Outward HoundCan dogs eat watermelon rind? No. You should never give your dog a watermelon rind to eat as this puts them at risk for intestinal blockage. Watermelon seeds are also a no-no.
The good news is, that you can share a refreshing watermelon treat with your pooch as long as it’s seedless and you have cut off the rind. In fact, there are many health benefits to feeding watermelon to your dog!
Health Benefits of Watermelon
Watermelon is great for the immune system. According to Michigan State University, watermelon is an excellent source of:
- vitamin A
- vitamin B-6
- vitamin C
- potassium
- antioxidants (lycopene)
As an added bonus, watermelon has very high water content, making it a perfect hydrating snack on a hot day.
Waterlemon event gets a thumbs up from veterinary nutritionists at Tufts University’s Clinical Nutrition Service. DVM Deborah E. Linder lists it as one of the foods outside of a dog’s normal diet that can be served as a healthy treat.
This human food is safe as a dog treat since it is not as high-risk as some other treats that would unbalance your dog’s diet, which includes bully sticks and rawhides.
Hazards
While watermelon is a healthy snack, there are digestive issues and health hazards to be aware of. Mainly, avoid giving your dog certain parts of the watermelon.
As mentioned, dogs should not eat the white and green watermelon rind because it poses a choking hazard and will cause intestinal blockage.
Watermelon seeds may also cause intestinal blockage and upset stomach, so be sure to get seedless watermelon.
Serving Ideas
There are many ways you can serve watermelon to your pup. You could make a fruit kabob like the one pictured above. Another idea is to make doggy ice cream or popsicles!
Place pieces of watermelon in a blender with some plain Greek yogurt. Feel free to add other tasty treats like blueberries or bananas.
Puree until smooth, then pour into ice cube trays or popsicle mold.
Freeze and enjoy!
*Remember to check the ingredients of the yogurt you use. Do not use if artificial sweeteners like xylitol or birch sugar are listed.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind? Reminders
Is watermelon good for dogs? Yes! Just remember to serve only the safe parts of the fruit.
To avoid gastrointestinal upset, don’t go overboard. In order to avoid obesity and interrupting your dog’s digestive system, remember that treats should take up no more than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake. Leave that to the pet food. Regular dog food takes care of the majority of your dog’s essential daily nutrients.
