Summer time is here! And who else is excited other than beach-lovers? Cantaloupe eaters!
Cantaloupe (muskmelon if you’re from Canada) is one of summer’s most popular fruits, alongside the likes of watermelon (which is a personal favorite of yours truly).
And, what happens when you want to get some Cantaloupe to eat? That’s right, Fido wants some as well! Why? Because, well, dogs like to share EVERYTHING with their favorite people in the world! 🙂
And, of-course, all our hearts melt and we can’t say no to them because that’ll make them sad .. and no one wants to make their dog sad!
But, before feeding your dog any cantaloupe, you should be asking yourself whether your dog can or can’t safely eat this fruit.
And good on you for doing that since you’re here on this page!
Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?
YES, dogs can eat cantaloupe in moderation.
The cantaloupe’s orange flesh isn’t toxic to dogs, but some dogs might get some stomach pain if they are fed cantaloupe (especially those with sensitive stomachs), and basically all dogs will go into a loose-stool-fest if you feed them too much Cantaloupe.
How Much Cantaloupe Can Dogs Eat?
Considering this is one of the higher sugar-concentrated fruits out there (along with figs, a very high sugar-concentrated fruit to feed your dog), it’s best if you only feed your dog Cantaloupe in moderation, or else you’ll put them at a great risk of running around everywhere with diarrhea.
One tip we always like to give to dog owners faced with such a situation is to keep this big-boy for the times you need it most, such as when Fido needs a treat/reward to be a good boy.
There really is no reason for Cantaloupe (or any other fruit for that matter) to make up a large portion of your dog’s diet, as it’s mainly carbohydrates/sugars and barely contains any protein.
(For those of you who don’t know yet, your dog’s diet should mainly be comprised of dog food that contain high levels of protein, their bodies need it).
How Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?
Before you offer your dog some cantaloupe to eat, there are a few things you have to take into consideration first during preparation.
First off, any eating/licking the cantaloupe skin is OFF BOUNDS, as the cantaloupe skin is filled with pesticides and bacteria that could harm your dog, even if the cantaloupe skin is washed.
Cantaloupe isn’t the only fruit that people are advised to not feed their dog its skin/peel, have a look here at why avocado peel is bad for dogs as well.
So be careful, washing the cantaloupe skin won’t suffice here, you need to get rid of it all and feed no part of it to your dog.
Moving on, you’re also going to want to make sure you throw away the cantaloupe seeds because they may cause stomach problems over time and because of the fact that they contain high levels of cyanide that may prove to be toxic to your dog’s system over time.
Again, this isn’t just about avocados, as the seeds of many other fruits like apples can also cause stomach upset in dogs.
Also, be careful not to feed your dog big chunks of cantaloupe all at once.
This can easily lead to a serious rise in their blood sugar levels, diarrhea, obesity (over time), and a whole host of other issues.
Just stick with cutting the cantaloupe into small pieces/slices and give your dog 1 or 2 to eat at first.
You don’t have to give your dog the cantaloupe pieces/slices on their own, you could add them in or mash them up with whatever meal they’re having (if it makes sense to from a flavor perspective, you don’t want to turn something that tastes like heaven into a misery).
If your dog doesn’t show any negative reactions/allergy symptoms to the 1 or 2 small pieces/slices you just fed them, then you now have an extra tool to work with when you’re out of ideas for treats/rewards!
However, if your dog does show any negative reactions/allergy symptoms, then you now know that feeding cantaloupe to your dog is a no-no.
And, good thing is that you only fed them a tiny amount and any negative reactions they had will be minor, as you didn’t feed them a huge chunk of cantaloupe all at once without knowing how they would react to it.
Watch out for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, greatly decreased eating and excessive salivation, as all of these are screaming out “YOUR DOG CAN’T HANDLE CANTALOUPE!”.
Is Cantaloupe Good For Dogs?
Even though our digestive systems and those of dogs work in very different ways, Cantaloupe is one of the most beneficial fruits to humans and dogs alike.
Of-course, there are certain times when cantaloupes (just like other sugar-containing fruits and foods) should be off-limits for your dog at all times, such as when your dog has a very sensitive stomach and easily gets diarrhea, or when your dog is diabetic and can’t handle such levels of sugar.
Cantaloupes are known to be rich in:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin C
- Beta-Carotene, which boosts their vision (carrots are rich in beta-carotene, and this is why we’re always told that carrots improve our vision).
- Antioxidants/Anti-inflammatory properties, which make it an excellent fruit for senior dogs that can’t do things the same way they used to back when they were a young stud :-).
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Thiamine
- Niacin
- Pantothenic acid
- Folic acid
- Fiber
Just remember though, that all these vitamins, nutrients and minerals are all things your dog should be getting from the high-quality, protein-rich dog food that should make up the majority of their diet.
You should never get too happy about the fact that Cantaloupe and other fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients and go over-board with feeding your dog large amounts of them on a frequent basis.
Don’t think of cantaloupe as something your dog needs to be healthier, think of cantaloupe as something your dog will be able to enjoy every now and then as a reward or treat.
Any health benefits that your dog gets from eating cantaloupe in small amounts every now and then is a good addition that will stack up among with many other factors with time to ensure your furry buddy goes on to live a healthy, happy life.
You are right on the dot with your article. Very informative. I think the only thing that’s missing is a word of warning to dog owners who have diabetic dogs. They should give this in moderation as it has high sugar content, as with any fruit.
Yes got to be much more careful with sugar in that case.