Today’s question: can dogs eat kiwi? Is kiwifruit good or bad for dogs? Scroll down for detailed answers.
Kiwi is a favorite fruit among many due to the sweet and somewhat unusual taste. The kiwi is also deemed a bit of a ‘fun fruit’ given the green color and furry outer shell. This tropical fruit may be eaten whole, cut in a star shape, blended into a puree, or added into a smoothie.
Kiwis have a protective outer shell which allows the fruit to be chemical and toxin free inside. The kiwi does have seeds in the center, which may have toxins within them, but as long as you avoid the kiwi seeds, the fruit is wonderful addition to a natural, clean, whole food diet.
A kiwi is definitely one of those fruits you could always eat. It tastes delicious and the best part is that it can be found at any time of the year. The kiwi is such a good fruit to have on hand because most people will eat the kiwi without complaint. Adding kiwi into most any dessert of side dish is relatively as well. The fruit can be eaten as a snack or part of a meal and is easily adaptable to any food palate. Eating fruit rather than junk food has become a bit of a trend among many watching movies or TV shows and having a relaxing day.
How many times have you watched a movie and snack on something while observing the performance of your favorite actors?
Whether you ate some junk food or went for a healthier option such as fruits, you have to admit one thing: your dog was always there watching you eat and desiring the food, right?
If you have been eating a kiwi and wanted to share it with your dog, you may have wondered if dogs could eat this delicious fruit. However, are kiwi good for your dog too?
Most dog owners will know that there are some foods they need to keep their pets away from, but is kiwi one of those?
When it comes to dogs, unlike humans, they do not need the existence of fruits in their diets. If you somehow try to satisfy their nutritional needs, then you should probably know that they do not really need any kiwi. Their nutritional needs are provided via dog foods. Protein sources derived from meat are the most beneficial foods to your dog. Fruits and veggies may be used as a supplement, and on occasion. Human food should only be treats, not the foundation of the diet of your dog.
However, if your dog happens to taste this fruit once in a blue moon, it should not cause him any problems. Dogs eat many more things in the wild, living, dead, and grown from tress, therefore swiping a kiwi off the counter or taking a bite that you offer will surely not kill your dog.
Dogs are very tough when it comes to foods and most dogs do not fall ill when eating small amounts of fruit. Kiwi is not the type of fruit to cause illness since the fruit has little toxic potential or bits in which to choke on.
Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?
The truth is that you can feed a kiwi to your dog.
But let’s be honest here: kiwi is not an appetizing treat for him/her. Green, sweet, juicy kiwi does not even compare to a piece of meat or the treats designed especially for your dog to enjoy. Dogs prefer tastes and smells that resemble meat, so while you may love the tropical scent a kiwi offers, your dog may not be as fond of the smell or as inclined to indulge. DO not take offense if your dog refuses the fruit. Despite your good intentions, your dog may simply not be one for tropical fruit and ask for a food that derives from meat instead.
As years have passed by, people have conducted research about this fruit, and they eventually came to the conclusion that kiwi is one of those super foods that have a great benefit to one’s health. To sum it all up, this is a great food for humans, but it is not that great for our canine friends. As with most human foods, the best foods for humans may not be the best food for dogs.
Offering your dog a bit is fine, if s/he takes it and does not have stomach upset, but simply because a kiwi is labeled a super food by scientists does not mean your dog will agree.
When you decide to try kiwi and offer the kiwi to your dog, you may be curious as to how to eat the kiwi given the outer fuzzy shell. Do you eat the outside as well? Do dogs eat the kiwi like a meatball? No, dogs should not eat the entire kiwi as it is straight from the market.
The safest way for your dog to enjoy the kiwi is to peel and slice before feeding it to your pooch. Cut the fruit into small bites to ensure your dog does not choke.
Encourage your dog to chew the fruit rather than swallowing the kiwi bites whole. Also, do not give the whole fruit to your dog as it can pose a choking hazard. In the event your dog gets into a batch of kiwi and eats one (or more) whole, take your dog to the vet to ensure s/he does not begin to choke or develop a stomach blockage. A whole kiwi probably does not have the ability to pass through your dog’s digestive system naturally, so your vet may have to remove the kiwi. Do not leave the kiwi to pass through your dog on its own. You must take your dog to the vet because a potential blockage from a kiwi will cause death.
How Can Kiwi Impact My Dog’s Health?
Kiwi may look strange on the outside, and their inside is not only filled with color, but it is also extremely rich in nutrients. The fruit is oddly shaped and an odd texture, but do not judge the kiwi by its cover!
One of the great things about kiwi is that it can protect your pup against the cellular oxidative damage. Due to the high amount of vitamin C, eating it on a regular basis will prevent any respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
Dog owners may not be quick to link asthma and their dog together, but there are dogs with respiratory issues and their health needs to be taken into account just as your does.
Preventing disease and sickness through diet is more efficient than treating with medicine, when done correctly and with the advice of a vet.
However, one thing you should remember about dogs is the fact that they will produce vitamins on their own, and your dog does not really need any stimulants. Adding supplements via kiwi or other fruits is a good way to boost the vitamin counts of your dog, but this is not the only way. Dogs receive their minerals from their food and should not require any human food to survive. In the event your dog has special needs, adding kiwi will not harm your dog but should improve the health of your dog over time.
Besides offering vitamin C and protecting against oxidative damage, another great thing about kiwi fruits is the high amount of folate they contain. This is a substance that is used when giving birth. Folate is beneficial to both humans and dogs, whether giving birth or not.
Other additives within kiwi are flavonoids and carotenoids, which are also great for cancer prevention.
Moreover, studies have shown that the consumption of this fruit will lead to the protection of the eyes against macular degeneration caused by the process of aging. Dogs suffer from aging, and on a much larger scale than humans due to their shorter life spans. Adding fruit to your dog’s diet to improve his/her longevity will be appreciated by both you and your dog in long run.
Ripe kiwifruits can be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For the most antioxidants, feed fully ripened kiwifruit to your dog. Dogs benefit from antioxidants in such a good way, that when offering your dog fruit, keep in mind to offer the fruit only when the dog will benefit the most. In this case, when the kiwi if fully ripe.
Dogs and Fruits
Remember that your dog’s stomach may not be able to process all the fruits and vegetables, especially raw ones. Also, some fruits should be completely avoided such as grapes, raisins or avocados. Most tropical fruits can be given from time to time. Watermelon or honeydew is another great choice for dogs.
You can feed kiwi to your dog every once in a while, in small quantities. However, there are also other foods you can share it with him that are less expensive. Just keep in mind that dogs should get the number of vitamins, proteins and other nutrients on a daily basis.
Kiwi is definitely a very nutritious fruit, but your dog may not get the amount of nutrients he needs from it. You can occasionally give a kiwi to your dog as a treat. However, high amounts of kiwi will cause a laxative effect on your furry buddy and that is definitely something you want to stay away from.
Your dog can get enough antioxidants from berries. Green beans are also recommended, as they can fill up your dog with the right amount of calories. Dogs can eat kiwis too, but they will not provide the amount of nutrients needed, so it would be better to focus on giving them something else instead. Baby carrots are also great for your dog’s teeth and cooked chicken can easily substitute the usual food you give to your dog. It’s always best to consult with your dog’s veterinarian before introducing new foods to your pet’s diet.
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