Bitter Melon

Cucurbitacin-type compounds in bitter melon irritate a cat's gut too and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea; cats need no vegetables and have no reason to eat it.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, reduced appetite.

Stop feeding and monitor after ingestion; contact a vet immediately for repeated vomiting or diarrhoea.

Do not give bitter melon to a cat as a blood-sugar remedy; a complete cat food should form the diet.

The bitterness of bitter melon comes from cucurbitacin-type compounds that irritate the gut and cause vomiting and diarrhoea when eaten in larger amounts; ripe or unusually bitter gourds contain more of them.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, abdominal pain, reduced appetite; some dogs become lethargic.

If a noticeably bitter gourd or a larger amount was eaten, contact a vet immediately and report which part was eaten and roughly how much.

Offer only a very small trial piece, seeded, de-pulped and thoroughly cooked; 'bitter melon lowers blood sugar' is not a reason to feed it, and diabetic dogs should follow veterinary diet advice.