Originally grown in southern Africa, watermelons are a staple fruit found in our homes these days. They are delicious, filling, and satisfying.
We often snack on fruits such as watermelon and if you own a Maltese, you might be wondering if it is safe to offer some to him/her.
Yes, Maltese can eat watermelon as a treat, but some precautions have to be taken. Watermelons are so healthy because they pack some very necessary nutrients for your Maltese’s healthy growth.
Watermelons are a perfect snack to give your Maltese on a hot day due to the high water content it contains.
There are certain frequently asked questions I will be addressing in this blog post. Questions like; Is it safe for your Maltese to eat the seeds or rind of a watermelon, how much watermelon should you actually feed your Maltese, and so on.
Before that, we have to know the various benefits watermelons offers to your Maltese.
Let’s begin.
Health Benefits of Watermelon
This delicious and refreshing fruit happens to be low on calories and high on various nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamins (B1, B5 and B6), and vitamin A src.
Vitamin C is absolutely crucial in the healthy development and improvement of your Maltese’s immune system.
The immune system is responsible for protecting your Maltese from unwanted bacterial infections amongst other illnesses.
Vitamin C also help prevent cell damage src.
Vitamin A and C together, are also important for the development and maintenance of a healthy skin and hair. They both ensure a healthy and beautiful growth of your Maltese’s fur and overall look.
The potassium in watermelon is great for the development of blood vessel function, as well as muscle development, especially the heart muscles src.
The small amount of fiber found in watermelon helps in digestion and due to the high water content of a watermelon, it can also help in your Maltese’s bowel movement.
It is also important to note that excess watermelon consumption should be avoided because it might lead to bellyache and diarrhea.
Also, when feeding your Maltese watermelon for the very first time, take it slow and start with a very small piece, watch his/her reaction for a couple of hours to ensure they have no negative reaction to it.
Are Watermelon Seeds Safe for your Maltese to Eat?
Some studies have shown that watermelon seeds can be beneficial to humans but that is the opposite case when it come to dogs.
So, can your Maltese eat the seeds of a watermelon? No, they shouldn’t. It is important to take the seeds out before offering it to them because the seed could cause intestinal blockage.
It is important to pick these seeds out and due to the fact your Maltese can only have a little watermelon at a given time, makes it easier to ensure they are free of seeds.
To avoid the stress and task involved in removing the seeds from your watermelon, you can just get the seedless types instead.
Are Watermelon Rinds Safe for your Maltese to Eat?
Although there have been some recorded benefits of the watermelon’s rind to humans, it is necessary to acknowledge that humans and dogs process food differently.
Can your Maltese eat a watermelon rind? Simple and short answer, No he/she shouldn’t be fed the rinds of watermelon. This is because the rinds of the watermelon are hard, which poses a problem with digestion amongst other things.
The rind can also lead to a choking hazard as they might get stuck while your Maltese tries to forcefully swallow it.
Can your Maltese eat Sour Patch Watermelon?
Your Maltese should not eat sour patch watermelon or any candy for that matter, just to be on a safer side.
This is because most candies are made with Xylitol, a non-sugar sweetener, which happens to be toxic to dogs.
Xylitol could lead to vomiting, seizure and lethargy amongst other issues.
Regardless of whether the sour patch was made with xylitol, the sugar in candy could lead to gum decay in your Maltese or worse, diabetes, if eaten often and in excess.
How many Watermelons should your Maltese Eat?
It is advisable to limit treats to nothing more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily diet.
Since fruits are generally considered as treats, it is important to limit the amount fed to your dog daily.
Your Maltese, should not eat more than 2 slices of watermelon a day, with each slice being no bigger than a regular size ice cube.
When consumed in excess, watermelon can cause your Maltese to suffer from bellyache and diarrhea.
Can your Puppy Maltese Eat Watermelon?
Puppies are known to need more food than adult dogs would, this does not necessarily apply to treats.
Puppy Maltese can eat watermelon. Although fruits such as watermelon should only be given to puppies as a treat because it doesn’t contain all the nutrients a puppy would need for its healthy growth and development.
Feeding your puppy Maltese watermelon in excess can lead to serious bellyache and diarrhea.
This will put your puppy in a stressful state and that would not be beneficial to its general wellbeing.
Preparing watermelon for your Maltese
Us as humans usually just cut a watermelon open then dig right in. This is because both the seeds and rind aren’t toxic to us
For dogs though, it is a totally different story.
The rinds and seeds are not to be eaten by your Maltese and in this section, i will be detailing how you should prepare watermelon so you can treat your Maltese.
Let’s get started.
- Wash your watermelon before cutting it open. This can be done under a running tap,
- Place it laying on the side, cutting from one end to the other (not along the side),
- If you don’t intend to have some watermelon, you can safely store the excess in the refrigerator wrapped in cling wrap or an airtight ziplock bag,
- Take the half intended for your Maltese and split it into smaller halves (this would make it less messy as you proceed),
- Use a smaller knife to gently remove any visible seeds,
- Then carefully cut out the flesh of the watermelon away from the rind.
- Cut them further into regular ice cube sizes.
- You can store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag and place them in your refrigerator.
Some Watermelon treat Ideas
Now you have your watermelon is prepped and ready to be given to your Maltese as a snack, it is time to get creative with some watermelon treat ideas.
Here are some treat ideas and recipes i will be sharing:
- Watermelon slushies
- Watermelon and banana popsicle
- Frozen Watermelon
Let’s begin.
1. Watermelon Slushy
This is an amazing, easy to make and easy to eat treat.
What you need:
- 3 cups of seedless watermelons
- 1/4 cup of pure coconut milk.
- Ice Cubes
- A blender
Directions
- Add both the seedless watermelons, ice cubes, and the coconut milk into the blender.
- Blend slightly for a few seconds on the lowest setting.
- Take out the slushy and serve.
- You can also fill up a small kong toy, refrigerate it for some hours and offer it as a reward for good behavior.
It is important not to give your Maltese all the slushy at a single serving. Serve in moderation, this isn’t meant as a meal replacement but a treat.
2. Watermelon and Banana Popsicle
This is to be used as a special treat for very good behavior, and, it comes packed with nutrients your Maltese would require.
What you need:
- 2 cup of seedless watermelon
- 1 medium-sized, ripe banana (peeled)
- A blender
- Ice mold
Directions
- Add the ingredients into the blender and blend until you have an even texture.
- Pour the blended mixture into the ice molds
- Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
- Remove the popsicle from mold and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.
Depending on the size of the mold, it is important not to give your Maltese a large popsicle. Serve in moderation, this isn’t meant as a meal replacement but a treat.
3. Frozen Watermelon
This is by far the simplest treat to make.
Just like the name suggests, all you need to do is freeze up your already diced and seedless watermelon.
You can get creative by cutting the watermelon into different shapes before you place them in the freezer.
Summary
In summary, watermelon is amazing as a treat for your Maltese.
Delicious and containing enough water, while being rich in various vitamins and minerals, makes the watermelon a perfect treat on a hot summer day.
