Watermelon is a large, sweet fruit that is nearly 92% water, making it a highly attractive food source for various animals. This high moisture content offers immediate hydration, which is particularly appealing in hot climates or dry periods. Beyond the water, the fruit’s sweet flesh provides a concentrated source of accessible calories and natural sugars. This combination of hydration and energy makes the fruit a target for many species, from garden pests to household companions. The interest in this fruit spans the entire animal kingdom, suggesting opportunistic feeding behavior.
Wildlife That Consumes Watermelon
Watermelons are frequently consumed by wild animals, often when the fruit is easily accessible in cultivated fields or backyard gardens. Raccoons are recognized pests that use their dexterity to puncture the rind and scoop out the soft, sweet interior flesh. This results in a distinctive hole in the melon with the contents largely removed. Deer also consume watermelons, though they are more likely to eat the tougher rind and outer sections of the fruit.
Coyotes, which are opportunistic omnivores, will break open fallen or ripe melons, consuming the entire fruit as a supplement to their diet. Smaller mammals, such as squirrels and opossums, will also partake, drawn by the sugary flesh and the moisture it provides. Birds, including crows and jays, will peck at exposed fruit, especially if the rind has been broken open by another animal. Consumption is usually driven by proximity and opportunity, providing thirst relief and caloric intake during dry summer months.
Feeding Watermelon to Common Household Pets
Many common household pets can safely enjoy the flesh of the watermelon, but careful preparation is required to prevent health issues. Dogs, for example, can benefit from the fruit’s hydration and low-calorie nature, which makes it a refreshing seasonal treat. A few bite-sized cubes are an appropriate portion, as treats should not exceed 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake.
Smaller domestic animals, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, can also be offered this fruit, but only in extremely tiny amounts. For a hamster, a piece about the size of its paw or a half-teaspoon for a dwarf species once a week is sufficient. The high water and sugar content in these smaller animals can easily lead to diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress if overfed.
Cats, being obligate carnivores, are typically less interested in watermelon because they lack the necessary taste receptors for sweetness. A mutation in the Tas1r2 gene means they cannot register the sugar in the fruit, and their digestive systems are optimized for meat protein. While the flesh is non-toxic, it offers minimal nutritional value to felines and can lead to digestive upset due to the high carbohydrate content.
Safety Considerations: Rinds, Seeds, and Sugar
The main safety concerns for all animals, both wild and domestic, lie in the structure and composition of the watermelon itself. The thick, fibrous rind should always be removed before feeding to pets because it is difficult to digest and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Large, tough pieces of rind also present a choking hazard or can create an intestinal blockage, especially in smaller dogs.
Watermelon seeds pose a risk of intestinal obstruction, particularly if consumed in large quantities by small- to medium-sized animals. While a few accidental seeds are unlikely to cause severe harm, it is best practice to use seedless varieties or meticulously remove the black seeds before serving.
The fruit’s high natural sugar content is the final consideration, which can cause diarrhea and digestive issues in any animal when consumed in excess. Regular or excessive consumption by pets can contribute to weight gain or exacerbate conditions like diabetes.