Is cantaloupe good for dogs? The experts say aye! Low in calories, high in fiber, and 90% water, cantaloupes are high on the list of dog-friendly fruits. And dogs love them, too, further cementing their status as a healthy treat. Before you slice, dice, and serve up these sweet treats to your pooch, you should know:
Cantaloupes are perhaps the most popular type of melon, coming second only to watermelon.
And while Americans consume an average of 27 pounds of this tasty fruit annually, the question remains, can dogs eat cantaloupe? The answer is a resounding yes.
“Fruits like cantaloupe are a rich source of dietary fiber that support gut health. They provide natural antioxidants that likely fight oxidative damage believed to be a leading cause of aging.” – Veterinary Nutritionist Sean Delaney.
I’ve given you the short answer to the question, is cantaloupe safe for dogs? But you should know that feeding cantaloupe to your dog comes with a few caveats. Firstly, the average cantaloupe contains 14-16 grams of sugar, making it unsuitable for dogs with weight problems or diabetes.
The inverse is also true, though. Too much sugar from consuming a lot of cantaloupe over time can cause rapid weight gain and also contribute to canine diabetes.
OMD frens 😮….. I tried a new fruit today…. Cantaloupe 🍈. It’s sooooo yummy 😋. It’s ranked second behind watermoolen 🍉. And it’s good for us doggos…. In moderation of course 🤗. #dogsoftwitter #dogs pic.twitter.com/KWg2EWVTpS
— PrincessAthena👑🌺🌟💎💗🥀🐶👸❤️🎀 (@Princes51989945) June 29, 2021
There’s good news for pet parents who treat their pets to cantaloupe and for all the dogs who love it.
Low in calories and high in fiber, cantaloupe has many health benefits for dogs. Like all melons, cantaloupe has 0% fat and no cholesterol, so if you’ve wondered, ‘can dogs eat cantaloupe?’ go ahead and give them a wedge.
Furthermore, cantaloupes are 90% water, which makes them a great hydrating fruit to feed your dogs when the temperature rises during summers. Besides, cantaloupes are an incredibly rich source of minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients your dog needs, which include the following:
While on the topic of dogs and cantaloupe, we’ve already established that cantaloupe is safe and healthy for dogs. It is packed with vital nutrients and water, as well as being a source of healthy sugars. But what about the skin and seeds of the fruit?
The seeds aren’t toxic, but cantaloupe seeds could become a potential choking hazard for dogs. And what about the outer layer? Can dogs eat cantaloupe skin? As far as the skin or rind of the cantaloupe goes, it poses less of a choking hazard but is more likely to cause an intestinal blockage because it is extremely hard to digest.
A dog that may have consumed any quantity of cantaloupe skin must be rushed to the vet immediately.
Now that we’ve understood the possible drawbacks of dogs and cantaloupes, let’s look at how much cantaloupe can dogs eat without putting themselves at risk.
Is cantaloupe bad for dogs? No. But it is important that you feed your dog cantaloupe in reasonable quantities. Besides exercising moderation, any cantaloupe you intend to feed your pet must be peeled, deseeded, and cut into small bite-size pieces or even pureed.
As for how much? Despite being packed with vitamins, minerals and life-giving water, cantaloupes can make up only 10% of your pup’s food. This percentage is a great indicator that will allow you to scale up or scale down the amount you intend to feed your dog as per its body weight.
Here’s a handy chart that will help you set a feeding limit for the amount of cantaloupe you can feed your dog. Remember to keep the pieces small – no more than half an inch, to be specific.
| Dog Size | Weight (lbs.) | Amount of cantaloupe they can safely consume |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-small (Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, etc.) | 1-15 | 2 pieces |
| Small (Beagles, Pomeranians, etc.) | 15-30 | 2-3 pieces |
| Medium (Shiba Inus, Huskies, etc.) | 30-45 | 5 pieces |
| Large (German Shepherds, Labradors, Rottweilers, etc.) | 50-100 | 6-7 pieces |
| Extra large (St.Bernards, Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, etc.) | 100+ | 8-12 pieces |
While cantaloupe toxicity is unheard of, in the rare event that your dog consumes more cantaloupe than is safely recommended, don’t panic.
As Renee D. Schmid, a Senior Veterinary Toxicologist, says, “Large amounts of cantaloupe may cause gastrointestinal upset, but it’s fine to eat. The rind, however, may be hard to break down and pass.”
So if you think your dog has overeaten cantaloupe, first ascertain how much and secondly check whether it has consumed the fruit with the skin.
A gastrointestinal upset caused by eating too much of the flesh isn’t as severe as a gastrointestinal blockage caused by eating the rind. The symptoms of both vary considerably.
| Gastrointestinal Upset | Gastrointestinal Blockage |
|---|---|
| Lethargy | Weakness |
| Diarrhea | Vomiting |
| Vomiting | Diminished appetite |
| Diminished appetite | Diarrhea |
| Strained bowel movements | |
| Painful and distended abdomen | |
| Constant whining | |
| Visible tummy bloating | |
| Restlessness | |
| Dehydration and continuous panting | |
| Retching | |
| Eating grass |
To sum it up, letting dogs eat cantaloupe is perfectly safe so long as you know what to look for. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has binged on cantaloupes or has consumed its rind.
Here are a few fun and safe ways to feed your dog cantaloupe. For pet parents looking to give their dogs an indulgent treat, these go beyond the usual sliced and diced cantaloupe.
After all, if cantaloupe for humans can be served up in a variety of ways, from sorbet to prosciutto-wrapped pieces, why should cantaloupe for dogs be any different?
Simply puree 1 cup of cantaloupe minus the skin and seeds with 1-2 tablespoons of water or non-fat yogurt until smooth. Pour this mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze until solid and share with your dog.
Puree frozen cantaloupe chunks in a blender without the skin and seeds. Then mix with half the volume of chilled yogurt and refreeze.
For a smoother texture, blend a frozen banana with the cantaloupe. You can also replace the yogurt with mashed bananas if your dog is lactose intolerant.
“Mom made me some dehydrated cantaloupe chips 🤤” pic.twitter.com/9G9UeH6F8g
— Boujee🎀 (@TankGirl1980) August 29, 2022
Thinly slice the flesh of deseeded and skinned cantaloupe. Place the slices in a dehydrator and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
However, remember that dehydrating fruits concentrates the sugars in them, so avoid this method if your dog has weight issues or is suffering from canine diabetes.
Follow the same process for cantaloupe ice cream, but omit the step where you freeze the mixture.
Combine cantaloupes with other dog-friendly fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas, apples, oranges, mangoes, etc. Add in some non-fat yogurt and oatmeal if required and blend until smooth.
Enjoy a glass every morning with your pooch.
Enough said! Add some mashed cantaloupe to your dog’s West Paw Toppl toy, pop it in the freezer, and then watch ‘em go at it.
This dog treat toy not only dispenses treats, but gives your pet a challenge too. This customizable puzzle holds the treats safe until your dog figures out how to nudge them out. It is made from non-toxic materials and is dishwasher safe.
This dog treat toy not only dispenses treats, but gives your pet a challenge too. This customizable puzzle holds the treats safe until your dog figures out how to nudge them out. It is made from non-toxic materials and is dishwasher safe..
As seen on Google
I bought this to help my dog’s separation anxiety when she is in her kennel, and she LOVES it. I freeze her food in the Toppl and it keeps her engaged for a long time. And I love that it keeps her mind from freaking out when I’m not there. It fits her entire meal.
As seen on Google
I love this Toppl…this washes up easily and lasts forever…She exhausts herself… sleeps with the Toppl between her paws…I prepare and hide it…before leaving for a few hours. When I return…I have an empty Toppl and one exhausted Golden Retriever!!!
As seen on Google
The XL toppl had been great!…I am able to soak my dog’s full meal and it fits in it and has room for a lot of toppers as well. It takes him about an hour or so to finish his dinner. They are very durable and I will be purchasing more in the near future for sure!
This is perhaps the simplest way to feed your dog cantaloupe. Simply mash cantaloupe pieces into a puree using a fork or a blender. Add a tablespoon of this to your dog’s daily meal.
No, dogs cannot eat cantaloupe rind.
The outer skin or rind of the cantaloupe fruit is dense and composed of tough fiber that is indigestible. This rind can cause severe gastrointestinal blockages if consumed.
The quantity and severity depend on your dog’s body weight, but it is advisable to keep dogs away from cantaloupe rinds.
Unlike other seeds such as lime or lemon seeds, cantaloupe seeds are totally harmless to your dog. However, if your dog eats too many of these seeds, it might suffer from a gastrointestinal upset.
Just like diabetic or overweight humans, dogs suffering from canine diabetes or weight problems should be given cantaloupe in moderation and only as a special treat on rare occasions.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
