Dogs and Watermelon

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Remember THIS First

When summer arrives, watermelon is one of the most common treats in the U.S.

The delicious and nutritious fruit has top status in terms of nutrients and water content.

It’s the perfect fruit for hydration and a super food for your health.

But how about for dogs? Can dogs eat watermelon also?

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Yes, with a few precautions.

To help prevent a blockage in your intestines, you’ll need to remove any seeds.

Cutting the rind off will also make the it easier to digest. 

Benefits of Watermelon for Dogs

Watermelons are known for their high water content and nutrient value.

They contain lots of vitamin A, B, C, and E, and minerals like

  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Sodium
  • Zinc

In fact, they have more potassium than bananas!

And, unlike most fruits, they are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Can Melon Affect Your Dog’s Health?

You may be wondering what benefits you can expect from feeding your dog watermelon.

Well, it’s simple: it’s a super food!

Like all fruits, it is high in fiber.

But unlike other fruits, it also contains high amounts of lycopene, a form of antioxidant that is beneficial to your dog’s immune system. (1)

Eating this fruit can actually help your dog stay healthy.

How to Prepare

Cut the rind off to prevent any blockages.

Then cut the fruit into pieces.

You’ll need to remove the seeds, as they can cause digestive problems.

How to Feed Watermelon to Your Dog

Can dogs eat watermelon

Watermelon can be a pleasure for your dog, but it should only be given in moderation in addition to a regular, healthy diet.

It can be fed to dogs safely in the following ways:

  • Chunked: Slice the watermelon, then scoop out the rind and seeds.
  • Frozen: Frozen fruit can be taken out on once the rinds and seeds have been removed. This tasty treat will help keep your dog cool.
  • Puree: After removing the seeds and rinds, puree the fresh fruit, and then freeze it in ice cube trays.
  • Watermelon ice cream: Blend plain yogurt with frozen chunks of watermelon. Add to the top of your dog’s food bowl or insert into a Kong-style rubber toy. Most dogs can safely consume plain yogurt unless they have lactose intolerance. Additionally, yogurt’s bacterial cultures are excellent for digestive health and are typically tolerated better than ice cream. Just make sure to get plain yogurt that hasn’t had any flavors, fruit, sugars, or artificial or natural sweeteners added. Make sure the product doesn’t contain harmful Xylitol by carefully reading the label. If your dog has trouble eating yogurt, you might want to try lactose-free yogurt made from dairy or dairy-free yogurt manufactured from plant ingredients. To avoid any harmful additives or components, always read the label.

Is Watermelon Bad For Dogs?

If you want your dog to stay healthy and happy, you should give him a wide variety of foods.

Watermelon isn’t bad for dogs, but it’s not recommended for all dogs.

Some dogs tend to have digestive issues if they eat a lot of it.

If your dog has been eating a lot, you should stop and ensure he does not develop digestive issues.

If he’s acting sickly or seems to be in pain, you should bring him to the vet. 

Remove Rind and Seeds

If you buy a watermelon at the grocery store, you’ll see that it has a green rind.

This is the skin of the melon.

You should remove this rind, along with the seeds, before you give your dog this fruit.

You should never feed your dog watermelon that is too soft.

He could choke on the seeds or other parts, such as the rind.

If your dog has had problems with diarrhea or stomach problems, it is not recommended that he eats large quantities.

You should be cautious when you are giving your dog this or any human fruit.

If he eats a lot of it, he might suffer from stomach cramps or even diarrhea.

Conclusion

Not only can dogs eat watermelons, they are actually overall pretty healthy for them.

Although we always suggest feeding your dog natural dog food, some fruits and vegetables can provide benefits to them.

As always the key is feeding them moderate amounts.

Scroll to Top