Should You Feed Your Dog Dragon Fruit And Are There Any Benefits?
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a summer fruit with a light orange flesh that is mostly eaten fresh, but can also be used in cooking or made into jams and jellies.
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit with a bright red flesh and large black seeds.
It is named for its appearance, resembling the scales of a dragon.
Although dragon fruits are generally eaten raw, they are often cooked or juiced, but can dogs eat it?
Find out more here about what it is and whether dogs are allowed to consume it.
What Is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has a large, fleshy pit in the middle.
It has a sweet flavor and is often eaten plain. Dragon fruit (also known as Longan, as in longan ), is a bright purple fruit with a sweet, tangy taste.
The fruit is juicy and tastes best when eaten raw.
The flesh is very similar to that of a pineapple, but slightly sweeter and less astringent.
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that originates from Southeast Asia and is grown in many tropical and subtropical areas.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit?
Yes, not only are they allowed to consume this fruit, but it is also very good for them.
You might be a bit nervous about certain types of food and whether it is ok for your dog, but in this case they are the perfect snack.
Dogs love this healthy treat and eat the flesh from the center.
Even though you might have heard that seeds can be very unhealthy and even toxic for most animals including dogs, Dragon fruit seeds are perfectly fine too!
If you are thinking about introducing healthy food to your dog, like anything, you must introduce it bit by bit.
You cannot just start feeding it to them often and all the time straight away.
The reason for this is because their stomachs need to adapt to the new food so it will settle well.
If you feed them too much of it, you could make them very sick and unwell for a period of time.
Different Types Of Dragon Fruit
There are several different types of dragon fruit which are different colors and have different properties for your pet to eat.
This section will give you a good idea about which ones are the most beneficial and what they offer in terms of health.
Pink Dragon fruit – Pink Dragon Fruit is a fruit that is native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and has spread throughout the world.
It is typically grown and consumed in tropical areas, especially in South East Asia.
Dogs are definitely able to eat the pink version and it is very good for them to eat as snacks. They will love the white juicy insides!
Purple Dragon Fruit
Purple Dragon Fruit is a tropical fruit that has a unique purple skin.
It is known for its sweet taste and is one of the top selling fruits in the US.
Purple Dragon Fruit is a delicious tropical fruit that looks like a small pineapple and can be eaten raw or cooked.
It is high in beta carotene which is really good for your dog’s eye health.
Red Dragon Fruit
The Red Dragon fruit is a rare, high-value fruit that is native to the Philippines.
It is a member of the dragon fruit family and has a red, rubbery skin with a creamy white flesh.
The fruit is a very large fruit with a deep red skin and a sweet, juicy, soft flesh.
It is about the size of a small lemon. It is high in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium and other minerals which is really good for your dog.
Yellow Dragon Fruit
Yellow Dragon fruit is a deliciously sweet, juicy fruit that is in season from early summer to late fall.
The fruit is rich in antioxidants and is used in many Asian dishes.
An amazingly sweet and refreshing fruit with a subtle flavor that goes well with almost everything and something your dogs will either love or hate!
It is very high in Vitamin C and something great to add to their diets.
Is The Peel Also Good?
You shouldn’t really be trying to feel the skin to your dog because of the spiky outer layer which will not be easy to digest.
It will also be extremely difficult for them to chew and could potentially get stuck in their throats which will want to be avoided at all costs.
If you do want to feed this fruit to your dog, you should scoop out the center like an avocado and feed them parts of the flesh inside.
That is where all of the nutrients are for them and flavor.
Benefits Of Dragon Fruit For Dogs
We will now be listing some of the advantages this fruit can have for your dog and their health in general.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for the normal functioning of the body.
It is one of the most abundant vitamins in the human body and your pets, making up 75% of the ascorbic acid found in the body and intracellular fluid.
Low Calorie Count
If you are worried about your dog’s weight at all, you might be thinking about introducing different food which has a lot less calories in it.
This is why Dragon fruit is a great option for watching your dog’s weight.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a collection of compounds that are able to protect the body from harmful oxidation.
They work by scavenging the free radicals that cause damage to the body. Dragon fruit is very high in antioxidants.
Fiber
Fiber makes for healthier, more satiated, and happier pets. It is essential to dogs ‘ health and helps everything flow in their body.
Unfortunately, a lot of dogs are not getting enough of it. Dragon fruit is very high in fiber and can also help to regulate their blood sugar.
How To Serve It To Your Dog
You should first be peeling the fruit and getting rid of the peel.
The reason for this is because the texture of the skin is very leathery and is very hard to chew and digest.
Your pet will definitely not appreciate having to get through that. What they really want is the juicy fruit inside.
It is best to scoop out the fruit in the center and can even mix different colors of the fruit as they have different benefits.
However, you need to be cautious of how much you are feeding them as it must be in moderation, so they are able to get used to the change in diet.
Any big changes to your dog’s diet can make them feel quite unwell and sick.
Can They Taste It?
There are certain signs where you will be able to notice whether your dog is enjoying the dragon fruit or not.
They will either go straight to it and start to eat it or will completely avoid it.
It is mainly due to the texture which can be off-putting for your pet because they might not like the mush of the fruit inside.
You could try adding the fruit to other dry food to make it have a bit of a harder texture if it is something you would like your dog to eat. Trial and error can sometimes be the best way.
It might take a bit of time for your dog to get used to both the texture and the flavor as it will be different to anything they have had before.
They can be extremely sweet for your dog and that could also take a while in small amounts for them to get used to.
Conclusion
Overall, Dragon fruit is something which can really enhance your pets’ diet and help them consume more vitamins and fiber.
Even though it might take a bit of time to introduce it into your dog’s diet, it will definitely be worth it if they start enjoying it.
Hopefully this guide has shed some insight on what the fruit exactly is and the different types.
It also outlines why they are good for your pets and the do’s and don’ts.
You definitely need to make sure you are avoiding any peels because they do not have a nice texture for your pet and are just like leather.
It is important that you know all of the information about what food you are feeding your dog beforehand because some fruit can be toxic for dogs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Peels?
Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, is a tropical fruit with a unique taste that’s a cross between a tropical fruit and a citrus.
The fruit contains a lot of fiber, which can help you feel fuller even though you’re not eating much.
Not only are dragon fruit peels edible for humans, some dogs love them as well.
Dragon fruit peels are a good source of fiber and vitamins, and dogs will love the taste.
How Much Dragon Fruit Can Dogs Eat?
You should only be feeding your pet 1-2 spoonfuls at a time because any more than that will upset their stomachs and will make them quite unwell at first.
Therefore, many people like to add a bit to their dogs to add some texture and something extra to their regular food.
