Skip to main content

Can dogs have watermelon? What to know before summer barbecues

How to prepare this refreshing fruit for dogs

A pile of watermelon slices
Floh Keitgen / Shutterstock

There are so many reasons to love the summer months, from longer daylight hours to delicious fresh produce. Many fruits and vegetables are in season when the weather warms up, and that means so many more ways to liven up a go-to meal. Some fruits, like watermelon, make a wonderful snack no matter how you prepare them, and it’s only natural to want to share this fruit with a begging furry friend.

But can dogs have watermelon? You may already know the answer, but this is what you need to consider before tossing your buddy a bite at the next summer barbecue.

Recommended Videos

Can dogs have watermelon? What you need to know

Dog and seedless watermelon slice
Zuzanna Paluch / Shutterstock

Considering that watermelon is mostly water, it’s easy to assume that this fruit is safe for canine consumption. And it is! As long as you take a few precautions, the flesh of the fruit is safe and delicious for dogs to eat. However, it can also get a bit messy.

Before feeding your dog watermelon, make sure to remove any of the large, black seeds that you see. Or better yet, buy a seedless watermelon. While consuming one or two of these seeds won’t harm your dog, they can cause a painful intestinal blockage if your pup swallows more than a few. Similarly, remove the flesh of the fruit from the rind before giving your dog a bite, as the rind can cause stomach upset if consumed.

Is watermelon good for dogs?

A small black dog stands next to a whole watermelon on a sofa
Hkyu Wu / Unsplash

Many dog-safe foods taste delicious and pose no risk to their health, but that doesn’t mean they’re beneficial. However, watermelon can have one main benefit compared to other fruits and veggies — it’s super hydrating. Because watermelon is over 90% water, it can be a refreshing, hydrating snack during warm summer days, especially if your pup doesn’t drink a lot of water on their own.

Additionally, watermelon is low in sodium, calories, and fat. However, watermelon isn’t a good choice for every dog. Like many fruits, its high sugar content makes it a poor choice for dogs dealing with diabetes or obesity. Even if your dog is in perfect health, snacks like watermelon are still considered “treats” and should be fed in moderation.

It’s also important to note that just because melon is safe for dogs, it doesn’t mean that watermelon-flavored items are safe. Flavored snacks like candies and sodas are not safe for dogs to eat or drink, so don’t let the names of flavors fool you.

Fun ways to feed your dog watermelon

A black dog lies in the grass with a watermelon rind
Natalia Wiklent / Unsplash

There’s nothing wrong with tossing your dog a bite of melon at the cookout, but there are an unlimited number of ways you can feed your hungry pup this yummy summer snack. Try freezing bite-sized pieces to give your dog a new, long-lasting texture to enjoy, or consider blending up watermelon to make your dog a canine-safe summer smoothie.

If you have a food dehydrator, you can even make watermelon “jerky” for everyone in the family to try. Each dehydrator works a bit differently, but in as little as a few hours, your pup will be chewing on a sweet and refreshing treat.

All in all, it’s hard to go wrong with eating watermelon on a warm summer day. Your pup will appreciate that you’re willing to share a bite (or two or three), and you can relax in the sunshine knowing that your dog is safe and healthy.

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
What people food is OK to give your dog? Read this first to find out
Here are the human snacks you want to stick with (and the ones to avoid)
Dog sniffing an apple held by a person

Your dog may have mastered the puppy eyes that make your heart melt, and with that comes the extreme guilt during dinnertime. Even though you might want to allocate table scraps for your dog, some food options are just not good for them. Despite this, there are still a variety of tasty people food dogs can eat as treats that you can share with your furry best friend. So, the next time they give you those irresistible orbs during your designated snack time, you can confidently toss them a treat for being so cute.
People food dogs can eat

There are quite a few people foods that are not only OK for your dog but can also be healthy for them. Just like humans, however, some dogs tend to be very picky, so finding the perfect treats for your own pup can be difficult. Luckily, there are a lot of food options for your dog to choose from. Some of these include:

Read more
Think big dog breeds can’t be in an apartment? Think again
Consider these big dog breeds if you're in a small place
A harlequin Great Dane sleeps on their bed on a wooden floor

When you think about an apartment-dwelling dog, you likely think of a toy or small breed. Chihuahuas, French bulldogs, Maltese, and Pomeranians are often seen walking out of high-rises and suburban rentals. There are valid reasons for this stereotype. Unlike big dog breeds, smaller pups typically don’t need as much exercise (physical activity is important for dogs, regardless of their size, though). Practically, smaller dogs take up less room.

However, don’t count out a larger dog if you live in an apartment. With the right situation, some big dog breeds may even be better roommates in an apartment than their smaller peers. Before welcoming a larger dog into your smaller space, here’s what to know about the best big dogs for apartments.
Big dog breeds that can live in apartments

Read more
Which dog has the best sense of smell? See if you can guess correctly
Bloodhound tracking in forest

Whether their heads are held high sniffing in the wind or buried under something mysteriously stinky on your morning walk, there’s no doubt a dog’s sense of smell is a key part of the way he navigates his world. It's actually important to let your dog sniff as you stroll along, as it can help his brain generate new pathways in learning.

In fact, a dog’s sense of smell is so powerful that it can be trained to detect food allergies, certain forms of cancer, and even bedbugs! Law enforcement agencies use dogs to track criminals, narcotics, and explosives, while search-and-rescue organizations use dogs to find missing persons.

Read more