Cantaloupe is a sweet melon with a juicy orange flesh. It can be cut in half and eaten right off the rind or cut into smaller chucks to eat with a utensil (for humans). It has numerous health benefits for humans. Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? It is among the list of fruit that is safe for a dog to eat.
Dogs can benefit from eating this juicy sweet fruit as a snack or occasional treat. As for most food given to your dog, it should not exceed 10% of their daily food intake. Cantaloupe contains nutrients that benefit a dog. It also comes with a few cautions as well.
In this article, Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe, you will learn about the many nutrients contained in cantaloupe, how to feed cantaloupe, and precautions to take when sharing cantaloupe with your canine.
- Nutritional Value of Cantaloupe for Canines
- Best Way to Serve Cantaloupe
- How Much Can My Dog Eat?
- Precautions When Serving Cantaloupe
- Cantaloupe Alternative
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Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? Nutritional Value of Cantaloupe for Canines
The distinct taste of the flesh of cantaloupe is appealing to many dogs, Cantaloupe is low in calories and holds many available nutrients for canines.
Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? Health Benefits from Consuming Cantaloupe
- Vitamin A: necessary for healthy coat, skin, and vision. It is also necessary for building muscles.
- Vitamin C: lowers inflammation in the body, builds immunity, antioxidant properties
- Antioxidants: they slow down the aging process and contain anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fiber: promotes healthy digestion and elimination.
- Vitamin B3: converts carbohydrates and fats into energy, healthy breakdown of fatty acids, boosts mental capacity, good for healthy digestion, and important for hormone secretion.
- Vitamin B6: necessary for red blood cell and nervous system regulation.
- Folate: utilizes amino acids in building new proteins and produces nucleic acids like DNA.
- Potassium: necessary electrolyte that aids in proper function of the heart, nerves, and muscles. It helps muscles contract and relax. Supports healthy kidney and heart function.
- Hydrating: contains 90% water content.
- Magnesium: supports energy production and aids in ligament and bone maintenance.
After that impressive list of benefits, you know the answer to, can dogs eat cantaloupe? Yes, when eaten as an occasional snack. Cantaloupe contains many nutrients that promote a healthy dog. What is the best way to serve this to my dog?
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Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? Best Way to Serve Cantaloupe
It is best to purchase cantaloupe when it is in season where you live. Sun ripened cantaloupe has a sweeter flavor. Cantaloupe that was grown in poor soil conditions or picked too early off the vine will be void of flavor.
When choosing a cantaloupe at the store or farmers market, the best way pick a tasty one is by smell. The cantaloups should have a sweet but musky smell. It may feel heavy for its size as well. Another way to tell if it’s ripe is by looking at the rind, it should resemble raised netting.
Thoroughly Wash. Even though you do not eat the outside of the cantaloupe, scrub the outside with cool water and soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. (This is to ensure you do not pass bacteria that may be on the rind into the flesh when cutting it open.)
Slice & Remove Seeds. Slice the cantaloupe into quarters. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and dispose. Cut thinner slices if you want to serve the cantaloupe right off the rind. However, when giving it to your dog, you need to have a good hold on the rind while they eat. Your dog should not eat the rind.
Cut off the Rind. To make it easier for you and your dog, remove the juicy flesh of the cantaloupe from the rind. Cut the cantaloupe into bite size pieces.
Note: Dispose of the rind in a place that is not accessible to your dog.
Refrigerate. Any leftover cantaloupe should be kept cool. It usually lasts 3-5 days in an airtight container. However, if your cantaloupe is particularly ripe, it may only last a day or two.
Use this tasty fruit as a snack or reward for your dog. It can also be an occasional food topper or vitamin booster. Cantaloupe can also be served frozen in small pieces for dogs that chew their food. It can also be mashed and frozen in ice cube trays. It makes a tasty treat on warm days.
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Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? How Much Can My Dog Eat?
You know the answer to, can dogs eat cantaloupe, but how much is safe for my dog to consume? It really depends on the size and weight of your dog.
The general guidelines for giving dogs fruits and vegetables is; they can eat up to 10% of their daily intake. The exceptions would be dogs that are overweight or dogs that have been diagnosed with diabetes, they should eat less. Cantaloupe is a natural form of sugar and may not be as beneficial for some dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? Precautions When Serving Cantaloupe
Dog owners want to look out for their canine companion and know the precautions of serving cantaloupe. Cantaloupe has a relatively short but important list to know before sharing your juicy fruit.
No Rinds. Dogs may try to eat the rind and the flesh of the cantaloupe in the same bite, when given the opportunity. The rinds can cause gastrointestinal tract upset and potentially become impacted in the digestive process.
Dogs can get sick from licking an unclean rind. Due to the textured skin of the cantaloupe, a common bacteria called listeria could get trapped making your dog sick after consuming it. Depending on the growing conditions, some cantaloupe harbors the harmful salmonella bacteria.
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Choking Hazard. Rinds can be hard to chew for dogs and they might try to swallow them in large pieces. Both small and large dogs can experience choking on the rind of a cantaloupe. It’s best to cut the fruit off and dispose of the rind.
Overeating Cantaloupe. If your dog eats too much cantaloupe at one setting, they might experience gas or diarrhea. (It is very similar to when humans eat too much fruit.) Cantaloupe is high in fiber which can cause minor gastrointestinal upset.
If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes be very cautious how much you feed them. A small morsel might be all the natural sugar their body can handle.
No Seeds. The seeds of the cantaloupe do not provide your dog with any benefits. It is best to remove the seeds and discard in a location that is not accessible to your dog. They could cause digestion upset or become a choking hazard in smaller dogs.
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Cantaloupe Alternative
Can dogs eat cantaloupe? Certainly, without the rinds and in small quantities. You might be wondering if dogs can eat other types of melon. Watermelons and honeydew melon are good alternatives to cantaloupe.
Prepare watermelon and honeydew melon in the small way you would the cantaloupe. Wash the melon carefully and dry. Cut the rind off the melon and serve in slices or small chunks. Watermelon pureed and frozen make a tasty treat in the warmer months.
When asked, can dogs eat cantaloupe, you can be confident that this is a safe fruit for your dog and has many nutritional benefits to support good health.
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