Can dogs eat melon?
Can dogs eat melon?
Melon is a delicious fruit that perfectly combines flavor and nutrition, as it has a high nutritional value for human health. For this reason, it is quite common for people who live with dogs to ask themselves: «Can I give my dog melon?»
In recent years, more and more owners have realized the benefits of providing their dogs with a more natural and fresh diet and, therefore, many have even changed industrialized diets for a BARF or ACBA (Raw and Biologically Appropriate) diet. for your dogs). In addition, various fruits and vegetables that dogs can eat offer many essential nutrients to strengthen the immune system and promote digestion of our best friends. But can dogs eat melon ?
Nutritional composition of melon
To know if a dog can eat melon, it is essential to observe the nutritional composition of this fruit. Knowing its nutrients makes it much easier to recognize the benefits of melon for your dog and the precautions to be taken when introducing it into its diet. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database , 100 grams of fresh melon provides the following nutrients:
- Total energy: 34 kcal
- Protein: 0.84g
- Total fat: 0.19g
- Carbs: 8.16g
- Fibers: 0.9g
- Sugars: 7.86g
- Water: 90.15g
- Calcium: 9 mg
- Iron: 0.21mg
- Phosphorus: 15mg
- Magnesium: 12mg
- Potassium: 267mg
- Sodium: 16mg
- Zinc: 0,18 mg
- Vitamin A: 169 µg
- β-carotene: 303 μg
- Vitamin B1: 0.04mg
- Vitamin B2: 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B3: 0.73mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.07mg
- Vitamin C: 36.7mg
- Vitamin E: 0.050mg
- Vitamin K: 2.5mg
- Folate: 21μg
Benefits of melon for dogs
After reviewing the previous nutritional table, we can see that the melon is rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, capable of combating the action of free radicals and cell aging. In addition, vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the proper development and strengthening of the immune system, helping to prevent various common diseases in dogs.. Therefore, moderate and regular consumption of melon can be very positive for puppies that are in full growth and whose natural defenses are still forming, being more vulnerable to potentially lethal conditions such as parvovirus and distemper. However, the benefits of melon for older dogs are also very relevant, since they can contribute to the prevention of the symptoms of old age and a better absorption of nutrients from their diet, avoiding the loss of muscle mass that impairs mobility and physical endurance.
On the other hand, melon is a fruit with a high water content , so it helps keep dogs well hydrated and prevents various disorders resulting from insufficient fluid intake, such as urinary tract infections. The water contained in fruits such as melon and watermelon also has a diuretic and purifying effect, helping to eliminate toxins and maintain a balanced metabolism.
The combination of the purifying effect with natural antioxidants, vitamins and carotenoids makes the melon also a healthy food for the skin and hair health of dogs , preventing dehydration and skin problems such as skin allergies.
Can dogs eat melon?
So can you give melon to your dog? The answer is YES ! As we have seen, there are several properties of melon for dogs at all stages of their development. However, it is very important to take certain precautions when offering this fruit to animals to avoid adverse health effects. In this sense, it is essential to understand that dogs need to consume a good dose of protein daily to fully meet their nutritional needs. Although the dog is now considered to be a facultative omnivore due to the domestication process and therefore can eat a wide variety of foods, meat and fish are still the best protein for dogs.
It’s also important to note that all fruits, including cantaloupe, are high in a type of natural sugar called fructose , which is converted to glucose molecules at the end of the digestive process. As a result, excessive consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in fructose, starch and other natural sugars can lead to rapid weight gain in dogs, favoring symptoms of obesity. Also, melon and watermelon have a considerable level of fiber, so excessive consumption could cause digestive problems in dogs, such as diarrhea and gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract.
For all of the above, it is essential to consult a veterinarian before introducing any new food into the dog’s diet to ensure safe and beneficial consumption. Only a properly trained professional will be able to determine the most appropriate dose and frequency of consumption based on your dog’s size, age, weight and health.
Can dogs eat green or Chinese melon?
Yes, dogs can eat melon in all its versions , since, in general, all types of melon offer the same benefits. What really matters is how to give this fruit to avoid digestive problems. We explain it to you in the next section.
How to give melon to a dog?
Now that you know that dogs can eat melon, you are probably wondering what is the best way to offer this fruit to your best friend. Before giving melon to a dog, it is essential to remove the seeds and the skin , since both parts of the fruit are more difficult to digest than the pulp. So, if you are wondering if melon rind is good for dogs, the answer is that in small amounts it does not have to cause damage, but it is always better to avoid consuming it. As for the pulp, we recommend chopping it so you can chew it better.
If you are going to give your dog melon for the first time, make sure to offer a small portion and observe how it feels and behaves within 12 hours after ingestion. The objective is to see if it assimilates the fruit correctly or, on the contrary, , it causes some digestive problem.
Quantity of melon for dogs
The amount of melon a dog can consume will depend on its size, weight, and health. However, it is generally recommended not to consume more than 4 or 5 servings per day . If you decide to mix the melon with other fruits, be sure to reduce this amount to prevent your dog from consuming too much sugar at once.
A great way to incorporate melon into your dog’s diet is to use this fruit as a positive reinforcement in his education to stimulate learning. Every time your dog performs a positive behavior, you can offer a piece of melon to reward him and encourage him to continue learning.
In addition to offering melon as a natural prize , you can give it during hot weather to prevent dehydration. In this sense, it is common for you to ask yourself what other refreshing fruits like this can dogs take. For example, many people wonder the following: «Can dogs eat melon, and watermelon?». The truth is that these animals can also consume watermelon, since there are also many benefits that this fruit offers them.
