Can Shih Tzu Eat Watermelon (4 Ways To Feed & More)
Can Shih Tzu eat watermelon since watermelon is safe for both humans and dogs, let’s find out together!
I will be answering some common questions relating to Shih Tzus and watermelons, I will highlight some potential pros and cons.
Finally, I will discuss some common ways to offer watermelon to Shih Tzus that are totally safe, so continue reading…
Can Shih Tzu Eat Watermelon
Yes, Shih Tzus eat ripe watermelon without the seeds or rinds, as watermelon slices make healthy snacks for Shih Tzus if they are offered in moderation.
Watermelon is a low-calorie, high-nutrient meal that is high in vitamins A, B6, C, and potassium, all of which are healthy to Shih Tzus.
To begin, watermelon seeds can cause intestinal obstruction, so be careful to remove them.
The peel of a watermelon should also be removed since it might create stomach problems.
Questions and answers time…
Can Shih Tzus eat watermelon rinds
Watermelon rinds don’t contain any chemicals that might hurt your Shih Tzu, but they do contain hard fibrous tissue that Shih Tzus can’t digest, causing gastrointestinal blockages that could have been avoided.
The rind, which is more difficult to digest than the flesh or meat, is tough for Shih Tzus to break down.
Therefore, before feeding your Shih Tzu watermelons, you must remove the outside rinds.
Can Shih Tzus eat unripe watermelon
Unripe watermelon has a significant level of malic and citric acids, which can induce digestive distress and dehydration in Shih Tzus.
For this reason, unripe watermelon should never be fed to Shih Tzus.
Can Shih Tzus eat watermelon seed
Although watermelon seeds do not contain any hazardous ingredients that might hurt your Shih Tzu, they can cause preventable intestinal blockages, therefore you should not feed them to your Shih Tzu.
In fact, make sure you remove all of the seeds from the watermelon before offering it to your Shih Tzu.
Can Shih Tzus eat watermelon leaves
While watermelon leaves may not be toxic to Shih Tzus, they do have a high molecular weight cellulose structure that is difficult for Shih Tzus to digest and can cause blockages, causing unnecessary health problems.
Can Shih Tzus have watermelon juice
Yes, Shih Tzus can have homemade plain watermelon juice or purée in moderation without adding any sweeteners or sugar, although commercial watermelon juice can cause gastrointestinal discomfort that can be avoided.
Never give your Shih Tzu any watermelon juice or purée that you didn’t make yourself, and if you do, don’t add anything like sugar to it.
How much watermelon is safe for Shih Tzus to eat
A medium-sized Shih Tzus can eat at least 4 to 7 little slices of watermelon per time, which is around 10% of their daily treat’s calorie intake.
Watermelon should be given as a treat rather than a whole meal, and it should account for no more than 10% of a Shih Tzu’s daily calories or meal.
Can Shih Tzus be allergic to watermelon
While Shih Tzus are not allergic to watermelon, each Shih Tzu is unique, and some may be allergic to foods that are typically considered healthy for dogs.
Therefore, Shih Tzu owners must gradually introduce little slices of watermelon as rewards to see how their dogs respond.
If your Shih Tzu exhibits any indications of distress after eating watermelon, see your veterinarian.
Can Shih Tzu puppies eat watermelon
Shih Tzus puppies under the age of 12 weeks should not be fed with watermelon as they have a sensitive stomach that is still developing.
Shih Tzu puppies above the age of 12 weeks can have watermelon in moderation and shouldn’t make up more than 10% of the required calories.
Let’s look at the pros and cons…
Cons of offering too much watermelon to Shih Tzus
The following are some of the disadvantages of overfeeding your Shih Tzu with watermelons:
- Shih Tzu puppies who consume too much ripe watermelon may have intestinal problems.
- Watermelon overfeeding might cause diarrhea in your Shih Tzu.
- If you overfeed your Shih Tzu watermelon, you may have stomach pain and nausea.
- If a Shih Tzu eats too much watermelon, its stomach will be irritated.
- Shih Tzus may have stomach bloating if he consumes too much watermelon.
Potential benefits of giving watermelon to Shih Tzus
Here are a few of the most often mentioned advantages of providing watermelon to Shih Tzu in moderation:
- Because of their high water content, watermelons can help Shih Tzu stay hydrated.
- Watermelon can assist Shih Tzus battle inflammation.
- Watermelon can aid digestion in Shih Tzus due to its fiber content.
- Watermelon can aid Shih Tzus with muscle discomfort.
- Giving Shih Tzu watermelon in moderation might benefit their immune system.
- Giving Shih Tzus watermelon will supply them with more antioxidants.
- Shih Tzus might benefit from extra vitamin from watermelon.
- Watermelon, when consumed in moderation, can give additional nutrients to Shih Tzus.
How to feed a Shih Tzu watermelon
Wash the watermelon nutritious fruit ball, as well as your cutting knife, under running tap water.
Cut the watermelon into appropriate sizes with a clean knife and place it in a clean dish or cutting board.
Return the remainder to your refrigerator or any other cold storage container or device as soon as possible.
Scraping the watermelon rinds slowly and extracting the watermelon seed after the rinds have been removed.
1. Offer watermelon slices as rewards
Don’t overdo it, and remember the 10% rule when it comes to dog treats and rewards.
Shih Tzus like completing chores in exchange for a reward.
Pick out 5 to 8 little slices of watermelon and use them as training snacks.
You may use these watermelon slices to teach your Shih Tzu a new trick or to praise him for doing something good, like not barking excessively.
Most Shih Tzu behavior issues may be solved with good obedience training and incentives like watermelon slices.
2. Offer watermelon with other fruits
No single diet has it all, regardless of what humans know and consume; this also applies to dog food, however, you might argue that wet dog food is better than dry dog food.
Because wet dog food is more expensive than dry dog food, why not strive to get your Shih Tzu’s dry dog food to be more valuable?
Giving your Shih Tzu fruits and vegetables as treats is a regular approach to provide value.
You may give your Shih Tzu a nutritious fruit combination such few slices of watermelon, apples, mango, and bananas as long as you follow the 10% guideline.
Put these healthy fruits on a platter for your Shih Tzu, but make sure it’s balanced.
3. Add frozen watermelon slice in a Kong
Add a slice of watermelon to a Kong and freeze it with your Shih Tzu kibbles to keep things easy (dry dog food).
When you’re measuring out the amount of food you’ll feed your Shih Tzu for the day, take 1/3 of it and moisten it with water.
9 to 15 tiny slices of watermelon, moistened, should be added to the wet meal and frozen together in your Kong.
After freezing, spread peanut butter on the exposed side of the Kong and give it to your Shih Tzu to keep him occupied while you do other things.
4. Produce a watermelon puree or juice
Remove the watermelon seeds and rinds, then use a blender to produce a homemade and plain watermelon juice or purée.
Remember not to add anything to it. Just plain and offer in moderation.
With the information provided on this page, your question Can Shih Tzu Eat Watermelon should be resolved.