Is Watermelon Good for Dogs Everything You Need to Know

Statistics from 2023 show that almost 40% of American homes have at least a single dog. Statistics also show that 44% of dog owners own adopted pups rather than purebreds.

If you own a dog, you may be wondering is watermelon good for dogs. This is a commonly asked question since a lot of dogs seem to beg for this fruity treat.

It is important to understand what food is safe for dogs. After all, dogs can’t necessarily eat everything that we do as humans.

Keep reading to find out if watermelon is good for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

If your dog is begging for a sweet treat, the good news is that they can eat watermelon. Watermelon is considered to be a perfectly safe choice for any kind of dog.

It is not harmful to them and actually has a few health benefits. One of the best things about watermelon is that it is a low-calorie snack.

Aside from toxicity, you also need to consider the nutritional aspect of food. Can dogs eat watermelon? Yes, they can, but you also want to give them nutritional foods.

Dogs can become very overweight if fed human food. This will often happen because human food is often higher in calories than any kind of food for dogs.

This is why watermelon is the perfect sweet treat for your pet to enjoy. It is full of water and is low in calories, helping them nutritionally as well as treating them.

In fact, watermelon for dogs may be preferable to actual dog treats. It is natural, low in calories, and helps them to stay hydrated.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?

Is watermelon good for dogs? The answer to that is that dogs can safely eat watermelon as much as they like.

But there are some precautions to be aware of. One precaution is that they should never ingest watermelon seeds.

Watermelon seeds can potentially cause an intestinal blockage. Your dog probably won’t chew the seeds, resulting in them swallowing their hole.

If you own a very small dog, this could even pose a choking risk. For breeds like Chihuahuas, the seed may stick in their throat and cause them to struggle to swallow.

The seeds could cause any size dog to gag if it gets stuck along the way. This could cause them to throw up or get sick later on.

It is best to feed them a watermelon that is seedless or cleaned of the seeds.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rinds?

Another common question people have is about the watermelon rind. You may think that the rind is the perfect treat for your dog since you won’t be eating it yourself.

But it is a good idea to stay away from the rind. Although watermelon rinds are considered to be edible, they are very rough to chew and digest.

Your dog may try to eat the rind, but they most likely won’t chew it up. They may swallow large chunks of it, which could cause them to choke or throw up.

There are also sharp edges to watermelon rinds that could irritate their throat. If they do manage to get it down, watermelon rinds are very difficult to digest.

Your dog may get an upset stomach, or they may be a bit constipated for a while. Gastrointestinal upset is more serious in dogs than it is in humans.

That is why it is important to avoid anything that could upset your dog's stomach. If you want to feed them watermelon, keep to the tender red fruit rather than the hard exterior.

Watermelon Benefits for Dogs

Not only is watermelon tasty, but it also has some health benefits. This is applied to humans and dogs who may enjoy this refreshing treat.

Watermelon is high in certain A, B, and C vitamins. These are vitamins that dogs need just like humans do to feel and look good.

It is also high and important minerals like magnesium and potassium. Watermelon also has antioxidant carotenoids and other antioxidant varieties.

Watermelon does contain small amounts of fiber that can help your dog's digestion. Some dogs may struggle with mild constipation since they are often eating dry food.

Keep in mind that small amounts of watermelon are not going to give them any benefits. This is fine since dogs really shouldn’t eat too much watermelon anyway.

A few pieces of watermelon a day is more than enough and is considered to be a treat. For the most part, dogs should stick to dog food rather than human food.

How to Feed Dogs Watermelon

Is watermelon good for dogs? Watermelon is a great treat for dogs if this is something your pet wants!

Now that you know that watermelon is good for dogs, how do you give it to them? This is a good question to ask if you want to spice up your dog's routine.

Some dogs are a little picky or may struggle to eat unusual foods. You may also want to start giving watermelon to your dog as a low-calorie tree instead of dog treats.

If this is the case, there are several ways you can go about giving your dog watermelon. The best option will depend on your dog and what they prefer eating.

Chunks

The easiest way to feed your dog watermelon is to give them chunks of it. These pieces of watermelon should be free of seeds and rind.

You should cut the chunks to be as small as is necessary for your dog. Make sure they aren’t too small since larger dogs may swallow them whole and choke.

A fun twist you can do is to freeze the chunks of watermelon. This is a great option for the summer months when your dog may be feeling a bit overheated.

Freeze the chunks of watermelon on a pan or plate and give them to your dog as a popsicle. Many dogs will enjoy licking these chunks or biting straight into them.

Just keep in mind that you should stay in the room with your dog while they are enjoying this treat. There’s always the chance of them choking and you need to be nearby.

Doggy Ice Cream

A fun treat you can whip up for your dog is watermelon ice cream. This is a sweet and refreshing treat that is perfect for hot summer days.

You can do this in a variety of ways, but a basic recipe includes watermelon and unsweetened plain yogurt. Stick to a healthier brand of yogurt with no artificial additives.

Blend everything up and put the ice cream in the freezer until it is firm. It is best to give this to your dog before it is frozen solid so it is easier to enjoy.

If your dog is lactose intolerant, it is best to leave out the yogurt. Make sure to double-check the label that there are no artificial sweeteners or other additives that could be harmful to your pet.

Watermelon Puree

Another simple treat you can make is to create a watermelon purée. This is simple and only requires watermelon and a blender.

You can blend up the watermelon until smooth and pour it into a bowl. This will give your dog something entertaining to eat that will take a little longer than a chunk of watermelon.

This can also be frozen for later and thawed out to make watermelon ice cream.

Does Watermelon Help Dogs Stay Hydrated?

Because watermelon is so watery, you may be wondering if this is a good hydration treat. A lot of people enjoy eating watermelon because it helps them stay hydrated.

The good news is that the same rule applies when it comes to dogs. Watermelon is a great treat that also provides a level of hydration.

This is not going to be significant since you shouldn’t be feeding your dog a ton of watermelon. But it is more hydrating than giving them a dry milk bone.

Because of this, watermelon makes a great treat on hot days. This is a great way to encourage your dog to drink more water while disguising it.

It is not uncommon for dogs to struggle to drink enough water each day. Your dog may not be inclined towards the water, or it may be on a completely dry diet.

Having a bit of variety in their diet is a great choice in these instances.

Can Dogs Eat Other Kinds of Fruit?

Now that you know that watermelon is safe for dogs, can they eat other fruit? This is a good question to ask if you are looking for different kinds of dog treats.

Most types of fruit are considered to be dog friendly. Fruit is a light and refreshing snack that the majority of dogs enjoy eating.

Something you need to be aware of, however, is the dangers of seeds and pits. Dogs should never be allowed to eat fruit that has seeds or pits, as this can be toxic.

Seeds and pits contain trace amounts of cyanide. This is not enough to affect humans, but it can put your dog in danger.

The best dog safety tip is to avoid the majority of fruits that have seeds and pets. This would include options like apples, plums, peaches, and cherries.

You could feed your dog some of these fruits if you have removed the seeds and pits. But only give them small amounts just to be on the safe side.

It is also worth mentioning that dogs should never eat grapes. Grapes and raisins are considered to be toxic to dogs, and they have a lot of small seeds.

What Foods Should Dogs Avoid?

When discussing dog safety, you should know what foods they shouldn’t eat. There are a lot of foods that you should ideally never give to your dog.

Most dog owners should only stick to a few safe foods. This would include natural foods like meat, some fruits, and some vegetables.

Here are some examples of foods that could be toxic for dogs.

Chocolate

One of the top things you should never give your dog is chocolate. This is a type of food that is toxic and can make your dog very sick.

You should never give your dog any kind of human chocolate to eat. You also need to make sure chocolate is kept out of their reach.

Onions

You may not have realized that onions are also toxic to dogs. Every part of the onion plant is toxic and should not be consumed.

This includes other onion varieties like garlic, shallots, and chives. They cannot eat them whether they are raw, cooked, or powdered.

Artificial Sweeteners

Some artificial sweeteners are considered to be toxic to dogs. Because of this, it is best to avoid any kinds of artificial sweeteners.

This is part of why owners should avoid giving their dogs processed human foods. There are plenty of ingredients in that kind of food that could be toxic to your pet.