Can Rabbits Eat Cantaloupe? What to Watch Out for

If it’s good for us, can rabbits eat cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe is a melon type of fruit that is a favorite during summer. The fruit’s juicy nature makes it the perfect summer fruit.

A rabbit’s diet should consist of hay, vegetables, and fruits. A good diet combination makes feeding fun for your pet.

Cantaloupe is a great fruit that you can include in their diet. But is it safe for them? Can rabbits eat cantaloupe? Read along to find out.

Can Rabbits Eat Cantaloupe?

The short answer is yes! But like most other fruits, it’s best to give them sparingly as a treat. It’s not their natural diet.

Is Cantaloupe Good for Rabbits?

Rabbits can safely eat cantaloupe. Cantaloupe is good for their overall health and a good supplement to their diet. Cantaloupe gives your pet the following benefits:

Hydration

Cantaloupe has very high water content. It is made up of 90% water. This makes it highly hydrating especially during hot weather.

Offering it to your pet will prevent dehydration and ensure that they have enough water.

Vitamins

Cantaloupe is packed with vitamins. Vitamins are good for your pet’s eyesight, growth, and development.

High Fiber

Rabbits need high amounts of fiber regularly to help their delicate digestive systems with digestion. Cantaloupe has a high fiber content.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause certain diseases like heart disease.

Beta Carotene

Cantaloupe has a good amount of beta carotene which is great for your rabbit. The amount of beta carotene in cantaloupe is higher than that found in fruits like oranges and mangoes.

Beta carotene works in boosting your bunny’s immune system and overall health.

Minerals

Cantaloupe has minerals like phosphorus and potassium. These minerals aid in the growth of strong bones and lower blood pressure.

Low Calories

Cantaloupe is made up of mostly water and not empty calories. You can safely feed it to your pet.

Do Rabbits Love Cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe is sweet and juicy. Many rabbits will enjoy feeding on cantaloupe because of this sweet taste.

Both pet rabbits and wild rabbits are fond of the cantaloupe plant as a whole. If left to roam on their own, gardeners will find the fruits, flowers, leaves, and stems of their cantaloupe plants eaten clean.

If you have a garden, fence it to protect your cantaloupe plants from rabbits.

Effects of Feeding Cantaloupe to Rabbits

Being a sweet fruit, cantaloupe can have some negative effects on rabbits. Too much sugar is not good for them. It brings about:

Tooth decay

Rabbits have long teeth that are constantly growing. Sometimes the teeth can overgrow and dig into their gum which is very painful. Make sure that they have something to chew on every time.

To avoid more teeth problems for your pet, avoid giving them too much sugary food. A lot of sugar will decay their teeth giving them another painful tooth issue to deal with.

Obesity

Too much sugar causes weight gain. If you feed a lot of cantaloupe to your pet while not exercising them, they will gain unhealthy weight.

This will lead to obesity. It is advised not to offer cantaloupe to your pet if they are obese. Try other healthy fruit alternatives like carrots.

Gastrointestinal problems

Rabbits have a sensitive stomach and digestive tract. Feeding more than enough cantaloupe will bring about gastrointestinal problems to your tiny pet.

Can Rabbits Eat Cantaloupe Rind?

When offering cantaloupe to your rabbit, you can choose to give it with or without the rind. Some rabbits will nibble on it, others will eat all of it, while others will not have a single bite.

The rind is safe for rabbits to eat. It is beneficial to your bunny just like the flesh. It is nutritious and full of fiber.

The crunchy texture will also feel good for your rabbit to chew. But feed it in small quantities because it is high in sugar.

Can Rabbits Eat Cantaloupe Seeds?

You should never feed rabbits any fruit seeds including cantaloupe seeds. Seeds present a choking hazard to your furry pet.

Rabbits cannot swallow seeds if they swallow them and this can be fatal. So avoid feeding them the seeds and only offer the flesh and rind.

How to Feed Rabbits with Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is perfect for your pet when it is unripe. This is because it has more fiber and is healthier compared to overripe cantaloupe. Avoid feeding the bunny with wilted fruit.

Fresh cantaloupe is always best. Wash the fruit carefully and slice it up to remove the seeds. Cut the slices into smaller pieces and give your pet some.

If feeding for the first time, offer a very small piece and observe their reaction for the next 24 hours. When they show signs of discomfort, constipation and diarrhea, do not feed the fruit again.

If they enjoy it and do not have any negative reaction, you can slowly add it to their diet. Avoid cantaloupe juice because it has a lot of sugar.

Give cantaloupe to your pet on days when you are not feeding other fruits with high water and sugar content. Foods with a lot of water and sugar can bring about diarrhea.

Can Baby Rabbits Eat Cantaloupe?

You should not feed fruits to baby rabbits. Rabbits below 12 weeks of age are still young, and their digestive systems are developing.

Baby rabbits should not eat cantaloupe. Instead, begin by giving them soft leafy greens first. Then, as they mature, you can give them small amounts of fruit.

How Much Cantaloupe is Safe for Rabbits?

Rabbits should eat cantaloupe in small amounts. You should offer the fruit to your pet as an occasional treat.

A few pieces twice a week is ideal. You can safely give them 1 tablespoon for every 2 pounds of weight.

Conclusion

Rabbits can eat cantaloupe, and they love having the delicious fruit. The flesh, rind, and leaves of the plant are all safe for rabbits to eat.

Cantaloupe is highly hydrating, nutritious and healthy for your pet.

Remember to offer the fruit in moderation and as a treat because it has a lot of sugar. Also, beware of cantaloupe seeds that can choke bunnies. Always remove them to prevent choking.