Food Fact: Is Muskmelon Safe for Dogs and Cats?

Muskmelon (Kharbuja) has always been the sweet savior for all our summer needs. A chilled and sliced muskmelon is an absolute delicacy when we want to gorge on something that’s sweet, cool, AND doesn’t add a lot of calories and increase our weight. The benefits of this fruit are boundless. From keeping us hydrated and keeping constipation at bay, to supplying us with loads of vitamins that are good for our immunity – muskmelons are a wonder fruit. But how does a Muskmelon go down your dog’s digestive system?

The short answer to whether you should be feeding Muskmelon to your pet is YES. The longer answer needs an insight into how fruits are generally taken up by your pet’s body, an understanding of the contents of a muskmelon, and their effect on your dog. Let’s try to understand what makes up a muskmelon.
 

 

So where did the earliest Muskmelons come from?

Muskmelons are known to have arrived in India from Persia. Musk is a Persian word for ‘perfume’ and ‘melon’ has French roots. In the 6th and the 7th centuries, Persian traders traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and brought the Muskmelon seeds with them. Owing to the similar temperatures in India and Persia, cultivation of muskmelon in India was easy, and soon they were a delicacy. Royal functions weren’t complete without the lovely taste of this foreign fruit, and as it gained patronage, it began to be cultivated on an even larger scale.
 
One of the earliest evidence of this fruit has been found to be around 4418 years ago in the valleys of Egypt, from where it is known to travel to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. From Spain, the journey of muskmelon has seen parts of France, and regions of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, and Suriname.
 
As trade relations of India expanded to the South-East Asian countries, Muskmelons began to be found in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, from where it made its way to Japan and Philippines.
 

But what’s so exciting about this fruit that its word (and seeds) spread so quickly?

Muskmelons are 90% water and 9% carbohydrates, with 1% of protein, fat and essential vitamins. This nutrient composition makes it a light snack as well as an appetizer. The game changer here, though, is what each of these nutrients do for you and your dog’s health. Imagine if you could stuff yourself with something really tasty and you didn’t have to worry about any weight gain or carbs; that’s how miraculous a muskmelon is. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and healthy.
 

That’s great! But what’s in it for my pet?

The best part about feeding muskmelon to your pet is that they absolutely love it! As mentioned above, Muskmelons are 90% water, so they are a great way to ensure that your pet stays hydrated, especially during the summer months. Since they also contain dietary fiber, this helps your pet get rid of constipation. But it has a tendency to make your dog’s poop watery, so it must be given in moderation. Too much of muskmelon may result in diarrhea. Muskmelons must be fed as treats or rewards, otherwise your pet may be pickier than usual.
 
Your pet will greatly benefit from the Vitamins A and C present in Muskmelon. Vitamin A is great for your pet’s eyes and protects them from the onset of eye issues like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. It also aids in the formation of white blood cells and serves as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the cells from free radical damage. Muskmelon contains an abundance of Vitamin C in it. It helps in the maintenance of your dog’s bones and teeth, gives shimmer to his coat, and helps in the formation of collagen. Collagen keeps your pet away from a lot of skin troubles.
 
Since it contains nearly no carbohydrates and fats, it also helps you in watching your baby’s weight. It is a sweet delicacy, which is not high on the sugars that damage your pet’s system. That is why it is a great fruit if your pet is obese. Also, the antioxidants present in this wonder fruit help your senior dawgie relieve his joint pain.
 

 

Conclusion

Muskmelon is great for your pet! But it must be given in moderation, because it may cause diarrhea if fed in excess. It contains a lot of water, so it helps your pet stay hydrated. The vitamins A and C present in muskmelons are great for your dawgie. It also helps him stay free of constipation. The best part is that all of this comes with very few calories, so you don’t have to worry about the weight. It helps improve your dawgie’s digestive system and helps improve his furry coat. Just remember to cut it up into small pieces, and give it to him without the seeds, and you’re good to go!

Have any secret muskmelon recipes? Share them with us.