Watermelon makes a delicious and refreshing treat, especially on a hot day. But is watermelon okay for dogs? And can you give a dog watermelon?

Good news: it is safe to feed your pup watermelon —  but there are a few precautions you should take before treating them to a bite or two. For one, you’ll want to remove the watermelon seeds and rind, because ingesting them could upset your dog’s stomach and cause vomiting, diarrhea, or an intestinal blockage.

Read on to learn more about feeding your pup watermelon, including: the benefits of watermelon for dogs, serving suggestions, portion sizes, and when it’s not safe feed your dog watermelon.

Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs?

Both red and yellow watermelon are safe 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, due to the high sugar content.

The flesh of a watermelon is a safe and nutritious treat for dogs — but it’s it’s not okay for your pup to consume the other parts of the fruit.

Swallowing watermelon seeds could cause an intestinal blockage — which is not only painful for your dog, but could become serious enough to require surgery. While a seed or two is unlikely to cause health problems for large dogs, it doesn't take many of them to cause a blockage in small dogs.

It's also not a good idea to give your dog the watermelon rind (the hard, green outer skin of a watermelon), as ingesting it can cause gastrointestinal distress and trigger vomiting or diarrhea. 

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that while the seedless, rindless flesh of the watermelon is okay for your dog to eat, too much of a good thing is possible. Eating too much watermelon can give your dog an upset stomach, so only give them this tasty treat in moderation.

Is Watermelon Good for Dogs?

Watermelon is low in calories and contains no fat or cholesterol, making it a healthy occasional treat.

And since 92% of a watermelon is actually water, it's extremely hydrating for your pup. Proper hydration helps aid in your dog’s digestion, regulation of body temperature, and joint support. Just keep in mind that your dog should only eat small amounts of watermelon due to the high sugar content, so this watery fruit shouldn’t be their only source of hydration.

Other nutritional benefits of watermelon for dogs include:

• Fiber - supports healthy digestion.
• Potassium - an electrolyte that helps support your dog’s heart, muscles and nervous system.
• Vitamin C - an antioxidant that can help counteract the causes of degenerative diseases in dogs.
• Vitamin A - supports your pup’s skin health, vision, bone growth, and immune system.

How Much Watermelon Should A Dog Eat?

Even though watermelon is a healthy treat for dogs, it should only be given in small portions. In fact, treats of any kind should make up no more than 10% of your dog's overall diet — the other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food.

Here are some general guidelines for how much watermelon you can safely feed your pup, based on their weight. Keep in mind that each piece of watermelon should only be about 1 inch x 1 inch x ¼-inch thick:

• Extra-small dogs (2-20 lbs.)= 1-2 small pieces of watermelon. Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs.
• Small dogs (21-30 lbs.)= 2-3 small pieces of watermelon. Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Mini Australian Shepherds.
• Medium dogs (31-50 lbs.)= 5-6 small pieces of watermelon. Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs.
• Large dogs (51-90 lbs.)= a handful of small pieces of watermelon. Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labs, Australian Shepherds.
• Extra-large dogs (91+ lbs.)= a large handful of small pieces of watermelon. Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees.

Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to feed your pup watermelon. Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve watermelon for dogs (as mentioned earlier in this article, be sure to remove the watermelon seeds and rind before making any of these recipes):

• Fresh: cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Frozen: Freeze bite-sized pieces for a cool treat on a hot day.
• Pureed: puree watermelon, pour into an ice cube tray, and freeze.
• Dog-friendly watermelon ice cream: Blend frozen watermelon chunks with plain, unsweetened yogurt. Top off your dog’s food or put this mixture in a rubber toy.

FAQs

Does Watermelon Give Dogs Diarrhea?

Like any treat, watermelon should only be given to your pup in moderation. Too much watermelon can cause your dog to get diarrhea (or even contribute to weight gain or diabetes over time, if eaten in large quantities). To avoid any tummy troubles, stick to the portion sizes outlined earlier in this article.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rinds?

It's not safe for your dog to eat watermelon rinds. They’re choking hazards and can cause intestinal blockages. If your dog has swallowed a watermelon rind, call your vet immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Seeds?

Before feeding your pup watermelon, always remove the seeds. Watermelon seeds contain small amounts of cyanide (although it's unlikely that your dog would eat enough seeds to be poisoned), and are a potential choking hazard.

Despite the name, seedless watermelons still sometimes contain thin, white seeds. These may upset your dog’s stomach, so it’s a good idea to remove them as well.

If your dog has eaten watermelon seeds, contact your vet.

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Watermelon?

Yes, bite-sized chunks of frozen watermelon make a healthy and refreshing treat for dogs, and can be used to help them cool down on a hot day. 

Can Puppies Eat Watermelon?

Yes, puppies can eat watermelon — but as with adult dogs, moderation is key. A very small amount of watermelon won’t hurt your puppy, but keep in mind that their gut is more sensitive than that of an older dog. It’s best to limit treats, and to start small when introducing them to new foods like watermelon.

Another thing to consider is your puppy's caloric intake needs. One cup of watermelon is about 50 calories. Talk with your vet to learn more about your puppy’s daily caloric intake needs based on their breed, and adjust portion sizes accordingly.

Can Dogs Have Melon?

You may also be wondering, can dogs eat other types of melon? And is melon good for dogs? In general, yes — but just like watermelon, melons such as honeydew and cantaloupe should be given to your pup in moderation. Remove the rind and seeds before giving your pup these tasty treats.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.