Like cantaloupe, honeydew melon, aka “honeymelon,” is a fruit we love having during the summer when the weather is scorching hot.
Besides being sweet and juicy, it is also refreshing, hydrating, and healthy. If eating honeydew cools you down, you might think letting your dog eat some won’t hurt. But can dogs eat honeydew? Is honeydew melon safe for dogs to eat?
If you want to know if feeding your pet dogs honeydew melon is a great idea, you’ve come to the right page. Dog Food Guide is here to give you all the juicy facts about honeydew, including its effects on your dog’s health (good and bad), and a lot more.
What You Need To Know About Honeydew Melons
Honeydew melon is part of the Cucurbitaceae family or muskmelon family and is the third most popular melon fruit – next to watermelon and cantaloupe. While this isn’t as well-known as watermelon and cantaloupe, these oval-shaped fruits are considered the sweetest of all melons.
When it comes to appearance, it doesn’t take a genius to differentiate a cantaloupe from a honeydew melon. Unlike cantaloupe with its orange flesh and rough, darker-colored rind or skin, honeydew melons have a smooth, light-colored skin and green flesh.
Just like its siblings, honeydew melon serves as an excellent summer treat. It tastes great raw and even better when partnered with blueberries, lime, peaches, and nectarines in sorbets, soups, salads, and coolers.
Besides its sweet, yummy flavor, you’ll be surprised to find out that this humble round fruit offers tons of health benefits.
Yes, you read it right. You probably know that this fruit contains dietary fiber and a lot of water. What you might not know is that honeydew melons also contain a chock-full of essential nutrients. In fact, according to Healthline, a cup of honeydew melon contains the following vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin C (53% of the RDI)
Potassium (12% of the RDI)
Vitamin B6 (8% of the RDI)
Folate (8% of the RDI)
Vitamin K (6% of the RDI)
Magnesium (4% of the RDI)
Can Dogs Eat Honeydew?
Since honeydew contains various nutrients like potassium and dietary fiber, it seems alright to give your dog a couple of slices of this healthy treat. But the question is: Can dogs eat honeydew melon? Is honeydew healthy for dogs?
Good news! The answer is YES. Dogs can eat honeydew, and if given in MODERATION, honeydew can also be a low-calorie, healthy treat for your pet dogs.
Now, before you give your dog a helping of honeydew melon, it’s best to know the effects of this sweet-tasting fruit on the health of your pet dog.
Although this is safe for dogs and is not in any way toxic, bad things are bound to happen when this fruit (or any fruits, veggies, and other foods humans eat) is given to your dogs the wrong way.
Can dogs eat honeydew? Oh yes, they can! And you know what? Besides enjoying its sweet taste, your dog will also enjoy a couple of its health benefits.
As you all know by now, this yummy goodness contains various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium, and dietary fiber, which are beneficial to your dog’s body as long as they’re given in moderation.
A Great Thirst Quencher
A fruit made of 90% water, feeding your dogs a few slices will definitely keep your dogs hydrated. However, when it comes to hydration, electrolytes will help hydrate your dogs more effectively than just drinking water.
It’s a good thing that honeydew is equipped with both. Honeydew melons contain electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which promote proper pH balance and help regulate muscle and nerve function.
Supports Digestive Health
If your dog is feeling a bit constipated, you might want to try adding honeydew to your furry pal’s diet. As mentioned, these fruits also contain fiber.
Similar to humans, letting your dog eat a fiber-dense diet now and then can help regulate your dogs’ bowel movement and keep your dog’s digestive system healthy.
Boosts Your Pet Dog’s Immune System
While dogs can manufacture Vitamin C on their own, adding Vitamin C to their diet as supplementation can also help, especially if your dog requires a boost in their immune system.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that can help fight off disease-causing free radicals, reducing your dog’s chances of getting sick. Besides that, antioxidants also help reduce cognitive aging and inflammation.
Can Help With Weight Management
Besides improving your dog’s digestive health, letting your dog eat fiber-rich foods like honeydew can also help keep their weight down – as long as they’re eating it in moderation. How? Fiber gives a feeling of “fullness” minus the added pounds.
Possible Dangers Of Feeding Your Dog Honeydew Melon
Yes, you can let your dog eat honeydew melon. But just like any other fruits, honeydew must only be given with the approval of your vet. Also, it must be served the right way to your dogs. Serve it the wrong way, and your dog will get in trouble.
So, how can a healthy and non-toxic fruit like honeydew be harmful to your dog? Check out below.
Choking Hazard
Your dog’s food- and non-food munching ability might seem impressive, but believe us when we say that this ability of your dog has its limits.
The rind and seeds of honeydew are tough and hard to digest. Allowing your pet dogs to eat these can be dangerous, so you want to make sure to remove all of them. For one thing, the rinds could get stuck in your dog’s throat and block the airways.
Besides that, the rind and seeds could also block your dog’s digestive tract. Contact your vet immediately if your dog starts to exhibit symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite a few hours after eating honeydew.
Tummy Upset & Other Stomach Problems
Did you give your dog too much honeydew? Too much honeydew equates to too much fiber. And while fiber is generally good for dogs, too much could cause an upset stomach. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive gas.
The same applies if your pet dog eats the skin or the rind and the seeds. Remember, these are also loaded with fiber.
Sugar-Related Problems
Aside from possibly getting an upset stomach or diarrhea, eating too much can result in various sugar-related issues. Honeydew may be low in calories, but these fruits still contain natural sugars. At the end of the day, sugar is still sugar. If taken regularly, this can lead to:
Obesity
Yes, your pet dog can still gain weight if you feed your dog too much honeydew. This may be low in calories, but providing your dog large quantities over a period of time will surely add pounds to the weight of your pet dog.
Diabetes
Diabetic dogs, beware. Honeydew, as mentioned, still contains sugar (even though it's all-natural). Giving your dog too much of these treats can lead to an increase in blood sugar. But if you still plan to allow your diabetic dogs to eat a few bites, make sure to consult your veterinarian beforehand.
Tips On How To Feed Your Dog Honeydew Melon
Are you deadset on letting your dog eat honeydew? If so, then it’s best if you follow these tips.
We’re sure you don’t want to go through the hassle of cleaning up after your dog or making an emergency call to your vet. Following these handy tips takes care of that.
Remove the rind and the seeds. The rinds and seeds are choking hazards and can also wreak havoc on your dogs’ digestive system when eaten. So make sure to remove the rind and all the seeds before serving this to your pet dog.
Serve In bite-size pieces. Besides removing the seeds and rind, make sure to cut the fruit into small pieces. Even if your dog has a talent for chomping stuff (edible or not), it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Strictly follow the 10% treat rule. Letting your dog eat treats is alright as long as it’s done occasionally and as long as you don’t go overboard. Remember, treats (fruits & veggies included) shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dogs’ daily calorie intake. Anything in excess is considered excessive and UN-HEALTHY.
Food For Thought
Yes, dogs can eat honeydew melon. It’s full of vitamins and great tasting, so your dogs will surely love this nutritious treat. You can feed this to your dog as a treat (either raw or frozen) if you want to hydrate your dog during the hot summer months. Just make sure to leave the seeds and rind behind.
However, if your dog is diabetic, you might want to give your dog something else. Don’t worry! We’re sure your dog won’t mind. As long as you’re giving them some TLC, your dogs will be happy even if you don’t let them eat honeydew.
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Sheena is a graduate of BS Psychology. While her course is not related to her new-found role, her time at the university helped her develop the skills and attitude she needs to write high-quality content.
