Having your canine stay by your feet and watch as you enjoy your fruit is a scenario most dog owners relate to. The truth is that dogs can eat some fruits, but not all of them are good for their consumption. One of these fruits that might get you thinking if it is good for your dog is the dragon fruit.
Dragon fruits, or Pitaya as called in most countries, is something practically everyone I know has been curious about. Many people are concerned about why it is named dragon fruit; others are worried if there are any effects of eating it. As a dog owner, your dog will most likely eat what you are eating and whether deliberately or mistakenly, they may get some dragon fruit in their mouth. So, one of your greatest worries will be if your dog can eat dragon fruit.
Dogs can eat dragon fruit. Its crunchy and sweet taste makes it even more appealing for dogs to consume. Dragon fruits are not toxic and should not pose any health problems to your dog. However, some dogs may be allergic to them, and even if they are not, you need to know the amount of dragon fruit you should feed your dog with.
If you have a dog, you may wonder if dragon fruits are poisonous to dogs and what happens if your dog eats dragon fruits. Read on to learn more about the risks and benefits of feeding dragon fruit to dogs. But before that, let’s talk about what dragon fruits are and if they are safe for dogs.
Is Dragon Fruit Safe For Dogs?
Yes! Dragon fruits are safe for your dog and can be included as part of their diet. Also known as Pitaya, they are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but they also contain antioxidants that boost up the immune system of your dogs.
The fleshy part of this fruit is used as a popular snack, and it is also used for cakes, smoothies, and ice cream. The seeds of this fruit are used to make drinks.
However, there are some precautions you should take when giving your dog this fruit. Taking too much dragon fruit can cause depilation or alopecia in dogs. This is because of the sugar content in dragon fruit.
Also, avoid giving your dog the skin of dragon fruit. Dragon fruit has tough and leathery skin, which can be very difficult to digest in dogs.
In addition, the seeds of the fruit may contain substances that can cause reactions in some dogs. If you want to give your dog dragon fruit, you should give your pooch the fruit in moderation while observing if there are any effects on your dog. If there are, then it’s time to stop. If there aren’t, then you can go ahead and feed them with it.
What Is A Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is a spiked pink-colored fruit. It has a mildly sweet flavor and is also called Pitaya. It is native to Central and South America, and the fruit is obtained from the plant known as pitahaya cactus. Dragon fruits can be eaten fresh, and it contains nutrients that make them good for your dog to consume.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Skin?
No! Dragon fruit skin is not good for dogs.
Dragon fruit’s skin is very tough in nature, and dogs find it difficult to digest. Dogs’ digestive system is designed for more meat-like food than plants. Eating dragon fruit skin can cause stomach discomforts in your dog, which may lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
If your dog is unable to digest the skin of dragon fruit completely, it can get stuck in your dog’s intestine, thereby leading to intestinal problems. This is a very serious health issue that can cause intestinal decay in dogs if not diagnosed quickly and removed.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Seeds?
Yes! Dogs can eat dragon fruit seeds.
Unlike the regular idea that dogs should not eat seeds of any fruit, this is not the same for dragon fruits. Dragon fruits have very small and soft seeds that are not harmful to dogs. The seeds are so small that they can easily pass through the dog’s throat without any discomfort.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Dragon Fruit?
Whether dried dragon fruit is safe for your dog or not is dependent on how the dragon fruit is dried. If the dragon fruit is dried without the use of any preservative or artificial sweeteners, then it is very safe for your dog to eat and is even much safer than fresh dragon fruit.
However, if artificial substances are added while drying the fruit, it is no longer safe for your dog because they may contain toxic substances that are not good for your pooch’s health.
Benefits Of Dragon Fruits To Dogs
Dragon fruits have a lot of benefits to dogs. Some of them are explained below:
Fiber
Fiber is essential for digestion in dogs. It helps to remove toxic substances from your dog’s body and also helps to create a balance and regulate blood sugar in the body. Dragon fruit contains a good amount of fiber which is useful to your pooch.
Omega-3 And Omega-9
These are essential fatty acids contained in dragon fruits which are very important for your dog’s growth. They help to give your dog healthy skin and shiny hair. It also contains oil that helps to lubricate your dog’s hair.
Vitamins
Dragon fruits are loaded with vitamins that help in building your dog’s immune system. It also helps protect your dog from diseases such as cancer, etc. Vitamins are also great for your dog’s skin, and they also play an important role in aging in dogs.
Antioxidant
Dragon fruits contain antioxidants that help to prevent inflammation in dogs. It also helps to fight free radicals that might be the cause of certain diseases such as cancer, heart disease, etc.
Low Calories
Unlike other foods, dragon fruits contain very low calories, and it helps to watch your dog’s weight. This means that even when your dog eats a large number of dragon fruit, it doesn’t really affect its weight. However, do not overfeed your dog with dragon fruits to avoid other negative side effects.
What Happens When A Dog Eats Dragon Fruits?
Dragon fruits are not bad for dogs, and nothing will happen when they eat them except for increased nutrients and energy in their body.
However, excessive dragon fruits might not be good for your dog. Dragon fruit skin, too, is not good for your dog. It is best if you avoid it. Outside these two, your dog is fine and can eat dragon fruit.
Is Dragon Fruit Toxic To Dogs?
No! Dragon fruit is not toxic to dogs.
Dragon fruits contain many beneficial nutrients and do not contain any toxic substance that can be harmful to dogs. As long as they are eaten in moderation, dragon fruits are not toxic to your pooch.
However, avoid giving your dog dragon fruit skin because of its nature. Dragon fruit skin is tough, and dogs find it difficult to digest tough substances. Giving your dog dragon fruit skin can cause digestion problems that can make your canine uncomfortable.
Effects Of Dragon Fruit To Dogs
Dragon fruit can have some effect on your dog when it is eaten in large quantities or if your dog mistakenly eats the skin of the fruit. Below are a few effects of dragon fruits on your dog.
Alopecia
Dragon fruits contain a high amount of sugar which is not good for your dog. Eating an excessive amount of dragon fruit can cause alopecia in dogs. Alopecia is the removal of hair in your dog. This can also expose your dog’s skin to infection.
Obesity
Excessive intake of sugar can lead to obesity in dogs. This is not a healthy condition and should be avoided as much as possible.
Stomach Irritation
Overeating dragon fruit can lead to stomach irritation in your dog. This may result in vomiting, and the excess sugar in dragon fruits can affect your dog’s intestine.
While dragon fruits are good for your dog and contain a lot of nutritional benefits, you should make sure they only take them in moderation. Ensure to give your dog dragon fruit in small quantities, and it should not replace regular food.
Are Dragon Fruit Plants Poisonous To Dogs?
No! Dragon fruit plants are not poisonous to dogs.
Dragon fruit plants do not pose any harm to dogs, and they are not poisonous. However, dogs should not eat them. If you are giving your dog dragon fruit, it should only be the well-prepared fruit, not the plant or skin.
How Can I Serve My Dog Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is best served to dogs in moderation. If you want to give your fog dragon fruit, you should carefully prepare it by removing all the skin and slicing it into smaller pieces that will be easy for your dog to digest.
You should also remove the seeds from the fruit to make it easier for your dog to eat and digest the fruit. You can consider mixing the fruit in their food.
How Many Dragon Fruits Can I Give My Dog?
To avoid excessive intake of dragon fruit, you should control the amount they eat. Two cubes of dragon fruit are okay for your dog. You should also avoid giving them the fruit every day. You can limit it to weekly or twice every week. However, the quantity of dragon fruit your dog can eat is also dependent on your dog’s size.
