Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

 It’s the peak of summer, and you’re looking to cool off with a refreshing slice of watermelon. But what about your furry best friend? Can dogs eat watermelon? Or, even more specifically, can a puppy eat watermelon? To ensure you aren’t accidentally harming your furry loved one, read on to find out more about this delicious fruit’s nutritional properties and how they might apply to dogs.

The Benefits of Watermelon

The natural sugars in watermelon help to provide a quick boost of energy. Additionally, watermelons are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may help prevent some types of cancer and heart disease. Eating a healthy diet based on USDA MyPlate recommendations can help you reach your nutrition goals. Your health care team or a registered dietitian can help develop an eating plan that works for you and your lifestyle; for example, you may want to focus on increasing fruit and vegetable servings per day or increasing water intake if you’re prone to dehydration from certain medications. Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov for more information on how MyPlate can guide your eating plan choices so you’re better able to achieve your nutrition goals.

How Much Is Too Much

Dog owners shouldn’t give their dogs more than 1/2 cup of watermelon, in total, per day. Even that amount is on the higher end of what many dogs would find palatable. One thing to keep in mind is that watermelons contain citrulline—an amino acid that can convert into nitric oxide and relax blood vessels (very similar to how Viagra works). This can be dangerous for a dog whose heart function is compromised or who has had a heart attack in the past. Watermelons also contain oxalates, which may cause kidney stones and are toxic to some breeds of dogs.

What Kinds of Seeds Are in Watermelons?

Watermelons have three kinds of seeds—the large round seeds that grow in the middle, and two other types of smaller brown seeds on either end. The small brown ones are actually capsular fruit remnants; they’re a lot like cherry pits and aren’t usually dangerous for dogs to eat. However, as watermelons are considered a choking hazard for dogs, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog while he’s eating them.

Are There Any Side Effects to Eating Watermelon Seeds?

The good news is that there aren’t any dangerous side effects from eating watermelon seeds. The seeds contain cucurbitacins, which are naturally occurring toxins. They are not poisonous in small amounts, but they could cause intestinal distress if you eat a large amount of them in one sitting. For most dogs, one or two seeds are rare probably harmless,, and won’t cause any issues at all. If your dog eats an excessive amount of watermelon seeds—more than a handful—you may see some stomach discomfort as a result, so keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t experiencing any discomfort after eating watermelon seeds.

Should Dogs Eat The Rind Or Just The Meaty Part Of The Fruit?

If you’re wondering if your dog can eat watermelon, start by asking yourself: What’s more important—nutrition or taste? If it’s nutrition, then there are some things to know about feeding watermelon to your pooch. And if the taste is a higher priority, don’t worry—you won’t have to fight with Fido for his slice of summer. Just let him dig in!

When Is It Safe To Feed My Dog Raw Melon?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. According to nutritionists and veterinarians, it’s safe for dogs to eat raw watermelon on occasion, but you should limit quantities based on the size of your pet. For example, if your dog weighs 40 pounds or less, he can have about half a cup of raw watermelon daily (it’s also fine for cats). Overweight dogs should avoid melon altogether. See my infographic below for more details on how much fruit—and which fruits—are healthy treats for dogs! But first: Can dogs eat watermelon safely? Yes!

How Old Does My Dog Have To Be Before He Can Consume Fresh Melon

Before we can answer that question, we have to look at what it is exactly about watermelon that makes it dangerous for dogs to eat. Melons are safe for human consumption because of their high water content. While melons do not pose any dangers when consumed by humans, they are incredibly toxic to dogs because of their high levels of citrulline. This amino acid is harmless in humans but devastating to a dog’s system, resulting in acute kidney failure and even death.