For many people, watermelon is a low-calorie refreshment on hot summer days. However, dog owners are often not sure whether this fruit, with its exotic origins, is also suitable as a treat for a dog.
Is watermelon good for dogs?
Watermelon is generally tolerated by dogs and can be used as a treat in small quantities. To rule out possible negative reactions, you should first feed small pieces of the pulp and observe the tolerance.
Every dog reacts individually to watermelon
Basically, it cannot be said in general whether watermelon is a fruit that a dog can tolerate or not. Although eating certain amounts of watermelon is not toxic for dogs, some dogs may have negative reactions to the unusual snack. As with any fruit, you should always feed your dog small pieces first and then wait to see whether this causes any he alth reactions. In the worst case scenario, your dog will either not eat the watermelon at all, or will react to this sugary and watery fruit with diarrhea.
Hand-feeding chilled melons
Dogs also suffer from the heat in midsummer and are sometimes more interested in pieces of watermelon if they have been kept cool in the cellar or refrigerator. It is better not to give your dog large pieces of melon with peel, even if you think that they will provide the dog with more incentive to play and keep him occupied. If you prefer to feed pieces of the red pulp directly from your hand, then there is no risk that the dog could choke on a piece of the sometimes quite hard peel.
The best melon varieties for dogs
During the peak season for melons in summer, you can also find other types of melons in addition to watermelons in the supermarket:
- Honeymelon
- Charentais Melon
- Cantaloupe
These melons can be fed in small pieces like watermelon, but often contain more sugar than watermelon. A watermelon with few seeds is therefore more suitable as a treat for dogs.
Tips & Tricks
Mash some watermelon and freeze it in the ice cube maker to make delicious water ice cream for dogs.
