Can Dogs Eat Pomelo? The Surprising Answer

Pomelo is known for being full of vitamin C and other antioxidants. This is great news for us humans, but what if your furry friend has developed a taste for this nutrient-packed fruit? Can dogs safely pomelo? The general consensus is that pomelo flesh is okay for dogs to eat in small amounts, but they should not eat other parts of the fruit.

There are also risks involved in letting your dog eat too much pomelo fruit. Let’s explore this further and take a look at which fruits are safe for dogs and which ones are not.

Are Pomelos Good for Dogs?

In small amounts, the fleshy part of pomelo fruit can benefit your dog’s immune system because it’s rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that targets harmful free radicals. Pomelos are also high in fiber which may aid in digestion, and they contain lycopene, which could help with inflammation. So, it appears that pomelos certainly do offer your dog some health benefits.

On the other hand, it’s important to note that pomelos are high in sugar, so too much may cause an upset stomach with symptoms like diarrhea. Moderation is key. Moreover, the high sugar content means that pomelo is not a good choice for diabetic dogs.¹

Finally, if you feed your dog pomelo, remove the rind, leaves, and seeds. Not only are fruit rinds, leaves, and skin tough on the digestive system, but they often contain chemical compounds that are toxic to dogs.

Do Dogs Need Fruit to Be Healthy?

No. Dogs are omnivorous animals so they are able to eat a variety of foods to stay healthy, though some people offer small amounts of certain fruits now and then for a vitamin boost or simply because their dog enjoys them. Some commercial dog food brands even include certain fruits, like cranberries and blueberries, in their formulas for an antioxidant boost.

Which Fruits Are Safe for Dogs?

Luckily, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables you can safely feed to your dog in small portions in addition to pomelo. Beware, though—remember to always remove all skin, peels, cores, stones, pits, and leaves from any fruits you offer to your dog. Not only are these toxic, but they’re also major choking hazards.

Serve fruits cut into small, bite-sized pieces, and remember to stay away from tinned fruit or fruit that has anything added to it, like candied fruit or chocolate-covered fruit. These are not good for dogs at all—stick to fresh fruit only. Safe fruits include:

Which Fruits Are Not Safe for Dogs?

In addition to seeds, pits, leaves, and rinds of fruits, there are several fruits that are unsafe for dogs to eat, either because they’re too acidic and could cause gastrointestinal issues, or because they contain toxins that can make dogs very sick. These include:

Final Thoughts

In short, dogs can eat the fleshy part of pomelo, which may offer them some nutritional benefits. That said, they shouldn’t eat too much pomelo and should never eat the seeds, leaves, or rind.

It’s always a good idea to be careful when feeding dogs any kind of fruit—even safe fruits—to make sure they don’t end up getting carried away and suffering from an upset stomach. Certain types of fruit can even result in a trip to the vet for treatment for a much more serious condition. If you’re not sure if a certain type of fruit is safe, always check it out first—it’s simply not worth the risk!

---

Featured Image Credit: lovelypeace, Shutterstock