Just like most fruits and vegetables, cantaloupe is okay for your rabbit. You can let them have a feast in your garden or feed them yourself now and then.
The key here is to avoid turning it into a main meal, as it does not have the required nutritional value. Give cantaloupe only as a snack.
Facts about cantaloupe for rabbits
1. It’s high in nutrients, such as phosphorus, sodium, fat, and vitamins A, B, and C. These are excellent for your rabbit’s health.
2. It is low in fiber but high in water.
3. It has significant sugar levels, so it’s best to keep the treats in small portions only.
4. It is a very healthy snack. Every 100 g of cantaloupe represents around 34 calories.
5. You need to remove the seeds before feeding your pet, as they can be poisonous for them.
6. If you want to, you can let the rind, and they won’t have any issue with it.
New rabbit? Learn how to feed them
If you are meeting your new buddy, you might not be sure about what or how to feed them. As we mentioned, cantaloupe is safe for them, and this applies to most fruits and vegetables.
However, it’s best if you try little by little. For example, start with bits of cantaloupe (just a small cube) for one day and observe what happens after.
Keep an eye on their poop: are they going often? Do they have diarrhea? If you see things are going great, try something new a couple of days later.
With cantaloupe (and similar fruits), the advisable portion per day is a piece as the size of your thumb.
Is my rabbit eating out of the garden?
Cantaloupes grow on the ground, so it is not uncommon for rabbits to try and get some. However, they won’t be able to sneak out without you noticing: they will leave small proofs in the remaining food.
It is easy to identify by the little nibbling, quite different from rough edges that other animals can leave.
If this is the case, don’t get scared. Most of what you have in your garden are edible for rabbits.
As we said, all you have to do is keep them in observation to make sure they are not getting sick.
How can I protect my garden?
Once you let your rabbit run wild in your garden, you will notice that they aren’t really into boundaries, and, on the contrary, they will try everything that is on their level, including stems and leaves.
Soon, you will realize that your new rabbit is a massive threat to your garden.
But don’t worry! Not everything is lost. All you have to do is fit a mesh around the fruit or vegetables you want to protect.
It doesn’t even have to be large, as rabbits can’t jump that high. Over 40 inches will work perfectly.
Rabbits also dig the ground to find more goodies to eat, so the fence needs buried edges for at least 8 inches into the ground.
Cantaloupe is great for your rabbit, but never daily. Mix it with other meals like hay or grass to change things up a bit for them.
Whenever you feel something is out of the ordinary, do not hesitate to call the vet.
