Can dogs eat watermelon?

Yes: watermelon is one of the best summer snacks among the fruits and vegetables for dogs. With 92% water content, it helps with hydration on hot days. Always remove the seeds, and never feed the rind.

What watermelon offers dogs

Watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is also found in tomatoes and protects cells from free radicals. On top of that come vitamins A, B6 and C as well as potassium. At around 30 calories per 100 g, watermelon is very low in calories, which is good for overweight dogs.

What to watch out for

Always remove the seeds completely: they can lead to diarrhea or, in the worst case, an intestinal blockage. Seedless watermelon is more practical here.

The green rind is hard to digest and can cause stomach and intestinal problems: only feed the red flesh.

How to feed watermelon

Peel the watermelon, remove all the seeds and cut it into small pieces. Serve it plain as a snack or frozen as a summer treat. Freeze watermelon puree in ice cube trays for handy portions on hot days.

Nutritional values and amount

100 g of watermelon (flesh) contains about 30 kcal, 0.6 g protein, 7.6 g carbohydrates, 0.4 g fiber and 8.1 mg vitamin C. The 92% water content makes it one of the lowest-calorie fruits. 100 g provides about 4,500 mcg of lycopene.

Guideline by body weight (flesh without seeds and rind):

• Small dogs (up to 10 kg): 2 to 3 small pieces (about 50 g)
• Medium dogs (10 to 25 kg): 4 to 6 pieces (about 100 g)
• Large dogs (over 25 kg): up to 150 g

Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes and serve it chilled. For ice cube treats, freeze pureed flesh in silicone molds. On hot days it is a good addition to your dog's water intake, but it does not replace the drinking bowl.

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