Watermelon is a widely cultivated horticultural plant in the family of Cucurbitaceae, typically grown for its edible fruit. The plant provides people with health benefits due to the bioactive compounds present in it. This fruit has healing properties because of phytochemicals and other important ingredients. Before we slice up some watermelon for your pet to try, however, let’s see if dogs can share in on these benefits, too.

Is Watermelon Safe For Dogs?

Eating fruits and vegetables is healthy for humans. Plants also confer health properties that can be of utility to animals. But be careful because cases of dog poisoning occur after the consumption of foods, so a plant-based module for a dog has to be made with caution. Make sure not to feed your pets anything harmful.

You can feed your dog watermelon if you want to. Dogs can eat watermelon in small quantities. Red or yellow watermelon flesh is safe for your pet. Please also keep in mind that if you give your pup a new product, do it in small amounts and note your dog’s reaction. Dogs might also have their own preferences and food habits; they may not like some of the plant-based products just the way humans do. But also do not forget allergies.

Watermelon Benefits

So, can dogs eat watermelon? Yes, they can. So, on humid days when it is too hot outside, you can treat your dog with part of a juicy watermelon. This fruit will refresh your pet and keep it hydrated. The flesh of a watermelon is made up mostly of water. Yet, they are also rich in vitamins and other components. Watermelon has carotenoids, such as lycopene, that are natural colors for watermelon.

Research proves that lycopene is one of the components that can prevent dogs from dangerous health problems, including cancer. Some of the most common cancers that dogs get as they age include osteosarcoma. Sadly, the long-term prognosis for this disease is not good. Hence, it is worth employing other potential therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. Lycopene has shown effects on canine osteosarcoma cell lines, potentially decreasing cell proliferation. Dogs can eat watermelon for lucopene. In future clinical studies, however, researchers must determine the nutritional doses.

Watermelon Risks

Most cases of poisoning in dogs originate from the owners not knowing that these products may turn into toxic agents. In general, dogs are not picky eaters, and they will eat what you feed them with ease. Therefore, make sure you only give them food that you know is good. Also, do it in small portions. You should pay attention to how your dog responds when feeding this food for the first time, as it can give rise to an allergy to plant-based products. A dog’s allergic reaction to a particular food causes unpleasant symptoms such as a rash, vomiting, or breathing problems.

Can dogs eat watermelon? If they are not allergic, they can. But there are different factors to keep an eye on. Before introducing a plant-based product to your dog, you need to consider your furry companion’s health. Certain fruits are high in sugar. Watermelon is mostly water but also contains carbs. The sugary flavor of watermelon is attributed to a group of sugars: glucose, sucrose, and fructose. Certain dogs also may be sensitive to the sugar, and they should be kept away from this ingredient. Watermelon should also be avoided for overweight or diabetic dogs.

Summary – Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Can dogs eat watermelon? Now you know that they can. Watermelon is a small treat for a dog. But as always, we recommend that you speak to your vet prior to feeding your pet any new food types. What isn’t toxic to many dogs may not be healthy for your pooch. So, be wise because your dog’s health is the most precious thing!

Source

• Jirayu Tanprasertsuk, Devon E. Tate, Justin Shmalberg (2021). Roles of plant‐based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health.
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jpn.13626