Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?
Yes, dogs can eat kiwi fruits safely. When given in the right amounts and ways, this fruit can offer tons of health benefits to dogs. However, the kiwifruit, popularly known as kiwi or Chinese gooseberry, should only be fed occasionally as a rare treat.
Some nutritional benefits of kiwi include:
- High water content: Kiwis are 80% water, which provides a healthy concentration of fluid to keep dogs well hydrated.
- High fiber content: The kiwifruit is rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which not only keeps the digestive tract moving and flowing with ease but also enhances satiety, thus keeping dogs fuller for longer and aiding in weight management.
- Rich in digestive enzymes: These fruit contains actinidin, an enzyme that helps in breaking down proteins, improves digestion, and minimizes bloating and flatulence in dogs.
- Essential vitamins and minerals: Kiwis are packed with vitamins C, K, and E, necessary for skin, circulatory, and bone health. They also contain minerals like potassium and calcium, which aid in muscle growth and improve bone health and density.
- Full of antioxidants: Kiwifruits have high antioxidants like beta-carotene, lutein, and folate, which protect dogs from free radicals and boost their immune systems.
However, these fruits are high in sugar and fiber, which can cause problems like obesity, gastric upset, diarrhea, and vomiting as well as diabetes if given in large amounts.
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Can Dogs Eat Kiwi Skin Safely?
No, dogs can’t eat kiwi skins safely. Even though they are not toxic, feeding skin kiwi skins to dogs can cause health problems.
Is kiwi skin healthy for dogs?
No, kiwi skin is not healthy for dogs. Although it is safe to eat, kiwi skin is tough to chew and difficult for dogs to digest. This poses a choking risk to small dogs if swallowed as a whole. It’s also likely to cause stomach upset and diarrhea in dogs due to its high amounts of insoluble fiber.
Can kiwi skin affect my dog’s mood?
Yes, kiwi skin can affect your dog’s mood. The kiwi fruit has high levels of tryptophan, which aids in the production of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin, which can improve your dog’s mood. However, Kiwi skin has high amounts of insoluble fiber and sugar, which, if consumed in large quantities, can cause gastrointestinal upset and make your dog restless, negatively impacting its mood.
Can Dogs Eat Golden Kiwi Safely?
Yes, dogs can eat golden kiwi safely. This type of kiwi is just like the regular green kiwi, with the only difference being the color and the taste. Golden kiwi is sweeter than other kiwi types.
Is golden kiwi healthy for dogs?
Yes, golden kiwi is not only safe but also healthy and nutritious if given in moderation. Like the green kiwi, golden kiwis are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber which contribute to the overall health of dogs.
Can my Maltese dog puppy eat golden kiwi?
Yes, fully weaned Maltese puppies can eat golden kiwis safely. However, this should be properly washed, have the skin removed, and cut into small pieces to avoid choking the puppy. If introducing the golden kiwi to your dog for the first time, give minimal amounts gradually while observing your puppy’s reaction. Remember to feed this fruit in moderation to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Kiwi Seeds Safely?
No, dogs can’t eat kiwi seeds safely.
Although kiwi seeds are not as toxic as grapes, veterinarians recommend leaving them out while feeding kiwi fruits to dogs. In very high amounts, kiwi seeds can cause poisoning in dogs.
Are kiwi seeds healthy for dogs?
No, kiwi seeds are not healthy for dogs. They contain a toxic substance called actinidine that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. This substance induces vomiting, salivation, and depression in dogs. If left untreated, this may accelerate to more severe conditions, including tremors or potential respiratory system paralysis.
Can dogs with diarrhea or other diseases eat kiwi seeds?
No, dogs with diarrhea or other diseases can’t eat kiwi seeds, as this could worsen their conditions. Kiwi seeds are toxic due to the presence of actinidine which causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Kiwi Safely?
No, dogs can’t eat dried kiwi. Also known as the dehydrated kiwi, dried kiwi is the type that has had its water removed.
Is dried kiwi healthy for dogs?
No, dried kiwi is not healthy for dogs, as it’s very high in sugar. High amounts of sugar can lead to a host of health problems for dogs, including obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, weight gain, and digestive upsets.
Although in small amounts it may not hurt your dog, it is best to avoid giving dried kiwi to your dog for its safety.
Can young and old dogs eat dried kiwi?
No, young and old dogs can’t eat dried kiwi. This is because these dogs have very delicate digestive systems, and feeding them dried kiwi is likely to give them stomach upset. Besides, these dogs cannot handle the high sugar amounts in dried kiwis.
What Else Can Dogs Eat together with Kiwi?
The list below shows some foods that dogs may or may not eat with kiwi;
1. Mango: Dogs can eat mangoes safely provided they are peeled and the pit removed. These fruits are delicious and can make healthy treats for dogs. Mangoes are good sources of fiber, protein, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that support good health in dogs.
These fruits are loaded with vitamin A which helps improve vision and aids in the proper functioning of the liver, kidneys, and lungs. It also enhances the skin and coat health of dogs. Mangoes are high in dietary fiber, which is excellent for the digestive system health of pups. It keeps things running smoothly in the digestive tract and helps alleviate diarrhea and constipation. The high levels of antioxidants boost a dog’s immune system, helping it combat degenerative diseases, allergies, and skin issues. The protein in these fruits can help your dog repair its muscles and tissues, while potassium promotes nerve and muscle functioning.
However, giving too many mangoes can cause stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The mango skin is also difficult for dogs to digest, while mango pits pose a severe choking risk in a dog’s digestive tract.
2. Pineapple: In moderation, pineapples make a healthy snack for dogs. They are chock-full of vitamins, including vitamin C, thiamin, niacin, folate, B6, and riboflavin. This fruit is also loaded with minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and zinc. These nutrients play important roles in enhancing the proper functioning and health of the immune system, digestive system, skin, coat, and organ health.
Pineapples are 82% water and thus provide excellent ways of keeping your dog hydrated. With their antioxidant properties, these fruits can help boost a dog’s immune system and help them fight diseases. Pineapples are also rich in bromelain, which provides powerful anti-inflammatories to help in pain relief.
Pineapples are, however, high in sugar and fiber, which can wreak havoc in a dog’s digestive system if given in large amounts. The spiky outer skin, as well as the hard central core in these fruits, has the potential of causing gastrointestinal obstructions to dogs if ingested. Only feed the inner flesh of pineapples to dogs.
3. Yogurt: Plain, unsweetened, natural yogurt is safe for dogs to consume in moderation. This can be mixed with kiwifruits for a healthy and nutritious snack for dogs. Yogurt is high in calcium and proteins, which can help dogs build and repair muscles and build strong bones.
Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which help feed the good bacteria in dogs’ guts. This, in turn, aids in improving digestion, immune system functioning, healthy skin, and coat as well as assisting in weight loss.
However, yogurt is a dairy product and thus contains lactose, which many dogs may have difficulties digesting. This treat is also high in fats which can pump extra calories to dogs, resulting in an unhealthy weight gain. As such, yogurt should be fed in small amounts to dogs to avoid causing them an upset stomach. Some yogurt varieties contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is highly toxic to dogs.
4. Zucchini: This green vegetable is not only safe for dogs to eat but can also offer some nutritional benefits to your dog. This vegetable is packed with several health-boosting nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, among others.
The benefits of zucchini for dogs include:
- Zucchini is loaded with soluble and insoluble fiber, which is excellent for digestion and maintaining ideal blood sugar levels.
- This vegetable also contains multiple vitamins, including vitamins A, C, B6, and K, which enhance the vision, skin, bone, and cartilage health in dogs, as well as proper blood-clotting and healthy metabolism.
- It’s low in calories and packed with fiber, making it an excellent snack for dogs with gigantic appetites and weight management regimes.
- Zucchini is also abundant in antioxidants that aid in immune-boosting and fighting free radicals that cause oxidative damage to body cells of dogs. These are also great for the skin of dogs.
- However, zucchini is highly fibrous and causes gastrointestinal issues like gas, vomiting, flatulence, or even diarrhea when taken in large amounts.
What are the best Kiwi Dog Food Recipes?
There are very many benefits of feeding kiwi fruits to your dog. These water-rich fruits are loaded with nutrients like vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants which can give your dog a health boost.
There are various ways you can serve this tantalizing fruit to your dog. Check out some fun recipes below that you can try for your dog.
Kiwi chicken dog treat
This is a healthy treat that will need cooked chicken breast, peeled kiwi, tomato paste, mint leaves, and wheat flour.
To make this:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined
- Knead dough into a ball and roll out on a flat surface
- Cut the dough into shapes
- Bake for up to 10 minutes
- Cool and refrigerate
Kiwi and banana popsicles
This delicious treat is great for hot summer afternoons and requires plain yogurt, peeled and chopped bananas, and kiwi fruits.
To make this,
- Mix all the ingredients in a food blender
- Pulse to a smooth consistency
- Pour the purée into popsicle trays
- Put in the freezer overnight
- Serve as desired
What are the best dog foods with Kiwi?
Kiwifruits are not only safe but also very nutritious for dogs. Besides keeping your dog hydrated with their high water content, these fruits are also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber which can offer various health benefits to dogs. They can help improve digestion thanks to their fibrous nature and help relieve dogs of painful gas.
However, just like any other good thing, moderation is key when feeding these fruits to your dog. Giving kiwis in large amounts can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea in dogs. Their high sugar content is also not good as it can lead to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
Given the health benefits of kiwi fruits for dogs, some dog food companies have included these fruits in their recipes.
Some of our favorite dog foods and treats that contain kiwis include;
