Kiwi is a fruit that not only tastes good but also packs a punch owing to its high nutritional value. It is rich in vitamin C, perhaps in more quantity than an orange and the best part is that it is available year-round.
It is great for humans, but is it good for dogs? What should you do when you are munching on a bowl of fresh kiwis and your dog comes to you wagging its tail and looking at you expectedly? Let us find out!
Kiwi: What Is in It?
The best part about kiwis, which also explains their immense popularity, is that they are low on calories and high on nutrients. They contain fiber, antioxidants and plenty of vitamin C. This is the reason why you see people commonly eating kiwi in sickness and while trying to get rid of unhealthy fat.
In addition to several health benefits, it is also said to improve skin elasticity by contributing to collagen. One can go on listing the benefits of kiwi for human beings, but it gets tricky when the same question has to be answered for dogs because they are programmed differently than us.
Can You Give Kiwi to Your Dog?
The short and simple answer to this question is yes, you can feed kiwi to your dog. It is one of the more suitable fruits for dogs and will not lead to major health complications, unlike some other fruits. However, you must remove the seeds and the skin of the fruit before serving it to your dog.
It is also advisable that you introduce the fruit slowly into the diet of your dog and never give your dog a whole fruit at once. It would help you determine if your dog has any allergies to the fruit. If there are digestion issues involved, feeding a small amount will help you rectify the issue well and in good time.
One may argue that a fruit that has so many health benefits for humans can’t be bad for dogs, but it doesn’t work the same way. Feeding kiwi to your dog will always demand some caution on your part. Besides, dogs don’t have the same nutritional requirements as us and that plays a key role in determining their diet.
How to Give Kiwi to Your Dog
Since kiwis are available throughout the year, you should aim to give your dog a ripe kiwi as this will make the taste better for them and let them enjoy the fruit more.
Choose a ripe, fuzzy kiwi that does not have any bruises or molds. It should neither be under-ripe because that would be hard and the seeds will be difficult to remove as well.
Similarly, an overripe kiwi will also not be good for the dog and your dog may never develop a taste for it. The key, therefore, is to find the right balance.
Follow these steps to feed kiwi properly to your dog:
- Wash and peel off the outer layering of the fruit properly before feeding it to your dog.
- Remove the skin of the fruit and the seeds properly.
- Slice the fruit into small pieces depending on the breed that you have. A smaller dog will be able to eat smaller pieces as opposed to a big dog.
- Treat the fruit as a special treat and never include it in its regular diet. Alternately, you can also stuff the fruit in any other treat that you feed your dog.
- You can try a kiwi popsicle on a warm and humid day as a cool treat.
In conclusion, you can feed kiwis to your dog only after removing the skin and seeds. Furthermore, this cannot be a regular part of your dog’s diet and can only be fed occasionally.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Lemons or Limes?
Is Kiwi Good for Your Dog?
If you are looking for an affirmative answer, you are going to be disappointed. Kiwi is not going to benefit your dog as it would benefit you. This is simply because dogs have different nutritional requirements as compared to humans.
What works for us doesn’t work for them. It is for this reason that you can serve kiwi to your dog as an occasional treat and not make it a regular affair.
Besides, you should always check with your vet before introducing this to your dog’s diet.
Are There Any Potential Health Hazards of Giving Kiwi to Your Dog?
The fruit of kiwi would not harm your dog if given in moderate quantities occasionally. The real problem is posed by the seeds, which is why it is advisable to remove all the seeds before feeding the kiwi to your dog.
The seeds may be toxic to your dog, especially if given in large quantities. Some small breeds may even choke on seeds or have an allergic reaction. The same goes for the kiwi skin. If you don’t remove it, small dogs may choke on the skin. It would also be difficult to chew for them.
The fruit size should be small or cut into small pieces because a whole fruit can lead to digestive issues. Never make the mistake of serving the whole fruit to the dog because it can have potentially damaging consequences.
It can lead to severe problems in the digestive tract and may also lead to gastrointestinal upset that may need medical intervention. When a dog, especially a big dog such as a Labrador gets excited, s/he may come to you and want to devour the whole fruit at once, but you must be careful and never allow this. The risk with smaller dogs is even higher.
Sometimes, if the dog is not accustomed to kiwi or if you have given more quantity to the dog than what they can potentially consume, it may lead to stomach issues. It could be mild or severe and you must, therefore, watch out for the symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain and irritation
- Lack of appetite
- Distorted belly
- Lethargy
If your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms or anything unusual, make sure you take him/her to a vet immediately.
Pro Tip: Moderation is the key to serving kiwi or any other fruit to your dog. No matter how much your dog pleads with you, do not overindulge as it would lead to more harm than benefits.
Kiwi would be a treat for your dog and in general, too many treats spoil them and can even lead to health conditions such as obesity and lethargy.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Rambutan?
What Fruits Can You Give Dogs, If Any?
Fruits are not the best food for dogs considering their high sugar content. Hence, they need to be given to dogs as treats and only occasionally. Never should fruits become a regular part of a dog’s diet because it may lead to health complications such as diabetes and obesity.
Here are a few fruits that are considered safe for dogs, if fed in moderation:
Watermelon
Watermelons are one of the best fruits dogs can eat because they pack a heavy nutritional punch consisting of vitamins and minerals. Besides, they are also low in saturated fat content. Watermelons are mostly water heavy and hence, keep the dog hydrated.
Just like any other fruit, you need to remove all the seeds from the fruit before serving it to your dog else it may choke on it.
Apple
Apples are a rich source of vitamin K and pectin and hence, make good treats for your dog. They also contain vitamin A and C and giving apples to your dog occasionally will do him/her good.
However, you need to be cautious while feeding apples to your dog. Firstly, apple seeds need to be removed completely. They can be very damaging to your dog’s system and may even create a medical emergency. The same goes for the stem and core of the apples and they should never be fed to your dog.
Strawberry
One of the tastiest fruits out there, strawberries are loved by many people. But can dogs eat them? Well, you can feed strawberries to your dog as an occasional treat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber and magnesium, among other nutrients and minerals.
Berries, in general, are considered safe for dogs given their low-calorie content. The added advantage of feeding strawberries to your dogs is that it contains malic acid that acts as a teeth whitener for dogs.
Oranges
Discard the peels and the seeds of oranges before serving them to your dog. The fruit has a host of benefits and is safe for your dog if given in moderation. The outer layer of orange may pose digestive issues to the dog and also lead to difficulty in swallowing.
The fruit, otherwise, is good. You can even try an orange popsicle for your dog once in a while, especially on a hot and humid day.
Bananas
Dogs usually are fond of bananas but since they are high in sugar content, you need to feed them to your dog only as occasional treats, no matter how hard your dog asks you for it. They are rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber. Besides, they are instant energy boosters.
You can even consult a vet before deciding on the frequency and quantity of bananas. This will also prevent you from running into complications later on.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?
Which Fruits Are Toxic for Dogs?
Though fruits, in general, are packed with a lot of health benefits, there are few that don’t work for dogs. These may be fruits that have excellent health benefits to humans but not for dogs. Hence, even if you are fond of them, make sure you don’t feed them to your dog.
Grapes and Raisins
These should be kept away from dogs as even a small quantity may be damaging. It can lead to kidney failure and instant health complications. Hence, they are best avoided.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are best kept away from dogs. One, they can be poisonous and may lead to problems in the dog. It can also lead to several other issues, such as vomiting and gut problems. Dogs may pick on wild mushrooms while on their walk and hence, you need to be vigilant about this. If you see any symptoms, take your dog to a vet immediately.
What Is the Best Food for Dogs?
Though most vets prescribe commercial, good-quality dog food for dogs, there are some human foods that you can serve to dogs. Some of these include:
Carrots
Carrots are considered good for dogs and also promote dental health by keeping their teeth in good shape and removing plaque accumulation. Carrots are also rich in vitamin A that is good for dogs. However, this should not be given daily.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake?
Fish
Fish such as tuna, shrimp and salmon are considered good for dogs. They are a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that are good for dogs. However, never feed your dog raw fish as that may contain parasites and may lead to infection.
Chicken
Chicken, in myriad forms, is considered a safe food for dogs. If your dog has an upset stomach, you can feed it boiled chicken.
The bottom line is that you can feed some fruits such as kiwi and bananas to dogs in moderation and only after consulting a doctor. This is because high quantities of such foods may lead to health problems in dogs.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Chicken Feet?
The Final Word
There is no doubt that kiwi is a wonder fruit. It works like magic for humans but one must remember that dogs have different nutritional requirements than humans and are also programmed differently. Therefore, what works for us may not work for them. Still, you can feed kiwi to your dog sometimes and that too in moderation.