Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, as long as you remove the seeds and the rind first.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon as long as you remove the seeds and the rind first.

It is one of the best summer treats you can share with your dog because it is 92% water, making it incredibly hydrating on hot days. It is also packed with vitamins A, B6, and C, plus potassium. Like any human food, you just have to serve it the right way to avoid an upset stomach.

Quick Answer

I think every dog owner has that one food their dog loses their mind over. For Alice, my chow shepherd, it is cheese. She can be fast asleep in the other room, but the second she hears the crinkle of a cheese wrapper, she appears out of nowhere. For Dodo, my mini chowdoodle puppy, it is watermelon.

Last week I was cutting up a watermelon on the kitchen counter. Dodo is usually pretty good about staying out of the kitchen, but the second she heard the knife hit the cutting board she was sitting right at my feet. I dropped a small piece by accident and before I could even bend down to pick it up she had swallowed it whole.

I panicked for a second trying to remember if I had picked out all the seeds. Luckily I had. She was fine and now she thinks every time I open the fridge I am hiding a watermelon from her. She will just sit there staring at the crisper drawer until I close the door.

If you are thinking about sharing some with your dog, there are a few things you should know about preparing it safely. It is a fantastic snack. You just need to do a little prep work before giving it to them.

The Health Benefits of Watermelon for Dogs

Watermelon has a lot of nutritional benefits for dogs beyond just tasting good. The biggest one is hydration. During the summer months when it is hot outside, it can be hard to get some dogs to drink enough water. Giving them a few pieces of watermelon is a great way to sneak some extra fluids into their diet.

It is also very low in calories. A whole cup of diced watermelon only has about 45 calories. This makes it a great option if you are trying to manage your dog's weight but still want to give them something special.

On top of that, watermelon is full of vitamins. Vitamin A is great for your dog's skin and coat. Vitamin B6 helps with brain function and energy levels. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and cognitive aging. It also has potassium, which supports healthy muscle and nerve function.

How much watermelon can I give my dog?

Watermelon is healthy but it still contains natural sugar. You should treat it like a snack instead of a meal replacement. Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog's daily calories. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health issues over time.

Here is a general guide for how much to serve based on your dog's size:

If you have a bloat-prone breed like a standard doodle or a chow, you want to be extra careful about not letting them gorge on too much food or water at once. Keep the portions small and space them out.

What happens if my dog eats too much watermelon?

If your dog eats too much watermelon, the most common issue is an upset stomach. Because it has so much water and fiber, eating a huge amount can cause loose stool or diarrhea. This usually clears up on its own within a day or two, but it is definitely not fun to deal with.

If your dog accidentally eats the rind or a lot of seeds, that is a bigger problem. The rind is very dense and hard to digest. It can cause a gastrointestinal blockage, which is a medical emergency. The seeds can also cause blockages, especially in smaller dogs. They can also cause intestinal irritation as they pass through the digestive tract.

Signs of a Bad Reaction

Watch your dog for these signs after they eat watermelon, especially if they got into the rind:

If you notice any of these symptoms or if you know your dog ate a large piece of rind, call your vet right away. If they just have mild loose stool from eating too much of the pink flesh, you can usually fix it by adding a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin to their next meal to help firm things up.

Is watermelon good for puppies?

Yes, puppies can eat watermelon, but you have to be much more careful with them than with adult dogs.

Puppies have very sensitive digestive systems. They are also much smaller, so a piece of rind or a few seeds that an adult dog might pass easily could cause a serious blockage in a puppy. Their bodies are still developing, and introducing new foods too quickly can cause a lot of stomach upset.

When I give watermelon to Dodo, I cut it into tiny, pea-sized pieces. I also only give her one or two pieces at a time. If you are introducing it to your puppy for the first time, start with just one small piece and wait 24 hours to make sure it does not upset their stomach. If their poop looks normal the next day, you can slowly start giving them a little more.

How to Serve It Safely

Preparing watermelon for your dog is easy, but you cannot just hand them a slice. You have to do a little bit of prep work to make sure it is safe for them to eat.

  1. Wash the outside: Even though they aren't eating the rind, washing the outside prevents bacteria from getting on the knife and transferring to the fruit.
  2. Cut away the rind: Remove all the green and white parts. You only want the pink flesh. The white part of the rind is not toxic, but it is very hard to digest and can cause stomach aches.
  3. Remove the seeds: Buy seedless watermelon if you can. If you buy a seeded one, you have to pick out every single black and white seed. It takes a little extra time, but it is worth it to prevent a blockage.
  4. Cut into bite-sized pieces: Cut the fruit into small cubes that are easy for your dog to chew and swallow.

Fun Ways to Feed Watermelon to Your Dog

If you want to make it extra special, there are a few different ways you can serve watermelon to your dog.

You can freeze the cubes. Frozen watermelon is a great teething ring for puppies, and it helps keep adult dogs cool after a summer walk. Dodo loves chewing on frozen watermelon cubes when her gums are bothering her.

You can also blend the seedless flesh and freeze it in silicone molds. This makes a great pupsicle for hot days. If you want to get really creative, you can mix the blended watermelon with a little bit of plain, unsweetened yogurt before freezing it.

Another option is to stuff the blended watermelon into a Kong and freeze it. This is a great way to keep your dog busy for a while. Alice loves a frozen Kong, and it usually keeps her occupied for at least thirty minutes.

Just remember to keep it plain. Never give your dog watermelon flavored candy, juice, or anything with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal. Always stick to plain, fresh watermelon.

Watermelon is a great, healthy snack for your dog when prepared correctly. Just keep the portions reasonable, take the time to remove the seeds and rind, and watch how their stomach handles it.

If you are curious about what other summer fruits are safe to share, check out our guides on whether dogs can eat strawberries, if blueberries are safe for dogs, and how to safely feed your dog apples.

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