Is It Safe for My Dog to Eat a Watermelon?
Many longtime dog owners love sharing their favorite foods with their canines. While chocolate is a no-go, watermelon is a popular alternative, especially in places with hot summertime climates.
Watermelon is sweet, refreshing, and easy to chew, making it a great treat for dogs that just want to participate in a picnic. But is it really safe for your dog to eat watermelon pieces? Let’s dive deeper into this question and explore whether you should let your dog have a watermelon snack the next time you carve out a slice.
Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs?
Simply put, yes… with a few caveats.
Watermelon itself is a fairly inoffensive fruit, known for its sweet flavor and high water content. In fact, watermelon is 92% water, with only 50 cal in a cup. Humans and dogs alike can both enjoy watermelon to get some extra hydration and to enjoy a tasty afternoon snack without having to feel guilty! After all, watermelon has basically no cholesterol or fat.
However, watermelon has to be given to your dog in a specific way for it to really be safe. Watermelon seeds and rind can both be dangerous to your dog, particularly if they eat a lot of either part of the fruit.
Why Are Watermelon Seeds Dangerous for Dogs?
Both watermelon seeds and rind are also not eaten by humans. They’re not good for your dog to eat for the same reason.
Basically, watermelon seeds can eventually clog your dog’s digestive tract. Your dog’s digestive system won’t digest the seeds. If your dog eats enough watermelon with the seeds, the seeds can pile up and prevent other food and nutrients from being absorbed by your dog’s body.
In the worst cases, you may need to visit a veterinarian to remove the blockage through surgery. However, if your dog only consumes a few seeds or a little bit of rind, they may just feel sick for a little while and eventually pass the blockage in their stool.
You only need to contact your veterinarian if your dog doesn’t get better shortly after eating the seeds and rind or if they seem like they are developing more severe symptoms. The vet can make your dog throw up if needed or follow other procedures to help them pass the seeds safely.
Can Your Dog Eat Watermelon Rind?
Just like seeds can’t be digested by your dog’s stomach or intestines, the rind is also indigestible. The watermelon rind can cause gastrointestinal upset for your dog, filling them up and making them feel sick. Your dog may throw up after eating a lot of watermelon rind.
Fortunately, it’s less likely that your dog will eat watermelon rind as it doesn’t have the sweet or crunchy flavor of regular watermelon flesh. The seeds are much more likely to pose a threat. Your dog can easily eat the seeds by accident as they chow down on a piece of delicious watermelon.
If your dog has eaten any seeds or rind, watch them for 24 hours to check for signs of intestinal blockage, like constipation or an upset stomach. If they develop those signs, take them to the vet so they can get examined and treated.
The Benefits of Giving Watermelon to Your Dog
Just because you have to feed watermelon to your dog carefully doesn’t mean it’s not a worthwhile snack. Watermelon does contain a little bit of sugar, but it has plenty of fiber that insulates the sugar and stops your dog from absorbing it too quickly.
Overall, watermelon is low in fat, sodium, and calories, so it may even be healthier for your dog compared to some of the treats you buy at the pet store. Plus, if your dog has difficulty drinking enough water during the sweltering summer months, watermelon can be a great way to make sure that they stay hydrated even if they play all day in the hot sun.
Watermelon has additional nutrients and vitamins, including:
- Antioxidants, which help to prevent free radical molecular damage and repair your dog’s cells from environmental stresses.
- Lycopene, which gives watermelon and tomatoes their red colors. Lycopene is also excellent for preventing cancer and may provide health benefits for your dog’s vision.
- Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can improve the immune system and reduce inflammation in your dog’s body.
- Potassium, a major mineral your dog needs for healthy heart and kidney function. Potassium can also help your dog with muscle development and bone density, especially if they are a puppy or an aging dog at risk of osteoporosis.
- Fiber, which helps to prevent the sugar in watermelon from being absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly. Furthermore, fiber is crucial to help food move through the intestinal tract and plays a major role in gastrointestinal wellness.
- Vitamin A, a key mineral that improves the quality of your dog’s skin, fur coat, nerves, and muscle.
- Vitamin B6, an important coenzyme that’s necessary for your dog’s brain and bodily functions, such as fluid balance regulation, hormone regulation, and neurotransmitter support.
All in all, watermelon is a healthy and tasty snack for you and your dog. There’s no reason not to give them a bit of watermelon from time to time, provided you follow the tips below.
How To Feed Your Dog Watermelon Safely
To make sure that your canine companion doesn’t get sick from enjoying watermelon, feed them using these key tips:
- Cut the watermelon pieces out of the main watermelon slice and inspect them for seeds beforehand.
- Cut watermelon pieces into small chunks so your dog can quickly chew them without choking. Place the watermelon pieces in their bowl to avoid a mess!
- If you want to give your dog a refreshing summer treat, cut the watermelon into chunks and put them in your freezer for a few hours. Your dog can then lick the watermelon chunks for a much longer time than they would enjoy the watermelon in its non-frozen state.
Never give your dog a piece of watermelon without inspecting it for the harmful parts first. Always throw out the seeds and rind before your dog has the opportunity to eat them.
How Much Watermelon Can Your Dog Eat?
It depends on what your veterinarian says. Different dogs have different tolerances for sugary fruits like watermelon, and your dog may be on a special diet. If that’s the case, eating watermelon could be a bad idea.
If you’re unsure, ask your veterinarian what they think. When in doubt, play it safe; only give your dog a few pieces of watermelon so they can enjoy the treat without going overboard or absorbing too much sugar.
It should go without saying that your dog doesn’t need as much watermelon as you might eat for a lunchtime treat! Your dog has a smaller and less capable stomach than you, so keep this in mind when sharing your food with them.
Only Ever Feed Your Dog Natural Watermelon
In addition to following the above guidelines, you should only ever feed your dog natural watermelon. If you buy sweet products that have watermelon or any food product that is “watermelon-flavored,” it’s a good idea for your dog.
Odds are those products are overly sugary and can lead to health problems for your dog, especially if they include synthetic chemicals or substances that can lead to sickness or disease.
Plus, if you give your dog too much sugar, you could give them an upset stomach. Some dogs also struggle with obesity if they are fed a diet with too much sugar, particularly with artificial sweeteners like xylitol (which can be toxic to dogs and cause long-term health complications).
Natural watermelon, without any artificial sweeteners, is the only way to go if you want to share this summer treat with your pup. Of course, if you find a dog treat that tastes like watermelon, check the back of the package to see the ingredients list.
There, you’ll be able to see whether the watermelon flavor comes from actual watermelon or comes from an artificial sweetener you would be better off avoiding.
Melon-Collie
As you can see, it’s totally safe for your dog to enjoy watermelon with you and your family, provided you make sure they don’t consume any seeds or rind and that you don’t feed them too much. Watermelon can be a great way to give your dog extra vitamins and nutrients and make sure they stay hydrated in the summer.
Sources:
Watermelon: Health Benefits, Risks & Nutrition Facts | Live Science
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? | American Kennel Club
Effects of lycopene on proliferation and death of canine osteosarcoma cells | NCBI
Hypokalemia (Low Potassium Levels) in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital
Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital
