How to feed your dog cantaloupe

They are safe, water-filled and extremely tasty for your dog.

They must, however, be served in moderation, and before you feed your dog the fruit, ensure to remove the skin because this can be a choking hazard.

It doesn’t matter how much your dog loves it, always ensure to serve it as a snack and not the main meal. Dogs need meals that are high in protein and meats.

You can use the following rules to ensure your dog is always well fed:

  • Fruits and vegetables should be 10-20 percent of the dog’s meal, and always ensure that most are organic and from clinically proven sources.
  • If your dog is always hungry, top up her meals with fiber-rich fruits to help her feel full.
  • In order to improve the dog’s coat and increase her muscle strength, feed her foods that have a high protein content.

Health benefits of cantaloupe

A cantaloupe contains lots of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B, and C.

Minerals such as:

  • Beta-carotene,
  • magnesium,
  • potassium,
  • niacin,
  • thiamine,
  • fiber,
  • folic acid
  • and pantothenic acid.

These are really good nutrients for dogs and they also serve as anti-oxidants.

They may even be able to slow down cellular aging, and they also delay the onset of certain diseases. Cantaloupes are also low in calories and have high-water content. They are particularly refreshing during summer and make a great alternative to high calorie treats that are store bought.

One more benefit of this great fruit is that it will keep your dog’s digestive working great because of the fiber content.

You are however cautioned against feeding too much to your dog since it can backfire on you. This is due to the natural laxative effect of the cantaloupe. Give it in moderation or in small quantities to ensure that it doesn’t react negatively to your dog.

Also, please note that it has a lot of sugar, and too much sugar can lead to complications such as obesity and diabetes.

What about feeding your dog the rind?

The rind is not toxic, but it isn’t good for the dog either.

It is tough, hard to chew and waxy. It is also very hard to digest. In addition, it is a choking hazard that may even cause serious problems to your dog’s digestive system.

If you suspect that your dog has consumed the rind of a cantaloupe, first of all, DO NOT panic.

According to Daily Treats, they recommend that you keep watch over your dog for at least 24 hours. You should be looking out for signs of distress e.g. vomiting and stomach pains or signs of changes in his bowel movements.

As always, if you notice any of these signs, contact your vet immediately.

Cantaloupe ice cream

Prep time: 4 hours.

Cook time: 28 minutes.

Total time: 4 hours 28 minutes.

Yield: 2 cups ice cream.

Ingredients

  • 300g of frozen and ripe cantaloupes.
  • 2 teaspoons of frozen yogurt – unsweetened.

Instructions

  1. You will need A food processor and the freezer.
  2. Ensure to create space in the freezer for the cantaloupe ice cream.
  3. Scrub the cantaloupe thoroughly to clean it.
  4. Slice it into halves and remove all the seeds.
  5. Slice further into quarters and remove the rind. Dice it into bite-sized chunks.
  6. Place the cantaloupe pieces in the freezer. The more space you put around the melon chunks, the better because they will freeze faster. If you are in a rush, put the pieces in a baking sheet. This will speed up the freezing process.
  7. When they are completely frozen, after 2-4 hours, put the frozen pieces in a food
  8. Add in the unsweetened yogurt.
  9. Blend it until smooth. You can add in some cool water to help with the consistency.
  10. Put in a bowl and serve it to your dog.

Coconut and cantaloupe popsicles

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup of fresh coconut water. – you can use plain water if you like, but never use the coconut water that is sold in a box.
  • 1 cup of cantaloupes – cubed.
  • Fresh coconut meat – minced. You can also use the shredded coconut.

Instructions

  1. In a blender, combine together all of the ingredients – coconut water and the cantaloupes and blend till they are smooth.
  2. Pour it into a popsicle mold and then add some fresh coconut on the mold.
  3. Freeze this for 2-4 hours.
  4. Remove and give it to your puppy when it is very hot. This will cool them down.

An important point to note: Just one cup of cantaloupe can provide your dog with 100% of the needed and recommended value of Vitamin A and C. it also provides the required amount of potassium that your dog requires for the normal functioning of his gastrointestinal tract.

Due to the high sugar content, however, give this fruit in moderation.

Final say on feeding dogs cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are of course great, and they can even help cool your dog down during hot summer days. You should, however, follow the following safety tips when feeding your dog this delicious fruit;

  • Start by giving him small portions of the fruit at a time. Keep watch to ensure he doesn’t react negatively to it.
  • It doesn’t matter how much your pup loves cantaloupe, if you give too much, it will cause some nasty stomach problems.
  • Ensure to call your vet immediately you suspect that something is wrong.

All in all, this is a great fruit that should be enjoyed by the whole family including the precious little puppy.