When looking for safe treats for your dog, it can sometimes be challenging to know what foods are okay and which are dangerous. What about the dos and don’ts of cantaloupe for your dog? Does it have any reported nutritional benefits?
We consider a number of the beneficial nutritional components in cantaloupe, why they are essential, and what deficiencies in these nutrients can mean for your dog.
When choosing which treats to supplement your pup’s diet, knowing what is healthy and what may cause harm can be tricky.
Is Cantaloupe Safe For Dogs?
For the most part, yes. Cantaloupe is safe for most dogs to eat in moderation and can make for a great, low-calorie treat. However, there are a couple of caveats to this that we will explore below.
Rind
The hard and fibrous rind of cantaloupe melon is not something your dog’s digestive tract can cope with. Even eating small amounts of the rind can cause digestive upset for your dog with signs such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Cantaloupe rind can also pose the risk of causing either an obstruction of the food pipe or the intestines, both of which can be life-threatening and costly to treat.
Seeds
The seeds of the cantaloupe are also very tough and fibrous. Your dog cannot digest these seeds, and there is a chance they may cause tummy upsets. As a result, it is unlikely to be harmful to your dog, it is best to simply remove them before giving your dog cantaloupe.
Flesh
The actual cantaloupe flesh, the bit we would choose to eat as humans, is not harmful to your dog. In small amounts, it can provide a sweet treat for your pup. Melon is high in sugars, and large amounts can also cause tummy upset. Therefore, as with all treats, it is best only to be given in moderation, alongside a healthy and nutritionally balanced, complete dog food.
Medical Conditions Associated With This Melon
Obesity
Canine obesity is a rising epidemic linked to many severe health conditions, including joint disease, urinary tract issues, breathing problems, and even cancer. Cantaloupe does contain sugar, and as such, if your dog is overweight or obese, it may not always be a healthy snack for your dog to eat.
If you are worried about your dog’s weight, speak to your local vet. They will be able to offer you advice on how to create a healthy weight loss plan for your pup and ensure there isn’t an underlying medical reason for their weight gain.
Diabetes Mellitus
“Diabetes mellitus” is a condition where the body does not produce enough or does not respond appropriately to a hormone called insulin. Insulin is vital for the body to process and use sugars. In diabetes mellitus, the blood sugar levels can become very high. The body can even go into a life-threatening state called “diabetic ketoacidosis”, where the blood becomes too acidic due to the disruption in body energy usage.
Management of diabetes mellitus involves cautious insulin dosing under veterinary guidance in conjunction with strict dietary management. Cantaloupe melon, because of its sugar content, would not be considered an appropriate treat for a diabetic dog.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term used to describe dogs that suffer a group of conditions called “chronic enteropathy” – the medical term for long-standing disease of the stomach and intestines causing signs such as diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. A subset of these dogs will suffer from a “food-responsive enteropathy”. The disease process is complex, but certain particles in food are thought to contribute to inflammation in the gut.
In these dogs, changes to the diet can sometimes be sufficient to manage the symptoms, and your veterinarian will make recommendations for an appropriate diet based on your dog’s individual needs. Suppose your dog suffers from this condition, and your veterinarian has recommended a therapeutic dietary trial. In that case, you must not feed additional treats or other foods during this time.
Nutritional Benefits Of Cantaloupe Melon
Formulating a perfectly balanced diet rich in all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs is extremely challenging. Failing to meet your dog’s nutritional needs can lead to severe health issues. Here are a few of the benefits of cantaloupe that vets have suggested over the year.
Niacin
Niacin is one form of vitamin B3. The body can convert this to niacinamide, which has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. Niacin has been suggested to help reduce cholesterol levels in dogs suffering from elevated cholesterol.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an essential water-soluble vitamin with crucial roles in many chemical reactions within the body, including those that make essential hormones. Deficiency can cause problems with the heart and nerve function.
Folate
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for many normal bodily functions, such as the synthesis of DNA (the building blocks of our genetic make-up) and the production of red blood cells. Deficiencies in folate can be seen with small intestinal or pancreatic diseases. While cantaloupe is a source of folate; it won’t provide a sufficient amount if your pet has a deficiency due to a medical condition.
Therefore, your veterinarian is likely to advise an oral vitamin supplement instead. Folate is also called folic acid and is an essential vitamin during pregnancy. A deficiency in folic acid during pregnancy can result in cleft palate in puppies.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for deriving a group of chemicals called retinoids. Vitamin A and these derived retinoids are necessary for normal vision, immune function, growth and development, and the body’s ability to transport vital proteins, amongst other things.
Deficiencies in puppies can lead to poor growth rates and problems with bone development. In adults, deficiency can cause weight loss, appetite reduction, and even an increased risk of pneumonia. It is also an essential part of the diet of pregnant bitches to avoid fetal problems. It is important to note that too much vitamin A can be harmful to dogs.
Vitamin C
Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin C. This vitamin acts as an “antioxidant”. Dogs can make vitamin C in their own livers. But, there are some cases where supplementation can be helpful, but for the most part, this isn’t an essential dietary component for our canine friends.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral rather than a vitamin (this simply means it comes from soil or water rather than being made by plants or animals). Potassium has vital roles in nerve function, muscle movement, and maintaining blood acidity levels. It also is crucial for many essential chemical reactions within the body.
Deficiencies in potassium can lead to weakness and poor growth in puppies. In adults, a diet lacking in potassium has been shown to affect blood pressure, blood flow to the kidneys, and changes in the amount of blood the heart pumps.
Antioxidants
Cantaloupe is also reported to be a source of antioxidants. Antioxidants work to combat cell aging while promoting normal cell function. They have also been shown to help in reducing the incidence of certain diseases.
Fiber
It’s no secret that fiber is an essential part of any diet for keeping things moving; this includes your dogs. Cantaloupe is an excellent source of fiber. However, too much fiber can lead to digestive upset and even counterintuitively constipation. Therefore, it is best only to give your dog cantaloupe in moderation. Here are some commercial dog foods that are high in fiber.
Am I Giving My Dog Too Much Cantaloupe?
As with all things, it is best only to feed any treat items to your dog in moderation. A small amount of cantaloupe daily is unlikely to be harmful to your pet unless they have a medical reason to avoid it. However, large amounts of any treat, even a seemingly healthy one, can cause problems for your pup.
Too much cantaloupe may lead to digestive issues for your canine friends, such as diarrhea or even constipation. It is best to feed this treat in small amounts (a small cube or two) each day rather than giving your pooch a whole melon to chow down on to avoid problems.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding the seeds and rind, a small amount of cantaloupe flesh is unlikely to be harmful to your furry friend unless they have a medical reason to avoid it. If you are ever worried or unsure if a particular food is safe to feed your pup, you can always talk with your veterinarian to be sure. This way, you know the advice you are receiving is medically accurate, and you can be sure your pup’s health is the number one priority.
