Dog owners keep asking themselves which fruits and vegetables dogs can eat without problems. This time we will talk about kiwis. Kiwis have skin, seeds, they come in different species. Can Australian Shepherd dogs eat kiwi? Lets find out!
Can Australian Shepherd Dogs Eat Kiwi? Yes, dogs are allowed to eat kiwis. They are generally suitable as occasional food for dogs. The contained enzyme actinidin even helps in digestion. However, like all fruits, you should only feed kiwis in moderation.
Is Kiwi Good For Australian Shepherd Dogs
Kiwis are one of the healthiest types of fruit and also have a very pleasant taste. The question therefore arises as to whether a dog can eat kiwis without any problems. Or perhaps some part may have a negative effect on the animal.
As mentioned above, kiwis are a suitable fruit for dogs, of course in moderation. It is a healthy snack that contains valuable nutrients. These ingredients usually support the health of our pets, making them a great dietary supplement.
Compared to a variety of processed delicacies, fruits have far fewer calories and are natural, which makes them a good dietary supplement.
Kiwi contains vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamin C, which supports immune system and thus prevent infections
- B1, 2, 6 Vitamin, which helps to keep healthy heart and nerve function
- Vitamin E, which prevents the entry of free radicals that could otherwise harm the body
- Folic acid, which can promote healthy growth and stimulate metabolism
- Beta carotene, which supports body functions as cell protection
- Magnesium, which is needed by nerve cells to process signals
- In addition, exotic fruits are rich in essential nutrients. These include omega-3 fatty acids as well as the minerals potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus.
If your Australian Shepherd has no allergies to the kiwi, this fruit is a very useful and healthy addition to the daily diet. Regular and moderate consumption of kiwis may help to improve the health of the animal without much effort.
Is Kiwi Bad For Dogs
Well, we see that kiwis have a lot of useful ingredients for our dogs. But is there anything to look our for?
In particular, as with other fruits, the smallest possible amount should be tested and the dog‘s response monitored. If your dog suffer from stomach problems – that‘s a sign he should avoid kiwis. The increased acidity can lead to further digestive problems in dogs with an upset stomach.
It is particularly important that the dog tolerates the enzyme actinidin. If this is the case, the dog may be fed kiwis in moderation. In case the dog cannot tolerate this enzyme, this is often reflected in sores in the mouth or throat. So, if your Australian Shepherd does not have an intolerable reaction to actinidin, you can safely mix small amounts with its food.
Diarrhea can also be a sign that your dog does not tolerate kiwis. Therefore, check how your Aussie reacts after the first bites of kiwi.
Unripe kiwis contain a lot of acid and this is not very digestible for a dog‘s stomach. For this reason, only give your dog very ripe kiwis. The riper the fruit becomes, the higher the sugar content and the acidity decreases accordingly. You can easily tell the degree of ripeness of a kiwi with the touch of a finger, you don‘t have to open the fruit for that. The softer the kiwi fills, the riper it is. Overripe kiwis are best for dogs.
Are Dogs Allergic To Kiwi
When feeding the dog kiwis, in any case monitor the dog for any allergies. Dogs can develop cross-allergies, which can cause unpleasant reactions and pain in the animal.
Cross-allergies in dogs are usually caused by an intolerable ingredient in a certain fruit. In any case, the compatibility of the feed must be taken into account. Allergies are a very individual case, so you need to start with small amounts and monitor how the dog responds to new foods.
How To Give Kiwi For Dog
So, we‘ve come to the point where we want to give our dogs a taste of kiwis, but how to properly serve it? 3 simple steps:
- First, you should peel the kiwi.
- Next step is to cut the flesh into small pieces
- Then you can mix some kiwi with the usual food
Sometimes you can use kiwi as a treat during the trainings, or even freeze small pieces and use as an ice cream during the summer.
Kiwi Fruit and Dogs
As you probably already know, there are several different varieties of kiwi. Is there any difference between them?
Green Kiwi
Green kiwi is probably the most popular type. Oval fruit, brown skin, green inside with white core. According to source, green kiwis have approximately 1.5 times more dietary fiber than gold kiwi. You can safely give your dog green kiwi, but peel the skin and remove the seeds as much as possible.
Gold Kiwi
Golden kiwi stands out more in its inside, as the inside is not green as usual, but more golden. Also the core is slightly different from the green kind, it is yellow. In terms of nutritional value, golden kiwi fruit is richer in vitamin C, here it is about twice as much as in green.
Golden kiwis are also suitable for dogs, of course do not forget to peel the skin. The seeds may be difficult to scrape off, but try to remove the seeds as much as possible before giving to the dog.
Which Parts of Kiwi Are Suitable For Dogs
It is important to mention that dogs, like humans, should not eat the skin of kiwis. Are there more ingredients unsuitable for dogs?
Whole Kiwi
Dogs should not eat whole kiwi. First of all, it‘s a pretty big fruit, and dogs often like to rush to eat and just swallow everything. In which case the kiwis could get stuck, which would lead to terrible things.
Also, after eating the whole kiwi there will be a high probability that the dog will start to have diarrhea as it will be difficult to digest the kiwi skin.
Kiwi Skin
No, kiwi skin is not edible and should always be peeled. The skin would be difficult to digest and this may cause gastrointestinal problems.
Kiwi Seeds
The seeds should also be removed as much as possible before giving to the dog. They contain toxins and bigger amounts can be dangerous.
Kiwi Juice
Kiwi juice would not be a good choice for a dog as it is high in sugar. And too much sugar can lead to health problems, obesity. The best drink for a dog is fresh water!
Final Thoughts
Dogs are generally allowed to eat kiwis. Start with small amounts and check how your Australian Shepherd responds to kiwi. if there are no signs of allergies, changes in behavior or diarrhea – kiwis are suitable.