Watermelon is a popular food among humans, and it’s no surprise that it’s also popular among Cocker Spaniels. Watermelon has a lot of nutrients and is super low-cost, which makes it a great choice for owners to feed their Cocker Spaniels.
But can you feed watermelons for your Cocker Spaniels? The short answer is “Yes,” you can feed watermelons for your Cocker Spaniels. But there are lots of things to consider before you give your Cocker Spaniel some watermelon!
We’ll answer every question regarding feeding your Cocker Spaniel watermelon in this blog post. Let’s start with the most important question:
Are watermelons safe for Cocker Spaniels?
Watermelons are safe for Cocker Spaniels to eat. Only the flesh of the watermelon is safe and nutritious, but not the other parts. For example, the seeds and rinds are not safe for Cocker Spaniels to eat.
If you are feeding for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs. If you observe any abnormal symptoms after feeding your Cocker Spaniel with watermelon, it’s best to stop feeding him/her until you consult with a vet.
Although rare, some Cocker Spaniels can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to watermelons.
Benefits of watermelons in Cocker Spaniels
Watermelons are a great snack for your Cocker Spaniel. They are high in water, which is good for keeping your Cocker Spaniel hydrated, as well as vitamin A and C. They also have lycopene and potassium.
Moisture
Watermelons contain a lot of water, which can help keep your Cocker Spaniel hydrated. If you are concerned about how much water your Cocker Spaniel drinks, try feeding them a few pieces of melon to see if it makes a difference.
Vitamins A & B Complex
Watermelons contain large amounts of vitamins A and B complex. These vitamins help support healthy skin, eyesight, and brain function.
Vitamin C
Watermelons also contain vitamin C, which helps support immune system health and repair damaged cells in the body.
Lycopene
Lycopene is an antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables that can help reduce inflammation and protect against certain types of cancer.
Do all Cocker Spaniels like watermelons?
Unfortunately, no.
Your Cocker Spaniels may not like watermelon. They may be more partial to bananas, apples, or grapes. Or they might have a taste for something less sweet, like green beans or carrots. Whatever their preference is, it’s important to remember that your Cocker Spaniel has preferences and you should respect them. If you’re introducing a new food to your Cocker Spaniel, don’t force it—but also don’t give up! You can always try again later with another Cocker Spaniel friendly fruit or vegetable.
It’s also important to consult with your vet before introducing any new foods into your Cocker Spaniel’s diet. Your Cocker Spaniel may have allergies that could cause him to become sick if he eats certain foods—and these allergies might not show until after he has eaten the offending food several times without incident.
Can my Cocker Spaniels have watermelons every day?
There’s no rule on how often Cocker Spaniels can eat watermelon.
Yes, you can feed Cocker Spaniels the recommended amount of watermelon every day if they like it. We recommend you to vary the treats because your Cocker Spaniels can get bored with the same thing every day.
Also, different treats contain different nutrients, so it’s better if you feed them with a variety of foods.
Can Cocker Spaniel puppies eat watermelons?
Yes, puppies can eat watermelons, but we recommend waiting until they’re at least two months old.
During the first two months of a puppy’s life, it’s important that he or she is on a specialized puppy diet. The goal is to make sure your pup is getting all the nutrients and vitamins they need to grow into healthy adults. After that, you can start introducing new foods to their diet—but again, we recommend starting with just a small bite of watermelon once or twice a week. And remember: puppies have delicate digestive systems, so consult with your vet before introducing any new food into your pup’s diet.
How much watermelon can Cocker Spaniels eat?
It depends on the age, size and activity level of your Cocker Spaniel.
If you’re wondering how much watermelon your Cocker Spaniel should have, consult with your vet first to determine the best serving size for your pup. A general rule of thumb is: Smaller pup breed (<20 lbs) 1/2 cup diced watermelon flesh; Large pup breed (>20 lbs) 1 cup diced watermelon flesh.
Portion control is important for your Cocker Spaniel’s diet and treats. Start small and if there are no negative signs of a reaction (vomiting, diarrhea), you can offer more. Always follow the rule that your Cocker Spaniels need a completely balanced diet; All treats combined should not be over 10% of the total diet.
How to serve watermelons to your Cocker Spaniels?
Watermelon is a great treat for Cocker Spaniels, but it’s important to make sure that you’re serving it in a way that’s safe and healthy for your Cocker Spaniel.
First, check with your vet to make sure your Cocker Spaniel doesn’t have any allergies or sensitivities to watermelon. If your Cocker Spaniel has no health issues related to watermelon, then you can serve it raw or cooked.
If you choose to serve the fruit raw, be sure to clean it thoroughly and remove any rind or seeds. You can also remove the seeds from the flesh and de-pulp the juice from the rind (this will give you a puree that’s easy for Cocker Spaniels to digest).
To cook your watermelon, bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until soft on the inside but still firm on top. You can also freeze it into chunks or puree it for a smoothie or ice cream treat!
If you don’t want to waste any part of this delicious fruit, consider dehydrating it (minus seeds and rind) into chewy treats that are low in calories and high in vitamins A & C.
When are watermelons bad for Cocker Spaniels?
Watermelons are safe for Cocker Spaniels to eat in moderation, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, if your Cocker Spaniel has underlying health issues like allergies or diabetes, it’s best not to give them watermelon at all. If you know your Cocker Spaniel has an allergy to melons of any kind—including watermelons—it’s probably best not to give them any type of melon.
Second, if you overindulge your Cocker Spaniel with watermelon, they may get diarrhea or constipation. This can be dangerous if your Cocker Spaniel is already having trouble with either of these issues because they’re already dehydrated and/or have trouble absorbing nutrients from food because of those problems.
Finally, seeds can pose a problem for Cocker Spaniels who have dental issues since they can get stuck in their teeth and gums and cause infection or discomfort for the animal. Avoid giving your Cocker Spaniel watermelon rinds too—they’re hard on their teeth and can even crack them if chewed long enough.
What happens when your Cocker Spaniels eat too much watermelon?
Diarrhea: This can be a sign of too much watermelon in your Cocker Spaniel’s diet.
Constipation: Eating too much watermelon can also cause constipation, so if you notice your Cocker Spaniel is having trouble going to the bathroom, it could be because he or she ate too much of the fruit.
Abdominal pain: If your Cocker Spaniel is experiencing abdominal pain after eating watermelon, it could be a sign that he or she has eaten too much of the fruit and is suffering from gas or bloating.
Choking hazard: Watermelon seeds can be a choking hazard for Cocker Spaniels, so it’s important to watch out for this when feeding them watermelons.
Other human foods Cocker Spaniels can eat
What other human foods can cocker spaniels eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Cocker Spaniels can eat.
So, can Cocker Spaniels eat watermelons?
Yes, Cocker Spaniels can eat watermelons. Watermelons are rich in lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease in humans. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, which helps keep your Cocker Spaniel’s immune system strong and healthy.
Watermelon is also high in fibers and sugar, so it’s best to feed it as a treat or dessert rather than as part of your Cocker Spaniel’s meal plan. The 90/10 rule is a good rule of thumb for how often your Cocker Spaniel should get watermelon: 90% of their diet should come from more nutritious foods like meat (chicken or turkey) and vegetables, 10% from treats like fruits and sweet snacks like cookies.
If you want to give watermelon as a treat, remove the seeds and rind before feeding it. The seeds can be dangerous if they’re consumed by Cocker Spaniels because they are harder to digest and can also cause choking hazard.