Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Watermelon is a classic summer treat for humans, so you might be wondering if your dog can enjoy it, too.

We reached out to Dr. Stephanie Austin, a veterinarian at Bond Vet in New York City, to find out the answer to the question: Can dogs eat watermelon?

Luckily for your pup, Dr. Austin confirmed that watermelon is fine in moderation.

“Dogs can eat watermelon, but I wouldn't let them have too much,” Dr. Austin told The Dodo. “In terms of exactly how much to give, just like humans, every dog is different. I would use common sense and just allow your dog a small amount until you know how he tolerates it.”

According to Dr. Austin, you shouldn't give your dog a bowl full of those black seeds. “One or two [black watermelon seeds] isn't dangerous, but if they eat a ton, they can cause digestive problems,” Dr. Austin said.

So basically, seedless watermelon would be your best bet, but you can also just remove the black seeds for your pup — just like if you were giving watermelon to a kid.

Just like how you wouldn’t eat the watermelon rind yourself, you also shouldn’t let your dog have it. “We also don't recommend letting them eat the rind, as that is also quite difficult to digest,” Dr. Austin said.

The watermelon rind is just too tough for your pup to eat, and it won’t break down properly in her digestive tract, which could lead to issues like blockages and even choking.

While it’s totally cool to just chop up some pieces of watermelon and let your pup indulge on a hot summer day, sometimes it’s fun to get a little creative, right? Here are some other ways you can let your dog enjoy this tasty treat.

Freeze chunks of watermelon for a yummy — and cold — treat. Perfect for those extra hot summer days.

Puree watermelon and pour it into ice cube trays to freeze. These act like cute little ice pops that your pup will go crazy for!

Feeling extra? Puree watermelon and then mix it up with some yogurt and other yummy dog-friendly fruits (like blueberries, pineapples or bananas). Freeze and enjoy!

If you’re trying to be extra extra, you can even get yourself some ice cube trays that look like cute little paw prints and bones. Imagine presenting your pup with watermelon ice cream shaped like a paw!?

Like this Dog Paw Silicone Mold from Amazon for $8

Watermelon is a safe fruit your pup can happily enjoy, so you don’t have to worry about tossing her a chunk or two when you’re hanging out in the backyard.

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