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Can Dogs Eat Kiwi? Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Can Dogs Eat kiwi

Dogs love to eat. Most need scheduled meals because otherwise, they would eat, eat, and eat. They love eating scraps found on the ground in the kitchen, they don’t mind the occasional cat poop treat (gross!), and they do not seem to worry about getting sick when picking through the garbage. So, it should not be a surprise when your dog goes for a piece of fruit that seems easily accessible to them.

However, even though dogs are considered scavengers by many, not all foods are good for dogs. For instance, garlic is toxic to them and can result in problems like weakness, lethargy, and anemia, among other things. On the flip side, tons of fruits and veggies are acceptable for dogs to eat, including kale, carrots, beans, broccoli, cucumber, and sweet potato.

However, can your dog eat kiwi without problems? The short answer is yes and no. Dogs can eat kiwis, but there are a few things to know about the dangers of doing so. Here is everything you should know about your dog eating kiwis.

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Should Dogs Have Kiwis?

Dog and Kiwi_shutterstock_ Olena Polianychko
Image Credit: Olena Polianychko, Shutterstock

For the most part, kiwi is healthy for dogs because it contains important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help enhance their immune system and supplement their meals to minimize any nutrient deficiencies that may develop as time goes on. Kiwi contains vitamins A and C and extra calcium to help keep your dog’s bones healthy and strong as they age.

Kiwi is filling yet low in calories, so you do not have to worry about your older dog becoming overweight when fed this fruit regularly as snacks. It is also filled with fiber, which will help keep your furry family member’s digestive system running smoothly. The high-water content of kiwi will help keep your pooch hydrated on a hot sunny day too.

Are There Any Dangers to Feeding Dogs Kiwi?

Kiwi fruit itself is not dangerous to dogs, but the skin can cause a choking hazard, so peeling the fruit is always a good idea before offering it as a snack or treat. Kiwi seeds are nutritious, but they can block your dog’s digestive system if too many are eaten at one time. Therefore, it is a good idea to remove at least some of the seeds before serving. The fruit should be cut into small pieces before being fed to your dog to make sure that it does not get stuck in their throat and is well digested. But overall, kiwi is not a serious danger to dogs.

How Can Kiwis Be Fed to Dogs?

kiwifruit
Image By: Shutterbug75, Pixabay

Kiwis can be fed to dogs raw after being cut into bite-sized cubes, it can be blended into a smoothie consistency and offered as a cooling snack, or it can be cooked with sweet potatoes for a warm snack on a chilly winter day. The fruit can be baked into oatmeal cookies or peanut butter balls and used as treats for training or just for fun.

Other options include juicing the kiwi and mixing it in with your dog’s dry or wet food, using it as broth when making homemade food for them, and freezing the fruit pieces to create fun icy toys/treats to entertain them on a lazy afternoon. The options are limitless!

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Conclusion

Kiwi is not a necessity in your dog’s diet. They do not have to eat it to stay healthy and vibrant, even in their senior years. But the fruit certainly will not harm them, and it can provide them with extra nutrients to give their immune systems a little boost. Whether to feed your dog kiwi is entirely your decision — we know that you are a great dog parent either way! Let us know how you feel about feeding kiwi fruit to dogs in our comments section down below!


Featured Image Credit: Oksana Mizina, Shutterstock

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