Can My Dog Eat Watermelon?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Sweet, juicy, delicious watermelon is a summertime staple. It’s great in iced lollies, fruit salad, and with a sprinkle of feta cheese and mint. But most of all, it’s great to eat watermelon right out of the rind. As with most things in life, you’ll want to share your favourite fruit with your dogs! But can dogs eat watermelon safely?

The answer is: YES! Dogs can eat watermelon. In fact, it’s one of the healthiest fruits to share with your dog. A watermelon is like a giant health-bomb. It’s low in calories, high in water, and packed with nutrients like potassium, beta-carotene, and magnesium. It also contains vitamins A, B6, and C, and helps boost immune system health.

Dogs can eat small portions of watermelon pretty much any time. Frozen or fresh, as long as you remove the seeds and rind, watermelon is a safe treat for your dog.

Watermelon’s Nutritional Punch

Most fruits contain too much sugar to really benefit your dog. Watermelon does contain sugar, of course, but it also has a very high water content. In fact, watermelon is about 92% water, so it’s a hydrating and low-calorie snack. And with all those tasty vitamins, it’s pretty much the perfect treat on a hot summer day.

Like many fruits, watermelon can cause loose stool if your dog eats too much at a time. If you feed your dog watermelon, make sure to keep an eye out for any changes in their bowel movements. It’s best to start by offering them a couple of pieces at a time and monitor them to make sure the watermelon agrees with them before giving them more.

How to Safely Serve Your Dog Watermelon

As fun as it might sound, it’s not a good idea to let your dog go to town on a whole watermelon. Instead, start by cutting the watermelon out of the rind. Dogs shouldn’t eat watermelon rind because they can’t digest the skin. In addition, rind can pose a choking hazard, especially in big pieces.

Then, remove the seeds, as seeds can cause internal blockages. You could buy a seedless watermelon, or simply remove the seeds from a regular watermelon before serving it to your dog.

Finally, cut the watermelon into bite-sized pieces. For an extra-tasty treat, you can freeze chunks of watermelon and offer them as a soothing cold treat. Or, add watermelon “ice cubes” to your dog’s water bowl in the summertime (just be sure to clean out any uneaten bits and wash the bowl).

What Else Can Your Dog Eat?

We offer a collection of articles on foods that are safe, dangerous or even toxic for dogs to eat, including vegetables, dairy, bread, and junk food. There is a wide variety of “human food” that is healthy for your dog to eat, while others are considered toxic and dangerous. Check out which fruits and veg are good for your dog here and which spices and seasonings are ok to give to your furry little buddy here. We’ve created these articles to ensure you’re informed on feeding your dog a wonderfully varied diet while learning the limitations of a dog’s sensitive digestive system.

You might also be interested in reading “Can My Dog Eat Watermelon Seeds?” or “Can My Dog Eat Watermelon Rind?“