Can my dog eat watermelon?

By Emilie Heyl Content Writer

Updated on the 03/05/2022

Watermelon is THE ultimate summer fruit! Juicy and refreshing, this fruit is a delight for all. Can you give your dog watermelon to benefit from its thirst-quenching effects on a hot day?

Rich in water and low in calories, watermelons are an excellent fruit to consume in the summer. Many dogs love watermelon, and in general, it is okay to feed your dog some pieces of this fruit, but you need to take some precautions.

Please do keep in mind that if you wish to introduce human food into your dog’s diet, it’s important to talk about it with your vet beforehand.

Can a dog eat watermelon safely? What are the health benefits of the watermelon for dogs?

Yes, it is safe to feed your dog watermelon. Actually, this fruit has many health benefits for your dog: it is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Indeed, the watermelon is composed of vitamin A, C, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, calcium and 92 percent of water which helps them to stay hydrated throughout the summer months.

Now, with that being said, some dogs do not digest watermelon well. It can cause gas or diarrhoea in dogs with a sensitive digestive system. It is therefore necessary to introduce watermelon to your dog slowly, and see how your pooch reacts.

How to feed a dog watermelon

Watermelon is one of the best fruits your dog could eat. You could serve it as a treat, as refreshment or as a desert. Not only is it quick to prepare, it is also super tasty and hydrating, the perfect summer snack for dogs! You’ve got a few ways of preparing watermelon:

In chunks: You can serve the watermelon by cutting it in chunks, removing the seeds and the skin and feeding it as is to your dog.
As a frozen treat: You can freeze chunks of watermelon (remove seeds and skin) and stick them into your freezer, perfect to pop out when it gets hot.
Pureed: You can cut some pieces of watermelon (removing the seeds and skin) and mash them in a bowl. Either serve it as is or freeze the pureed watermelon and serve to cool down and refresh your dog.

Top tip: Make sure the fruit is ripe by tapping the skin of the watermelon: the sound that will be emitted should be hollow. 

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How much watermelon can a dog eat?

Not only is watermelon tasty, it’s also a super healthy fruit! But, just like any other human food, feed your dog this fruit in moderation. A few pieces of watermelon is great, too much can cause an upset stomach. Always monitor your dog when you give them human food and speak to your vet first, if you wish to introduce watermelon into your dog’s diet.

Are there any parts of a watermelon my dog CAN’T eat?

Give your dog only the flesh of the watermelon, without the skin or seeds. If your dog swallows a few seeds or a piece of watermelon skin, this should be ok, but it has to be avoided in quantity: it is on the skin that the majority of pesticides are found, and seeds can cause digestive issues to dogs.

What are some creative ways to offer watermelon to my dog?

There are plenty of ways to serve watermelon to your dog, it’s all up to your creativity! You could make ice cream, frozen dog treats or ice cubes.

Here at Wamiz, we love to create homemade recipes for your beloved pets, so we came up with this delicious and refreshing treat using only three ingredients: Watermelon, yogurt and parsley. First, you’ll have to blend the watermelon until it’s pureed. Then, add one leaf of parsley to the bottom of an ice cube mold, add a thin layer of plain yogurt, let it freeze for an hour in your freezer. Once it’s frozen, add the pureed watermelon in the mold by filling the remaining space. Freeze until it’s solid and then serve it.

Check out our Frozen Watermelon Dog Treats recipe

If you wish to make a tasty ice cream for your dog using watermelon, you could blend the fruit with other fruits like apples, strawberries or blueberries. Once the texture is smooth, add these into ice cube molds and stick them in your freezer until they are solid. Yummy!

Do you want to get more creative ideas of dog treats you can make at home and will help you keep your dog hydrated and refreshed? Here’s a list of our homemade dog treats we prepared at Wamiz and our remarkable food critique Elton the Italian Greyhound has approved all of them: