Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? (2024)

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be okay for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

Watermelon is a healthy and refreshing treat for humans, but can dogs eat it, too?

If you’ve shared a piece of watermelon or your pup has snuck a piece, there’s no need to worry. As long as your dog does not have diabetes and is not sensitive to sugar, they should be completely fine.

Is Watermelon Good for Dogs?

Both red and yellow watermelon are safe and healthy fruits for most puppies and adult dogs to eat. However, dogs that have diabetes or sugar sensitivities as well as dogs that are obese should not be given the fruit.

Watermelon is low in calories and contains no fat or cholesterol. And since 92% of a watermelon is actually water, it’s helpful for hydration—especially on hot summer days.

Keep in mind though, that due to the small amount of watermelon your dog should eat as a snack, they cannot depend on watermelon alone for hydration.

There are also several great vitamins and minerals in watermelons:

Vitamin A
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin C
Potassium

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rinds?

Be sure that your dog does not eat watermelon rind. It’s not safe for them to consume, as it can become a serious choking hazard or create an intestinal blockage. If your dog has swallowed a watermelon rind, visit your veterinarian immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?

Before feeding any watermelon to your dog, remove the rind and seeds. These black seeds contain cyanide, although it’s unlikely that a dog would be able to eat enough of them to be poisoned. The seeds can also be a potential choking hazard.

Despite the name, seedless watermelons will sometimes still have thin, white seeds. And although those probably won’t pose choking hazards, they could upset your dog’s stomach. So it’s safest to remove those as well.

If your dog has eaten some of the seeds, contact your veterinarian.

How Much Watermelon Can a Dog Eat?

Even healthy treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s overall diet. And the other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet.

To help make the portions a little easier, below are some general guidelines for safe watermelon treat sizes based on your dog’s weight. Each “slice” should only be about 1 inch x 1 inch x ¼-inch thick:

Extra-small dog (2-20 lbs.) = 1-2 slices of watermelon

Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs

Small dog (21-30 lbs.) = 2-3 slices of watermelon

Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature Australian Shepherds

Medium dog (31-50 lbs.) = 5-6 slices of watermelon

Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs

Large dog (51-90 lbs.) = handful of watermelon slices

Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds

Extra-large dog (91+ lbs.) = large handful of watermelon slices
See Also
Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Read Before You Feed | Purina

Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees

If your dog ate some extra watermelon when you weren’t looking and you’re worried that they ate too much, keep an eye out for the following symptoms of an upset stomach:

Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
Fatigue
Acting depressed
Looking uncomfortable
Gulping or licking their lips, the air, or objects

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

Worsening symptoms include:

Vomiting
Excessive diarrhea
Blood in their vomit or stool
Weakness
Collapse

If you notice any of these more serious symptoms, call your vet and take your dog to the vet immediately.

How to Safely Feed Your Dog Watermelon

When feeding watermelon to your pup, make sure to wash off the watermelon, remove the rind, and remove the seeds. Once you’ve prepared the watermelon, there are multiple fun ways to safely feed it to your dog.

Cut it into small pieces that are about 1 inch x 1 inch x ¼-inch thick to give to your dog as treats.

Remove the seeds, mash or blend a little watermelon, then pour it over your dog’s food, or put it in a KONG toy to freeze and serve later.

Make your pup a fruit smoothie by blending up watermelon with some other dog-safe fruits like bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. Then combine that fruit mixture with plain, sugar-free, xylitol-free yogurt. Refrigerate the mixture so you can put a little on top of your dog’s food later. Or you can put it in their KONG toy to freeze for a very refreshing treat.
Try these recipes for a dog-safe watermelon sorbet or a watermelon mocktail for dogs

Featured image: iStock.com/Sviatlana Barchan

WRITTEN BY

Victoria Lynn Arnold

Freelance Writer

FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? ›

Yes, dogs can safely eat watermelon if prepared correctly. Like some other fruits, such as oranges, apples and peaches, and also berries (fun fact, in case you didn't know, watermelons are berries), such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, watermelon can be safe for dogs to eat as a healthy snack.

Know More ›

How much watermelon can I give my dog? ›

How much watermelon can I give my dog? A tea cup full of watermelon is approximately the correct amount to feed your dog if they are a medium or large breed such as a spaniel, labrador or a hunting hound such as a vizsla. Smaller dogs like terriers or co*ckapoos should only eat around half this amount.

Is watermelon good for dogs? ›

The fleshy pink fruit of a watermelon is loaded with healthy nutrients that are as beneficial for humans as they are for our canine companions. Watermelon is rich in potassium and vitamin C, and it's also a great source of vitamins A and B6, according to Dogtime. It also contains fiber, which can aid healthy digestion.

Do dogs fully digest watermelon? ›

The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It's also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset. What are the benefits of watermelon for dogs?

Can dogs have strawberries or watermelon? ›

Small pieces of dog-safe fruits, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, mangoes, and blueberries, make delicious and healthy treats for small puppies. However, keep in mind that treats shouldn't make up more than 5% of your puppy's diet, so they should only be given in small amounts and on occasion.

Keep Reading ›

Why do dogs like watermelon so much? ›

Q: Why do dogs like watermelon? A: Just like their human counterparts, Dr. Bayazit says that dogs too may find watermelon a refreshing treat in season or even during the out-of-season months. It's tasty, sweet, juicy, and can be extra-cooling when served frozen.

Get More Info ›

Is banana good for dogs? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Read On ›

Is peanut butter good for a dog? ›

' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.

What fruit can't dogs eat? ›

Grapes (and raisins) are very toxic to dogs, though research still hasn't confirmed why. Even one grape or raisin can be fatal or can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Tomatoes. A ripened tomato is probably OK, but green parts of the tomato plant have solanine, which is toxic to dogs.

Show Me More ›

Why did my dog throw up after eating watermelon? ›

Even with the seeds and rind removed, some dogs might experience digestive upset from eating watermelon, especially if they eat too much at once. Symptoms might include diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain. If these occur, stop feeding watermelon to your dog and consult your vet.

Find Out More ›

Will watermelon keep my dog hydrated? ›

Here are some of the reasons why watermelon can be an enjoyable treat for your dog: Hydration: Watermelon fruit is 92% water, making it a hydrating snack for a dog. Cooling: Frozen watermelon is a healthier alternative to stomach-upsetting ice cream, which some dogs crave during warm weather activities.

Read The Full Story ›

Can watermelon help with constipation in dogs? ›

Watermelon is roughly 92 percent water and 7.5 percent carbohydrates. Plus, it's low calorie and cholesterol-free, making it a healthy human food that's also good for dogs. Since watermelon has such high water content, it's great for hydration and has the potential to help alleviate constipation.