Kiwi, also known as Chinese gooseberry, is a tasty, fuzzy fruit originally from China. Now, kiwifruit is produced all over the world.
Fun fact: kiwi wasn’t eaten as a snack in China, it was traditionally given to children to help them grow.
Since kiwifruit has a lot of vitamins, it’s gained popularity over the years. The unique taste and texture make kiwi a perfect addition to any fruit salad. Kiwi can also be pressed to make a healthy juice or smoothie.
Your dog seems to like kiwi as well – you can see her begging for some every time you cut it up for a snack. Usually, you give in and give your pet a bite of whatever you’re making, if you know that food is safe for her. But, kiwi? Is kiwi safe for your pet?
Can dogs eat kiwi? What happens when the dog devours an entire kiwi? Read our article to find out!
Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?
To start, yes, dogs can eat kiwi safely. Kiwi is not beneficial to your pet’s health in the way it benefits yours. But, dogs can safely eat it – just make sure to introduce it to the dog’s diet first!
Dogs can get food allergies as humans do. So, whenever you give your dog something new to eat – watch their reaction afterward and how they’re behaving. If they start acting unusually, or they’re lethargic – discontinue the use immediately!
Ultimately, if you aren’t sure about your dog eating kiwi, consult your vet. It’s a good rule of thumb to talk to a professional before you give your dog anything new to eat.
Introducing Kiwi
When you decide to give your dog some new food or treat, it’s crucial to introduce it. Introducing consists of giving your pet a tiny quantity of the new food, and giving them a little more each time.
This technique is used to get your dog used to the new food. Dogs can be put off by a full portion of new food and that can result in your dog avoiding that food forever.
Why is that? Dogs prefer food (and treats) that look like meat. Since kiwi doesn’t resemble meat much, your dog might refuse to eat it.
So, mix it in regular dog food or sprinkle it on top and your furry baby will eat it up in no time! If you want to add coconuts to your pet’s meal, read our article to find out is coconut safe for dogs.
Serving Kiwi To Your Pet
You should be careful when you give your pet kiwi. Firstly, wash the kiwi to clean it and remove any residual pesticides.
Next, remove the seeds because they can be potentially toxic. Just use a spoon to remove the seeds when you cut open the fruit.
Peel the fruit because the skin is full of fiber, which can be hard for your dog to digest. Remove the stem as well – it can get lodged in your pet’s mouth and cause choking. When it comes to preparing the kiwi – it can be served raw or cooked to your pet – both are fine.
Last but not least, cut the kiwi into small pieces to make digestion easier – dogs can get excited when they get a treat and forget to chew. Swallowing large pieces of food can cause a blockage in the digestive tract. Worst case scenario: the dog might require surgery to remove the food!
Furthermore, you can buy dried kiwi on the market – but we advise against giving the dog dried kiwi. It usually contains added sugar, which isn’t safe for dogs – so it’s best to avoid it completely.
How Many Kiwis Can A Dog Eat?
When giving your dog kiwi, it’s so important that you don’t overdo it. If our dog ingests too much kiwi, it can upset its tummy – so this is the reason why we advise introducing the food first.
Dose kiwi according to these rules:
| Toy and small breeds | Medium breeds | Large breeds |
|---|---|---|
| One or two small slices | A ¼ of kiwi | Up to half a kiwi |
Using Kiwi As A Treat
Kiwi can be a great treat for your pet. Just make sure that you give them kiwi according to the 10% rule. The 10% rule is that the treats should never be more than a 10th of the daily food consumed!
We recommend that you use kiwi exclusively as a treat or for dog training. Dogs simply don’t have to consume kiwi regularly. Dog food is perfectly balanced for their needs and has all the necessary nutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Extra tip: freeze kiwi before you give it as a treat – your pup will love it more!
Benefits Of Dogs Eating Kiwi
Kiwi is a tropical fruit – it’s very nutritious and healthy, and it can make a great snack for you and your pet. Fruit should not be a regular part of your pet’s diet but it can be a tasty treat, and you can add it to meals on special occasions. Dogs need a lot of meat and a few vegetables in their diet in order to thrive, but a little fruit won’t harm them in any way.
Let’s check out the nutritional value of 1 cup of kiwi:
| Calories | 108 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25.9g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3g |
| Sugars | 15.9g |
| Total Fat | 0.9g |
| Protein | 2.0g |
| Vitamin A | 154IU |
| Vitamin C | 164mg |
| Vitamin E | 2.6mg |
| Vitamin K | 71.3mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1mg |
| Folate (Vitamin B9) | 44.2mcg |
| Calcium | 60.2mg |
| Magnesium | 30.1mg |
| Potassium | 552mg |
Kiwi is full of vitamin C, which is important for human health – but it doesn’t do much for the canines. Dogs produce vitamin C naturally for their needs!
Dogs don’t have many benefits from eating kiwi, but it’s not bad for them either. However, nutrients found in kiwi can affect your dog in the following ways:
| Anti-inflammatory effects: | Vitamins help ease the joint pain, arthritis or spinal issues |
| Great for pregnant dogs: | Folate is important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy |
| Prevents retinal degeneration: | Vitamin A found in kiwi helps the dog maintain good vision |
Retinal degeneration is a disease that can affect your dog as he ages. Having this disease means the dog loses sight gradually over time. It may seem fast to you because dogs age faster than humans. Vitamin A – moderate amounts of it, along with beta carotene, help prevent that from happening to your beloved pet.
What If The Dog Eats Too Much Kiwi?
Kiwi is a fiber-rich fruit, which can be tough on your pet’s tummy, and it can have a laxative effect, too. Always dose the fruit according to the table above and that probably won’t happen. Read our article to find out can dogs eat mango.
Of course, your doggie doesn’t know how much kiwi is good for him. So, sure enough, as you left a bowl of fruit unattended, the dog grabbed some kiwis. Before you had any time to react, he already devoured some.
Watch your dog closely after it devours one kiwi too many. Some diarrhea or vomiting is to be expected, but they are nothing to worry about.
However, if they don’t go away in two to three days, a trip to the veterinarian might be best. Give your dog a lot of water and keep them on a bland diet until the symptoms go away. Serving some pumpkin puree will soothe the poor pup’s tummy.
Furthermore, always keep fruit away from the dog’s reach. Eating the kiwi’s stem can cause choking or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract – especially in small or toy dog breeds, and other types of fruit can really put your dog’s life in danger!
Conclusion
To conclude, dogs can eat kiwi without worrying it will harm their life. Kiwifruit can be a tasty treat or snack for your pet – it can also be useful for training.
Nutrients in kiwi aren’t exactly beneficial for your pet in the long run, but it contains a good amount of vitamin A – which prevents vision loss. On the other hand, if your pet adores eating kiwi, there is nothing wrong with giving them a slice or two occasionally.
Make sure to introduce kiwi to the dog’s diet before you start using it as a treat. Look out for allergic reactions or indigestion – if the problems persist, visit the emergency vet!
Wash and cut up the fruit, remove the skin, stems, and seeds, and your puppy will have a great time eating kiwi!
Learn More: What Can Dogs Eat? A Comprehensive List Of Dog-safe Foods