Can dogs eat watermelon?

Updated 12/04/2024

Watermelon: popular for its icy freshness, it's the perfect summertime snack for us humans. Sweet yet refreshing on any summer's day, we wouldn't be surprised if your canine companion pulls the oldest trick in the book for a slice - those oh so irresistible puppy dog eyes. And that might leave you wondering - can dogs eat watermelon - and if so, how much watermelon is safe to feed dogs? Well like music to your pup's ears, dogs can eat watermelon - as long as it’s just the flesh. In fact, watermelon flesh is a perfectly safe and healthy treat for your pooch, as long as it's prepared properly - see below for more on feeding your dog the fruit.    

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Is watermelon poisonous to dogs?

If you're wondering - can dogs eat watermelon safely if it's prepared in any way, shape or form, or can watermelon sometimes be toxic to dogs? Well we're happy to let you know that watermelon flesh isn't poisonous to dogs, and is seriously unlikely to cause any nasty reactions. Like with feeding dogs any fruit, you should always tread cautiously due to the sugar and fiber content - too much and your pup could suffer from diarrhea, but the fruit certainly doesn't contain enough to aggravate your dog's stomach if fed in small amounts as a treat.  If you feed too much watermelon over prolonged periods, all the excess sugar can cause problems like obesity, diabetes and dental issues. Also, some dogs may be allergic even to watermelon flesh. Signs of a watermelon allergy include diarrhea, itchy skin and so on - so consult your vet if you see these signs after feeding watermelon to your dog!

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Can dogs eat watermelon seeds?  

And what about the little black seeds that give watermelons their iconic look? Are watermelon seeds poisonous to dogs? Well, your dogs shouldn’t be eating watermelon seeds (although this would be a rather odd snack option anyway, right?), because watermelon seeds contain cyanide. It's a toxic substance that - if enough of the stuff is consumed - is toxic to both dogs and humans. So, do pop out all the seeds from the watermelon you're serving up both for yourself and your doggo.

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Is watermelon good for dogs?

So, can dogs eat watermelon and get any kind of health benefits like we humans can or is watermelon bad for dogs but okay as an occasional treat? Well first of all, nothing that's known to be bad for dogs should ever be deemed fit for a dog treat, even occasionally. And secondly, yes, watermelon has high water content, and is packed with fiber and a range of vitamins that can benefit your dog's health.

So if it's so jam-packed with micronutrients, should watermelon be making up a key part of your dog's diet? Certainly not. Like with any other food we humans can enjoy lots of, watermelon should only make up a fraction of your dog's diet. Why? Well your pooch should be getting the bulk of their nutrition from a dog food that's right for their age, breed and any health issues you know about. Plus, while watermelon is packed with nutrients, it also contains sugar which is never good news for dogs if ingested in high amounts.

Plus, you've got to be careful with the seeds and watermelon rinds. The seeds contain cyanide (a toxic substance). Also, the rind is really difficult to digest so it may cause your dog to choke or develop a gut blockage. Signs of a gut blockage include vomiting, inability to keep food/water down, severe inactivity etc. Gut blockages and choking are life-threatening, so let your vet know asap if your dog has gotten into some watermelon rind - even if your dog doesn’t show any signs of sickness! So, if you were considering throwing the rind for Fido to avoid food waste, we can see where you were going with it, but think again.   

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Health benefits of eating watermelon for dogs

So, now we've settled the question - can dogs eat watermelon and get any health benefits, what exactly are  those health benefits? Take a look below to get clued-up on the nutrients in watermelon your pup could be benefiting from small amounts of.

• Water. Okay, it's not a nutrient, but your dog certainly needs the stuff, and with water making up over 90% of the fruit, there's no mistaking that watermelon is one seriously hydrating snack for dogs.
• Fiber. Yup, dogs need fiber too to get everything moving in the digestive region, but too much can cause stomach upset, so only treat your pup to small amounts of watermelon occasionally.
• Vitamins A, B6 and C (for immunity).
• Potassium. (for muscle and nerve function)
• Calcium. (for healthy teeth and bones)
• Iron.  (for healthy red blood cells)
• Phosphorus. (for healthy teeth and bones)

Related article: Can dogs eat tomatoes?

Feeding your dog watermelon

To find out the safest way to feed watermelon to dogs and to get answers to some of the most popular questions on the topic, take a look below.

Preparing watermelon for dogs

So can dogs eat watermelon willy-nilly, or is there a special way to prepare it? Well firstly, always check with your vet that your pooch can eat watermelon, and check how much is safe to feed them. Then, once you've got the all-clear from a professional, remove the rind and seeds, then cut the flesh into small chunks to dodge any choking hazards. 

Can dogs have watermelon rind?  

And is watermelon rind for dogs safe? We advise completely removing the watermelon rind when serving it up to your pup. It's seriously hard to digest, can cause gastrointestinal issues and poses the risk of choking.

Can dogs drink watermelon juice?

Due to the sugar content in watermelon juice, we advise only putting down water for your pup to lap from.

Other watermelon products

And can dogs eat watermelon if it's made into some sort of dessert or sweet treat? Well the safest bet is to look at the ingredient list. Most of the time, it's going to be a no due to added sugar, sweeteners and other ingredients that might be toxic to dogs or simply upset their stomachs.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

Now we know that dogs and watermelon are basically a match made in pup heaven, you might be wondering - what 'human' foods can dogs eat? Well luckily for you, we've got heaps of information on what's safe for dogs to eat - get started with those below.

• Oranges
• Salmon
• Turkey

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at

Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!