Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?
If you love cantaloupe, then you might wonder if it is safe for your dog. Yes, you can give your dog cantaloupe because the fruit comes with so many good benefits for your dog.
Health Benefits of Cantaloupe to Dogs
Cantaloupes have a lot of water content as well as some sugars and are the perfect fruit snack for your dog on a hot sunny day. Aside from being a refreshing fruit, they also come with various health benefits for your dog. Looking at cantaloupe’s nutritional content, you get to know just why you should give your dog some of it.
Antioxidants
Cantaloupe is rich in antioxidants that help fight any inflammation in the body. It helps, especially, if your dog has arthritis or is getting old. The antioxidants also help reduce the chances of your dog getting diabetes and heart disease.
Vitamins
Cantaloupe is rich in vitamins A and C. These two are good for the skin. They also help with collagen production, which helps reduce the amount of itching and fur shedding your dog will go through.
Beta-carotene
Fruits with an orange color to them are known to contain beta carotene. When these fruits are consumed, the beta carotene will transform into vitamin A and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Folate
It is also known as vitamin B-9. The term is used when this ingredient is found naturally in foods. When it is added as a supplement, it becomes folic acid which is known to fix birth defects and reduce the risk of one getting some cancers. It is also known to reduce memory loss when one starts aging.
Water
Cantaloupe is considered one of the perfect summer fruits because of its water content. Giving your dog cantaloupe will ensure they stay hydrated all day long because cantaloupe is made of about 90% water. The water also helps ensure your dog’s kidneys are healthy and reduces the risk of your dog getting digestion issues.
Fiber
Aside from water content, cantaloupe is rich in fiber. It helps control obesity because the fiber makes your pup feel full longer and reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. It is also known to aid in digestion and will come in handy if your dog has constipation.
With all these perks, it is no wonder so many people love eating cantaloupe and giving it to their dogs. However, there are times when your dog’s health can be affected when they eat cantaloupe.
Risks Associated With Cantaloupe
While cantaloupe has so many health benefits, there are times when there will be risks attached to it. In learning about these, you can figure out if you want to give your dog cantaloupe or if you would rather get a different fruit.
Related: Plants Poisonous To Dogs
Here are the main risk factors of cantaloupe:
The Rind
The cantaloupe rind is like the watermelon rind, and it causes digestion issues in your dog. Since your dog cannot tell the difference when eating it, it helps if you take off the rind before feeding your dog.
The Cantaloupe Sizes
Like with every other food you give to your dog, they might be at risk of choking based on the size of the cut-up fruit. For this reason, you need to ensure that you cut the pieces of fruit into bite-size pieces. That way, smaller dogs can easily chew, and bigger dogs will have no issues should they swallow in a hurry.
Too Much Cantaloupe
Even though cantaloupe is good for your dog, your furry friend might experience negative health issues if you give them too much. Ensure you moderate the amount of cantaloupe you give your dog. Monitor them for any side effects if this is their first-time eating cantaloupe.
If you notice any of these, then ensure you see a veterinarian immediately:
Serve up Some Cantaloupe for Snack Time!
When making your dog’s snacks, it is good to keep them as healthy as possible. Cantaloupe is one of the better snack alternatives for your dog. As long as you cut them up into manageable pieces and ensure that they are in the right portions, your dog will be okay. Pop them in the fridge to make them extra refreshing. Frozen cantaloupe is also the perfect snack for a teething puppy to help soothe their sore gums.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Is Watermelon Safe For Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Yellow Watermelon?
- Can Dogs Eat Bitter Melon?
- Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
- Can Dogs Eat Honeydew?