It can be a little bit confusing knowing exactly which our favorite fruit and vegetable our canine pals can eat - so if you’re wondering can dogs eat cantaloupe, you’ve come to the right place.
Happily, the cantaloupe is one of those treats that is perfectly safe for our furry friends to consume, and if you’ve been thinking about choosing healthy dog treats, it can even be a lovely alternative to traditional chews. If there’s other people-friendly treats you want to share with your dog, be sure to check what human food can dogs eat.
The cantaloupe is a good source of a number of nutrients, including vitamins and antioxidants. It should be noted however that the fruit is relatively high in natural sugars, so it’s not something that should be fed in too much excess.
Don’t forget to make sure you’re giving your canine pal the best dog food alongside their fruity snacks as this will ensure their diet stays complete and balanced.
Is cantaloupe good for dogs?
Cantaloupe is a great source of fiber, as well as vitamins such as A, B and C. They are also mainly composed of water, so if it’s a particularly hot day, they’re a great source of refreshment for your pup. Melon is very low in calories, so they can be a good low-fat treat for dogs who might be in need of losing a little bit of weight.
You should be mindful if your dog has diabetes however, as the natural sugars in fruit can be problematic for any dogs which suffer from this problem. It’s worth having a chat with your vet should you have any concerns.
When is cantaloupe bad for dogs?
Although melon and cantaloupe seeds are not considered toxic for your dog, it’s wise to remove them before feeding melon to your dog. This is because the seeds can present a choking hazard and can also cause blockages in your dog’s gastrointestinal system.
For the same reason, you should only feed your dog the melon’s flesh, being sure to remove the hard skin first. Be sure to chop the melon into easy to swallow, bite-size chunks and supervise your dog while consuming melon or cantaloupe in case of any problems. Again, this is particularly true for smaller dogs who may struggle with larger or harder pieces of fruit.
Tips for feeding your dog cantaloupe
Maybe your dog is getting tired of the best dog treats you can buy from the pet store, or perhaps you just have a surplus of cantaloupe, either way this tasty fruit can make a good substitute. We’ve got lots of recipes for homemade dog treats, but here’s a few quick suggestions that use cantaloupe.
- Suggestion 1 - Chop the cantaloupe flesh into small bite size chunks, and mix with other healthy fruits and veg, such as carrot and cucumber for a tasty salad.
- Suggestion 2 - Cut the cantaloupe into very small pieces and mix through with dog-friendly peanut butter, placing it into a kong for a longer-lasting treat.
- Suggestion 3 - Chop the cantaloupe into small pieces and freeze with some water in ice cube trays. This makes for an extra tasty treat on a very hot day.
Summary
As it turns out, cantaloupe and other types of melon makes for a tasty treat for your dog. That said, not every dog will enjoy eating them - and you should also be mindful of giving too much (if any) to a diabetic dog.
Be careful to remove the seeds and the rind too to make sure that only the tasty, fleshy part of the melon makes its way into your dog’s digestive system.
