diff --git a/docs/about/deprecated.rst b/docs/about/deprecated.rst
index be19317470..6155b32ee6 100644
--- a/docs/about/deprecated.rst
+++ b/docs/about/deprecated.rst
@@ -160,6 +160,11 @@ Use ``-display sdl`` instead.
 
 Use ``-display curses`` instead.
 
+``-watchdog`` (since 6.2)
+'''''''''''''''''''''''''
+
+Use ``-device`` instead.
+
 ``-smp`` ("parameter=0" SMP configurations) (since 6.2)
 '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
 
diff --git a/softmmu/vl.c b/softmmu/vl.c
index af0c4cbd99..570120f5c4 100644
--- a/softmmu/vl.c
+++ b/softmmu/vl.c
@@ -3256,6 +3256,7 @@ void qemu_init(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
                     error_report("only one watchdog option may be given");
                     exit(1);
                 }
+                warn_report("-watchdog is deprecated; use -device instead.");
                 watchdog = optarg;
                 break;
             case QEMU_OPTION_action: