As a pet owner, it’s important to know that your dog will react differently to various types of plant-based food. While some fruits are never good for your dog to eat, cantaloupe is a melon you can share with your pet in moderation.
Before you begin feeding this fruit to your dog, learn about the benefits and potential hazards of letting your dog enjoy cantaloupe.
Is Cantaloupe Good for Dogs?
Can dogs eat melon, such as cantaloupe? Your dog can safely eat cantaloupe in moderation, and this fruit can provide plenty of health benefits. Both you and your pet will benefit from eating this low-calorie, high-fiber snack from time to time. The fruit is also fat-free and cholesterol-free, so it won’t contribute to weight gain.
Similar to feeding your dog blueberries, cantaloupe delivers a variety of health benefits. This melon carries the following vitamins and nutrients:
- Vitamins A, B6, C, and K
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Folic acid
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Choline
- Niacin
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
Additionally, cantaloupe is a good fruit to feed to your dog in the summer since it’s 90% water. It works well to provide hydration.
Are There Hazards in Giving Your Dog Cantaloupe?
Can dogs have cantaloupe in large amounts? While a small serving is okay, be cautious about feeding your pet too much cantaloupe. This melon has a high sugar content. A medium, 5” diameter melon contains approximately 43 grams of sugar. For this reason, dogs struggling with obesity or diabetes should not eat this fruit.
Additionally, make sure you remove the rind and seeds from the melon before sharing it with your dog. Although these parts of the melon are not toxic for dogs, they carry the same choking hazards as letting your dog eat oranges.
In particular, small-breed dogs with narrower throats face a higher chance of choking on the seeds or rind.
A Cantaloupe Portion Guide for Your Dog
Can dogs eat cantaloupe every day? While you can share melon with your dog, it should be a rare treat. Follow this guide to determine how many pieces your pet can safely eat.
- Toy dogs (2-20 pounds): one or two ½-inch pieces
- Small-breed dogs (21-30 pounds): three ½-inch pieces
- Medium-breed dogs (31-50 pounds): five ½-inch pieces
- Large-breed dogs (51-90 pounds): six ½-inch pieces
- Extra-large dogs (over 91 pounds): up to ten ½-inch pieces
If you’re concerned about your dog choking on a ½-inch piece of cantaloupe, you can smash the piece up into a pulp. Add the pulp as a topping on their normal dog food or freeze it to make a cool treat.
Decide Whether Cantaloupe Is Right for Your Dog
Now that you know more about how this food affects your dog, you can make a more informed decision. If you share cantaloupe with your dog, watch for signs of an allergy. Give one ½-inch cube to your dog and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, and other signs of a reaction. If your dog does react badly, consult your veterinarian right away.
