answer is yes.
But you should wait until your Pug puppy is about two months old before introducing watermelon to their diet. That’s because puppies have a delicate digestive system, and it’s best not to chance it by adding new foods until they’re older.
Once your pup is about two months old, start with just a small bite of watermelon once or twice a week. This will give you an idea of how your Pug handles the fruit and let you know if there are any negative effects (like diarrhea, vomiting) so you can take them out of their diet if necessary.
If everything goes well after that initial period, keep increasing the amount of watermelon in your puppy’s diet as it grows older.
How much watermelon can Pugs eat?
If you’re wondering how much watermelon your Pug can eat, the answer is: it depends.
The amount of watermelon your Pug can eat depends on the age, size and activity level of your pup. You should always consult with your vet before giving any new food to your Pug and make sure you are aware of any allergies or sensitivities.
For general guidelines for serving sizes for small pup breeds (<20 lbs) 1/2 cup diced watermelon, large pup breeds (>20 lbs) 1 cup diced watermelon. Always remember portion control is important for your Pug’s diet and treats. Start small and if there are no adverse reactions from eating too much watermelon, you can offer more.
Always follow the rule: your Pugs need a completely balanced diet. All treats should not be over 10% of the total Pug diet.
How to serve watermelons to your Pugs?
Watermelon is a great treat for Pugs. The fruit is high in water, which can help your Pug stay hydrated, and the vitamin C can help with their immune system. But you should only serve it to your Pug if you’ve checked with your vet first.
And be sure to give them organic watermelon only! If you’re not sure if it’s organic, look at the sticker on the outside of the melon—it should say “organic” right on it.
Once you’ve got your watermelon ready, there are several ways to serve it up:
1) Cut a chunk of watermelon into smaller pieces and freeze them so they last longer. You can also puree the flesh and freeze that, or even make some watermelon ice cream!
2) Dehydrate chunks or slices of the fruit until they’re dry, but not brittle—this makes them chewy treats when they’re done. You can throw away any seeds or rind in this process because they won’t be edible anymore once they’ve dehydrated.
When are watermelons bad for Pugs?
Watermelons are bad for Pugs when they have underlying health issues, like diabetes or allergies. Watermelons can also be bad for Pugs if they eat too much of them.
Pugs that have diabetes or other underlying conditions should avoid eating watermelon as it has a high sugar content and could cause them to have an insulin spike.
Watermelon rinds and seeds can pose choking hazards and also can cause digestive issues.
The skin of the watermelon is also tough to digest, so avoid it too.
What happens when your Pugs eat too much watermelon?
Here’s what happens when your Pug eats too much watermelon:
Diarrhea: Pugs with diarrhea will have loose stools and may be straining to defecate. The stools may also be black or tarry. The Pug will often lick its anus excessively.
Constipation: A Pug that is constipated may strain to defecate but produces little or no stool. The stools are hard and dry, and the Pug may vomit or pass gas frequently.
Abdominal pain: A Pug that has abdominal pain may be lethargic, unwilling to eat, or depressed. It may stand with its belly against a wall or lie down with its abdomen on the ground. If it lies down, it might be tucked up in order to minimize discomfort in the belly region.
Choking hazard: Pugs can choke on the seeds of watermelons.
Other human foods Pugs can eat
What other human foods can Pugs eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Pug can eat.
So, can Pugs eat watermelons?
Yes, Pugs can eat watermelons. Watermelons are rich in vitamin A and C, which are both essential nutrients to a Pug’s diet. They also contain potassium and magnesium, which help regulate bodily functions.
However, be careful when feeding your Pug watermelon because it can cause digestive problems if they consume it too much. Also, watermelons have a lot of fibers which can lead to diarrhea or upset stomachs (especially for Pugs with sensitive stomachs).
Remove seeds and rind from the melon before giving it to your Pug. The rind is harder to digest, which may cause digestive issues for some Pugs, so it’s best just not to give them these parts of the fruit.
Don’t overfeed this tasty treat. Follow the 90/10 rule (90 percent meat-based foods, 10 percent fruits and veggies) when you’re giving some veggie love to your canine companion.