Can dogs eat watermelon?
It’s summer, the temperature is rising, and your dog looks like he could do with a little something to help cool him down. What could be better than a refreshing slice of watermelon? But can dogs eat watermelon? The simple answer is yes! This tasty treat is one of the many fruits that is considered safe for dogs in moderation.
Health benefits of watermelon
Watermelon is 90% water, which makes it so refreshing, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have additional health benefits. It’s also packed full of vitamins A, B6, and C, and watermelon contains both potassium and magnesium, which all contribute to and support a healthy immune system.
Despite its relatively high sugar content, it’s still considered a healthy snack as it’s low in calories and contains a good amount of digestive-friendly fiber content.
Watermelon is the ultimate summer treat to feed your dog that will keep them both hydrated and entertained at the same time.
How much watermelon can a dog eat?
If you’ve never given your dog watermelon before, then exercise caution. Although it’s safe to give your dog watermelon, it’s best to do so in moderation. Just like us, dogs can react differently to new foods, so it’s always a good idea to offer your dog a small amount in the beginning to avoid any possible stomach upsets.
Always make sure you wash the fruit thoroughly before giving it to your dog, and if he doesn’t seem that keen, then you can always try adding mashed fruit to his usual dinner or try one of the frozen watermelon treat recipes below.
It’s also worth remembering that despite watermelon being 90 percent water, it does contain natural sugar, which means it’s not calorie-free so it’s important to adjust your dog’s overall food intake to allow for the extra calories.
Watermelon warnings
Even though the flesh of watermelon is generally considered a healthy snack for your dog, it’s a good idea to avoid giving your dog the rind or seeds.
Seeds or pips
Not all seeds cause a problem. Watermelon seeds are not toxic in the same way as apple seeds, apricot pits, nectarine pits, plum pits, cherry pits, and peach pits are, but there is a chance that they will upset your dog and, even worse, potentially cause a blockage in their intestinal tract. This is especially important for small dogs due to their relative size. Remove the seeds and you have a safe fruit for your dog.
Rind
It may be tempting to let your dog have a chew on the rind, but the rind is not good for your dog. Not only can it cause serious stomach upsets, which would be unpleasant and uncomfortable for both you and your dog, but there is a danger that large, unchewed pieces could cause an intestinal blockage which would result in an emergency visit to the vet.
Can dogs eat watermelon?
Yes! If you want to feed your dog watermelon on a hot day, then a small piece of watermelon could do just the job. If you want to go a step further, why not make these healthy treats as a special snack.
Frosty Watermelon Dog Treat
Makes 30 treats
Ingredients:
- 2 cups seedless watermelon (pureed)
- 1 cup coconut water or milk
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Directions:
- Scoop out watermelon – it must be seedless. Remove seeds, if any, but save yourself the trouble and buy a seedless watermelon. Add to blender and puree until smooth.
- Add coconut water/milk (I used milk with the treats pictured here) and honey to a blender and pureed watermelon. Blend well.
- Pour into ice cube trays and cover with plastic wrap or bag to avoid spillage. If you’re using hard plastic ice cube trays, you’re safe from most spillage. But if you’re like me and used silicone bone molds, you’ll need something flat to lay them on. If you don’t, you’re looking at a sticky mess on your floors and freezer. Before you pour, put the silicone mold on something flat that you can move to your freezer, like a cutting tray or a piece of cardboard. Instead of lifting and placing just the flexible silicone mold, you can pick up the stable surface area instead.
- Freeze overnight.
- To remove from the tray, let sit on the counter for a few minutes to loosen the frozen treat Twist tray to remove the treat from the mold.
If you want to cram even more fruit in, then try this one
Watermelon Banana Honey Popsicle
Ingredients
- Chunks of Watermelon (small bowl ~15pieces)
- 1 Banana
- 1 Tsp of Honey
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients in a blender.
- Pour into an ice cube tray or mold.
- Freeze it for about 2 hours