Nothing says summer like eating a juicy, delicious watermelon. You picnic under the shade of a large oak tree, munching on the juicy red fruit. While you finish off that bottle of Rosé, you notice your dog eyeing the watermelon you’ve brought. There’s plenty for the both of you, but a question lurks, “Is watermelon good for dogs?”

Lucky for you, technology rests at your fingertips. You can pick up the phone and find the answer you seek.

How Is Watermelon Good For Dogs?

Simple answer: watermelon contains many beneficial nutrients.

But a simple answer remains unsatisfactory. You’re a dog owner who is inclined to learn. You yearn to know all the nutritional info, so your dog remains as healthy as possible.

Dig deeper into watermelon’s beneficial nutrients, and you find a wealth of healthy vitamins.

Watermelon contains plentiful amounts of vitamins A, B6, and C. The vitamin A contained in watermelon works wonders for you pup’s vision. Inside the body, vitamin A converts to beta carotene. Beta carotene’s primary role in the body is to aid eye health and vision.

Vitamin B6 aids your dog’s metabolism and energy levels. A refreshing watermelon treat will help re-energize your pup on a hot, lazy day.

The high amounts of vitamin C work to stabilize your dog’s immune system. This protects them from illness, and also supports joint health.

Stay Hydrated

Despite all that flavor, watermelon is 92% water. Crazy, right! However, all that water works in your dog’s favor. The high water content in watermelon helps keep your pup hydrated.

Watermelon’s high water content makes it the prime treat for a hot day at the park!

Prevent Cancer

The wide variety of healthy nutrients in watermelon allow it to have anti-cancer properties. Have you ever wondered why watermelon is red?

Well, a nutrient called lycopene gives a red coloring to many plants, including watermelon. But lycopene’s effects do not stop there. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), lycopene has a strong link to preventing cancers of the digestive system.

However, watermelon’s anti-cancer effects extend beyond lycopene. Watermelon also contains another anti-cancer nutrient that’s difficult to pronounce, cucurbitacin E.

The NIH has studied cucurbitacin E, and its ability to inhibit tumor growth. The nutrient also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which likely contribute to its anti-cancer properties.

Improve Heart Health

In addition to its anti-cancer effects, studies also link lycopene to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and reducing the stiffness of arteries. This makes lycopene a great nutrient for improving heart health for your pup.

Watermelon also contains an abundance of the amino acid, citrulline. Inside the body, citrulline converts to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide expands blood vessels, which helps lower your dog’s blood pressure.

Is Watermelon Good For Dogs And Their Skin?

The vitamins A and C, found in watermelon, also aid your pup’s skin and hair.

Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, a protein that plays a key role in keeping skin and hair healthy.

As for Vitamin A, this nutrient promotes the creation of healthy skin cells, while repairing damaged ones. Low levels of vitamin A leads to dry, flaky skin. However, the occasional watermelon treat helps your pup avoid any skin and hair issues.

Also, check out other fruits and veggies that benefit your dog’s health.

Good For Dogs!

Do I even need to ask, “Is watermelon good for dogs?”

I think you get the gist, watermelon makes for an amazing treat for your pup. So next time you enjoy that juicy, red fruit, maybe give a taste to your furry friend.

That good dog surely deserves a tasty bite!