Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe

It is a hot summer and you are looking for some delicious, juicy, and sweet slices of fruit around you, what will that be? If I were in your place, I would definitely look forward to eating cantaloupe and I would suggest you try it too. 

Cantaloupes are just like other melons, filled with deliciousness, sweetness, juice, and many healthy nutrients. Another question that comes to our mind is “Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?Well, it is a good question to answer and many dog owners will be in search of this answer to lighten up their burden of confusion revolving around the dogs and the cantaloupes. Let’s read to find out if cantaloupes are safe for your dog or not.

Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe

Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe

 

Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? 

Yes! Dogs can eat cantaloupes and in fact, the dogs should eat this superfood to gain various health benefits and enough hydration during summer days. This melon is a full-packed nutritional food and falls under the melon family, like that of watermelon, honeydew, and cucumbers. 

Let’s now dive into several benefits that your dog can gain by eating this luscious fresh fruit.

Also, read Can Dogs Eat Blackberries? 

Benefits of Feeding Cantaloupe to Your Dog: 

1. Antioxidants: 

Cantaloupes is a pack of various important and beneficial antioxidants. It has a high percentage of selenium, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin along with the major vitamins A & C. These antioxidants fully help the dog fight against free radicals. One who is unaware of what free radicals are, let me tell you, they are radicals that are born due to anxiety or environmental stress and are responsible for the oxidation of normal cells. 

Antioxidants also help to fight brain tumors, and cancerous cells, provide inflammatory properties, support the immune system, and deal with other health problems. 

2. Potassium: 

The presence of potassium in the cantaloupes is another wonder, contributing towards the health benefit for your dog. It also maintains healthy bone density, fluid regulation, and proper functioning of the kidney.

3. Niacin: 

It is also one of the major vital elements of cantaloupe as it can greatly help your dog to reduce fat and keep your dog’s cholesterol level under control.

4. Magnesium: 

Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals that can promote a healthy metabolism rate in your dog. Apart from this, it also serves for energy production, bone maintenance, and metabolizing proteins.

5. Vitamin K: 

Contributes to blood clotting and coagulation.

6. Folate: 

It is an important acid, also called folic acid, essential to build a body’s characteristics and improve inner body functions. It helps in the DNA formation and synthesis of red blood cells.

7. Manganese: 

It is an important micro-mineral that supports the maintenance of bones and proper functioning of the joints. Just like magnesium, it also metabolizes proteins and some fatty acids along with carbohydrates to some extent.

8. Dietary Fibre: 

Consumption of dietary fiber by the dog can help them get rid of constipation issues, and upset stomach and thus promotes a healthy digestive system in the dog. The same is the case with cantaloupes, as it is highly rich in dietary fiber and therefore promotes healthy and smooth digestion in dogs.

9. High Water Content: 

The reason why cantaloupes are in great demand in the market during the summer season is because of their high water content. Serving cantaloupes to your dog during summer can help them to recover their lost water level and also promote good digestive health.

10. Low in Calorie: 

This fruit has a low-calorie composition which gives us another reason why this sweet and delicious fruit is a great snack for our dog. 

Besides everything, it is important to keep in mind that this fruit, like every major fruit, contains a good amount of sweetness, which can be proved to be harmful to obese and diabetic dogs. Hence, it is advisable that you feed cantaloupes to your dog occasionally and in adequate quantity. For much more clarity, you can visit your vet and take up a proper feeding plan. 

Every coin has two sides. Cantaloupes, like other fruits, also have some disadvantages. There are not many but few, which are important for dog owners to have a look at.

Also, read Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? 

Risk of Feeding Cantaloupes: 

Cantaloupes Rinds: 

Watermelon and other melons contain rind which can be responsible for your dog’s upset stomach if fed in large quantities. Just like them, cantaloupes also contain rinds that can disturb the proper functioning of your dog’s digestive system. Removing the rinds and serving the cantaloupes in small pieces can help to overcome this risk. 

Choking Hazard: 

Any fruit can become a choking hazard to your dog if it is not fed in proper size. Hence it becomes important to cut the cantaloupes into small pieces so that your dog does not suffer any kind of blockage in their food pipe or any intestinal obstruction after eating it. Considering small puppies, it is advisable to blend the Cantaloupes into some kind of smoothie. 

Occasional Treats: 

Cantaloupes are a very good option as a hydrating snack for your dog but it becomes fatal to them soon after you start feeding cantaloupes in regular durations or large quantities. Hence it is important to keep cantaloupes as an occasional treat rather than including them as a regular meal in your dog’s diet. 

Final Thoughts: 

The answer to the question, “ Can dog eat cantaloupes?” might be very much clear to you all. By eating cantaloupes your dog can gain many nutritional health values and it is very much evident from the points mentioned above. With its nutritional value, you should also keep in mind the risks it can offer to your dog. 

If you want more clarity on any part of this topic, you can visit your vet without any second thought. 

So don’t wait! Buy the cantaloupes today or take it out from the refrigerator and feed a few pieces of it to your dog and record their reaction. It is pretty much sure that your dog will like this awesome treat.