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Summary: If you’re asking yourself “can dogs eat kiwi?”, you’re in the right place, pet parent! In this blog, we’ll learn if kiwis are safe for dogs and whether they can eat the kiwi seeds or skin too…
The kiwifruit (or Chinese gooseberry) is a nutrient-dense, edible fruit that is native to eastern and central China. Rich in vitamin K, C, E, folate and potassium and low in calories, it’s a popular fruit throughout the world. However, can canines reap the benefits from kiwi as much as we humans can? Can dogs eat kiwi…?
Can Dogs Have Kiwi?
In theory, yes a dog can safely eat kiwi – they aren’t toxic to dogs. They are also low in calories and low in fat so small pieces of kiwi can make a great, nutritious treat for a dog. However, moderation really is key, as too much kiwi in one go can lead to stomach upset.
If your dog is vomiting, experiencing diarrhoea, has a swollen belly, seems lethargic or uninterested in food and has eaten a lot of kiwi prior to these signs, then this can indicate an upset stomach. Regardless though, any signs of them not feeling themselves should be checked by a vet.
It’s worth remembering that despite the nutritional load of a kiwi, dogs require different nutrients, minerals and vitamins to humans. So, a kiwi and other “safe” fruit and vegetables should certainly not replace a well-balanced, protein-led canine diet.
Can Dogs Eat Kiwi Skin?
No. Although some humans happily eat the kiwi skin as well as the inner fruit, dogs should have the skin removed before kiwi is offered to them.
Kiwi skin is very high in insoluble fibre, which means this can easily bring on a case of diarrhoea or cause a blockage in the intestine because it’s so difficult to digest.
Kiwi For Dogs
When serving kiwi to your dog, make sure the kiwi is ripe – this means it will be firm, brown and fuzzy. If it appears bruised, has dark spots, mould or wrinkles on it then it’s not good for eating and that goes for both humans and our furry friends.
To minimise the risk of choking, kiwi should have the skin removed and be chopped into bitesize pieces for dogs. Never feed your dog a whole kiwi as, particularly for larger dogs, a whole kiwi may get stuck in their throat.
Always take it slowly when introducing any new food to your dog to avoid upsetting their stomach and to be sure they’re not allergic or intolerant to it – particularly with puppies. Feed a very small amount of deskinned, chopped, bite sized pieces of kiwi per day before considering continuing to feed low quantities of this tasty fruit to your dog. As with humans, all dogs will react differently to different foods so always be mindful of this when trying them on new foods, snacks, and treats regardless of whether they’re deemed safe.
There are some foods you should absolutely avoid feeding your dog. Find an extensive list below of food known to be toxic to dogs that you should make sure your dog never consumes:
Golden Kiwis
Golden kiwis (or yellow kiwis) are essentially the same as green kiwis, they’re just more yellow in colour and have a slightly sweeter taste. Dogs can also be given small pieces of this kind of kiwi too.
Sources
Author Kucera, Tabitha “Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?” The Spruce Pets, Feb 11. 2022 https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-dogs-eat-kiwi-5092510
Author Anastasio, Alexandra “Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?” American Kennel Club, Aug 03. 2018 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/can-dogs-eat-kiwi/
“Kiwifruit” Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwifruit
