Dogs can eat and benefit from various fruits. However, not all of these fruits are safe. Some are harmful. Is cantaloupe one of the good or bad fruits?
What is cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is one of the muskmelons or Cucumis melo variety with a net-like ski, otherwise known as sweet melon, rockmelon, or spanspek belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Other netted types are honeydew, casaba, and Crenshaw, while muskmelons with smooth skin are Persian, Santa Claus, or Christmas melons.
Depending on your location, you may either find the European or North America cantaloupe type. The European variety has a gray-green skin with smoother ribs and a sweet and flavorful tasting flesh.
On the other hand, the North American variety, popular in Mexico, the US, and some parts of Canada, has more pronounced net-like skin and has an orange flesh that is less sweet.
Are cantaloupes safe for dogs?
Yes. Cantaloupes are safe for dogs, i.e., all dog breeds, including German shepherd, chihuahuas, French bulldog, Shi Tzu, Retrievers, Beagles, Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, and so on can eat cantaloupes. However, like any other fruit, vegetable, or human food safe to dogs, they should have cantaloupes in moderation as a treat. Twice or three times a week is ok.
Remember, treats like fruits, veggies or commercial ones shouldn’t replace regular diets which are complete and balanced for the specific life stage of your pup.
Benefits
As non-processed fruits, cantaloupes are healthy for your pups. These muskmelons are very rich in vitamins A and C, both good antioxidants and have other benefits.
For instance, canines need vitamin A for optimal health. The coat, skin, eyesight, nerves, and muscles require vitamin A to work correctly, and vitamin C protects cells, helps maintain skin, bones, blood vessels, and cartilage, among other benefits.
Also, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, together with tocopherols are potent antioxidants that will counteract free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Also, antioxidants minimize inflammation and lower risks of certain chronic illnesses like cancer, among many other benefits.
Additionally, this muskmelon has vitamin B6, niacin, thiamine, potassium, among other nutrients, all of which have various benefits in your dog’s body.
While they don’t have a dietary requirement, the fiber in rockmelons (1.5 grams per cup) is vital to dogs since it helps prevent diarrhea or constipation, promote gut health, aids in weight loss, among many other benefits.
If your canine friend depends on commercial treats, which are often high in carbs and calories, switch to various healthy fruits, including cantaloupe, apples, bananas, berries, and so on. Cantaloupe, some are lower in calories (34 calories per 100g) and have many nutrients that will benefit your dog.
Finally, since it is high in water, about 90%, this fruit will help promote hydration, especially if your dog isn’t much of a water drinker.
Feeding cantaloupe to your dog
We have numerous benefits and the fact that cantaloupes are ok for your dogs. Besides just keeping the right amount, here are more feeding tips.
1. Clean them thoroughly
Since their skin often harbors various harmful bacteria, including salmonella, thoroughly wash and scrub them before cutting them. Similarly, refrigerate any that may remain, which will minimize the chances of any remnant pathogenic microorganisms.
While cleaning will also help remove any remnant pesticides or farm chemicals, it will be better to get organically grown ones.
2. Avoid rind and skin
Unlike herbivores, dogs cannot digest plant materials efficiently. Therefore, since they are tough and not easy to digest, avoid giving your pups cantaloupe skin or rink as they may cause damage or impaction in your dog’s digestive tract or cause stomach upsets.
Similarly, being very tough and fibrous, they may present a choking hazard. Just remove them and let your dog eat the softer, fleshy part only.
3. Remove seeds
Cantaloupe seeds are not toxic to dogs. However, since they may choke these animals, especially the miniature breeds, it is wise to remove them. Besides the choking, they are unlikely to be digested. Hence there is no reason why your pup should eat them.
4. Introduce slowly
If they are eating rockmelons for the first time or any other new food, it is good to introduce them slowly. This way, they will give their stomach a chance to adjust and avoid diarrhea or stomach upset.
Start with a very tiny amount and gradually increase it. Also, observe how their tummies react within the first 12-36 hours and discontinue if it causes diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset.
5. How much?
How much to give them depends on the dog calorie requirement, which is tied to breed, size, life stage, activity level, etc. You need to ensure all the calories they gain from all the treats you offer them doesn’t exceed 10% of their total daily calorie intake.
While very healthy, excessive amounts of treats, including fruits, may cause and stomach problems. For instance, a 10kg (22lb) neutered adult dog requires about 400 calories a day and treats up to 10%, 40 calories.
Assuming that you give your dog cantaloupe and commercial treats, each accounting for 50% of calories, they can have 20 calories cantaloupe, which is about a 1/3 a cup since one cup has about 60 calories. Alternatively, give them one or two wedge slice that is about an inch thick.
Also, note that matter how much your dog loves cantaloupe, avoid giving them excessive amounts as besides causing obesity, they may cause diarrhea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and gas. They cannot handle too much of this fruit.
6. Feeding ideas
There are many ways to offer cantaloupe to your dogs that include the following:
- Chop the fleshy part without rind or seeds into bite-size and offer it to your dog. You can also give them pieces from your salad as long as there are no harmful additives like garlic, onions, salt, and so on.
- During hot summer days, freezing your cantaloupe slices will make it a great treat, as it will help cool down your canine friend. You can also freeze pureed cantaloupe in your ice cube tray alone or with water.
- While you can also dehydrate them, be very careful since the sugar level and calories will go high, meaning you have to give them a minimal amount. A dehydrated cantaloupe with 30% water has about 26.7 g of sugar per 100 grams.
- Finally, if your dog goes crazy over rockmelons, you can incorporate them into their puzzle toys. Just hide them and let them find and eat. It will help stimulate them mentally.
Puppies
Yes. Puppies can also eat a bit of fruit, including cantaloupes. However, you need to ensure the amount is much smaller than what you give your adult canine pal since their stomachs are still fragile.
Warning
Suppose you have a dog under treatment, taking therapeutic diets, or suffering from any chronic illness, especially diabetes. In that case, it is good to consult with your vet before offering them cantaloupe or any other fruits.
Similarly, if you have an obese dog, go for fruits that are much lower in sugar and calories, such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, kiwis, and keep the amounts low.