Watermelon is a popular food among humans, and its nutritional value makes it an appealing choice for many Pitbull owners. The fruit is also low-cost and nutrient-rich—which means you’re likely to see it in your local grocery store.
But can you feed watermelons for your Pitbulls? The short answer is ‘’Yes’’, but there are lots of considerations to make before feeding your pup this sweet summer treat.
In this blog post, we’ll answer every question you have about feeding watermelons to Pitbulls—from how much is too much, to whether or not you should give your Pitbull seeds from the center of the fruit. Let’s start with the most important question first:
Are watermelons safe for Pitbulls?
Watermelon is safe for Pitbulls to eat, but only the flesh of the fruit is safe and nutritious. We do not recommend the seeds and rind of the watermelon for your Pitbull to eat, as they can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.
It is best not to feed your Pitbull too much watermelon at once, as it may cause vomiting or diarrhea. You should also watch for any abnormal symptoms after feeding your Pitbull watermelon, such as lethargy or lack of appetite. If you observe any abnormal symptoms after feeding your Pitbull watermelon, it’s best not to feed him/her any more until you can discuss this with your veterinarian.
Pitbulls can also show a food intolerance or allergic reaction after eating watermelon. These reactions typically occur within 24 hours of eating too much watermelon and include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Benefits of watermelons in Pitbulls
Watermelon is a great treat for your Pitbull!
It’s always a good idea to feed your Pitbull fresh produce, and watermelon is no exception. Here are some benefits:
Moisture – Watermelons are 85% water, so they’re very hydrating for your Pitbull.
Vitamins A, B Complex & C – Watermelons are full of vitamins that help keep your Pitbull healthy and strong.
Lycopene – Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against cancer and other diseases in Pitbulls (and humans!).
Potassium – Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, which prevents heart disease and stroke.
Do all Pitbulls like watermelons?
Unfortunately, not all Pitbulls like watermelons.
Your Pitbulls may not like watermelon because they have food preferences that may not match with this fruit.
Some Pitbulls can be allergic to watermelon. If you suspect your Pitbull might be allergic to watermelon, consult with your vet before introducing a new food to their diet.
If your Pitbull doesn’t like watermelon and you are considering introducing another fruit to their diet, try a banana, apple or kiwi instead. These fruits can be more appealing to your Pitbull than watermelon.
Can my Pitbulls have watermelons every day?
Pitbulls can eat watermelon every day, but we recommend you vary the treats they eat.
Pitbulls love watermelon, and they can eat it every day if they like it. Watermelon is a nutritious treat that is sweet and juicy, so your Pitbull is likely to enjoy it.
But be sure to vary the type of treats your Pitbull has on any day. You don’t want your Pitbull to get bored with their diet. You also don’t want them to get sick from eating too much of one thing, especially with fruits and vegetables like watermelon.
Can Pitbull puppies eat watermelons?
Yes, Pitbull puppies can eat watermelons.
But they shouldn’t eat them until they’re two months old, because they haven’t developed the enzymes that help break down the rind and seeds yet. If you give your puppy a bite of watermelon too early, the rind and seeds could cause blockages in their digestive system.
Start out by giving your puppy a small piece of watermelon once or twice a week for about three weeks. Then increase to twice a week for another three weeks. Once your puppy is eating watermelon regularly with no problems, you can add it to his regular diet.
Remember: Puppies have delicate digestive systems, so be careful about what you feed them! Consult with your vet before introducing any new foods into their diet.
How much watermelon can Pitbulls eat?
It depends on the age, size, and activity level of your Pitbull. But generally, you want to offer your pup only 10% of their total diet in treats.
If you’re looking for a way to help your furry friend cool down this summer, watermelon is a great option! Just go easy on it—it’s hard to tell how much is too much just by looking at it. A good rule of thumb: If your pup weighs less than 20 lbs., give them half a cup of diced watermelon flesh; if they weigh 20 lbs. or more, give them one whole cup.
And always consult with your vet for the best serving size for your Pitbull.
How to serve watermelons to your Pitbulls?
After checking with your vet, it is safe to feed organic watermelon to your Pitbull. You’ll also want to clean it properly before serving, as any leftover pesticides can be harmful to your pup.
There are a few different ways you can serve up this delicious fruit for your furry friend:
Chunk of Watermelon: Cut the fruit into small chunks and freeze them. This will make them easier for your Pitbull to chew and digest, and don’t worry—you can still eat the rind!
Puree the flesh: Blend some watermelon into a puree that’s easy on your Pitbull’s stomach. You should remove the seeds and rind before serving this way. The fruit can be frozen or refrigerated until ready to serve.
Watermelon ice cream: Blend some watermelon into an ice cream base using coconut milk or heavy cream instead of dairy products. Freeze overnight and serve up with a healthy topping like fresh fruit or nuts.
Dehydrate fruit: You can also dehydrate the fruit (minus seeds and rind) for a chewy treat.
When are watermelons bad for Pitbulls?
Watermelons are bad for Pitbulls when they have underlying health issues, like diabetes or allergies. Watermelons can also be bad for Pitbulls if they eat too much of them.
Pitbulls 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 are harder to digest, which can be harmful to Pitbulls when consumed in large quantities. The seeds inside the watermelon can also be harmful because they can lodge in the throat and cause choking hazards to Pitbulls.
The skin of the watermelon contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation in the Pitbull’s mouth if ingested.
What happens when your Pitbulls eat too much watermelon?
Watermelon is a delicious summer treat that you can share with your Pitbull. But it’s important to know the signs of over-indulgence.
If your Pitbull eats too much watermelon, they may experience diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and choking.
Diarrhea: If your Pitbull eats too much watermelon, they could have loose stools or explosive diarrhea that may have mucus or blood in it. This is a sign of gastrointestinal irritation or inflammation.
Constipation: If your Pitbull eats too much watermelon, they could become constipated because of its high fiber content. The fruit contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, which absorbs water from the digestive tract and adds bulk to stool, making it easier to pass through the colon without causing damage along the way.
Abdominal pain: If you notice any unusual behavior from your Pitbull such as lying down more often than usual or whining excessively when moving around, then this could be caused by abdominal pain, which is usually caused by overeating.
Choking hazard: The seeds in watermelon pose a risk of choking.
Other human foods Pitbulls can eat
What other human foods can Pitbulls eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Pitbulls can eat.
So, can Pitbulls eat watermelons?
Yes, Pitbulls can eat watermelons. Watermelons are rich in vitamins, moisture, lycopene and they’re also packed with potassium and fiber. This makes them an excellent treat for Pitbulls.
However, it’s important to remove the seeds and rinds before serving them to your Pitbull. Watermelon seeds can be dangerous if swallowed by a Pitbull, so you’ll want to make sure they aren’t part of your Pitbull’s treat.
It’s also very important not to overfeed your Pitbull watermelon. A good rule of thumb is the 90/10 rule: 90% of your Pitbull’s diet should be from dry food or other healthy treats, with 10% coming from fruits like watermelons.