![Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? [Answered]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7hY0T5BA2Xs/hqdefault.jpg)
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O melon (cucumis melo) is a delicious fruit, which perfectly combines sweetness, "freshness" and several beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, it is quite common for tutors to ask themselves the following question: "can you give melon to a dog?" or "How can I offer melon to my dog?".
In recent years, more and more owners have been realizing the benefits of offering their dogs a more natural and fresh diet, and many have even switched from industrialized feed to a BARF or ACBA diet (raw and biologically appropriate to the dog's body). In addition, various fruits and vegetables that dogs can eat provide many essential nutrients to strengthen the immune system and encourage the digestion of our best friends. But can a dog eat melon? In this article from Animal Expert, we will tell you if you can give melon to a dog and what are the benefits of this delicious fruit for our pets. Keep reading!
Benefits of dog melon
To know if a dog can eat melon, it is essential to observe the nutritional composition of this fruit. If you know what the nutrients are, it will be much easier to recognize the benefits of dog melon and the precautions that should be taken when introducing it into your furry loved ones' diet. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) database, 100g of fresh, raw cantaloupe provides the following nutrients:
- Total Energy/Calories: 34kcal;
- Proteins: 0.84g;
- Total fats: 0.19g;
- Carbohydrates: 8.16g;
- Fibers: 0.9g;
- Sugars: 7.86g;
- Water: 90.15g;
- Calcium: 9mg;
- Iron: 0.21mg;
- Phosphorus: 15mg;
- Magnesium: 12mg;
- Potassium: 267mg;
- Sodium: 16mg;
- Zinc: 0.18mg;
- Vitamin A: 169µg;
- β-carotene: 303 µg;
- Vitamin B1: 0.04mg;
- Vitamin B2: 0.02mg;
- Vitamin B3: 0.73mg;
- Vitamin B6: 0.07mg;
- Vitamin C: 36.7mg;
- Vitamin E: 0.050mg;
- Vitamin K: 2.5mg;
- Folate: 21Μg;
Interpreting the nutritional table above, it is possible to see that the melon is rich in vitamin C (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 correct development and strengthening of the immune system, helping to prevent several common diseases in dogs.
Therefore, moderate and regular consumption of melon can be very positive for puppies, who are in full growth phase and whose natural defenses are still in formation, being more vulnerable to possibly lethal pathologies, such as parvovirus and distemper. However, the benefits of melon for elderly dogs are also very relevant, as they can collaborate with the prevention of old age symptoms and for a better absorption of nutrients from the diet, avoiding the loss of muscle mass that impairs mobility and physical resistance.
Furthermore, melon is a fruit with a high water content, helps to keep the dog's body well hydrated and prevents various ailments resulting from an insufficient consumption of fluids, such as urinary 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 depurative effect with natural antioxidants, vitamins and carotenoids make melon a "friendly" food for the health and aesthetics of the skin and hair of dogs, preventing dehydration and dermatological problems such as skin allergies of dogs.
Lastly, it is important to remember that melon also offers a good fiber content to the body of dogs, helping to maintain an active and stable intestinal transit, preventing stomach upset and constipation in dogs.
Can a dog eat melon? And watermelon?
If you wonder if can give melon to dog, the answer is yes! As we have seen, there are several benefits of dog melon at all stages of its development. However, it is very important to take certain precautions when offering this fruit to pets to avoid adverse effects on their health.
In this sense, it is essential to understand that dogs need to consume a good dose of protein daily to fully meet nutritional needs. Although they have become omnivores and are able to digest several foods that their wolf predecessors cannot tolerate, meat remains the protein with the best digestibility and the greatest nutritional benefit for dogs. Therefore, it is not recommended to offer a vegetarian or vegan diet for your dog that is based only on vegetables, fruits and vegetable proteins, as this could cause serious nutritional deficits and would end up causing anemia in dogs.
It is also important to consider that all fruits, including melon, have a high content of a type of natural sugar called fructose, which turns into 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 cause rapid weight gain, favoring the symptoms of obesity in dogs, in addition to promoting the dysregulation of glucose levels in the bloodstream of dogs, it can lead to a picture of canine diabetes.
Also, the melon and the watermelon have a considerable level of fiber, so an excessive consumption could cause digestive problems in dogs, such as diarrhea and the accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Also check out this article that explains if a dog can eat watermelon to learn more about the content of this fruit.
Therefore, it is essential to consult a veterinarian before introducing any new food into your furry'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 according to the size, age, weight and health condition of your dog.
How to give melon to a dog
Now that we know that dog can eat melon and watermelon, you're probably wondering what's the best way to offer this fruit to your best friend. Before giving a dog melon, it is essential remove seeds and husk, including much of the white meat which is more difficult to digest than the flesh of the ripe fruit which can be transparent, green or orange depending on the type of melon.
If you're giving your dog melon for the first time, remember to offer only a small piece and observe how he feels and behaves for 12 hours after eating. The idea is to see if this fruit is well assimilated by the dog's body or if it causes any digestive problems.
The amount of melon a dog can consume will depend on its size, weight and health status. However, it is generally recommended that do not consume more than 4 or 5 pieces a day. If you decide to offer to mix the melon with other fruits, remember to reduce this amount to prevent your dog from consuming too much sugar at once.
A great way to incorporate melon into your puppy's diet is to use this fruit as a positive reinforcement in your puppy's education to encourage learning. Each time your dog performs positive behavior or reproduces a dog obedience command, you can offer a piece of melon to reward him and encourage him to want to continue learning.
If you want to know more about fruit for dogs, check out our YouTube video:
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