It’s a Super Fruit Loved By Health Buffs, Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?

You can consider the kiwifruit among the A-listers when it comes to fruits. And this is all thanks to its impressive nutrient profile.

Loaded with potassium and vitamin C, dog parents won’t think twice about giving their dog a bite. Why should they, when it’s oh so healthy? But can dogs eat kiwi safely? Is kiwi safe for dogs?

With their tiny bodies and unique digestive system, dogs aren’t exactly engineered to process food the way humans do. That’s why a lot of the food we eat shouldn’t be given to dogs excessively or should never be given to them (period). What about kiwi fruit?

If you want to know if kiwi fruit is among the human food that is safe for dogs to eat, read on. Dog Food Guide is here to answer all your “Can dogs” questions, including your questions about kiwi, its effects on your dog’s health, and more.

What You Need To Know About Kiwi

A sweet fruit once known as “Yang Tao,” “Mihou Tao,” or Chinese gooseberry, the kiwi fruit was first discovered in China, specifically in the Yang Tsé Kiang valley. 

However, in the early 20th century, a student brought kiwi seeds from China to New Zealand. Later on, this fruit’s name was changed to kiwifruit since it looked a lot like New Zealand’s unique and flightless national bird – the kiwi bird – with its fuzzy brown hair-like feathers.

But did you know that kiwi comes in different shapes in sizes? Kiwi fruit, which is technically a berry, has over 40 varieties. This includes the golden kiwi, which is the sweetest of all kiwifruits, the purple kiwi (yes, there’s such a thing as a purple kiwi), and kiwi berries, which look and taste a lot like the fuzzy kiwi but smaller (think grapes) and minus the fuzz.  

Kiwi Nutrition Facts

Is kiwi healthy? Yes, it is. 

In fact, many consider this a SUPER fruit. This juicy, sweet treat packs a punch nutrition-wise, despite its small size. Besides its high-fiber and low-calorie content, a whole kiwi also contains the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin K
• Copper
• Vitamin E
• Folate
• Potassium
• Magnesium

Can Dogs Eat Kiwi Fruit? Is Kiwi Safe For Dogs?

Yes, kiwi fruit is generally considered healthy for humans. The question is: can dogs eat kiwi? The answer is YES.

Kiwi is among the fruits dogs can eat safely. So if you’re enjoying eating a couple of slices, letting your dog have just one bite won’t hurt. 

However, like any human food, giving your dog too much isn’t a good idea. So, make sure not to overdo it. On the other hand, some dogs are better off eating other Fido-friendly treats. 

If you want to know if your dog is among those who can and cannot eat kiwi, check out below.

Is Kiwi Good For Dogs?

Now that you know that kiwi is a relatively safe fruit for dogs, the next question is: Is kiwi good for dogs? Does it provide dogs with the same health benefits?

Humans may find kiwi’s nutritional profile impressive, making it highly beneficial. However, your dog’s dietary requirements vary significantly. Simply put, dogs will survive (or even thrive) without adding kiwi or other fruits to your dog’s diet (unlike humans). 

Despite the difference in the nutritional requirement, it’s good to know that your dog can also reap a couple of nutritional benefits. This includes the following:

Keeps Your Dog Hydrated

Like many fruits, kiwi is made up of mostly water (around 80%). This makes this fruit an excellent thirst quencher. So, if your pup is looking a bit thirsty, give your dog kiwi fruit.

Besides quenching your dog’s thirst and keeping your dog cool when the temperature outside rises, your pet dogs will definitely enjoy its sweet-tart taste. 

May Aid Digestion 

Your dogs will also find this fiber-dense fruit helpful when they’re feeling constipated. After all, kiwi is rich in digestive enzymes and insoluble fiber, aka “roughage.” This helps food pass through your dog’s stomach and gut quickly. 

Besides that, the roughage in kiwi can also give your dog a feeling of “fullness.” So, if weight gain is an issue, you might consider giving your dog kiwi instead of a store-bought dog treat. 

May Help Regulate Blood Pressure

Bananas have always been known for their potassium content. Surprisingly, kiwi contains just as much potassium. 

Kiwi, given its potassium content, also provides the same heart-healthy benefits. Potassium, after all, helps relax the blood vessels and regulate blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease in the long run.

Can Boost Your Dog’s Immune System

Letting your dogs eat kiwi fruit once in a while might also help amp up your dog s immune system. Why is that?

For one thing, kiwi contains a chock-full of vitamin C (even more than oranges). Although dogs manufacture their own vitamin C, supplementing your dog s diet with this can still help improve your dog’s health, especially when their body's defenses are down.

Apart from vitamin C, kiwi also has lots of other antioxidants, including vitamin E, lutein, and beta carotene – all of which help fight disease-causing free radicals. 

May Promote Healthy Blood Coagulation

Adding a healthy dose of vitamin K to your dog’s diet may also help activate your dog’s blood clotting activity. Your dog will find this extra handy if they’ve gone thru surgery or if they have open wounds caused by an injury.

Why Is Kiwi Bad For Your Dog?

Yes, kiwi may help improve your dog’s gut health and give your dog a strong immune system. However, your dog won’t reap these rewards if you feed your dog kiwi fruit the wrong way. The same goes if the kiwi fruit isn’t a good fit for your dog.

So, how is eating kiwi bad for dogs? See below:

Choking Hazard

Giving your dog the whole kiwi isn’t smart. Although the flesh is soft and juicy, the kiwi skin and the seeds are hard to digest. Your dog might look like it can swallow anything (whether edible or not), but believe us when we say that your dog s stomach has its limits. 

Besides the possibility of the kiwi fruit getting lodged in your dog’s throat, causing your dog to choke, this fruit can also get stuck in your dog’s digestive system. This may result in intestinal blockage. 

If your dog starts to vomit or exhibit signs of abdominal discomfort, lethargy, and diarrhea, contact your vet immediately. This condition often requires surgery.

Stomach Upset & Other Tummy Problems

Remember, kiwi contains high levels of fiber. As such, giving your dog too much kiwi may result in a tummy ache or diarrhea. 

Allergy

Kiwi is safe for most dogs, but we can’t disregard the possibility that your dog might be allergic to it. If your dog is allergic to latex and foods that contain similar protein compounds found in latex (like strawberry, avocado, and banana), you can expect your dog to also develop an allergic reaction after giving your dog slices of kiwi.

How To Feed Kiwi Fruits To Your Dog?

To avoid any emergency visits or calls to your local vet, you might want to keep the following in mind. Doing these may take a few minutes of your time, but it will guarantee your dog’s safety in the long run. What’s more? You don’t have to worry about cleaning up after your dog. 

Pick A Good Ripe Kiwi Fruit

Your fur baby is a part of your family. And as a fur mom or dad, you must also give them the best. So, if you’re planning to give your dog some kiwi fruit, choose a ripe kiwi for your dog. Kiwis of good quality should have no bruises, molds, or spots and should feel firm to the touch. 

Serve It Peeled & Without The Seeds

Same with apples (wherein the skin and apple seeds are removed), the kiwi fruit should also be served peeled with all the seeds removed. 

Cut It Into Bite-Sized 

If your dog (whether it’s a Labrador Retriever or smaller breeds like a Shih Tzu) is fond of eating kiwi, make sure to serve kiwi in bite-sized pieces. Giving the entire kiwi fruit is a no-no since many dogs aren’t much of a chewer and tend to swallow their food whole.

Offer Gradually

When introducing any type of new food, make sure to start small. This way, you can check if your dog can tolerate it or not. 

Serve Occasionally and In Moderation

As always, fruits and veggies that are not part of a dog’s regular diet must only be given as an occasional treat and in moderation. Giving your dog too many treats will only lead to trouble (even if it’s the healthiest fruit out there).

Final Verdict

Kiwi might not be deemed as a super fruit in the canine world, but it still is good nonetheless. So, if you have a few slices of ripe kiwi, feel free to give your dog a bite. 

However, if your dog is allergic to it or isn’t fond of its taste, you might want to try giving them other dog-friendly yet delicious fruits and veggies, or you can just stick to giving them a complete and healthy diet. Either way, we’re sure your dog will be fine.