Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Watermelon is a fine fruit for dogs

Watermelon is 92% water, which makes it a great hydrating snack in the summer. It contains vitamins A and C and potassium, and with almost no fat or sodium, it ranks among the safer fruits a dog can eat. It's not a toxic food like chocolate or grapes.

Three things you must always do

• Remove all the seeds — for a small dog, even a few seeds can cause an intestinal blockage. Even with "seedless" watermelon, pick out the white seeds.
• Never give the rind (including the white part) — it's hard and hard to digest, and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Flesh only, in bite-sized pieces — frozen watermelon can be tough on senior dogs with weak teeth.

How much can you give?

As a rule, treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of a dog's daily caloric needs. Watermelon is fairly low in calories at about 30 kcal per 100 g, so here's a rough guide by weight.

• Small dogs (around 5 kg): 50–80 g per day (3–5 bite-sized pieces)
• Medium dogs (10–15 kg): 100–150 g per day
• Large dogs (25 kg and up): 200–300 g per day

If you're curious about your dog's daily caloric needs, you can find out with our dog food portion calculator. Ten percent of the daily calories it gives you is your treat limit.

Be careful in these cases

Because watermelon contains sugar, it's not recommended for dogs with diabetes. For dogs with kidney disease, it's safest to consult your vet before feeding it, given the potassium content. If it's your dog's first time, start with a small amount and watch for diarrhea over the next day or so.