Can My Dog Eat Watermelon?

There’s nothing like a refreshing piece of watermelon on a hot summer day.  

Only 50 calories a cup and 92% water, no fat or cholesterol… Check on all the boxes. This brings us to an important question: Can dogs eat watermelon too? 

The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions.

Watermelon: Nutritional Benefits 

Watermelon is a great summer snack- it is extra hydrating as it has 92% water and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins (A, B, and C), fibers, and potassium. Watermelon can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve heart health, relieve muscle pain, and many more perks. With all these nutritional advantages, why not let our dogs enjoy it too?  

How much is too much?

Too much of anything can cause problems. The same goes for watermelon. Feeding your dog an excessive amount of watermelon might cause a tummy upset, constipation, or diarrhea. Treats and watermelon would be an occasional treat, and should only be 10% of your dog’s diet to avoid obesity or diabetes. This especially goes for smaller breeds who should have much less like a snack than a larger dog.

What about the seeds and the rind?

The seeds of the watermelon can cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. And although the rind is a fun ‘toy’ to chew on for our dogs, It’s also a good idea to remove it as it can cause gastrointestinal upset. One more thing you should be careful about is products that contain watermelon. This is not the same as feeding natural watermelon to your dog. Most of them contain additives and sugar, which is not recommended for dogs. 

Watermelon has a high sugar level- is it good for my dog? 

Watermelon has sugar, but the high amount of fiber acts as insulation for the sugar, allowing it to be released into the bloodstream slower than the sugar in fruits. However, if your dog has diabetes, watermelon shouldn’t be offered until your vet has advised you about serving sizes and your dog’s special diet needs.

How to feed watermelon to your pooch

Although watermelon has many nutritional benefits for our dogs, it still can’t be consumed the same way. Here are a few suggestions on how to safely feed your dog with a watermelon: 

• Small chunks – Just cut it up into small pieces, remove the rind and seeds, and make your pooch happy!
• Puree – Mash the watermelon and put it in the freezer. This way, you have a cold dish ready to cool off your dog on those scorching summer days.
• Freeze chunks – Instead of pureeing, simply cut it into pieces and freeze those. Simple and easy!
• Ice cream – Everyone adores ice cream, so you can only imagine the tail wagging when they’ll get this delicious treat. You can both enjoy a tasty sorbet. 

With so many inventive ways to offer watermelon to your dog, it’s hard to ignore watermelon as a healthy addition to your doggie snack menu!