Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon. The red or yellow flesh is safe for most dogs as an occasional treat, as long as you remove the seeds and the rind and keep portions small. Watermelon is over 90% water, low in calories and a good hot-weather snack, but too much can cause an upset stomach.

Here is everything you need to know before offering this juicy treat to your dog: which parts are safe, how much to give by dog size, and the easiest ways to serve it.

Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs?

The short answer is yes, watermelon is safe for dogs with a few precautions. The flesh of watermelon (the red or yellow part, depending on the variety) is the part dogs can eat. It is more than 90% water, so it can help with hydration, and it has small amounts of vitamins and minerals.

The parts to avoid are the hard green rind and the dark seeds, which can upset the stomach or, in larger amounts, cause a blockage. More on both below.

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Watermelon contains natural sugar. If your dog is overweight, diabetic or has any other health condition, talk to your veterinarian before feeding it.

Is Watermelon Good for Dogs?

In small amounts, watermelon is a healthy treat. It is low in calories (roughly 45 calories per cup of diced fruit), has no fat or cholesterol, and adds water to your dog's day. The nutritional content of watermelon includes:

• Water: more than 90% of the fruit
• Vitamin C, an antioxidant
• Vitamin A, which supports vision and immune function
• Lycopene and other antioxidants that give red watermelon its color
• B vitamins, including B1, B5 and B6
• Potassium and magnesium
• A small amount of fiber

Dogs make their own vitamin C and get the rest of these nutrients from a complete dog food, so think of watermelon as a refreshing extra, not a source of nutrition your dog needs.

Watermelon does contain sugar. Because it is mostly water, a few small pieces carry only a little sugar, but large servings add up. Feeding too much, too often, can contribute to weight gain and is not a good idea for dogs with diabetes.

Is Watermelon a Diuretic for Dogs?

Because watermelon is mostly water, dogs may urinate more after eating a lot of it. That is normal and not harmful for a healthy dog. Just plan a potty break, and stick to small portions for puppies in house training and dogs with kidney or bladder issues unless your vet says otherwise.

Despite all this, watermelon is not supposed to be a regular part of your dog's daily diet. Your dog's daily meals should come from a complete and balanced dry dog food.

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Can Dogs Eat Yellow Watermelon?

Yes. Yellow watermelon is simply a variety with a different pigment, and the yellow flesh is just as safe for dogs as the red flesh. It has the same high water content and a similar amount of sugar. The same rules apply: no seeds, no rind and small portions.

Can Dogs Have Watermelon Rind and Seeds?

Watermelon Rind

Do not feed your dog the rind. The hard green outer skin is tough to chew and hard to digest, and swallowed pieces can cause vomiting, diarrhea or, in rare cases, an intestinal blockage. The pale inner part of the rind is not toxic, but it is still firm and can cause gastrointestinal upset, so the simplest rule is to cut all of it away.

Never let your dog chew on a watermelon slice or rind as a toy, and keep picnic leftovers and trash out of reach.

Watermelon Seeds

The dark, mature seeds are not toxic, but they should be removed. A few swallowed seeds usually pass without trouble, but many seeds can cause intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs, which have narrower intestines. They can also be a choking hazard.

Seedless watermelon is the easiest choice. The small, soft white seeds in seedless watermelon are immature seeds and are generally fine for dogs to eat.

If your dog eats a large amount of watermelon rind or seeds, or shows vomiting, a swollen belly, straining or loss of appetite afterward, call your veterinarian.

How Much Watermelon Can Dogs Eat?

Watermelon is a great snack for dogs in small quantities. Feeding them too much watermelon can cause an upset stomach. As with any other dog treat, treats including watermelon should make up 10% or less of your dog's daily calories.

You can follow this guideline for how much watermelon you can give your dog. Each chunk should be about 1 inch x 1 inch x ¼ inch thick, about the size of a postage stamp.

Can Puppies Eat Watermelon?

Yes, puppies can have a small piece or two of seedless watermelon once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs and need most of their calories from a complete puppy food to grow, so keep it to a tiny taste and watch for loose stool.

How to Introduce Watermelon to Your Dog

It is best to give your dog fresh watermelon only. Skip watermelon candy, flavored drinks and anything with added sugar or xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

1. Prep it. Wash the outside, cut the flesh away from the rind and remove the seeds. Seedless varieties are the most convenient.
2. Cut small. Dice the fruit into bite-size pieces that match the chart above.
3. Start with one piece. Offer a small chunk for your dog to sniff and taste, then wait a day to see how their stomach handles it.
4. Serve it your way. Give pieces by hand as a training reward, or add a few to the bowl as one of your food toppers.

Frozen Watermelon Treats for Dogs

Once your dog gets the hang of it, try freezing watermelon. The easiest way is to freeze diced seedless watermelon as is. You can also purée the fresh fruit, after removing the seeds and rind, and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Keep frozen pieces small so they are not a choking risk, and supervise your dog while they eat.

Watch for a Reaction

When introducing a new food to your dog, offer small amounts at first in case your dog has an allergy or intolerance to it (yes, it happens). Signs to watch for include:

1. Vomiting, diarrhea or other stomach upset
2. Itchiness
3. Ear inflammation
4. Hives or facial swelling

Stop feeding watermelon if your dog shows any of the signs above or seems uncomfortable after eating it, and call your vet if symptoms are severe or do not settle quickly.

Can Dogs Eat Other Melons?

Cantaloupe and honeydew are also safe for most dogs in small amounts, with the same rules: no rind, no seeds and small portions. They have a bit more sugar per bite than watermelon. See our full list of fruits and vegetables dogs can eat for more safe snacks and the ones to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line: Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, with precautions. It is a healthy snack you can give your dog in moderation. Watermelon is safe for dogs as long as you remove the seeds and the rind and keep the amount right for your dog's size. You can prepare this treat in several ways, and it is a great source of hydration most dogs enjoy.

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Have your dogs tried watermelon? Share your experience by leaving us a comment below.

Read also: "Can Dogs Eat Avocado? Everything You Need To Know" and 7 important tips for water and pool safety for dogs.