Are you wondering “can dogs eat honeydew melon?” If so, then this article is going to explain the pros and cons of feeding your pup honeydew! Not only that, but you’ll also learn how to prepare it for them, and when to stop feeding it to them.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Honeydew Melon?
Yes! Dogs can eat honeydew melon when it’s part of a balanced diet, and it’s prepared properly for them.
Why Is Honeydew Melon Good For Dogs?
Honeydew melon is a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber! Here’s why each of them is so good for your dog.
Potassium
Potassium is one of the minerals needed to help maintain your dog’s nervous system.
It also helps to keep their bones strong as well.
On top of this, potassium is also going to aid regular water and acid-base balance in your pup!
And it’s not only going to keep their bones strong, but it also keeps their hearts and muscles strong as well.
Lastly, potassium aids in the absorption of nutrients, improving your dogs metabolism.
Vitamin B6 helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. This can sometimes be helpful for dogs with blood sugar diseases as it can help keep their blood sugar levels regulated.
It’s also going to help them absorb fat and protein quicker as well.
As well as all of this, vitamin B6 is necessary for maintaining healthy brain function.
And lastly, it helps with red blood cell production as well.
Vitamin E is one of the vitamins that’s going to make your dog’s coat look better. When there’s not enough vitamin E in their diet, they may begin to suffer from dandruff and other skin conditions.
Just like vitamin C, it’s also an antioxidant.
If you’re interested in breeding your dog, vitamin E is known to improve fertility in males. (Source)
Lastly, vitamin E helps prevent your dog’s eyesight from degenerating.
Fiber
Fiber is great for dogs that are overweight as it’s going to help keep their bodies feeling fuller for longer.
It also ferments in your dogs stomach producing fatty acids. These fatty acids, in turn, help to prevent bad bacteria from growing.
Lastly, some types of fiber have also been known to slow your dog’s metabolism, which can help regular blood sugar levels.
Hydrating
Did you know honeydew melons are mostly made up of water? This means they’re going to help keep your dog hydrated! This is going to make them the perfect treat for a hot summer day. Just make sure you’re giving your dog enough water as well!
Low Calorie
It’s also fairly low calorie. A cup of honeydew melon contains just 61 calories! However, don’t think you can give your dog honeydew melon whenever you want, while it’s low in calories it’s still quite high in sugar.
When Is Honeydew Melon Bad For Dogs?
While honeydew melon definitely has it’s perks, it doesn’t mean it’s always going to be good for your dog. Just like everything, moderation is key. And in some cases, it may be best to not feed your dog honeydew at all!
An Upset Stomach
What happens to you when you eat too much fruit in one sitting? Well, the same thing is going to happen to your dog. The only difference is your body will be able to handle a lot of fruit better than your pups can!
If you give your dog too much honeydew they’re probably going to get an upset stomach. This can often mean they’ll end up becoming a lot more gassy, bloated, and have diarrhea.
Weight Gain
Honeydew melons contain a lot of sugar, so if you feed to many to your dog, it could lead to weight gain. This is even more likely in dogs that are more inactive.
So make sure you’re not feeding your pup too much honeydew melon at a time.
Digestive Trouble
In some cases, your dog may also have trouble digesting honeydew melon. If you notice that it’s affecting their digestive system (symptoms such as flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and in some cases vomiting) then you should stop feeding it to them.
Allergic Reaction
In some cases, your dog may also have an allergic reaction to honeydew melons as well. If you do notice the symptoms of an allergic reaction you should take them to the vets as soon as possible.
In mild cases, they may be panting, coughing, sneezing, have diarrhea, gassiness, and vomiting. More serious cases include choking, blocked airways, swaying, loss of consciousness, and sometimes death.
Can Dogs Eat Honeydew Melon Skin, Rinds or Seeds?
No dogs can’t eat the skin, rind or seeds of a honeydew melon. The skin of a honeydew melon is too thick, and the rind and seeds are simply undigestible. If you feed your dog too much it could end up getting stuck and causing blockages.
How To Introduce Honeydew Melon To Your Dog
When you’re giving your dog honeydew melon the first few times, you don’t want to give them too much. Your dog’s diet probably doesn’t vary too much, so if you change it too quickly, you could give them an upset stomach.
Start by giving them just one or two small cubes of honeydew melon at a time. Over time you can give them a little bit more. Just make sure you’re never giving them too much.
How Much Honeydew Melon Should You Give Your Dog?
If you plan on giving your dog honeydew melon you should only give them about a handful a week. As previously mentioned honeydew melon is extremely high in sugar, so it doesn’t take much for you to overfeed it to them.
And remember, as a rule of thumb about 10% of your dog’s diet should be treats, and the other 90% should be their most common meals.
How To Prepare Honeydew Melon For Dogs
There are a number of different ways you can prepare honeydew melons for dogs. These are some of the most common, but don’t let that stop you from trying other ideas.
Just remember, that you should add other ingredients with caution. While honeydew melons are fine for your dog, some fruit and other food may be poisonous.
Freeze It
One of the easiest ways to feed your dog honeydew melon is to freeze it. Before freezing it, make sure you cut it into small manageable bites (the size will depend on your dog).
When it’s been left in the freezer long enough, take it out and give it to them.
This is perfect for the summer months, and dogs that are teething, If you have a fussy dog, they may enjoy it this way more as well.
Add It To Their Meals
As well as freezing it, you can also try mashing it up and adding it to their meals. Adding it to their meals can make the meal a lot more interesting for them.
Put It In Their Kong
Adding it to their kong can be a great idea, and it’s going to keep them entertained as well! When you put it in their kong try to put in pieces that are hard to get out. This is going to cause them to work more for it, and keep them interested for longer.
Blend It With Other Fruit
Why not blend it with other fruit? There are lots of fruit that your dog can eat, so don’t feel like you have to stick to one. Apples, strawberries, oranges, and watermelon are all great choices!
Can Puppies Eat Honeydew Melon?
You shouldn’t feed your puppy honeydew melon whilst they’re still on puppy food. When they’re younger, it’s best to keep them on puppy food to help make sure they grow up strong and healthy.
They may also have a harder time digesting new food if they’re young, which could cause them to have an upset tummy.
When To Avoid Feeding Your Dog Honeydew Melon
If your dog seems to be having an allergic reaction honeydew melon or they’re diabetic, then you should avoid feeding them honeydew melon again.
As well as this, if you think that your dog is overweight, then it may not be the best treat for them.
You should also avoid feeding your german shepherd any more honeydew melon if you notice that it’s affecting their bowel movements.
If you’re ever unsure about adding anything new to your dog’s diet, then the best thing you can do is consult a vet and see what they say.
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Recap
Now you know that not only can dogs eat honeydew melon, but when it’s part of a balanced diet, it can be a healthy treat for them!
Here are some of the main things to remember from the article.
Honeydew melon is good for dogs as it contains potassium, vitamin b6, vitamin c, vitamin e, and fiber. It’s also hydrating and low in calories.
When your dog eats too much honeydew melon they may suffer from an upset stomach, weight gain, digestive troubles. They may also have an allergic reaction to it.
You should avoid giving your dog the rind, skin or seeds of honeydew melon.
When introducing honeydew melon to your dog, start slowly.
You should only give your dog about a handful of honeydew melon a week. Remember only 10% of their overall diet should be treats.
To prepare honeydew melon for dogs you can try freezing it, adding it to their meals, blending it with other fruit, or putting it in a kong.
You shouldn’t give a puppy honeydew melon if they’re still eating puppy food.
If your dog is diabetic, overweight or has had an allergic reaction to honeydew melon then don’t give them anymore. As well as this, you shouldn’t give them honeydew melon if you think it’s affecting their bowels.
