- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Sweet juicy melon is one of the true pleasures of summer. In popsicles, fruit salads, and smoothies, humans love this fruity delight. But what about your dog? Can dogs eat cantaloupe too?
Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, but in moderation. Fresh cantaloupe is a great treat for your dog and can be healthy for you too. Cantaloupe is rich in fiber and is about 90% water, so adding some to your dog’s diet can help promote hydration and healthy digestion.
Is Cantaloupe Healthy for My Dog?
Yes. Cantaloupe contains important nutrients including vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, folic acid, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. All of these good things, taken together, benefit your dog’s eyes and fur, decrease inflammation in the body, and improve digestive health. Cantaloupe can also be good for older dogs, as an added source of vitamin C.
Serving Ideas
- Share bite-size pieces of cantaloupe right out of your fruit salad.
- Share frozen slices of cantaloupe with your dog on hot days, or use them for teething treats for your puppy.
- Freeze chopped or shredded cantaloupe with water in ice cube trays for a sweet hydrating summer treat.
- Dehydrate cantaloupe for a sweet, healthy fruit chew.
Can Eating Cantaloupe Be Dangerous for Dogs?
There are a few things to watch out for with cantaloupe. Remove the rind before sharing with your dog–cantaloupe rinds can cause belly upset and can be a choking hazard.
When introducing cantaloupe as a new treat, start out slow to make sure your dog can digest it well. Because cantaloupe is high in sugar, it’s best as a treat eaten in moderation and should be avoided if your dog has canine diabetes.
If your dog loves cantaloupe and eats a huge serving, he might have some gas and diarrhea to show for it (and let’s be honest, the same might happen to you if you overdose on cantaloupe yourself). So take it easy and enjoy a few chunks at a time.
How Much Cantaloupe Can My Dog Eat?
Vets commonly recommend that dog parents follow the 10% rule. Treats, including fruit, can make up 10% of the calories in your dog’s diet.
Cantaloupe is about 8% sugar by weight, so one cup of cantaloupe chunks has 12 grams of sugar and 53 calories. Because cantaloupe has higher sugar content than some other treats, share it in moderation. Definitely don’t share cantaloupe if your dog is diabetic.
Cantaloupe is also fairly high in fiber–about 1.5 grams per cup. Too much dietary fiber can be hard on your dog’s digestive system. If you notice any changes in your dog’s bowel movements, you might be sharing too much cantaloupe and should back off.
Cantaloupe Recipes for Dogs
Cantaloupe makes especially tasty frozen dog treats (that you can share, too!) Try our tasty Two-Ingredient Cantaloupe Ice Cream and Dehydrated Cantaloupe Treats.
For a cute and festive treat, try blending up some frozen cantaloupe treats for your next puppy play date.
Frozen Cantaloupe Treats for Dogs
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 28 Paw Prints 1x
- Category: Summer Sweets
Ingredients
- 1/2 a Ripe Cantaloupe
- 2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Water
Equipment
- Paw Print mold (we used this one from Amazon)
- Blender
- Freezer
Instructions
- Make sure you have enough clear flat space in the freezer for your molds to freeze level.
- Scrub the melon before slicing.
- Slice melon in half and remove seeds.
- Slice half a melon into quarters, peel, and dice.
- Blitz cantaloupe in the blender until smooth.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 Tbsp yogurt and 1 Tbsp water into a pourable mixture.
- Place paw mold onto a cookie sheet or cutting board for stability when moving from counter to freezer.
- Place the yogurt mixture into the paw pads.
- Top each mold with pureed cantaloupe.
- Place in freezer until solid (2-4 hours or overnight).
For More Information
From cucumbers to potatoes, there is a wide selection of information on vegetables available on our Can My Dog Eat? directory page.
Learn more about feeding your dog a wonderfully varied diet while learning the limitations of a dog’s sensitive digestive system. We offer a collection of articles on foods that are safe, dangerous or even toxic for dogs to eat, including vegetables, dairy, bread, and junk food.
Learn more about the veggies that are safe for dogs in articles such as Can my dog eat cabbage? and Can My Dog Eat Cantaloupe Rind?