Melons are a frequent summer time treat for my family on our hobby farm. And it’s not just us humans who enjoy the watery fruit, we often give melons such as cantaloupe to our goat trip as well!
That’s right, goats can eat cantaloupe without issues as it is a nontoxic fruit. This particular melon also offers some great health benefits, but must be given to goats in moderation because of the lack of dense fibers and the higher sugar content; we don’t want upset goat bellies!
Cantaloupe For Goats: Health Benefits
Cantaloupe is the soft, watery orange fruit of the cantaloupe plant (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis). It is also known as a rocket melon, sweet melon, or spanspek melon.
As a member of the Cucurbit plant family, cantaloupe is closely related to other watery garden favorites such as cucumbers, watermelon, pumpkins, and other squashes.
In fact, the water content of cantaloupe is just over 90%, which makes it a great summer day treat for your goats. While goats are much more effective at retaining water than us humans, the MSD Veterinary Manual states that as little as a 10% overall water loss can be severely damaging.
In addition, cantaloupe offers beta-carotene which goats can use to synthesize their own vitamin A. And per 100g serving, this orange melon contains small amounts of many essential minerals such as:
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
Remember that pen-fed goats may require supplemental selenium, since this particular mineral is only absorbed through foraging(it is found in the soil and uptaken by plants).
Selenium is necessary for goats, for in deficiency they will experience trouble reproducing, lactating, giving birth, urinating, and may even struggle with muscle function!
Why Cantaloupe Isn’t An Everyday Food For Goats
Cantaloupe is a treat or snack ONLY because of the lack of dense fiber it contains and the amount of sugar per serving.
This melon contains less than a gram of fiber per serving, most of which is in the tough peel, and about 8 grams of sugar.
As we know, goats require dense, fibrous plant foods in order to keep their four-stomach digestive system and overall metabolism running smoothly.
If too little fiber, or too much sugar, is ingested goats can suffer from:
- Bloating
- Stomach Upset
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dehydration
So as a primary part of the diet, cantaloupe is a no-go, but as a nutritious and watery snack, bring it on!
Fast Fact: Cantaloupe also contains natural antioxidants that can reduce the number of harmful free radicals in the body and help ease inflammation.
Can Goats Eat Cantaloupe Peel
Yes, the peel of the cantaloupe fruit is a great treat for goats!
In fact, we never peel the slices of cantaloupe we offer our nannies, especially as the rind or peel of the fruit contains the most fibers.
Speaking of which, the gooey seeds of the melon are safe for goats to eat as well. While it is a good idea to wash and chop the whole melon, you do not need to scoop out the seeds before offering pieces to your goats.
What Fruits Can Goats Eat
There are lots of goat-safe fruits out there, especially in the cucurbit plant family!
Take for example the cucumber itself, a crunchy, watery fruit that all of our goats love.
Can Goats Eat Honeydew As A Treat
Honeydew is a green melon that, just like cantaloupe, can be enjoyed by goats as a treat or snack.
Can Goats Eat Honeydew Melon Rind
Yes, the rind or peel of the honeydew melon can be eaten by your goats without issues.
Can Goats Eat Watermelon Safely
Watermelon is a favorite of our goats. They love the juicy, pink flesh as well as the tough fibrous rind.
Learn more about watermelon’s health benefits for goats in our post on the topic!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Goats Have Cantaloupe
Can Baby Goats Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, any goat that is either fully weaned or mostly weaned can eat cantaloupe fruit in moderation without issues.
We define mostly weaned as receiving more than two thirds of its daily nutrition from foodstuffs other than mother’s milk.
Can Chickens Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, you can offer cantaloupe to your homestead chickens as well. In fact, chickens seem to love cantaloupe seeds!
However, just like with goats, too much cantaloupe can result in diarrhea – everything in moderation.
This goat is loving a snack of cantaloupe rinds. Plus, melon rinds contain more fibers and less sugars than the flesh!
Final Thoughts On Can Goats Eat Cantaloupe
There we have it, all the details you need to know before offering your goats a sweet, watery cantaloupe fruit treat!
Stay posted as we will be going over other goat safe fruits, as well as sharing more about foods that must be kept away from your goats, such as garlic or green tomatoes.