You probably just came back from the supermarket with some exotic treats for yourself, as it’s quite rare to find dragon fruit in the USA.
Your dog is also here — giving you the eyes — and if you’re like me, you always enjoy sharing food with your best friend.
But, can dogs eat dragon fruit? Is it good for them, or are you going to harm your pet?
Let’s find out in this article.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit?
Yes, dogs can have dragon fruit. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists dragon fruit as non-toxic to dogs.
Still, individual pet sensitivities occur. If your dog becomes ill after consuming dragon fruit, stop feeding it to your pet.
There are four main types of dragon fruits in the market.
Can Dogs Eat Pink Dragon Fruit?
Yes, it’s okay for your dog to eat pink dragon fruit.
Pink dragon fruit is considered the most popular variety among dog owners who want to give their pets a healthy treat.
Pink dragon fruit contains high levels of vitamin A and C. It also contains iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, potassium, and selenium. The fruit itself is low in calories and fat content.
Can Dogs Eat Red Dragon Fruit?
Yes, your dog can safely eat red dragon fruit.
Red dragon fruit is sweeter than the white variety, Red dragon fruit is sometimes called “strawberry pear cactus.” The bright magenta flesh comes from betacyanin, the same pigment present in beets.
Can Dogs Eat Yellow Dragon Fruit?
Yes, your dog can eat yellow dragon fruit.
Yellow dragon fruit is also called “golden dragon fruit” due to its golden hue, and is one of the least expensive varieties of dragon fruit available today. It contains the highest concentration of vitamin C compared to the pink and red varieties.
Can Dogs Eat Purple Dragon Fruit?
Yes, purple dragon fruit is perfectly safe for your dog to eat.
Purple dragon fruit is also known as “black dragon fruit,” “purple passion fruit,” or “purple dragon.”
The purple color comes from anthocyanin, which is an antioxidant. Purple dragon fruit is rich in the antioxidant betalain and folate, and it’s also very high in beta carotene, which is excellent for your dog’s eyes.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Skin?
You may wonder whether or not to remove the dragon fruit skin before giving it to your dog. The answer: Yes! You should do so.
This is because the pitaya plant is leathery and spikey. It can cause skin irritation and inflammation of the mouth, throat, and esophagus when eaten.
It’s also possible for some of the spikes to cause internal injuries. If your dog eats enough dragon fruit skin, it can cause serious health problems.
If you’re worried about your dog ingesting the dragon fruit skin, then make sure you take precautions.
First, wash your hands thoroughly before touching the fruit so you don’t get anything potentially bad for dogs on it, then remove the pitaya from the stem with a sharp knife. Finally, cut the pitaya’s skin off with a pair of scissors.
You can cut the meat in small chunks afterward and serve it to your furry friend.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit Seeds?
Yes, dogs can eat dragon fruit seeds — they are small and pose no choking hazard.
Furthermore, dragon fruit seeds have a precious nutritional profile and provide added benefits.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit That Is Dried?
Dried dragon fruit is both safe and unsafe for dogs — it depends on how it’s prepared.
Suppose dogs eat dragon fruit that is dried and has no preservatives, added sugar, or flavoring. In that case, it’s actually healthier than the fresh alternative because your dog can easily digest it. However, it’s still high in sugar, so feed sparingly.
Be sure you don’t feed your pet dried fruit with preservatives and flavoring — these might trigger allergies and even be toxic for your pooch.
Can Dogs Have Dragon Fruit Juice?
Dragon fruit juice is safe for dogs, but only in minimal quantities. This is because dragon fruit is high in sugar, so too much juice can be harmful.
What does that mean? Don’t give your dog more than a few splashes of the liquid. Additionally, it is best not to add any salt or sugar.
Is Dragon Fruit Good for Dogs?
Although there is no official research stating that dragon fruit offers significant benefits to dogs, dragon fruit’s nutrients are undoubtedly good for a dog’s immune system.
Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
Dragon fruit is packed with nutrients and provides impressive health benefits. A dog’s immune system will especially benefit greatly from the following:
Vitamin C
This tropical fruit contains lots of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps stimulate the immune system and fight off infections.
It also helps build strong bones and teeth. Though dogs can synthesize vitamin C, a little extra can always be beneficial.
Calcium
This fruit contains calcium that helps with muscle function, nerve signaling, heart health, blood clotting, cell membrane stability, and strong bones.
Folate
Folate is another essential vitamin found in dragon fruit with many health benefits. Folate is critical for cell division and growth, and is also necessary for making DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Beta-carotene is also great for eye health.
Low in Calories
This fruit is low in calories and fat. It contains no cholesterol and very few carbohydrates, and, as such, is a great option for dogs on a weight management diet.
Fiber
It’s hard to find a food that provides both protein and fiber. That’s what makes dragon fruit so unique — it contains 10 grams of dietary fiber per cup. Fiber keeps your dog feeling fuller longer and prevents constipation.
Potassium
This fruit is loaded with potassium. Potassium is essential for keeping your heart healthy and strong. Be careful, though, if the dog has kidney problems — they can’t efficiently remove excess potassium.
High in Antioxidants
Dragon fruit is an excellent source of anthocyanin, betalain, and antioxidants. Antioxidants are proven to prevent heart disease, cancer, and age-related diseases.
Cancer Resistance
Flavonoids and betacyanin in dragon fruit are well-known cancer-fighting agents. These substances protect cells from free radical damage, and they combat premature aging.
Omega 3s and Omega 9s
Dragon fruit is high in Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids. These keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy, help prevent arthritis, and speed up the healing process after injury or surgery.
Risks of Feeding Dragon Fruit to Your Dog
Dragon fruit is perfectly safe for your dog. Still, it should be taken in moderation.
Is Dragon Fruit Toxic for Dogs?
Your dog can suffer from diarrhea and vomiting after eating dragon fruit. However, those symptoms are not likely to occur unless your dog eats a considerable amount of the fruit.
Additionally, there have been no reports of dogs dying from eating dragon fruit. The seeds and skin of the fruit are not toxic for dogs.
And, as far as we know, dragon fruit has no known drug interactions.
Fresh dragon fruit is also safe to eat, but only in small amounts. It’s vital that you never give your dog any more than a few teaspoons of the juice at one time because of the high sugar content.
Otherwise, the fruit could cause stomach discomfort or an allergic reaction.
That being said, there are two things you should be careful about: sugar and fiber.
Sugar
If your dog eats too much dragon fruit, it can lead to:
- Depilation of fur
- Gut irritation
- Tooth decay
- Obesity
Make sure you don’t offer your dog copious amounts of dragon fruit, since this will result in high sugar levels.
Fiber
Fiber can cause problems for some dogs. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it might not be able to handle a lot of fiber. Too much can result in:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Intestinal blockage
- Constipation
- Gas
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, stick to small servings of dragon fruit. Small amounts of added fiber can help with digesting it. But don’t worry — it is still very healthy food for dogs! The benefits outweigh the risks.
How to Introduce Dragon Fruit to Your Dog
If your dog is used to eating fruits or vegetables, you can introduce it gradually. Use a small amount of fresh dragon fruit and see how your dog reacts.
If your dog does not react poorly, try mixing it in with their regular food or offering larger servings of fruit and vegetables throughout the day. Make sure you let your vet know you are trying this new diet for your dog before adding more fruit to their meals.
How should you serve it? Follow these steps:
- Slice a piece of fruit open and let the juice drip out.
- Remove all skin and seeds before feeding.
- If your dog is hesitant about the taste, try mixing a little in with its regular food.
Most dogs find dragon fruit to be a delightful treat, especially if they are used to eating other fruit.
If Your Dog Had Too Much Dragon Fruit
Your dog is unlikely to have any problems if it eats a tiny amount of dragon fruit — eating just one or two pieces of dragon fruit will not do any harm. However, if your dog eats too much dragon fruit, there might be some issues.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs can experience slight discomfort and digestive irregularities, and may have diarrhea and vomiting due to eating too much dragon fruit.
But this won’t happen unless they eat a lot of it at once, so don’t worry about giving your dog a few bites now and then.
There have been no reported cases of dogs dying from eating dragon fruit.
If you are concerned, monitor your dog over the next few hours. Unless they have an unusual allergic reaction, your canine should be fine. If there are breathing problems and/or vomiting, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Sometimes Exotic Is Better
Dragon fruit does not have any known interactions with drugs, and the fresh fruit is safe for your dog in small amounts.
There are some risks associated with feeding dragon fruit to dogs, though these are related to dragon fruit’s sugar and fiber content.
The benefits of this fruit far outweigh the cons, but if you do plan on giving your pet a serving or two of these berries now and then, monitor them closely! More than likely, they will enjoy their tasty treat just like we would ours.
Interested in what other foods can your dog eat? We have compiled a list of healthy human foods your pooch will enjoy.
