Can dogs eat watermelon? Any good pet parent knows there are lots of human food that dogs can eat ... and almost as many foods dogs can’t eat. And when it comes to fruits and vegetables dogs can and can’t eat, the answers aren’t always obvious. So we asked the experts.

With a couple of precautions, yes! Watermelon is perfectly safe to give to dogs and can actually be a healthy treat for them. “It’s got a lot of beneficial substances in there,” says Dr. Tate. “It’s also fairly low in calories and has a lot of fiber, so if you have a dog that’s trying to lose some weight, it’s a good go-to treat.”

But while the red watermelon flesh is fine for dogs, it’s important to know that the fruit’s hard seeds and fibrous rind (厚皮) can be dangerous. “Sometimes seeds can cause a little tummy upset (反胃), and in some dogs, it can even cause a slowdown or an obstruction of the gut, ” says Dr. Hawkins. Watermelon rinds can also be troublesome. “While some dogs might be able to tolerate it, I can’t tell you how many dogs will eat the whole rind in one piece, and then we see that as an obstruction that doesn’t pass,” says Dr. Hawkins.

While dogs can eat watermelon, eating too much watermelon can be a different story. “Just like anything, you want to try not to overdo it,” says Dr. Tate. “If they eat more watermelon than they should, they can get diarrhea (腹泻) from the excess fluid. There can also be a lot of sugar in watermelon, and it can change the pH of the gastrointestinal tract (胃肠道).” Dr. Tate suggests no more than 2 to 3 cups for larger-breed dogs, 1 to 2 cups for medium-breed dogs and 1 cup for small breeds. “You want to keep it within reasonable limits,” she says.

In general, even when dogs can eat fruits like watermelon and the others, keep in mind that “any time you’re giving your dog a food that’s not their normal diet, there can always be a risk of a little tummy upset,” says Dr. Hawkins. “And different dogs respond to things differently. I always recommend checking with your vet about your particular dog.”

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1.What’s Dr. Tate’s suggestion about dogs eating watermelon?

A Do not feed dogs watermelon with other food.

B Take some safety precautions before feeding.

C Offer them more beneficial substances after eating.

D Feed watermelon only to overweight dogs.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“With a couple of precautions, yes!”可知，狗狗可以吃西瓜，但是要提前采取预防措施。故选B。

2.According to Dr. Hawkins, how should you feed your dog watermelon?

A To slow down the dogs’ eating.

B To provide the whole rind in one piece.

C To choose red watermelon flesh.

D To remove the rind and hard seeds.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第三段第一句的“it’s important to know that the fruit’s hard seeds and fibrous rind can be dangerous”可知，果皮和里面的籽可能会对狗狗造成危险，由此可推知，在喂狗狗西瓜时，最好把果皮和籽去掉。故选D。

3.What’s the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A Why do dogs like watermelon?

B Can dogs eat watermelon?

C How much watermelon can dogs eat?

D Are there any fruits dogs can’t eat?

解析：选C。C段落大意题。根据第四段主要内容，特别是“Dr. Tate suggests no more than 2 to 3 cups for larger-breed dogs, 1 to 2 cups for medium-breed dogs and 1 cup for small breeds.”可知，该段主要讲能给狗狗吃多少西瓜。故选C。

4.What’s Dr. Hawkins’s attitude about feeding dogs fruits?

A Cautious.

B Sceptical.

C Concerned.

D Ambiguous.

解析：选A。A观点态度题。根据最后一段“I always recommend checking with your vet about your particular dog.”可知，霍金斯博士对给狗狗吃水果持谨慎态度，建议咨询兽医。故选A。