Kiwi fruit are one of life’s superfoods. They have a whole host of benefits for humans, but what about dogs?
Unlike humans, dogs do not need fruit in their diets and their nutritional requirements should be met by their dog food. Still, many people want to know what they can feed their dog whether it is kiwi fruit, chocolate or any number of other food items.
In short, kiwi fruit can be eaten by dogs, however, as with all things there is a bit more to it than that.
Facts About Kiwi fruit
Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry is the edible berry of several species of woody vines in the Actinidia family. They are about the size of a large hen’s egg and have a fibrous, brown-greenish skin. The flesh is bright green or gold with tiny, black, edible seeds.
In 1962, New Zealand based growers began calling the fruit “Kiwi fruit” for marketing purposes. By 1976, the name was widely recognised and New Zealand was exporting more kiwi fruit than were being eaten by the people in the entire country.
Can I Feed My Dog Kiwi fruit?
Human food should really only be used as occasional treats for dogs. If your dog does happen to taste this sweet fruit, you should not be worried. Kiwi fruit should not cause your dog any harm, however, don’t go feeding your dog a whole lot of them.
Nutritional Value of Kiwi fruit
- Calories 61
- Total Fat 1g
- Saturated Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 3 mg
- Total Carbohydrates 15 g
- Dietary Fiber 3g
- Sugar 9g
- Protein 1g
- Vitamin C 92.7mg
- Calcium 34mg
- Iron 0.31mg
Here’s some more information on kiwi fruit.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Kiwi fruit for Dogs?
Like we wrote earlier, dogs do not need fruit and their main nutrients should come from their regular food. While dogs won’t benefit from eating a kiwi fruit the same way you and I would, there are a few health benefits they can provide.
Kiwi fruit have a tough, outer skin, which in conjunction with the delicious flesh contains a whole load of insoluble fibre. This helps stimulate the intestines and makes it easier for food to pass through more quickly. However, too much fibre can upset a dog’s stomach and lead to an episode of the runs.
While kiwi fruit are high in Vitamin C, the benefits of this for dogs is little. A dog’s body works completely differently to a human’s, so they do not have the same vitamin C requirements we have.
The main benefit of feeding your dog kiwi fruit is that they will love it as a tasty snack. Most of your dog’s nutrition should come from their regular dog food, but don’t let that stop you feeding them the occasional piece of a kiwi fruit.
How Should I Give Kiwi Fruit to My Dog?
Before you go feeding your dog a kiwi fruit (or any fruit for that matter) always make sure you wash them thoroughly. You should also remove the skin as dog’s cannot properly digest it. Kiwi fruit skin that becomes stuck in your dog’s digestive system can cause gastrointestinal issues and can even become a blockage risk. Additionally, the skin provides almost no nutritional benefits to dogs, so there really isn’t any reason you should be feeding them it.
Kiwi fruit are best served in smaller pieces to dogs. A whole kiwi fruit is too large and your dog may even try to gulp the whole thing in one go, which poses a choking risk.
An entire kiwi fruit also has too much sugar for a dog, so make sure you only feed them a couple of small pieces. Keep it for when you want to treat them.
Can I Feed My Dog Dried Kiwi Fruit?
We recommend that you only give your dog fresh, skinless kiwi fruit. Dried kiwi fruit often has added sugar, which is bad for you dog and can cause tooth decay and weight gain.
Summing Up Kiwi Fruit for Dogs
Kiwi fruit are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, however, there is really no nutritional benefit in giving them one. Don’t make kiwi fruit a regular part of your dog’s diet, save them for the occasional treat only. Remember to always remove the skin and only give your dog a few small pieces.
Now Read: What Can Dogs Eat?
