Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Now we all love to eat watermelon but can dogs eat watermelon? The answer is YES, with some precautions. You should remove the seeds from the watermelon; they can cause intestinal blockage. It is also recommended to remove the rind, (the skin) of the watermelon as this can cause gastrointestinal upset.

Is Watermelon Good For Dogs Though?

Yes, they can, the fruit itself is a healthy food for them, it is full of nutrients, such as Vitamin A, B6, and vitamin C, along with potassium. It is low in calories as well. Watermelon is about 92% water, so the calorie intake is pretty small, about 50 calories per cup according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

With such a high percentage of water in them, they are great for hydrating your dog on hot days. While not having any fat or cholesterol, it is pretty good food for a dog on a humid day.

Check out the below table from the USDA FoodData Central database showing what can be found in a watermelon. You can see that there is a sugar count in watermelon, so please do not go crazy with it. All human food, fruit, and vegetables included should only be given in moderation.

100g Serving of Watermelon

How Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Like most fruit we talk about it is best to cut up the watermelon into small chunks, while removing the seeds and rind from it. You can mash the watermelon up if you own a smaller breed of a dog. If you would like to get creative and it is a hot day, you can try freezing the watermelon into ice cubes. This will help keep your dog cooler in the heat.

Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit that is an excellent source of hydration after a long walk or in warmer weather. It also contains vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A, C, B6 and potassium. When sharing watermelon with your dog, be careful to remove all seeds and rind, as gastrointestinal upset and even blockage can occur.

As stated by Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS on his article 8 dog-friendly fruits, please check out the full article here.

Possible Side Effects of Your Dog Eating Watermelon:

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind?

If your dog manages to eat the watermelon rind, they may suffer from an upset stomach. Watermelon rind is not toxic, although it can cause a mild stomach upset if they have eaten it this one-off.

Let me be clear dogs should not eat rind at all, although if they have accidentally eaten it, they should be fine. If your dog is suffering from gastrointestinal distress, you should feed your dog water to lower the risk of dehydration. If you are seriously worried, you should contact your local veterinarian.

Can Your Dog Eat Watermelon Seeds?

No, they cannot. When it comes to the seeds, they are not toxic but should always remove the seeds from the watermelon, with no exceptions. They can cause an intestinal blockage that poses a danger to your dog’s life.

There is a type of seedless watermelon, which will contain no black seeds.

You should still be careful though as sometimes white seeds can still be found in them. These are the seeds that have not matured, you are best removing these too.

You are best checking all types of watermelon to be safe.

Making Watermelon Treats For Your Dog: The Best Recipe.

We will be talking about making watermelon/yogurt popsicles; if you would like to add a fun twist to it, you can purchase a dog bone-shaped ice cube tray from Amazon or other online retailers for a small price.

The popsicles provide many vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, along with some yogurts aid in your dog’s digestion, they can have a healthy probiotic effect as well. When it comes to the yogurt, please make sure you choose a healthy dog yogurt and that it has no artificial sweeteners or anything harmful to your dog. If you would like to make the following treats, follow the simple tips below.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of seedless and rind free of watermelon chunks
• 1 cup of plain yogurt

Instructions:

• Blend or smash up the watermelon, into a texture you are happy with
• Add one tablespoon of yogurt to each ice cube tray
• The continue to fill the rest of the space with the watermelon mixture
• You will now need to put the ice cube tray in the freezer for about 4 hours
• Once they have frozen completely, remove them from the ice cube tray and store in an airtight container in-till you wish to use the treats.

Gone To The Snow Dogs have a great recipe as well, check out the below video. Where they use, watermelon, coconut water, or milk, along with a tablespoon of honey being optional.

My Dog Won’t Eat Watermelon

If your dog is turning his nose up to the watermelon. It might be because it has not really got much of a taste to dogs, it can be very bland to them. Watermelon is 92% water, so it does not seem that attractive to them. If your dog is not finding it that attractive to eat you can try the above recipes or freeze small chunks of watermelon, this may attract them into trying it out.

Conclusion

Can dogs eat watermelon? Yes, they can, it is a good little treat for them on hot days. The high amount of water found in watermelon is what makes it a great treat.

You must just remember to remove all seeds and the rind first.

As with everything, it is important to speak with your veterinarian before introducing anything new into your dogs’ diet. We say this because your dog might be on certain medications or have certain medical problems. They will know your dog on a personal level.