Can dogs eat watermelon?

Why

The flesh of the fruit is safe and provides hydration and vitamins, but the rind and seeds can cause intestinal blockages or stomach upset. It is also very high in natural sugar, so too much can lead to digestive issues or weight gain.

If you do feed it

• Remove all seeds and the tough green rind before serving to prevent choking or blockages.
• Cut the flesh into small, bite-sized cubes appropriate for your dog's size.
• Limit treats to no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake to avoid excess sugar.
• Introduce small amounts slowly to ensure your dog tolerates the fruit without stomach upset.

Watch out for

• seeds (choking hazard and potential laxative effect)
• rind (hard to digest and can cause blockages)
• sweetened or canned watermelon (high sugar and additives)
• seedless varieties (still contain small soft seeds that should be removed)

Better choices