Melon is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a fleshy and sweet fruit. You can refer to the word ‘melon’ as the plant or the fruit.
Melons originated in Africa or Southwest Asia in India and Iran and then began to appear in Europe during the rule of the Roman Empire.
They are one of the earliest domesticated plants in the world and one among the first crops brought by the westerners.
Humans love melons and if you are wondering if you can give melons to your dear dog, continue reading this article.
Can Dogs Eat Melon?
Yes, melons are safe to eat for dogs only in moderation. Most dogs enjoy eating melons for its mildly sweet taste and the instant hydration that it provides. This fruit is naturally power packed with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Your dog is a carnivore and though melons are good for them, their digestive system is not made to digest a lot of fruits. Thus make sure you give your dog melons in small quantities. When they overeat, it is going to drain out of their system in the form of diarrhea.
It is normal for the dog’s stool to become softer after they eat melons since the fruit is high in water content.
How to Serve Melon to Your Dog?
It is crucial to consider how you feed melons to your dog. They are thick and have a thick outer skin as well, that is not digestible by dogs. Thus, it is best to remove the thick outer skin and only give the inner juicy part to your dog.
Ensure to remove seeds from the melon as they can get stuck in your dog’s teeth or throat and block the intestine. Melon seeds are also not digestible, and thus, ensure to pick them out before giving the fruit to your dog.
Below mentioned are a few safe ways to feed melon to your dog:
Frozen chunks – After removing the outer part and seeds, freeze the melon in the freezer and give it to your dog on a hot summer day. They will love this treat and will help cool down.
Chunks – Slice the melon, remove the outer part and seeds.
Ice cream – Blend the frozen melon chunks with unsweetened and unflavoured yogurt (no added fruits, sugar or even artificial sweeteners). Add this to your dog’s food bowl.
Give this only if your dog is not lactose intolerant. Yogurt is usually better tolerated than ice cream, plus the bacterial cultures are amazing for intestinal health.
Puree – Remove the thick layer and seeds and then puree the fresh fruit. You can even freeze this puree in an ice cube tray.
Remember not to feed melons right before the meal as melons are filling to dogs. Make sure to space out the main meal and melon.
Melon is a hydrating summer snack but make sure you do not feed too much to your dog. Stick to small quantities only and do not overfeed them even if they ask for it.
Types of Melon Dogs Can Eat
Cantaloupe Melon [MuskMelon]
Dogs can eat muskmelon only in moderation. This fruit is rich in natural sugars. Diabetic dogs and those prone to weight gain can eat muskmelon only as treats occasionally.
Make sure to remove the seeds and cut the flesh into small chunks. Please do not allow them to lick the melon skin as it may be loaded with bacteria.
The muskmelon (cantaloupe) is power-packed with vitamin A, B and C. They are amazing for strengthening the immune system and good for digestive health.
Honeydew Melon
This type of melon is a great sugary treat for your dog, except diabetic ones. It has high sugar content and thus not an ideal treat for diabetic dogs.
The honeydew melon is power-packed with vitamin B and C and it contains potassium as much as in bananas. This melon also contains iron and copper, which help in developing healthy red blood cells.
Cut the flesh into cubes and remove the seeds before feeding it to your dog. Do not overfeed this fruit as it can cause diarrhea.
Watermelon
This is a super hydrating, healthy and refreshing fruit. Watermelons are made of 92% water and a slice of this fruit provides the required hydration during a hot summer day.
It contains vitamin A, B6 and C as well as potassium. These nutrients help with nerve function and building strong muscles.
Can dogs eat the skin of melons?
No, melon skin (rinds) are tough, difficult to chew and hard to digest. It can also chock in the throat and may cause irritation when swallowed. Also, do not let your dog lick the skin of the melon as it can be a breeding ground for bacterias which could make your dog sick.
Conclusion
We hope to have helped you understand how much melon is good for your dog. Also, know the different types of melons that you can give your dog because not all melons are suitable for every dog.
You can give melons in different forms to your dogs like frozen melon, yogurt ice cream and puree. Make sure to give melons in limited quantities to your furry friend and never feed the skin of any type of melon.
Also, do not let your dog lick the skin as it can be hoarded with harmful bacterias, which may cause health issues.