What Are the Health Benefits of Cantaloupe for My Dog?
Besides being a really delicious type of fruit, cantaloupe has many healthy properties that your dog could greatly benefit from. Cantaloupe also goes by the name of musk melon or rock melon. They are in the same family as watermelon, honeydew melons, and cucumbers. Cantaloupes are 90% water so they make a very hydrating snack for your dog to have during the warmer weather. Let’s take a closer look at some of the amazing health benefits of cantaloupe for your dog: Antioxidants: Cantaloupes contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, lutein, choline, selenium, beta carotene, and zeaxanthin, which are all antioxidants that can be found within cantaloupe. These antioxidants work to help fight off free-radicals that could wreak havoc on your dog’s body if left unchecked. Free-radicals can come from environmental stress and cause damage to the body’s cells or the oxygenation of normal, healthy cells. Antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, their ability to fight off some cancers, as well as their support for the brain and the immune system. They can also prevent heart disease and premature aging in your dog. You can see why cantaloupes being a good source of antioxidants is such a big deal. Antioxidants play a very important role in maintaining your dog’s health and wellness over time. Potassium: This supports healthy kidney and heart function in your dog. It also helps to maintain healthy bone density, regulate fluid levels and aid in muscle development—which is great for keeping your dog healthy and active. Niacin: This helps break down sugars within the body, as well as turn fats into energy. This is critical for aiding in the prevention of diabetes and other blood sugar related disorders. Magnesium: This is a micro-mineral that supports the metabolizing of proteins and fatty acids. It also helps to support the body’s energy production and the role of ligament and bone maintenance. Folate: This is also called folic acid. It is an essential mineral that supports the normal functioning of metabolic functions such as DNA synthesis and the production of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin K: This is an essential vitamin that aids in blood clotting and coagulation. Manganese: This is another micro-mineral like magnesium, that metabolizes proteins and carbohydrates and makes fatty acids. This is an important part of many enzymes and helps support the health and maintenance of bone and cartilage in the joints. Dietary Fiber: The fibrous meat of cantaloupe provides a good source of dietary fiber, which is necessary for a healthy digestion. Fiber helps keeps things moving along and protects against constipation. High water content: Cantaloupes have a high water content which promotes healthy digestion and protects against dehydration. Low in calories: Cantaloupes are low in calories and make a great, refreshing snack on hot summer days for your dog. It can give them the extra boost of hydration they need, while also providing them with essential vitamins and nutrients. As you can see, cantaloupes are rich in various nutrients that are essential for your dog to maintain a healthy life. There are, however, a few things that you may want to be cautious about if you plan on feeding your dog cantaloupe as a snack. Let’s take a look at some of those things below.
What Are the Risks of Feeding My Dog Cantaloupe?
Even with all of the health benefits that cantaloupes can provide for your dog, it is important to be aware that there are a few risks that are associated with them. Let’s go over a few things that you want to be aware of before you choose to feed your dog cantaloupe. Cantaloupe rinds: Just like with both watermelon and honeydew melon, you do not want to feed your dog the rind of the cantaloupe. It can cause your dog to have an upset stomach, since they are very difficult for your dog to digest. You can avoid the risk of your dog developing digestive issues by first removing the rind from the fruit before you serve it to your dog. You can chop up or slice the cantaloupe fruit into smaller, bite-sized pieces and then serve them to your dog, which leads into the next bit of advice. Choking hazard: Any type of food can present a choking hazard for your dog if not prepared correctly—this goes for cantaloupe as well. Small dogs face the greatest threat when it comes to choking hazards, but larger dog breeds are not exempt, as they tend to gulp their food down as well. When serving any human food to your dog, always be sure to cut it into smaller pieces that are easier for your dog to manage. Never give your dog an entire piece of fruit, unless it’s something small like blueberries. Give in moderation: You should obviously not feed your dog cantaloupe pieces on a daily basis. Too much of even a good thing can cause problems for your dog. It’s fine if you give your dog pieces of cantaloupe on occasion as a quick, hydrating snack, but it’s not something you should give your dog regularly. As we mentioned before, cantaloupes do contain sugar, and although the sugar comes from a natural source, it can still pose the same risks that refined sugar can if consumed in excess. Therefore, if your dog is suffering from an underlying illness or has diabetes or any other blood sugar disorder, you should not give cantaloupe to your dog because it can interfere with his blood sugar.
Overall
Cantaloupe makes a healthy snack to give to your dog on occasion. Just be sure that you remove the rind and cut the fruit into smaller pieces before feeding it to your dog. If it’s the first time that you’re feeding your dog cantaloupe, you should make sure that you give it one small piece to start with and then monitor your dog and be on the lookout for signs of an upset stomach. In most cases, cantaloupe is perfectly safe to give to your dog in moderation. If your dog has diabetes or any other blood sugar issue, you may want to check with your veterinarian first before you give your dog any, just to be on the safe side, as cantaloupe does contain sugar that could interfere with your dog’s blood sugar.
