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One of the best parts of summertime is sitting down to enjoy a juicy piece of cantaloupe. These tasty treats are a great way to cool down, have a healthy snack, and stifle your hunger at the same time. If you’re a fan of cantaloupe and a dog owner, you may notice your pooch staring and salivating when it watches you enjoying your piece of fruit. Seeing that want in your pet’s eyes leads to the question, can dogs eat cantaloupe? Unfortunately, there are lots of things we enjoy that our pets can’t enjoy. Luckily, however, cantaloupe isn’t one of them. In fact, cantaloupe is a safe treat for your dog, as long as you only give it to your pet in moderation.
Let’s learn more about whether dogs can eat cantaloupe, a few nutritional facts, and ways you can safely serve this fruit to your pet.
Is Cantaloupe a Healthy Snack for Dogs?
If your dog is healthy, yes, cantaloupe is a safe, healthy snack to let them enjoy. This fruit is low in calories, it has no fat inside, and no cholesterol. You’ll even find that cantaloupe is 90% water. This aids in keeping your dog hydrated when the temperatures are hot outside. Cantaloupe is also high in fiber to help keep your dog’s digestion on track.
Another great thing about cantaloupe is all the vitamins and nutrients that are found inside.
- Calcium
- Choline
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Niacin
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
Now, let’s take a look at the complete nutritional facts associated with cantaloupes.
| Serving Size: 1 Cup | Calories: 50 per serving |
| Total Fat | 0 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 0 grams |
| Trans Fat | 0 grams |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0 grams |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams |
| Sodium | 25 milligrams |
| Total Carbohydrates | 13 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 gram |
| Total Sugar | 12 grams |
| Added Sugars | 0 grams |
| Protein | 1 gram |
The Risks of Cantaloupe for Dogs
As with most human foods, there are a few risks involved with feeding cantaloupe to your dog. The first thing to keep in mind is the amount of natural sugar inside cantaloupe. This can be dangerous for a dog that is dealing with diabetes or obesity. You’ll also need to keep moderation in mind. Too much sugar can lead a healthy dog down the path of diabetes and unwanted weight gain. Carefully monitoring how much cantaloupe you allow your dog to enjoy will make it easier to avoid these issues.
The other issue with cantaloupe is the seeds and rinds. Before you offer this fruit to your pooch, you should ensure the seeds are removed. No, the seeds of a cantaloupe aren’t toxic, but they can be considered a choking hazard to dogs. The rinds can present the same issue. You’ll also need to consider intestinal blockages when it comes to rinds. If your dog has the chance and snatches up a rind, you should speak with your veterinarian. They can help you understand what to monitor for when it comes to the potential of intestinal blockages. Hopefully, they will pass with no concern but it is best to monitor to be on the safe side.
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How Much Cantaloupe Can a Dog Eat?
While cantaloupe is a healthy snack, the amount you allow your dog to eat should be kept to a minimum.
- Teacup or Extra-Small Dogs (2-20 pounds) – 1 to 2 pieces of cantaloupe
- Small Dogs (21 – 30 pounds) – Up to 3 pieces of cantaloupe
- Medium Dogs (31 – 50 pounds) – Up to 5 pieces of cantaloupe
- Large Dogs (51-90 pounds) – Up to 6 pieces of cantaloupe
- Extra Large Dogs (91+ pounds) – a handful of cantaloupe pieces
How to Tell If Your Dog Ate Too Much Cantaloupe
No, cantaloupe is not toxic for your dog, but it is possible that they can have too much. When this happens, you may notice an upset stomach and other signs of disagreement.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- No appetite
- Pain in the stomach or distended stomach
- Lethargy
Safe Ways to Offer Your Dog Cantaloupe
As we’ve previously mentioned, there are several safety precautions you should consider before feeding your dog cantaloupe. The size of the bite, whether there are any seeds, and the removal of the rind are all important.
- Bite-sized pieces out of your hand or a dish
- Chopped or shredded to make hydrating ice cubes
- Dehydrated to make fruit chews
- Blended to make cantaloupe “ ice cream”
- Food topper
- Frozen inside dispensing toys
- As part of a safe doggy smoothie
- Frozen into cantaloupe popsicles
Final Thoughts
Yes, cantaloupe is a safe, healthy treat your dog can enjoy without a lot of worry. However, like most human foods, you must practice moderation. Too much cantaloupe can lead to health issues for your dog and that’s not something any pet owner wants. However, if you’re a fan of cantaloupe, don’t worry. Your pooch can safely enjoy a few pieces now and then, too.
See also:
- Can Dogs Eat Caviar? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
- Can Dogs Eat Durian? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Safer Alternatives
Featured Image Credit: PublicDomainImages, Pixabay
