A kiwi might be one of your favourite fruits to eat, but have you ever wondered if you can give kiwi to your dog?
The kiwi fruit is packed full of nutritious benefits, such as vitamin C, potassium, fibre and antioxidants, so it can indeed be a healthy fruit to feed your four-legged friend. However, you do need to take some things into consideration. We’ve asked the experts at the Dogs Trust to share all the information you need before feeding your dog kiwi.
Never feed your dog a whole kiwi
“Although Kiwi fruit seeds do contain a very small amount of a potentially toxic compound that could be an issue if ingested in large quantities, kiwi fruits are not considered to be toxic to dogs,” a Dogs Trust spokesperson suggests.
A whole kiwi does pose a serious choking hazard however, if it wasn’t chewed thoroughly before your dog attempted to swallow it. For smaller breeds, it’s unlikely that they would attempt to eat a kiwi whole, but larger breeds certainly run the risk.
Cutting the kiwi into small slices is recommended for all dogs, no matter how small or large they are. In the warmer months, you could even make a fruity ice lolly containing a range of different non-toxic fruits, including kiwi, to keep your dog cool and hydrated.
Monitor them for any allergic reactions
If you haven’t fed your dog a kiwi before or similar fruits like avocados, watermelon or bananas, making sure to monitor them on that first occasion is key to avoiding an allergic reaction.
“Some dogs have food intolerances, so it is always recommended to trial new foods with just one small piece first to ensure that it does not cause any gastrointestinal upset for the dog,” our Dogs Trust spokesperson adds.
Introducing new foods to your dog’s diet gradually should give their digestive system time to adjust to the new addition.
Remove the skin
The tough outer skin of a kiwi that you may typically throw away is safe to eat, but it does contains high levels of insoluble fibre. This can overstimulate a dog’s intestines as it passes through their digestive system more quickly.
This, coupled with other high fibre foods in your dog’s diet, can lead to an upset stomach or even diarrhoea, which is why it is best to remove the skin before you feed it to your pup.
If your dog does experience any bad reactions that cause any concern, it may be best to reach out to your local vet for advice.
Be wary of overfeeding
Like any food that you feed your dog, it is better to do so in moderation. Overfeeding could lead to canine obesity which can cause a whole host of issues for your pet such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and even breathing problems.
So, feeding your dog a kiwi fruit should definitely be more of a treat than an everyday occurrence.