By autumn, the melon crop ripening season begins. Juicy watermelons and fragrant melons are alluring to themselves. Moreover, these beautiful berries are loved not only by people. Our smaller brothers also have a weakness for sweet fruits. Today we’ll talk about whether a dog can have a melon. Sometimes animals surprise with their taste preferences. Some dogs just lose their temper while the owner cuts the melon, asking for a slice in every way. At the same time, each owner may have his own opinion about whether a dog can have melon. Our task is to find out what veterinarians think about this.
Product benefits
In order not to be unfounded, you must first understand what the melons give the body, what are their pros and cons. Of course, these are very tasty, juicy and tender berries. It is very difficult to argue with this. But this does not give an answer to the question whether a dog can have a melon. So, it contains a huge amount of nutrients. These are glucose and carotene, sodium and iron, potassium, calcium and silicon. Moreover, these are only those substances that are contained in large quantities.
Speaking about whether a dog can drink melon, one should not forget about vitamins in its composition. These are vitamins of groups B, A, C, PP, which play a huge role in the functioning of the body. But our pets are not much different from their owners.
Effect on the body
Let us now see how melons affect the functioning of internal organs. Based on this, it will be possible to decide whether the dog can give a melon. The regular use of this berry normalizes the nervous system. If you have a long trip, offer your pet a piece of melon. In addition, the potassium contained in the composition supports the cardiovascular system and helps to remove cholesterol.
But that is not all. If the pet suffers from constipation, then the melon will be of great help to the dog. It enhances the intestines and produces a mild laxative effect. Veterinarians note the considerable benefits of melon in the treatment of kidneys, due to the diuretic effect. Due to fiber and low calorie content, it becomes indispensable in the treatment of obesity, which is often a consequence of housing maintenance. Among other things, melon helps maintain immunity.
We give with caution
It is possible to feed the dog with melons, but you must always follow the recommendations of the veterinarian. Melon culture has a huge number of advantages. But the owner should well understand that vegetables and fruits in the pet’s diet take an additional, and not the main, place. This is a predator that must eat meat, that is, a protein product. Melon is saturated with carbohydrates, and in addition, it contains a lot of sugar, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Experienced dog breeders say that in small quantities, a couple of times a week, melon can be included in the dog’s diet. A piece of goodies can be a very appropriate dessert after a main meal. You can give it only the pulp, without the peel.
If the dog refuses melon
Indeed, if some will beg for the supplement, then others will most likely refuse such a treat. It mainly depends on well-being and time of year. It is believed that some breeds are more likely to eat fruit than others. But veterinarians believe that this is more dependent on individual characteristics and eating habits, as well as well-being and time of year. In hot weather, the dog eats melon not for its taste, but as a source of liquid and coolness. In any case, it is not worth trying to force feed your pet. If he does not want fruits now, then he does not need them.
Overfeeding
If, on the contrary, the pet really liked the fruit, then do not leave it within reach. In the practice of veterinarians, it is not uncommon that the dog ate a melon and got an appointment with acute bloating or inversion of the intestine. Species such as Basset Hound are particularly prone to this.
Even if the animal has no digestive problems, overeating melon leads to a laxative effect and strong urination. In apartment conditions, this can lead to unpleasant consequences for the animal and its owner.
Danger in the fruit itself
When a melon appears on the shelves, you should remember about the possible high content of nitrates in the fruits. Even for humans, eating a significant amount of pulp saturated with nitrates can turn into big problems with the body. But for the dog’s body, the negative effect can be tens of times stronger, even fatal. Therefore, when giving melon to your pet, first make sure that it is a treat, not poison.
Wait for the season
You can start enjoying melons from mid-August. At this time, a large number of high-quality fruits that sang in the sun without any special accelerators arrive on the shelves. Until about mid-September, you can safely eat melons and treat your pet. It was at this time that amateurs harvest it for the future. To do this, pieces of pulp can be dried or frozen. But if you want the workpiece to be preserved all winter, the storage temperature should be at least -18 degrees. That is, an ordinary freezer will provide storage for a month.
What else to diversify the diet
If your pet is happy to eat melon, then you should make sure that the rest of the year his diet is supplemented with various sources of fiber and carbohydrates. Experts recommend using only seasonal fruits that grow in your area. But with exotic fruits you need to be careful. This is especially true for the use of seeds that are contained in them. It is not recommended to give grapes to dogs, as this creates an increased load on the liver and pancreas.
The most useful alternative
One of the best options for your pets is apples. Small dogs can be given half a day, puppies are best given starting with a tiny bite. A large dog can eat a whole apple, from this, its body will only benefit. Please note that red fruits are best avoided. Give preference to yellow and green fruits.
If at home there are only red apples, then you should not leave the dog without a dessert. Remove the peel from the fruit and be sure to remove the core. It contains a large number of substances hazardous to digestion. Offer the animal a few bites and watch the dog react. If everything is in order, then you can give red apples as well. The benefit of this fruit lies in the fact that chewing maintains healthy teeth. Chewing load allows you to clean teeth from plaque.
Fruit roasting
No less useful are pears. However, like apples, they contribute to increased gas formation. To reduce the burden on the intestines, they are baked. Keep in mind that fruits should not make up more than 20% of the diet. Otherwise, the dog faces digestive upset. If the dog suffers from constipation, then after a preliminary consultation with the veterinarian, you can increase the number of fruits and the frequency of their presence in the animal’s diet. In this case, it is very important to consider the taste preferences of your pet. If the dog does not eat apples, do not force it. It is enough to offer her other fruits.
If fruit is contraindicated
Such cases are also not uncommon. At the same time, it is not necessary to limit the diet to meat and porridge, because fiber is very important for the dog's body. In nature, predators get it by eating grass, as well as the contents of the stomachs of their herbivorous prey. At home, the dog cannot hunt, so it is necessary to supplement the diet with vegetables. Very useful is carrots. It contains a huge amount of vitamins, is rich in potassium, calcium and iron. It can be given in fresh, baked and boiled form.
The second place is occupied by green beans. This healthy vegetable can successfully replace peas and other legumes, because it does not give such a burden on the digestive organs. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and K, manganese and other nutrients. Broccoli is a storehouse of nutrients, unless, of course, the dog agrees to eat it. In addition to vitamins and minerals, broccoli protects against cancer, which is very important if the animal lives in environmentally disadvantaged regions.
How to cook vegetables
Dogs have a short digestive tract, which is poorly suited for digesting plant foods. Therefore, veterinarians recommend softening vegetables so that they become more accessible for digestion and extraction of beneficial substances. Vegetables with a high fiber content must be cooked for at least 10-15 minutes to make them soft. So they are easily digested and will not harm digestion. Be sure to give vegetables and fruits of different colors so that the diet is complete.
Instead of a conclusion
Is it possible for a dog to melon - each owner must decide, assessing the health status of his pet, as well as the recommendations of a veterinarian. In any case, this step should be carefully considered by its owner. The first consumption of gourds should be carried out exclusively under the watchful supervision of the owner to identify all the negative aspects. If a dog has digestive problems, then melon should be immediately excluded from the diet.