There are fruits that can bring multiple benefits to the canine organism. As with humans, dogs get many important nutrients from fruit consumption, but always in moderation because they have more difficulty digesting the natural sugars they contain. In this sense, one of the fruits that provide more benefits is the kiwi.
By eating any food in front of your dog, you will have verified that it is a great claim for him and on many occasions, he will show you his interest in tasting it. The same thing happens with fruits and it is important that you are clear about the convenience of giving some of them as is the case of kiwi. To find out if dogs can eat kiwis, the benefits they bring to their health and how to give them properly, in we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Can dogs eat kiwis or not?
Dogs can eat kiwis without any problems. As with other fruits and vegetables, they can be consumed in moderation to obtain the health benefits they bring. It is a food that is not toxic to the body of dogs, so it is not bad for them.
Therefore, kiwi is a fruit suitable for dogs, but its benefits are not as numerous as those it brings to humans. In any case, you cannot base your little fury’s diet on kiwifruit or fruits or vegetables, as they are predominantly carnivores. Therefore, kiwi should only be a snack or prize, that is, a complement so that your diet is balanced.
Benefits of kiwis for dogs
- Helps reduce cholesterol: provides extra fiber in your diet, reducing cholesterol and triglyceride level in the blood. It also facilitates the elimination of toxins. These are benefits that can be obtained by eating kiwi, but also with other foods such as apples or pumpkin.
- It improves digestion due to its high fiber content: it facilitates the assimilation of nutrients and, therefore, their advance through the intestinal tract. And it is that fiber passes through the intestinal area without being digested, helping to alleviate constipation problems and maintain the microflora of the colon.
- Improved mobility: it has potassium, a mineral necessary for the proper functioning of nerves, enzymes and muscles. It is usually present in foods in the form of potassium chloride, but it can also be supplied from more natural sources, that is, with foods such as bananas or kiwi.
- Antioxidant power: the consumption of kiwi helps protect the immune system of dogs against oxidative damage. This is possible thanks to the vitamin C it contains. Despite not being fundamental in the canine diet, it contributes to the reduction of inflammation and degenerative and cognitive disorders.
As with other foods, you should introduce kiwi with caution in the diet of your little furry, since the nutritional requirements of this fruit are 6% of the dry weight corresponding to their daily diet.
How to give kiwi to my dog
It is important to remember that, although they can eat different types of food, dogs have a predominantly carnivorous diet due to their nutritional needs. Therefore, in no case is it advisable to give them an excess of fruits and vegetables.
So, do not give a whole kiwi to your furry friend or do it regularly, especially if it is a small breed or a puppy, as it could choke easily. It is essential that you cut the fruit into small pieces so that it can be eaten without problem.
As with any other food, you should introduce kiwi gradually into your dog’s diet. Try giving him a small piece the first time to see how his body reacts when digesting it and see if he likes it. Subsequently, you increase the dose until you give a maximum of one slice of kiwi.
When your dog gets used to the taste and texture of the fruit, we recommend mixing small pieces of kiwi with his usual food, that is, with the feed, but always sporadically to avoid digestive or other problems.
Contraindications of kiwi for dogs
- Avoid the skin of the kiwi because, although you can digest it, it is not recommended that you eat this fruit with skin because of the risk of choking on it.
- Avoid giving kiwi if it is a breed with a sensitive stomach, such as the border collie.
- An excess amount can cause you to eat more fiber than necessary for your diet and cause intestinal discomfort or diarrhea.
- Make sure the kiwi provided is ripe because if it is hard or too acidic, it might not be to your dog’s taste.
Now that you know if dogs can eat kiwis, don’t miss these articles on Can dogs eat pineapple? and can dogs eat strawberries?
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