Yes, dogs can eat kiwi in moderation. It is packed with nutrients. However, dogs with allergies or delicate stomachs should never be fed kiwi. Also, pesticides and chemicals can be found on the skin of kiwis. Hence, it’s necessary to wash them before giving them to your dog.
The edible berries of numerous species of woody vines in the genus Actinidia are known as Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry. The most popular cultivar of kiwifruit is Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward,’ oval, and as large as a hen’s egg.
Kiwi is a perennial fruit indigenous to China’s central and eastern regions. The first written description of the fruit is from the Song dynasty in the 12th century. Kiwi horticulture extended from China to New Zealand in the early twentieth century, when the first industrial plantations took place. The fruit became popular with British and American troops stationed in New Zealand during World War II. It was later widely exported, first to the United Kingdom and then California in the 1960s.
Is Kiwi Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Yes, kiwi is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. It is packed with minerals and vitamins. In addition, it also keeps your dog hydrated due to the high-water content. However, you should not feed some parts of kiwi to your dog:
Kiwi Peels: Kiwi peels are not toxic, but it is hard to digest for dogs. It can cause choking hazards resulting in various other conditions.
Kiwi Seeds: Dogs should be kept away from any seeds due to cyanate content. Cyanate can cause specific health hazards to dogs.
Kiwi Stems and Leaves: Dogs should not eat kiwi stems and leaves as they cause choking hazards in your pet.
Entire Kiwi: For a large dog, the size of a kiwi is a swallow away! Hence, it would help if you did not feed your large dog kiwi as a whole without chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
Fried and Seasoned Kiwi: Many like to consume fried and seasoned kiwi. Any seasoned food is harmful to dogs as it may cause severe illness in dogs.
Why is Kiwi Good for Dogs?
Kiwi, like other canine-friendly fruits, is safe and beneficial for dogs to consume. It is packed with nutrients that can physically and mentally boost your dog.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for the health of your dog. It helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. Potassium reduces the risk of stroke, kidney stones, and high blood pressure in your dogs. If your pet lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is abnormal, or that they have no desire to eat.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can assist your dog’s body to eliminate potentially dangerous free radicals, support healthy aging, improve respiratory health, and decrease inflammation. Vitamin C can also help your dog’s immune response, increase energy, and relieve UTIs.
Vitamin K
Kiwis are rich in vitamin K, which is significant for blood coagulation and can treat certain clotting disorders in dogs.
Water
A dog’s daily water consumption should be between 25 and 50 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. That implies a 7.5kg tiny terrier should drink roughly 200-350ml water per day, whereas a 30kg Labrador may need 750-1500ml. Of course, quantities change with the weather and temperature outdoors, the amount of exercise the dog has done, the dog’s age, the current diet (wet or dry food), and other health concerns or requirements.
There is roughly 80ml of water per 100g of kiwi flesh. So, while kiwi won’t meet your dog’s daily water needs, it may be a delightful treat and a way to enhance your pet’s water consumption. However, if you provide your pet with kiwi treats during training and exercise sessions, the fruit will excite your dog.
Copper
Copper is necessary for producing bones, connective tissue, collagen, and myelin in dogs (the protective covering of nerves). Copper also aids the body in iron absorption, making it a critical red blood cell activity component.
Digestive Enzymes
Actinidin, an enzyme found in kiwi, aids in the breakdown of proteins such as those found in meat. Enzyme boosts are regularly added to dog food to assist gassy dogs in avoiding flatulence.
Antioxidants
Kiwi is filled with antioxidants such as folate, carotenoids, and flavonoids. These antioxidants help in fighting cancer within the body. These can also:
Nourish the skin
Boost immune system
Regulate blood pressure
Combat heart diseases
Prevent muscular degeneration
Rejuvenate the cells
Fight against cancer
Improve eye health
Aid prenatal dogs
Why is Kiwi Bad for Dogs?
Although kiwi is safe for dogs to eat, it must be given in moderation as there are factors that can hamper your dog’s health.
Natural Sugar
Kiwi has natural sugar in it, which can be harmful to your dogs in various ways. The consequences of feeding excessive sugar are:
Obesity
Diabetes
Cardiovascular Issues
Weight gain
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Drooling tendencies
Hyperactive
Nausea
Spiked blood sugar
High Fiber
Kiwi is high in fiber. Fiber, though is necessary for dogs in smaller quantities, consuming excessive of it may cause digestive disorders such as:
Loose stool
Gassy stomach
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Bloating
Calcium Oxalate Crystals
Kiwi’s skin has calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate your dog’s mouth and the entire gut if fed significantly, causing:
Inflammation
Skin allergies
Stomach upset
Throat irritation
Allergic Reactions
Your dog can be allergic to any food, and kiwi is not an exception. Visit a vet if your pet is hypersensitive and shows the following symptoms:
Always use the 10% guideline when choosing the number of kiwis to feed your dog. Though kiwis are healthy and are natural foods, they are nevertheless considered a treat. Therefore, all rewards, including fruits and vegetables, should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie allotment.
How to Serve Kiwi to Your Dog?
Never offer a whole kiwi to your dog, especially if they’re a gulper, because it might induce choking. Hence, chop the kiwi if you can’t ensure your dog will chew everything thoroughly. Cutting a kiwi in half eliminates the chance of blocking and makes your pet perfectly safe.
Before preparation, it is critical to wash and clean the exterior surface properly. Next, peel the skin and remove the seeds, then slice the kiwi into bite-sized wedges, according to your dog’s preference.
It is best to serve your puppy ripe kiwis that are brown and in good condition without scrapes, spots, and molds. Kindly avoid giving overripe or decayed fruits to your dog, which may cause adverse effects on him.
Also, you can provide kiwis to your dog as an alternative treat to Kong toys. It keeps your pet mentally stimulated and avoids overfeeding.
What If My Dog Ate Kiwi?
If your dog has accidentally consumed kiwis in large numbers, immediately visit a veterinarian to look out for choking concerns. Choking hazards can even kill a dog if the esophagus is blocked. Other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, lack of appetite will eventually subside as they won’t do much harm. Follow the vet’s prescription accordingly to make your dog healthy and active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can puppies eat kiwis?
It would be best to consult your vet before feeding the fruit to your puppy.
Can dogs eat gold kiwi?
Yes, gold kiwis can be eaten by dogs (or yellow kiwis). They’re similar to conventional green kiwis but with a sweeter flavor and a different color. They’re still perfectly safe for your dog to eat and have the same nutritional advantages.
Can dogs eat kiwi berries?
Yes, dogs can eat kiwi berries in moderation. However, the entire kiwi berry can choke your dog as it is grape-sized.
Can dogs eat red kiwi?
It is best to consult the veterinarian whether you can feed your dog red kiwis or not. They are not as common as dog food or treats.
Can dogs eat dried kiwi?
No. Dogs should not eat dried kiwis as they contain high sugar content. Instead, it would be best to feed your pet fresh fruits.
Can dogs eat frozen kiwis?
No. Dogs should not eat frozen kiwi as it causes choking hazards in your pet.
Can dogs eat kiwi jams and jellies?
No. Dogs should be kept away from kiwi jams and jellies owing to the high sugar content present in the recipes.
Can dogs eat dehydrated kiwi?
Yes, dogs can eat dehydrated kiwi occasionally. However, it is high in sugar content which you should consider before introducing it to your dog.
Can dogs eat organic kiwi?
Yes, dogs can eat organic kiwi without the skin and the seeds.
Can dogs eat kiwi juice?
No, dogs cannot drink kiwi juice as it contains excessive sugar and other spices.
Final Thoughts
Summing up whether dogs can eat kiwi, we can easily comprehend that kiwi is dolled up with various nutrients, antioxidants, and nutrients that keep them in good health. However, it is best to feed kiwi without the seeds and skin in moderation.
