Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? (Solved & Explained)

It is made of 92% water to be especially refreshing on a hot summer day. But is it safe for dogs?

The answer is yes, but before you feed your puppy this juicy fruit, there are a few things you need to know.

Despite popular belief that dogs are omnivores, they are incorporating some fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet can be a good idea.

There are two major vitamins that your four-legged companion will get from eating this fruit:

The flesh of a watermelon is a safe and nutritious treat for dogs, but the other parts of the fruit aren’t all right for your puppy to eat.

According to the American Kennel Club, if dogs swallow watermelon seeds, the seeds can cause an intestinal blockage that is painful for your dog and could become serious enough to require surgery to correct.

While a seed or two is unlikely to cause health problems for large dogs, it doesn’t take many of them to cause a blockage in small dogs.

It’s also unwise to give your dog the rind, the hard green outer skin of watermelon, as ingesting it can cause gastrointestinal distress that triggers vomiting or diarrhea.

And while the fruit of the watermelon is a healthy snack in small quantities, eating too much of it could also give your dog an upset tummy, thanks to its high fiber content.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is used in more than a hundred chemical reactions in your pet’s system. It forms amino acids which reduce tooth decay and support strong and shiny coats.

Vitamin A a fat-soluble vitamin used by your pup to support reproduction, vision, and bone growth. Can your dog eat watermelon?

Watermelon is also rich in vitamin C, which may help protect your dog against sniffles and allergens, and important minerals like calcium and potassium.

This delicious fruit is also packed with lycopene, a plant nutrient that acts as an antioxidant, combating harmful free radicals in human and dog organisms.

What about sugar? While it is true that watermelon contains sugar, it is also quite rich in dietary fiber, which slows down the natural release of sugar.

Let’s not forget that watermelons are mostly made of water, which means they’re hydrating and low in calories.

What Parts Of The Watermelon To Avoid?

Dogs can safely eat the flesh of a watermelon, but not the other parts of the fruit. While the rind and the seeds aren’t toxic, they’re hard to chew and digest. Therefore, it could threaten your puppy’s teeth and digestive system.

A couple of seeds won’t make a big difference, but if your puppy ingests many of them at once, they might cause intestinal blockage.

The rind is also not safe to eat. Being very solid, it poses a threat to intestinal blockage and your dog’s teeth. If your puppy has issues with their teeth or gums, trying to chew the rind can result in pain or even loss of teeth.

Be on the lookout for signs of intestinal blockage for 24 hours after your furry friend has eaten the seeds or rind.

If you notice symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, or lethargy, take them to the vet immediately to avoid complications. 

How many watermelons Can A Dog Eat?

Watermelon shouldn’t comprise a large part of your pup’s diet. Suppose they eat a large amount of watermelon. In that case, your pet might end up with a stomach ache, diarrhea, or other symptoms of gastrointestinal upset.

Many animals get upset every time they try new food, so it’s a good idea to start with small amounts of watermelon and see how your furry pal reacts.

As always, it’s best to talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of watermelon for your pup.

According to experts, only 10% of calorie intake should come through snacks or treats in your pup’s diet.

When it comes to fruits and veggies, they should make up no more than 25% of their diet.

Moreover, watermelon has high vitamins C, A, and B6, so constantly overfeeding your canine companion with this juicy fruit could result in vitamin imbalance.

It’s best to serve watermelon on hot days to keep your dog hydrated or reward good behavior during training sessions.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? What You Need To Know

• Only feed fresh or unsweetened frozen watermelon to your dog. Please do not feed them watermelon that is canned, sugared, or packed in syrup. The sugar content is too high. These foods might have added preservatives and sweeteners like xylitol which can be deadly to dogs.
• Remove the fruit from the rind as the green and white section of the rind can be rough on a pup’s tummy. Remove any seeds from the melon as these can cause intestinal blockage and might present a choking hazard.
• Allow your dog to nibble away at a slice of watermelon with your supervision or cut the pink sections of the fruit into bite-sized chunks. Freeze bite-sized pieces of watermelon to make a fresh, fruity popsicle for your pup.
• Add a few small pieces to your dog’s prepared food as a vitamin-booster
• Watermelon is a safe and delicious treat for dogs, but you should serve it with caution. Bear in mind that there are parts of this fruit that your dog shouldn’t eat (seeds and rind) as they might cause gastrointestinal issues.
• Introduce new foods to your pup’s diet gradually and in small portions, and make sure you’re always close to supervise.

Check with your vet before feeding your pup any human food. Although watermelon is considered a healthy treat, it’s best to confirm that it won’t harm your pet’s digestive system. Can your dog eat watermelon?

Conclusion

Dogs are curious and occasionally try to ingest something they shouldn’t, like watermelon rind or seeds.

In that case, you should take your four-legged friend to the vet right away. If your vet is not available, call an emergency animal clinic and describe the situation.

Pet insurance covers sickness treatment costs if your pup is enrolled before eating something they’re not supposed to.