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Watermelon is a huge favorite on warm summer days. Nothing is more refreshing than watermelon! And dogs can eat watermelon with you. The fruit is safe for dogs to eat, though they should eat it without the seeds. But what happens if a dog eats watermelon rind?
Has your dog eaten watermelon rind? Are you worried the watermelon rind will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about watermelon rind and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Watermelon Rind?
When you cut a watermelon, you can see several different parts of the watermelon. There’s the red flesh with the seeds, the green outer shell, and in between, you’ll see some white. This is the rind of the watermelon!
Some people use the watermelon in different ways, including pickling it, making chutney, and even candying the rind! So, the rind is edible and can be quite tasty.
While watermelon rind is safe for humans to eat, what about dogs? What happens if a dog eats watermelon rind?
Watermelon Rind & Dogs
Thankfully, the watermelon rind is not toxic to dogs. So, you don’t have to worry about the rind poisoning your canine companion. However, the watermelon rind is fibrous and tough. For this reason, it needs to be thoroughly chewed. Dogs are famous for not chewing their food. Some dogs try to swallow their food down whole!
The problem is that the rind could cause choking if swallowed. Another problem is that if the rind is large enough, it could become lodged in the dog’s digestive tract and cause a blockage. A blockage is a serious medical condition that can cause death if left untreated.
And even if the watermelon rind doesn’t cause these problems, it could still cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Watermelon Rind Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten watermelon rind:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Coughing
- Choking
- Breathing difficulties
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Watermelon Rind Ingestion in Dogs
Treatment depends on the vet’s diagnosis. For instance, if your dog is choking, the vet will work to remove the watermelon rind from your dog’s esophagus. They do to this with an endoscopic procedure unless the rind is high enough in the esophagus for the vet to reach.
On the other hand, if the vet makes a diagnosis of an intestinal blockage, your fur baby may require surgery. The surgery is done to remove the blockage and repair any damage it may have caused.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after ingesting watermelon rind. In the future, it’s best to keep watermelon rinds out of your dog’s reach. And don’t allow anyone to give the rind to your dog. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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