Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Can dogs eat watermelon? It's a delicious picnic staple, sure, but is watermelon safe for dogs? If you enjoy this juicy treat but have stopped short of sharing it with your pooch, for fear that it might not be good for them, your instincts were partially correct. Watermelon can actually be a healthy dog treat — if it's fed to them correctly.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

The fleshy pink fruit of a watermelon is loaded with healthy nutrients that are as beneficial for humans as they are for our canine companions.

Watermelon is rich in potassium and vitamin C, and it's also a great source of vitamins A and B6, according to Dogtime. It's also high in fiber, which can aid healthy digestion. Watermelon is high in sugar but doesn't cause unhealthy spikes in blood sugar, as its fiber content helps dogs absorb the sugar slowly into their bloodstream.

This fruit doesn't contain sodium, fat or cholesterol. And it's 92% water, which makes it both a sweet treat and a creative way to help your dog stay cool and hydrated during the summer.

Is Watermelon Safe for Dogs?

The flesh of a watermelon is a safe and nutritious treat for dogs, but the other parts of the fruit aren't all right for your pooch to eat. According to the American Kennel Club, if dogs swallow watermelon seeds, the seeds can cause an intestinal blockage — which is not only painful for your dog but could become serious enough to require surgery to correct.

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 unwise to give your dog the rind — the hard green outer skin of a watermelon — as ingesting it can cause gastrointestinal distress that triggers vomiting or diarrhoea. And while the fruit of the watermelon is a healthy snack in small quantities, eating too much of it could also give your dog an upset tummy, thanks to its high fiber content.