Yorkies are omnivores, and that means they can eat a wide variety of foods. It’s true that watermelons aren’t necessarily a common Yorkshire Terrier food, but the fruit is nutrient-rich and low cost, which is why many Yorkshire Terrier owners choose to feed it to their pets.
But can you feed watermelons for your Yorkies? The short answer is “Yes,” you can feed watermelons for your Yorkies. But there are lots of questions to ask before you do.
Will answer every question regarding watermelon and Yorkshire Terrier nutrition in this blog post. Let’s start with the most important question: Is it safe for Yorkies to eat watermelon?
Are watermelons safe for Yorkies?
Watermelon is a popular fruit for Yorkies, but it’s important to know that it’s the flesh of the watermelon that is safe and nutritious—not the seeds or rind.
If you’re thinking of feeding your Yorkshire Terrier watermelon for the first time, introduce it slowly. It’s best not to feed your Yorkshire Terrier too much watermelon at once, as this could cause gastrointestinal upset.
If you observe any abnormal symptoms in your pet after eating watermelon—such as vomiting, diarrhea, or a loss of appetite—contact your veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of watermelons in Yorkies
Watermelon is a delicious, and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed by Yorkies as well! Here are some benefits of feeding watermelon to your Yorkshire Terrier:
Moisture: Watermelons are naturally full of moisture, so they’re great for keeping your Yorkshire Terrier hydrated during the summer months.
Vitamin A: Watermelons are high in Vitamin A, which aids in healthy skin and coat.
Vitamin B Complex: Watermelons are also high in Vitamin B Complex, which helps with digestion.
Vitamin C: Watermelons contain Vitamin C, which helps to boost your Yorkshire Terrier’s immune system.
Lycopene: Watermelons have lycopene, which protects against free radicals and cancerous cells.
Potassium: We know Watermelons for their potassium content, which can help lower blood pressure in Yorkies.
Do all Yorkies like watermelons?
Unfortunately, no.
Your Yorkshire Terrier may not like watermelon if they are not used to it, if they are allergic to it, or if they have a food preference for something else.
Yorkies have food preferences just like people do, so you should ask your vet about what kind of fruits and veggies your Yorkshire Terrier can eat safely. Some Yorkies can be allergic to watermelon, as well as some other common fruits and veggies.
If your Yorkshire Terrier is not used to eating watermelon or has an allergy or food preference that prevents them from eating it, do not force them to eat it. Instead, try other Yorkshire Terrier-friendly fruits like bananas, apples, oranges and blueberries instead! Consult with your vet before introducing any new foods into their diet because some fruits and veggies could make Yorkies sick if they aren’t introduced properly.
Can my Yorkies have watermelons every day?
There’s no rule on how often Yorkies can eat watermelon, but we recommend you vary your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet. Your Yorkies can get bored if they eat the same thing every day, and different treats contain different vitamins and minerals that can help your Yorkshire Terrier stay healthy.
If your Yorkshire Terrier likes watermelon and it doesn’t upset their stomach, then you can feed them the recommended amount of watermelon every day.
Can Yorkshire Terrier puppies eat watermelons?
Yorkshire Terrier puppies can eat watermelons, but you should wait until they are two months old and have been on a specialized puppy diet for the first two months. After that, you can start giving your puppy small bites of watermelon once or twice a week.
However, be careful when introducing new foods to your puppy’s diet. Puppies have delicate digestive systems and you should consult with your veterinarian before trying anything new.
How much watermelon can Yorkies eat?
Watermelon is a great treat for Yorkies. However, the amount of watermelon your Yorkshire Terrier can eat depends on the age, size and activity level of your Yorkshire Terrier.
If you’re unsure how much watermelon is appropriate for your Yorkshire Terrier, consult with your veterinarian first. They’ll be able to recommend an appropriate serving size based on their individual needs.
General rule of thumb: Smaller pup breeds like Yorkies (<20 lbs) should have half a cup of diced watermelon, while large pup breeds (>20 lbs) can enjoy one whole cup of diced watermelon.
Always follow the rule: Your Yorkies need a completely balanced diet that comprises all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy! All treats should not be over 10% of their total Yorkshire Terrier diet.
How to serve watermelons to your Yorkies?
Watermelon is a great summer treat for both humans and their canine companions.
But before you give your Yorkshire Terrier a chunk of this fruit, check with your vet first to make sure it is safe for them. And if you’re going to serve watermelon in chunks, make sure they are organic and thoroughly washed before serving.
If your pooch prefers their food in pureed form, try pureeing the flesh of watermelons and adding it to yogurt or cottage cheese for a healthy snack that will keep them cool on hot days.
If you’d prefer a more traditional way to serve watermelon, consider dehydrating some of the fruit (minus the seeds and rind) for a chewy treat that will last longer than fresh fruit.
When are watermelons bad for Yorkies?
Watermelons are super healthy for Yorkies, but that doesn’t mean they’re all good for them.
Yorkies don’t have any trouble digesting watermelon, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to feed it to your pet.
Watermelons can be bad for Yorkies if they have underlying health issues, like diabetes or allergies. Watermelons can also cause digestive problems for older Yorkies and puppies, so you should only feed them small amounts at first.
If you overindulge your Yorkshire Terrier on watermelon, it could make them sick. Overindulging can also lead to diarrhea or an upset stomach.
If your Yorkshire Terrier has eaten too many watermelon rinds or seeds, they might need medical attention because they can cause an intestinal blockage in large quantities or if they aren’t chewed properly before swallowing whole pieces down the gullet.
What happens when your Yorkies eat too much watermelon?
Diarrhea: Yorkies can have diarrhea after eating watermelon, but it’s usually not serious. If your Yorkshire Terrier has diarrhea, it’s important to know the difference between normal, healthy diarrhea and something that requires veterinary attention.
Constipation: Severe constipation is also possible in Yorkies that eat too much watermelon, but this is also not usually serious and can be treated at home.
Abdominal pain: If your Yorkshire Terrier shows signs of abdominal pain after eating watermelon, get them to a vet as soon as possible. Abdominal pain can be a symptom of many health problems, including pancreatitis and other digestive issues.
Choking hazard: Watermelon seeds are a choking hazard for Yorkies—and if left unchecked, they can cause death. It’s important to monitor your Yorkshire Terrier while he eats watermelon so that you’ll be able to notice if he tries to swallow something dangerous, like seeds or large chunks of fruit.
Other human foods Yorkies can eat
What other human foods can Yorkies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Yorkies can eat.
So, can Yorkies eat watermelons?
Yes, Yorkies can eat watermelons. Watermelons are rich in potassium and vitamin A, making it an excellent treat for Yorkies. However, they should be given in moderation to avoid any health issues.
Watermelons are healthy for Yorkies because of their high content of water (92%), which is good for hydration and cools down the body temperature in hot weather. It also contains antioxidants called lycopene that help protect your Yorkshire Terrier’s cells from damage by free radicals.
The seeds and rinds of watermelon are toxic for Yorkies, so you should remove them before giving them to your dog. Also, don’t overfeed your Yorkshire Terrier with watermelon, as it may cause diarrhea or vomiting. Follow the 90/10 rule when feeding your Yorkshire Terrier: 90% of the time they should eat high-quality Yorkshire Terrier food and only 10% of the time they should eat fruits or vegetables.