Cantaloupe is from the family of melons but is very different from the melons. The question is asked can rabbits eat cantaloupe, its seeds and rind? Yes, none of these ingredients are toxic but they are not recommended as a regular because of their high sugar presence. You can give a few of these to the rabbits but the major portion of the food of rabbits should come from the leaves and hay.
Can rabbits eat cantaloupe rind?
Yes, rabbits are safe to eat the rind and some rabbits find it more tasty due to more sugar content. However, you should avoid it because it can cause diarrhea and digestive issues if given in large amounts.
Why cantaloupe is not recommended for rabbits?
Rabbits can eat cantaloupe but it is not a recommended food due to the following reasons.
High Sugar: Cantaloupe is rich in sugar and it is not good for rabbits. Sugar is not easily digestible by the rabbit. Sugar also causes many issues in the digestive such as bloating and gaseous. Therefore, it should be avoided and given as a treat
Fewer calories: Rabbits have small stomachs and they have a much calorie-intensive routine. Therefore, they need calorie calorie-rich diet. Cantalop has fewer calories and more sugar which is bad for rabbits
Laziness and overeating: Cantaloupes are sweet and they create temptation in the rabbits which leads to overeating. Overeating causes many issues especially related to sleep and laziness. It increases lethargy and dizziness
Allergic reactions; Sometimes cantaloupe seeds or fruit can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, you should feed a small portion first and check for digestion before feeding a large portion
Why you should avoid cantaloupe seeds?
Cantaloupe seeds have fewer calories and they can cause clogging issues in the throat due to stiffness. Therefore, you should remove the seeds before feeding it to the cantaloupe
Nutritional benefits of cantaloupe
Honeydew melon is 90 percent water and almost 9 percent is made up of carbohydrates. Fats and protein are less than 1 percent.
In 100 g it has the following ingredients
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 36 kcal |
| Water | 90.15 g |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.09 g |
| Sugars | 8.12 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g |
| Fat | 0.01g |
Source Wikipedia
What are the benefits of cantaloupes to rabbits?
Vitamins: It has large amounts of vitamins A and C. These vitamins are essential for the growth and movement of rabbits
Regulation of Insulin: cantaloupe have large amounts of sugar and carbohydrate. These help in the production and movement of sugar inside the rabbit’s blood. They also provide energy to the cells and help in cellular respiration
Hydration Powerhouse: Melons are 90 percent water so if your rabbits have less water consumption, melons can help them with hydration.
It is very useful if you are living in dry areas of the USA or Australia, to keep your rabbits hydrated through melon food.
Easy Digestion: cantaloupe is easily digestible and does not cause any trouble in the stomach. It has a good amount of fibers which help them in digestion
Regular commercial snacks vs. cantaloupe: Cantaloupe has superiority over commercial snacks. If you want to give a reward to your baby and you want to buy something from the market. Cantaloupes are perfect for the rabbits as an occasional treat. It should not be given in large amounts but in very small amounts.
How to properly feed the cantaloupes
- Clean the cantaloupes of fertilizers and any kind of pesticide
- Cut the cantaloupe in half and remove all the seeds
- Remove the covering with a sharp knife
- Further, trim the pieces to the smaller portion
- Start slowly with a small portion
- Slowly increase the amount of your cantaloupes as he likes food
- Observe the attitude of rabbits after feeding them.
Variety in the diet as an end note
Ending the blog, I must tell you that variety in diet is important for your baby and therefore, you should feed different foods and cantaloupe is one of the parts of variety. It should not be more than 10 percent of total food and given in less amount, no more than 50g per rabbit. Hopefully, this will help you in feeding the cantaloupe.
FAQs
Can baby rabbit eat the cantaloupe?
No, Baby rabbit should not be given anything other than hay and green leaves
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