Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? What About Rind? Is It Safe?

Watermelon is a tasty and refreshing fruit that we commonly have at home during the summer months. In addition to being tasty, it is low in carbohydrates, as well as rich in water, vitamins, and essential minerals. But, is it safe to give it to our pet? Can dogs eat watermelon rind? Should you let your dog eat watermelon?

In general, the answer is yes. However, there are several warnings and recommendations that you should know as an owner.

Is watermelon safe for dogs?

Watermelon can be eaten by dogs, but as with other fruits and human foods, it is important to take certain precautions. First of all, its consumption should always be moderate. Consider that as it is a source of carbohydrates, it is not recommended to give in large amounts.

On the other hand, the seeds of the watermelon could cause an intestinal blockage, putting the health and even the life of the dog at risk.

It is also not advisable for the pet to eat part of the shell, as it is known that this can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Before giving a dog watermelon, make sure you know the best way to consume it and what quantity is considered adequate. In addition, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet about the safety and potential effects of watermelon on your dog’s specific diet.

Note. Find information on the best ways to consume and portion size later in this article…

Benefits: is watermelon good for dogs?

Watermelon, also called watermelon or watermelon, is a fruit with beneficial properties, not only for people but also for dogs. 1 cup of natural watermelon (154 g) provides approximately:

46 calories

6g carbohydrates
141g of water
5 mg of vitamin C (21% RDA)

876 IU of vitamin A (18% RDA)
173 mg potassium (5% RDA)
4mg magnesium (4% RDA)

B vitamins

In addition to these and other nutrients, watermelon is rich in lycopene, a compound widely studied for its antioxidant properties. It also contains citrulline, an amino acid associated with the proper functioning of organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and liver.

So what benefits could watermelon have for my dog?

1. Strengthening of the immune system

Given its potential as an antioxidant, vitamin C favors the proper functioning of the immune system and the prevention of infections/diseases. The contribution of vitamin C in fruits such as watermelon can be especially beneficial for sick or elderly dogs, whose liver no longer produces enough vitamin C naturally.

2. Better eye, skin, and hair health

The vitamin A in pin can support eye health in dogs, as well as provide protection for their coat and skin. This vitamin is also involved in the functioning of muscles and nerves.

3. Cardiovascular health protection

Potassium deficiency is known to play a role in the development of heart disease. A dog may be at increased risk of heart attack or heart failure when he does not consume enough potassium. Watermelon is a fruit that provides significant amounts of this mineral.

4. Increased hydration

Another great benefit for a dog that eats watermelon is hydration. Thanks to the high water content, 1-2 pieces of the fruit help keep you more hydrated throughout the day. Watermelon chunks are often a great treat to give a dog that has had diarrhea.

5. Disease prevention

Watermelon is very rich in lycopene, the most abundant antioxidant in red fruits and vegetables. It has been observed that regular consumption of this compound helps combat the action of free radicals, both in the human body and in the canine.

Other general benefits

The fiber, B-complex vitamins, and other minerals in watermelon support other body processes and functions, including proper digestion, glucose metabolism, and hormone regulation.

Is it good for a dog to eat watermelon? Yes. Watermelon pieces are considered a good snack for dogs. It is an appetizing and natural alternative, as well as nutritious, moisturizing, and low in calories.

Consumption: what is the correct way to give a dog watermelon?

Dogs should eat watermelon without seeds, without skin, and always in its natural form. This can be fresh or frozen. It is recommended to cut the pulp into small cubes or balls, approximately the size of a bite. The result will be a light, safe, and easy-to-chew snack.

In case you want to give him frozen watermelon, the same procedure must be followed. Remove the skin, remove the seeds, and cut the fruit into small pieces. Avoid this variant if the dog does not have healthy teeth, as chewing on the frozen hard pin could cause gum damage.

If you are one of those creative owners who like to spoil their pet, feel free to create your own recipes by mixing watermelon with other ingredients.

Easy watermelon recipes for dogs

Frozen watermelon treats

Mix 2 cups of crushed watermelon pulp without seeds, with 1 cup of coconut milk or low-fat plain yogurt without sugar. Next, spread the mixture over an ice cube mold, making sure not to put too much in each of the holes. Transfer to the freezer and let freeze for at least 35 minutes before giving a few to your dog.

Watermelon jerky

This recipe is much easier to make if you have a dehydrator. Cut the watermelon pulp into long strips and dehydrate them until they acquire a texture similar to traditional jerky. If you don’t have a dehydrator, place the fruit pieces on a tray, place them in the oven at a low temperature, and bake until some of the water has been lost.

5 Rules to include watermelon in the canine diet

The pet should only eat seedless watermelon.

Only the pulp of the fruit can be administered; a dog should never eat the shell.
It is important to maintain a moderate consumption, always as a reward or occasional snack. Too much fruit in the canine diet can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
The watermelon must be in its natural form. Watermelon-flavored sweets and treats not only offer no benefit to the pet but can actually harm it. Consider that these products are often high in sugar, chemicals, flavors, and artificial sweeteners. This includes xylitol, a potentially toxic sugar substitute for dogs.

If your dog has specific dietary requirements or conditions, ask your vet if it’s safe for him to eat watermelon, and if so, how much and how often.

How much watermelon can dogs eat?

Too much of a good thing can end up becoming a bad thing. This is still true when it comes to watermelon and dogs.

To know how much watermelon a dog can eat, the first thing to keep in mind is that treats or rewards should not represent more than 10% of their daily caloric intake. In addition, the number of fruits and vegetables should not represent more than 20% of the diet.

These rules must be applied regardless of the size of the dog.

So, what is the most recommended portion of watermelon?

Taking into account the caloric, nutritional and vitamin content of watermelon, it is said that the most suitable portion for dogs is 50-75 grams per day. This amount can vary depending on the size of the breed; a small breed dog may need to eat less, while a large breed may need to eat more.

In general, it is best to give them 1-3 cubes of watermelon, on an occasional basis.

It may interest you: What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat? Which ones are prohibited?

Contraindications: the main risks and warnings

The intake of watermelon in dogs is not exempt from contraindications and possible adverse effects. What happens if a dog eats watermelon rind? Is it dangerous for a dog to eat too much watermelon?

Find out everything you need to know below…

Risk of intestinal blockage

One of the main precautions to take into account is that dogs should not swallow the seeds. Accidentally eating the small nuggets, or 1-2 large seeds, by your pet is not a big risk; however, when the dog ingests too many seeds there is the possibility of suffering a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

In turn, this can lead to more serious complications.

Some large dogs can pass watermelon seeds with no problem, but smaller breeds are especially susceptible to blockage.

Diarrhea, obstruction, and risk of suffocation

It is also important that the dog does not eat the rind of the watermelon. The rind of fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe is often very difficult to chew and digest, which is why it can cause stomach problems for the animal.

This ranges from diarrhea and vomiting to intestinal obstruction in case of ingesting very large pieces. Also, the shell can be a choking hazard, especially for a smaller dog.

Digestive upset

Like any other food, watermelon can cause indigestion when the dog first tastes it. If that’s the case, it’s best to start with a very small amount and see how your pet reacts.

Obesity risk

A dog that eats more watermelon than recommended on a regular basis may face a higher risk of becoming overweight.

Increased blood glucose

Controlling frequency and portion size is even more important for dogs that have diabetes. Although considered a type of healthy snack, watermelon contains sugar. Like all other fruits, their inadequate consumption in diabetic dogs can cause an unwanted increase in blood glucose.

See later:

It is not a common event, but it could be the case of dogs allergic to watermelon.