Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit?

For everyone cutting down on meat intake, jackfruit is a godsend. It is touted as a fantastic meat substitute because its texture resembles pulled pork.

Other than that, its nutritional profile offers many health benefits.

So here you are, preparing your “pork” when your furry friend walks in curiously and significantly raises their ears. “But what about me?”

Can dogs eat jackfruit, and should you offer them some? Read on to find out.

Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit?

There is still not enough evidence that dogs can eat jackfruit. We know that in its place of origin, many mammals eat jackfruit, typically a fallen ripe jackfruit.

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit and an exotic superfood from Southeast Asia. Although it’s been consumed for centuries, it’s relatively new to the USA. Jackfruit meat resembles pulled pork in texture, so vegans and vegetarians often use it as a meat substitute.

Is jackfruit safe for dogs, though? At the moment, we can only guess. There is little to no evidence of jackfruit health benefits for dogs.

Several studies looked at jackfruit seeds and found health benefits for humans. Furthermore, jackfruit’s closest cousin, mulberry, is perfectly safe for dogs.

Is Jackfruit Good for Dogs?

Jackfruit may be good for dogs, but there is no evidence yet to support it. It’s unclear whether you should let your dog eat it.

Jackfruit’s nutritional profile offers many potential health benefits for humans. It is a remarkable fruit — look at some of its benefits:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat in pooches. It also contributes to good eye health. If a dog is deficient in vitamin A, you might notice their fur doesn’t look healthy — there are typically patches in it. Such dogs can also have weak muscles and night blindness.

Vitamin C

While dogs can create vitamin C on their own, a little extra doesn’t hurt. Vitamin C is known for its immunity-boosting properties. It is also crucial for collagen synthesis and antiaging processes.

Vitamin B6

One of the essential nutrients for canines. Vitamin B6 is responsible for a healthy nervous system, red blood cells formation, immune response, and niacin synthesis. Jackfruit is exceptionally high in B6.

Potassium

Essential for healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular health. If your dog has kidney problems, check with a veterinarian first before adding potassium to their diet.

Magnesium

Magnesium is crucial for healthy muscles and nerves. It also promotes healthy bone structure.

High in fiber

Foods that are high in fiber contribute to a healthy gastrointestinal tract and may ease digestive issues.

Low in calories

Half a cup of jackfruit (one serving) has only 90 calories. Additionally, jackfruit is high in water but low in sodium and sugar. This is great news for dogs on weight management.

Should you feed your dog jackfruit? Many mammals eat fallen jackfruit. But, before you let your dog eat it, you should also learn about its potential downsides.

Is Jackfruit Bad for Dogs?

There are some parts of jackfruit that could be bad for dogs. 

Jackfruit flesh still has sugar. If your dog eats jackfruit regularly and in copious amounts, this could lead to weight gain and obesity.

Additionally, while mulberry is the closest cousin to jackfruit, fig also comes from the same plant family. Figs are known to induce mild symptoms of digestive discomfort in dogs.

Finally, raw jackfruit seeds could contain cyanide which is a harmful substance. Even if they don’t, the seeds of this exotic fruit are still huge — a jackfruit seed resembles a brazil nut. Raw jackfruit seeds are a choking hazard for your dog.

Jackfruit skin is also very hard and leathery and could cause problems for your dog.

While there are no reports of allergic reactions yet, that doesn’t mean that jackfruit won’t compromise your dog’s health.

Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Pulp?

Jackfruit meat, or jackfruit pulp, is used as a meat substitute when it is underripe. Unripe jackfruit pulp resembles meat in texture.

Jackfruit flesh can be consumed either cooked or raw.

There are still no toxicity reports for dogs eating jackfruit pulp. If your dog ate a tiny piece, they would probably be fine.

However, you should monitor your dog for any signs of digestive distress. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, call the vet for further instructions.

Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Seeds?

Jackfruit seeds contain high levels of magnesium, phosphorus, and thiamine. These are important for dogs’ health as they contribute to a number of bodily processes.

Cooked jackfruit seeds taste like chestnuts. 

However, don’t let your dog eat jackfruit seeds just yet! Many seeds contain cyanide, which is a harmful substance for dogs.

While it is not certain that these seeds are toxic, they are pretty big. If a dog ate them, they would become a choking hazard. Furthermore, they might be dangerous for a dog’s stomach and cause severe abdominal pain, digestive issues, even intestinal blockage.

If your dog eats jackfruit seeds, you should call the veterinarian immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Whole?

It is doubtful that you will ever see your dog eating jackfruit whole. After all, some pieces of jackfruit weigh up to 100 lbs!

That being said, a dog can mistake jackfruit for a new chew toy and bite into it. Jackfruit skin is indigestible for dogs. Its leathery, spikey surface will seriously irritate the dog’s mouth and gullet.

Furthermore, if the dog manages to swallow the skin, it can cause internal injuries and intestinal blockage. Its rough texture might even pierce the dog’s guts and cause fatal injuries.

If your dog swallows jackfruit skin, it’s best to take the dog to a vet clinic immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Jackfruit?

Cooked jackfruit doesn’t significantly differ from its raw counterpart. It’s still not clear whether dogs can eat cooked jackfruit.

One thing is sure — cooking often requires additional flavors and spices. If you are offering your dog cooked jackfruit, make sure it doesn’t contain garlic or onions. Onions, chives, and garlic are members of the Allium family, which is highly toxic to dogs.

Consuming garlic and onion can lead to severe anemia and be lethal for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Jackfruit?

Dried jackfruit will naturally contain more sugar than raw jackfruit. This is something to be mindful of. Fresh fruit is generally a better option.

Too much sugar causes weight gain, obesity, diabetes, heart issues, and other related health problems.

If you are feeding your dog dried jackfruit, only offer small amounts. Dried jackfruit should not be considered a treat.

If you notice any allergic reactions, like vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, or lethargy, call the vet immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Chips?

Jackfruit chips are delicious and crunchy, similar to banana chips.

Can dogs eat jackfruit chips? If they are not allergic to jackfruit, they should be fine.

Most of these chips are made with jackfruit and oil. If you are offering your dog jackfruit chips for the first time, give them a tiny piece and monitor their reaction.

Still, offer the chips only in moderation. A dog eating jackfruit chips is ingesting loads of fat, and this could lead to weight gain, obesity, and related health issues.

How to Give Jackfruit to Your Dog

Take care when offering jackfruit for the first time. Like any new food, it’s best to give your dog pieces from inside the fruit. This way, you reduce the risk of allergic reactions and choking hazards.

When giving jackfruit pieces to your dogs, make sure they are small (one teaspoon). They will not require large servings at first.

As always, start with small amounts and monitor your dog for any sensitivity, allergic reactions, or other issues. An allergic reaction includes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Anaphylaxis is extremely rare, but it can happen. Difficulties with breathing, wheezing, and pale gums are symptoms of a severe reaction.

If you suspect your dog has anaphylaxis, call a vet immediately.

As a rule of thumb, if your dog shows no signs of allergy after two days, they should be fine with a little more next time. Just remember that half a cup is a serving size for an adult human — so they don’t need as much!

We Don’t Know Jack Yet

So, can dogs eat jackfruit? Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence for any definitive answer.

One thing is sure — if dogs eat jackfruit seeds, this can cause serious problems, just like jackfruit skin.

Regarding the jackfruit flesh — dog owners should give their dog just a tiny bit and see how the dog reacts. It’s best not to gamble with your pet’s health and play it safe.

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