When you’re looking for a refreshing treat to give your german shepherd, you may begin to ask yourself “can german shepherds eat watermelons?”
Fortunately, you’re about to find out. You’ll also learn the pros and cons of giving them watermelons, how much they should have and different ways to feed them!
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So Can German Shepherds Eat Watermelons!
Yes! Watermelons can make a great treat for your german shepherd as long as they’re being given in moderation. And as well as being a fantastic treat for your german shepherd, they also have many health benefits as well!
Why Are Watermelons Good For German Shepherds?
There are a number of reasons you should feed your german shepherd watermelon. First of all, they’re very low in calories. So if you’re trying to get your german shepherd to lose weight, they make a great tasty treat.
Also, watermelons don’t have any fat, or cholesterol in them, and they’re low in sodium as well. You’ll often find all of these things in standard dog treats. So once again watermelon becomes a healthy alternative.
And what really separates watermelon from other treats is its high water content. 92% of a watermelon is made from water. This means it’s going to help hydrate your dog on a hot day!
Lastly, it also contains potassium, vitamin A, B6, C, and fiber! All of which are beneficial for your german shepherd.
In fact, here are some of the reasons you want them in your german shepherd’s diet.
Potassium
Your german shepherd’s body uses potassium to help maintain their nervous system.
It’s also one of the minerals that’s needed to keep your dog’s heart and other muscles strong.
Potassium can also aid your dog’s metabolism speeding up how quickly they can absorb nutrients.
Lastly, it helps keep your german shepherd’s bones strong as well.
Vitamin A is a great vitamin for keeping your german shepherd’s coat healthy. Making it look shinier.
It’s also one of the vitamins that helps your german shepherd grow. (Which makes it even better for puppies.)
And lastly, vitamin A is the vitamin that can improve eyesight. It’s also the vitamin found in carrots, and it’s the reason people tell you carrots can help you see in the dark. (On the subject of carrots, check out why you should consider feeding carrots to your german shepherd.)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that’s utilized by the body to maintain blood sugar levels. It makes it a particularly useful vitamin for dogs who suffer from diabetes or other blood sugar illnesses.
It’s also one of the vitamins necessary to help your pup maintain normal brain function.
B6 also helps your german shepherd’s body absorb protein and fat, both of which supply the energy they need to function.
And it also aids your german shepherd’s red blood cell production.
Vitamin C is going to improve your german shepherd’s immune system by helping their body produce more antibodies. In fact, this is the same reason you get recommended lots of orange juice when you have a cold!
It also increases the amount of interferon in your german shepherd’s body. Interferon is one of the body’s ways of fighting cancer as well as preventing it!
And lastly, it’s an antioxidant! So it’s going to slow the aging process in your german shepherd’s cells, helping to keep them looking young!
If your german shepherd is on a diet, fiber is going to help them feel fuller for longer.
Fiber also ferments in your german shepherd’s stomach. When this happens, it turns to fatty acids which in turn, prevent bad bacteria from growing in their stomachs.
Lastly, some types of fiber can help slow your german shepherd’s metabolism. Once again, if they’re suffering from diabetes this is going to be great as it regulates their blood sugar levels.
Are There Any Side Effects From Giving Your German Shepherd Too Much Watermelon?
If your german shepherd gets too much watermelon there can be side effects. Although most of them aren’t something you need to worry about too much, they’re still not going to be very pleasant for your pup!
If you feed your german shepherd too much watermelon then these side effects may occur.
An Upset Stomach
Just like if you eat too much watermelon, your german shepherd is likely to get an upset stomach if you feed them too much. This will only last for a few hours, however, you may also notice they’re gassier.
Diarrhea
As well as an upset stomach, your german shepherd may also get diarrhea. This will normally be in combination with an upset stomach.
If you notice your german shepherd has diarrhea after you’ve fed them watermelon, you may have given them too much. (In rare cases, they may also be allergic.
A Blocked Digestive Tract
This is more likely to happen when you feed your german shepherd the seeds as well. However, fortunately, because of your german shepherd’s large size, it’s not as likely to happen as it is with smaller dogs.
As well as the seeds blocking the digestive tract, the rind is also incredibly difficult for you german shepherd to digest. Which can once again result in a blocked digestive tract.
Can German Shepherds Be Allergic To Watermelon?
German shepherds can be allergic to watermelon, however, it is quite rare. Just like with all fruit, only start off by giving them a tiny amount. And if you don’t notice any problems or allergic responses then it’s fine to give them some more.
Some of the symptoms you may notice are bloating, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, you may also notice hives, swelling, difficulty breathing and in extreme cases even death.
If you’re not sure whether you should feed your german shepherd watermelon then make sure you consult your vet first.
How Much Watermelon Should You Feed A German Shepherd?
If you want to feed your german shepherd watermelon, I wouldn’t give the more than a slice or two a week. Normally 10% of their diet is recommended as treats, however, with watermelons, you’ll need to change this slightly.
Because they’re high in vitamin A too much could potentially be dangerous for them. So in this case, less is more.
How Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Watermelon?
There are lots of fun ways you can give your german shepherd watermelon! And in a lot of cases, they’re going to be easier to eat then just giving them a whole slice.
First of all, before you do anything make sure that you’ve removed the seeds and rind to make the watermelon safe to consume. Once you’ve done that, here are a few great ways to feed your german shepherd watermelons.
As A Smoothie
When blended up into smoothie form, watermelons are going to be a great treat for your german shepherd. And you don’t just have to stick to watermelon. Why not blend in some strawberries, bananas, carrots, and apples as well!
Freeze It
You could also try freezing watermelon before giving it to your pup! The great thing about this method is that you can freeze it however you want. You can just freeze a whole slice and give it to them, or cut it up and use it as a training treat.
Frozen watermelon is also a great way to soothe a teething puppy too!
Add Them To Their Meals
If you think your german shepherd is getting a little bit bored with their dinner or breakfast then add some watermelon! You can mash it up or cut it up, whatever you do, it’s going to make the meals A LOT tastier!
Can You Feed German Shepherds Watermelon Alternatives?
Some people ask whether they can feed their german shepherd food that contains watermelons or alternatives. You should avoid giving them to your german shepherd. They’re often filled with sugar and other chemicals you don’t want your dog to eat!
Just stick to small amounts of normal watermelon.
How To Make Delicious Frozen Watermelon For Your Pup
If you’ve got a bit of spare time to treat your german shepherd, you can make them a delicious frozen watermelon and coconut treat! And the best part is, it’s incredibly easy.
All you’re going to need is a quarter of a watermelon and a can of coconut milk!
Once you have them, simply scoop out the watermelon and add it to the coconut milk. Once you’ve done this place them in the blender and blend them together.
Finally, after blending, wait for them to freeze.
(Coconut milk is fine for dogs, however, it can make some dogs gassy and cause an upset stomach. If you’re not sure whether you should give your german shepherd coconut milk, make sure you consult a vet first.)
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
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Recap
So can german shepherds eat watermelons? As you’ve learned from this article, not only can they eat them, they’re also a great source of nutrients!
Just remember to feed them watermelon in moderation. Here are some of the main points to remember from this article.
Watermelons are good for german shepherds because they contain potassium, vitamin A, B6, C, and fiber.
If you give your german shepherd too much watermelon they might get an upset stomach, diarrhea, and a blocked digestive tract.
German shepherds can sometimes be allergic to watermelons, so if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction make sure you consult your vet.
You shouldn’t feed your german shepherd too much watermelon as it contains a lot of vitamin A.
If you have any more questions make sure you leave them in the comments section below. Otherwise, have a great day!
