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In recent years, one fruit that has become more popular is dragon fruit- a mildly sweet, soft food from the cactus family. Dragon fruit has become more accessible in grocery stores and people are becoming more aware of the health benefits of eating dragon fruit. If you are a pet owner, you may find yourself wondering if your dog can eat dragon fruit.
Can dogs eat dragon fruit? Yes, every part of dragon fruit is safe for dogs; although there is some question if they will like the taste and spongy texture. Even though it is safe you will want to be sure to cut any food you give your dog into bite-size pieces to avoid the risk of choking.
Be especially cautious if your dog tries to eat the skin, it is safe but you want to be sure they don’t choke on the tougher outer portion of the fruit. The seeds in the dragon fruit are small enough that they are easy to swallow and digest.
Is dragon fruit good for dogs?
As a dog owner, you always want to make sure you take the best care of your pet that you can. It is always difficult to know what foods are safe for dogs, what foods are bad and what foods may actually be healthy for your dog. You may also read that one food or other is bad while other sources say it is safe. A great way to help figure out what foods may be harmful or helpful is to look at the different vitamins and minerals in a particular food.
For example, foods that are high in iron, vitamin D, and xylitol are good for humans but can be quite harmful to dogs. Too much of any of these vitamins can cause short-term illness and liver damage in dogs. Thankfully, dragon fruit has very low to no levels of any of these vitamins.
Did You Know?
Dragonfruit and fruits are one thing. What about herbs? Some dogs love cilantro, but can dogs eat cilantro?
Dragon fruit is high in antioxidants and vitamin C, both of which can be healthy for humans and dogs alike. Antioxidants can be helpful in fighting inflammation, free radicals and keeping energy levels up. Too many free radicals can contribute to illness in both dogs and humans. Antioxidants help combat these free radicals and are a great way to help boost a dog’s immune system and keep them healthy.
Dogs do not need vitamin C the same way humans do because their bodies produce what they need to stay healthy, but it is also not harmful to them to eat foods with a high vitamin C content. Some vets have even found that they are able to treat certain conditions with vitamin C injections.
The only thing to keep in mind with dragon fruit is that it is also fairly high in sugar. It is not high enough to be of great concern unless your dog eats quite a bit or it is a daily treat for them.
Is Dragonfruit Safe For Dogs?
Letting your dog indulge in dragon fruit now and again is not only safe but can be beneficial. Just like any other food be sure to share it in moderation. The next time you have dragon fruit on your shopping list feel free to share this sweet treat with your canine companion.
Do You Know?
Lots of snacks are safe for dogs, but some snacks you should just not give your pet. We sat down and did some research and our vet has verified it: Can Dogs Eat Cucumber?
