Can dogs eat dragon fruit? Feeding pitaya to your dog
Dragon fruit produced by several different cactus species that are indigenous to the Americas. The taste has been described as a slightly sweet combination of kiwi and a pear.
Dragon fruit is not only delicious and nutritious, but it’s gorgeous! The oval shaped outside comes in bright colors and is covered in a leather-like skin with spiky scales. The inside is bright white with tiny black seeds that look like polka dots.
You’ve probably seen dragon fruit sold with a pink and green exterior, but it also comes in yellow, purple, and red. The color of the fruit varies depending on the region of origin.
Dragon fruit is tropical, and is therefore cultivated in places like Florida, South East Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean, and throughout other tropical and subtropical regions.
Dragon fruit is sweet, delicious, and healthy, for both you and your dog. Read on to learn more about this exotic fruit.
Fun fact: The fruit is commonly known as dragon fruit in English due to the scaly spikes on the exterior, but it’s also called pitaya or pitahaya.
Can dogs eat dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat dragon fruit. It’s a safe, non-toxic, and healthy snack for your dog to enjoy.
A dragon fruit’s flesh is soft, watery and easy to eat, and it’s also packed with nutrients.
Be sure to feed dragon fruit to your dog in moderation, and to introduce it slowly to ensure there’s no adverse reaction to it.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Skin?
No, dogs should not eat dragon fruit skin.
The spiky, leathery skin of a dragon fruit can be difficult to chew and digest. It’s a choking hazard too, and can even cause intestinal blockage.
Skip the skin and stick to the flesh.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Seeds?
Yes, dogs can eat dragon fruit seeds. And it’s a good thing too, because the seeds are so small they’d be hard to remove otherwise!
While seeds are normally harmful to dogs, dragon fruit seeds are perfectly safe for your dog to ingest. They’re tiny, non-toxic, and won’t pose a threat to your dog’s digestive tract.
Is Dragon Fruit Good For Dogs?
Dragon fruit is chock full of vitamins and minerals that are healthy for your dog. They include:
- Vitamin C: This antioxidant boosts your dog’s immune system, supports healthy aging, and reduces inflammation.
- Fiber: Promotes healthy bowel movements, colon health, and relieves your dog of constipation. It also aids in weight management. There are 7 grams of fiber in a single 1-cup serving of dragon fruit!
- Magnesium: Promotes bone growth and helps the body produce protein and absorb vitamins.
- Iron: Dragon fruit is one of the few fresh fruits that contain iron. Iron can both maintain and supply oxygen to your dog’s circulatory system.
- Calcium: Supports bone and dental health, muscle building and function, and a healthy nervous system.
- Antioxidants: Helps protect cells from aging and naturally boosts your dog’s immunity.
- Fatty acids: Fatty acids, like Omega-3 and Omega-9, are found in dragon fruit’s tiny, crunchy black seeds. They help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and reduce inflammation.
Dragon fruit is also low in calories and fat, making it a great treat for overweight dogs and those needing to lose a few pounds. There’s only 60 calories in 3.5 ounces of dragon fruit!
Can dogs eat pink dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat pink dragon fruit.
Pink dragon fruit is the most common kind of dragon fruit found in supermarkets and markets in the United States. It’s bright pink, with green scales, and usually comes from Vietnam. On the inside, the flesh is bright white with tiny black, polka dotted seeds.
There is a pink dragon fruit that also grows in Ecuador and Nicaragua, but the flesh isn’t white. Instead, this variety of dragon fruit has a light to deep pink interior.
Can dogs eat purple dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat purple dragon fruit.
Purple dragon fruit is a deep reddish-pink in color on the outside, and usually the same purple color on the inside!
The great thing about purple dragon fruit is that it’s packed full of the antioxidant betalain and rich in folate. It’s also high in beta carotene, which is great for your dog’s eyesight.
Can dogs eat red dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat red dragon fruit. Starting to see a pattern here? Dogs can eat pretty much all dragon fruit, regardless of color.
The flesh of this variety is bright red in color. They’re rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and other minerals.
They’re eaten year-round in Costa Rica and other Central American countries.
Can dogs eat yellow dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat yellow dragon fruit.
Compared to the other varieties of Dragon Fruit, yellow Dragon Fruit has the highest concentration of Vitamin C. It’s grown in South America, and has a bumpier, bright yellow exterior. The inside flesh is white with black tiny seeds, similar to the pink dragon fruit.
How much dragon fruit should I feed my dog?
Even though dragon fruit is a healthy snack, it should only be given to your dog in moderation, and of course, always consult your veterinarian before introducing new snacks.
Dragon fruit has a lot of sugar, and too much of it can cause negative side effects. Eating an excess of dragon fruit can lead to a stomachache, or even diarrhea and vomiting – don’t forget, dragon fruits are high in fiber!
Dragon fruit should be given as an occasional treat, not a meal.
Can dogs eat dried dragon fruit?
Yes! Dogs can enjoy dried dragon fruit.
Dried dragon fruit, often called dragon fruit chips, is dehydrated dragon fruit. Before feeding it to your dog, be sure that the ingredients are just dragon fruit and there are no additives, like sugar. Then be sure to break it into pieces that your dog can easily chew and digest.
Tips for feeding your dog Dragon Fruit
If you’ve never introduced dragon fruit’s mushy, sweet, watery flesh to your dog, they’re in for a real treat, literally! Just be sure to give your dog a very small amount to start, and to feed it to them slowly.
Keep an eye on your dog and watch for any sort of reaction.
When in doubt, ask your veterinarian before adding it to your dog’s diet. Most dogs won’t have a negative reaction to dragon fruit, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
When preparing the dragon fruit, do the following steps:
- Wash: Rinse the outside of the dragon fruit to remove any dirt and debris.
- Peel: Remove the dragon fruit skin. It might be easier to remove the stem first, but that’s optional. You can use a small paring knife or vegetable peeler for this.
- Cut: Cut the dragon fruit in half.
- Remove the flesh: Cut (or scoop out, if you haven’t yet peeled the dragon fruit) the white, red, or purple flesh into small pieces.
Serve the refreshing and colorful fruit to your dog, and watch them enjoy!
Check out more dog-friendly fruits that your pup can enjoy!
