Watermelon is a refreshing summer snack and it’s one that dogs just love too. But is it healtht for them?

This pink fruit is a good choice to give your dog as a snack, but there’s a few caveats.

First, we’ll dive into the health benefits of watermelon for dogs and then address whether dogs can eat watermelon rind, watermelon with white seeds and other common questions.

Keep reading for your full guide on dogs and watermelons

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Dogs can eat watermelon but try to serve them a seedless, rindless piece, as recommended by the American Kennel Club. To ensure your dog doesn’t choke, make sure you cut of a small-sized piece.

Compared to other snacks, it can be a healthy human food to give your dog. Since it’s mostly water, it’s low on calories and easily digestible.

As with most foods, it’s best to feed dogs fruit in moderation.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

The pink fruit is a great snack for dogs for a few reasons. Besides being low in calories and fat, watermelon has several health benefits for dogs.

Hydration

As you probably know, watermelon is 92% water. It’s a snack that’s great on hot days and it can provide a little extra hydration for fido too.

Fiber

Watermelon is high in fiber, which is great for your dog’s digestion.

Antioxidant (Lycopene)

Watermelon contains lycopene, which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals. Too many free radicals create oxidative stress, which can damage your dog’s cells. One study showed that an antioxidant diet can restore good cell metabolism and neutralize excess free radicals in therapy dogs.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another antioxidant. As it fights free radicals, it may reduce the risk of inflammation and other conditions.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are plant compounds phytonutrients. Phytonutrients may enhance immune system activity and support eye and heart health.

Vitamin A

Watermelon is a great source of Vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for dogs. It helps maintain their beautiful coat and skin.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind?

Let’s say you’re enjoying a nice slice of watermelon and only the rind is left. Instead of throwing it out, can you give it to your dog to chew on? Can dogs eat watermelon rind?

Dogs should not eat watermelon rind. The soft, white part attached to rind is okay. But the hard shell is too hard for your dog’s stomach to handle. She won’t be able to break the rind down. This means, instead of pooping it out, it will get stuck.

This happened to my dog with part of a corn cob. It stayed in his stomach for months until he almost choked throwing it up. It was black and absorbed a lot of water. Intestinal blockages like these can require surgery.

A full watermelon rind can also be considered a choking hazard. Your dog might not chew it into an appropriate size before swallowing it. If it’s too big, it could also get stuck, resulting in a blockage or choking hazard if they throw it up. This can become life-threatening.

If your dog has swallowed some watermelon rind, look for signs of fatigue, vomiting, choking, pain and constipation. If you suspect anything, contact your vet or take your dog to an emergency animal hospital ASAP.

If you want to save all you can from a watermelon rind, cut off the soft, white part for your dog. Use a sharp knife and be careful. Make sure not to include any of the hard part.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon With Seeds?

While your dog can eat small pieces of watermelon, avoid giving her seeds. Just one could cause her to grow a watermelon inside her belly. Just kidding.

If your dog swallows a few watermelon seeds, it’s probably okay. Eating too many can cause an issue though. If the seeds can’t pass through the digestive system, it can cause an intestinal blockage. This is a bigger concern for smaller dogs since they have smaller digestive systems.

To be safe, avoid feeding your dog matured watermelon seeds (the big/black ones). The option is to buy a seedless watermelon. Yes, these fruits still contain seeds. However, they’re smaller and fewer—making it easier on your dog’s digestive system. Of course, seeds can add up, so be mindful of the portions you’re feeding your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon with White Seeds?

You might know that most seeds aren’t ideal for dogs, but what about the smaller ones? Can dogs eat watermelon with white seeds?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelons with white seeds in moderation.

Seedless watermelons still contain small, white seeds. Unlike the big, black seeds, these are less of a risk to dogs. They’re easier to digest and there are usually fewer in seedless watermelons than the normal variety.

With that being said, you should still be conscious of how much your dog is eating. Unlike some seeds, they’re not toxic. But too many can cause an intestinal blockage. The smaller the breed, the more careful you’ll need to be.

Is Watermelon’s Sugar Content Safe for Dogs?

Although dogs can eat watermelon, too much could mean a lot of sugar in their diet. Be mindful pf how much and how often you’re feeding it to your dog.

One benefit to watermelon is that the sugar content is offset by the fiber. This helps it release more slowly into the bloodstream. So, instead of getting a full hit of sugar, it will slowly be dispersed.

Like any food, you should consider how it fits into your dog’s overall diet. For example, if your dog has diabetes, you should stay away from sugary snacks in general. If you’ve given sugar-laden treats that day, skip the fruit today.

Watermelon Side Effects for Dogs

Most dogs can eat moderate amounts of watermelon safely, as long as they don’t contain seeds or rinds. Too of anything can be a bad thing though.

A dog who eats too much watermelon may experience:

• Sore stomach
• Diarrhea
• Other stomach issues

Although rare, allergies to watermelon exist.

How to Feed Dog Watermelon

If you want to give your dog watermelon as a snack, here’s how:

Pieces

To avoid including the seeds, cut off small pieces of watermelon to feed to your dog. The smaller the breed, the less she’ll need.

Freeze Pieces

For a cool summer snack, cut small pieces and freeze them ahead of time on a baking sheet. Pull them out and serve a few to your pup on a warm day. Put the leftovers in a freezer bag for an easy, healthy snack.

Puree

You can remove the seeds and rind to puree the watermelon. You can use it how you wish. For example, spread it over kibble or freeze it in ice cube trays for a popsicle.

Smoothie

You can blend a little watermelon with other fruits and a little plain yogurt and/or water for a healthy dog beverage.

Watermelon Muttgarida

In a blender, combine seedless watermelon chunks with chicken broth. Blend for a watermelon-flavored muttgarida. Here’s 5 other dog drink recipes.

Dog Ice Cream

To make dog ice cream, combine watermelon and other fruits with a little plain yogurt and freeze.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Ask These Pups

Since you’re here, you should also know that dogs look adorable when they’re eating watermelon. Brighten your day with a few of their faces below.

Watermelon Dog Eating Contest

Who will eat their fruit the fastest? Notice that the watermelon rind is cut off for safe eating.

ASMRR Dog Eating Watermelon

What a calming noise and gentle eater.

Dogs Eating Watermelon Trend

Remember the internet trend of dogs eating watermelon? We should bring that back. Here’s a recap.

Summary: Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind and Other Pieces?

Seedless, rindless watermelon is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Although a few seeds probably won’t pose a risk, too many can cause a blockage. You should also avoid giving your dog watermelon rind since they can’t digest it and it could pose a choking hazard. The best bet is to go with seedless watermelon, which you might think of as watermelon with white seeds that are much smaller than normal varieties. As long as you’re giving your dog small pieces of watermelon flesh, it can be a healthy snack to add to her diet.