Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit?

If you are a dog owner, you can’t stop thinking about what else you can do for your beloved pet. It’s your responsibility to keep your dog healthy after all. There are many varieties of food to try when it comes to feeding your dog. It makes you wonder, can dogs eat dragon fruit?

The answer is a big yes – you can feed dragon fruit to your dog as long as you do this moderately. Dragon fruit contains antioxidants to keep your dog healthy. It’s easy to chew and sweet, which makes this fruit a nice additional treat for your buddy.

Is Feeding Dragon Fruit to Your Dog Safe?

Yes, dragon fruit is safe to offer to dogs but it’s best to avoid overdoing it. This fruit is loaded with sugar and fiber which can cause an upset stomach for dogs. It’s best to feed dragon fruit to your pet as a snack and only do it occasionally. Adding variety to your dog’s diet is the key for staying in top shape.

Dragon fruit or pitaya has a soft and juicy part that your dog will enjoy eating. It also comes in different colors. You can find red, pink, and even yellow dragon fruit. These are all safe for dogs to eat as a snack. It contains edible seeds that are inside the fleshy part.

However, dogs should never eat the skin of dragon fruit. It has spiky and thick skin that can cause digestive issues for them. The skin is also a choking hazard for dogs. Peel off the dragon fruit skin and cut the flesh into bite-size pieces before giving it to your pet.

If this is the first time that you will introduce dragon fruit to your dog, It’s best to start with a small amount. Feed your dog a tiny piece of dragon fruit to see how it reacts. If your dog seems to like it and it didn’t give it an upset stomach, offer more but in a moderate amount.

How to Properly Feed Dragon Fruit to Your Dog

Before introducing your dog to dragon fruit or any other food, it’s best to do your research first. Learn if the specific type of food is safe for your canine. Make sure to also learn how to properly prepare them before feeding time begins. It will ensure the safety of your dog and you can also have a peace of mind.

1. Peel Off the Skin

Wash the dragon fruit thoroughly and peel off the skin. It’s not a good idea to allow your dog to eat the leathery and spiky skin. That will cause indigestion for your dog and it might end up on a trip to the vet. It’s better to make sure to prepare it properly to avoid any issues.

2. Cut Into Tiny Pieces

The dragon fruit has a generous amount of flesh. It’s best to cut them in small pieces before feeding them to your dog. If it’s the first time for your dog to have a dragon fruit, let it try a small piece at first. Wait and see if your dog likes it before giving another piece.

3. Feed Slowly

When giving new food to your dog, start slowly. If your dog likes dragon fruit, it will be consumed right away. Dogs will ask for more if they like the new food. Prepare tiny pieces and start with small amounts at first. Give your dog one piece at a time to get used to it.

4. Observe Your Dog’s Reaction

The dog’s reaction the moment it tried a new flavor will tell it all. If your dog likes dragon fruit, it will continue eating when you give it more. Another thing to observe is your dog’s bowel movements. If everything seems normal, that means your dog can have dragon fruit again as a treat.

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit for Your Dog

Aside from being colorful, dragon fruit has some great health benefits for dogs. That’s why it’s a good idea to incorporate it into your canine’s occasional treats. Although it’s not advisable to offer it daily, dragon fruit can be added to the variety of food as a reward for your dog being a good boy.

• Vitamin C

Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C as well as other antioxidants. It will make your dog’s immune system stronger and fight certain diseases. That’s why it’s a good occasional treat to give your canine. The yellow dragon fruit contains more vitamin C than others.

• Beta Carotene

If you want to keep your dog’s eyesight healthy, look for a purple dragon fruit and feed it to your buddy. This variety is high in beta carotene. It’s native from Central America but it’s already available around the world since the purple dragon fruit is sweet and nutritious.

• Fatty Acids

It’s also important for dogs to consume food with fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 9. It will give your dog a shiny and strong coat that means good health. Give your canine food that contains fatty acids such as dragon fruit to maintain a nice coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What variety of dragon fruit can dogs eat?

There are different varieties of dragon fruits available out there. There are pink, red,yellow, and purple dragon fruits. It’s all edible for dogs as long as you will only give a moderate amount occasionally.

2. What happens if my dog eats too much dragon fruit?

Unless your dog is allergic to dragon fruit, it will be fine if it eats a little too much. Although it will give your dog an upset stomach or some slight discomfort. It should pass and your canine should be fine once it’s digested.

3. Is pitaya good for my dog?

Yes, pitaya or also known as dragon fruit is good for dogs. Aside from being sweet and soft, it’s also nutritious. It’s packed with antioxidants to keep your dog strong and healthy. Just make sure to only give it occasionally to avoid any issues.

Image Credits

Unsplash – Dragon Fruit

Unsplash – Dog with Tongue Out