Can dogs eat rockmelon? Rockmelon is just another fruit to us, but there’s parts of it that can be a potential hazard to dogs

Grapes and avocados: aside from both being fruits, one thing they share in common is being harmful to our four-legged friends.

Fruit and veggies might be the go-to healthy choice of snack for us humans to eat, but the same can’t always be said for our pups, who have a diet of their own to follow.

While making a fruit salad, it can be tempting to chuck a few stray chunks to your pup – especially if they’re looking up at you with those big pleading eyes.

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But it’s important to know not only which fruits are OK for them to have, but how much.

While the stone in avocados make it a no-go for our pups, one fruit we might not question the harm in as much is rockmelon.

It’s soft and doesn’t have any obvious hazards. But is it really safe for dogs?

We’ve spoken to Dr Candice Priest from Greencross Vets, and it turns out there are two parts of the fruit that can be potentially hazardous.

Read on for all you need to know.

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Is rockmelon OK for dogs?

Rockmelon isn’t toxic to dogs, so yes, they can eat it. But it’s all in how much.

The fruit is high in sugars so it’s important for dogs to only eat it in moderation. But much like for humans, there are some benefits to the fruit as a dog snack.

“Rockmelon is a low calorie, water-rich fruit. It is very high in vitamin A, also containing a lot of other essential vitamins, making it hydrating and nutritious,” Dr Priest explains.

Because of this, she says rockmelon makes a “great treat” for hot weather conditions.

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She also suggests cutting the fruit up and feeding it to your pup in bite-sized cubes or freezing it mashed-up and putting it in a Kong toy.

How much rockmelon can I give my dog?

As rockmelon is a high sugar fruit, Dr Priest says “it is essential” to only let dogs eat it “in moderation”.

According to the vet, the high sugar content makes the fruit not suitable for dogs who have diabetes mellitus and need to restrict their sugar intake.

The same goes for overweight dogs. 

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But while the fruit can be eaten, what happens if your dog has too much?

Dr Priest says not having it in moderation could lead to your dog developing gastrointestinal upset.

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“I recommend starting with a small cube, seeing how your dog tolerates it, and building from there,” she advises.

Can dogs eat rockmelon skin?

According to Dr Priest, not only should you remove the skin from the rockmelon, but the seeds are a no-go for dogs too.

“These parts of the fruit are potential choking hazards, and the skin has the potential to cause a gastrointestinal obstruction due to its inability to be digested,” she explains.

“If you do accidentally feed these parts to your dog, I recommend contacting your local vet for advice,” she advises.

What about for cats?

You may be surprised to learn that not only do the same safety rules apply to cats, but Dr Priest says despite being obligate carnivores, cats even tend to enjoy the fruit.

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“The reasoning behind this is because the scent that rockmelons produce mimics the scent of the proteins in meat,” she explains.

So there you have it.

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