Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit? 10 Insane Facts You Must Know!
Your Guide To: Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit?
Fact checked and reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Menicucci, DVM, MBA
Does your dog have a fruit time? Every dog needs a scheduled fruit intake – maybe as a snack or part of the main dish.
Fruits are known as a powerhouse food. And by powerhouse, we mean they contain many nutrients that are crucial to you and your dog’s well-being.
Your body can’t survive without them. In fact, deficiency of some vitamins can cause irreversible damage to some body parts.
So, if you do take fruit intake seriously, keep at it. And this includes your dog. But, before you feed your pup, not all fruits are good for dogs.
Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit? We’ve got all the answers.
Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit? Can Dogs Eat Passion Fruit?
It’s poisonous and can even be fatal to your dog. So don’t ever share passion fruit with your canine. Passion fruit is an oval tropical fruit that contains tiny black seeds.
It originates from South America. Many of us adore it for its mouthwatering flavors. And if you’re fond of sweet fruits, passion fruit must be at the top of your list.
But why can’t dogs eat it? Because of the many seeds within the fruit. The edible part of the fruit is a yellow flesh that encloses the black seeds.
Humans can consume the flesh with the black seeds. It’s okay for us. However, dogs can’t eat the seeds because they contain a poisonous substance called cyanide.
Cyanide is dangerous to your dog’s body.
Is Passion Fruit Bad for Dogs?
It’s bad. And we’ve only stated one of the reasons. But before we dive into the details, you should know that the egg-shaped fruit is nutrient-dense. And if it were safe for your companion, it would benefit their health.
It’s high in minerals like potassium and magnesium, which lower the risk of developing heart problems like hypertension.
It’s also rich in vitamins A and C – the powerful antioxidants. The two can strengthen your immune system, lower blood pressure, and protect you from chronic illnesses.
Even though dogs can’t enjoy these benefits, they can still get them from other fruits.
Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit Juice? Is Passion Fruit OK For Dogs?
It’s still a no. If it had no seeds, it would be fine. But it’s impossible to prepare the delicious fruit juice without the little seeds. Separating the seeds from the flesh is cumbersome.
It would probably take you all day. Just avoid it and protect your furry friend from health complications. It’s much easier and safer for you to prepare a risk-free fruit juice like mango. Your dog will still find it yummy!
Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit Ice Cream?
Passion fruit ice cream is detrimental to your dog for different reasons. First, it’s a dairy product. Your pup or adult dog shouldn’t take milk-based products.
Why? Unlike humans, dogs lack the enzymes for breaking down and absorbing dairy – this causes gas, diarrhea, loose stools, or stomach upset. Also, ice cream contains a lot of sugar, which isn’t healthy for dogs.
In addition, the ice cream has passion fruit seeds, which can harm your dog.
Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit Yogurt?
Definitely not. Dogs can only take plain yogurt without the passion fruit. The unflavored type is ideal since it’s not sweetened with syrup or artificial sweeteners. The added sugar in passion fruit yogurt is not healthy for dogs.
Similarly, yogurt is a milk-based product, meaning your dog will have difficulty digesting it. But there’s an alternative to this. You can serve your dog Greek yogurt since it has lower lactose. The minimum lactose prevents adverse symptoms like vomiting and loose stools.
Moreover, passion fruit yogurt contains black seeds. And we’ve already revealed why your dog should stay away from them.
Love reading our article on Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit? Then keep reading, there’s plenty more to come!
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Passion Fruit?
The nutritious fruit has different parts – flesh, seeds, and rind. Some are edible, while others are unsafe for humans and dogs. For humans, flesh and black seeds are okay. And dogs can only consume the yellow pulp or flesh.
For you to understand, let’s get into the full picture of why your dog shouldn’t consume passion fruit.
Ripeness
unripe passion fruit is unsafe for you and your dog. It’s only edible after it’s well-ripened. You can tell it’s ripe by the color of the outer covering.
Purple passion fruit should turn from green to purple for you to ingest it. When it’s unripe, it’s toxic to humans and dogs because of the seeds.
The unripe seeds contain a high cyanide.
Seeds
there are three ways the seeds can harm your dog. First, it’s hard to swallow them. The attachment to the flesh forms a thick suspension that can easily choke your dog.
Secondly, the seeds can cause blockage in your dog’s digestive system. The high number of seeds in the flesh can obstruct the intestines – with symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach pain.
Lastly, the seeds have the toxic substance cyanogenic glycosides. And once mixed with your dog’s enzymes, it forms poisonous cyanide.
Rind
Do you know why you shouldn’t consume the outer covering of passion fruit? If you do, it’s the same reason you shouldn’t feed it to your dog. But this mainly applies to the purple passion fruit.
Other types – like sweet passion fruit – have edible skin. The rind of the purple kind is dangerous because it also has poisonous cyanide.
What Do I Do If My Dog Eats Passion Fruit?
Don’t panic! The first thing you should do is go to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Don’t wait to see if your dog reacts to the fruit. Ingestion of cyanide is life-threatening to dogs and can lead to death if you fail to act.
The impact of the fruit intake on your dog depends on the amount taken. A dog that has eaten a lot will have worse consequences – convulsions may appear, and death can occur in 40 to 45 minutes.
If your dog mistakenly takes a small amount, you may notice symptoms within 15 to 20 minutes. The symptoms may include rapid breathing, red or blue gums, drooling, watery eyes, muscle spasms, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What Can I Feed My Dog Instead of Passion Fruit?
You have so many options. Despite passion fruit being on the list of dangerous fruits for your dog, there are alternatives. And they all have the vital minerals and vitamins that your dog needs. All you need to do is select and maybe identify the fruits your dog enjoys most. You also shouldn’t feed your dog fruits regularly since they have a lot of sugar.
So, the fruits you can feed your dog are:
- Apples: give after removing seeds and the core
- Bananas
- Pears: take out the seeds, core, and pit
- Oranges: remove skin and seeds
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Pineapple: take out skin
- Watermelon: remove rind and seeds
- Mangoes: remove skin and hard seed
Are There Any Safe Passion Fruits for Dogs?
Unfortunately, no. Although there are four main types of passion fruit – yellow, purple, sweet, and giant – none is appropriate for your dog. They all have the small black seeds enrobed in the flavorsome flesh.
Their features are similar. The difference is the size, skin color, and the taste for some. For instance, the sweet passion fruit is yummier than the three, while the purple type is juicier.
So, if you thought there might be other safe passion fruits, that’s not the case. They are all toxic to dogs.
Looking For Some Healthy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe Inspiration?
So, Can Dogs Have Passion Fruit? What’s the Verdict?
The risks are too many. So, never feed your dog passion fruit. It’s a bit unfair that they can’t experience the unique flavors of the exotic fruit. But as a dog parent, you must do what’s best for your pup.
If you buy it in bulk, store it away from your dog. Avoid keeping it where your dog can mistakenly consume it. Also, don’t leave the skin leftovers on the floor.
Just stick to the safe fruits. And for those that need preparation, do it well. You’ll have zero worries, and your dog’s tummy will appreciate it.
If you’re looking for more nutritional advice for your pet, The American Canine Club is a great starting point for all things canine health.
Are there other fruits that dogs can’t eat?
Yes, there are other fruits your dog can’t take – avocados, tomatoes, cherries, grapes and raisins. They are few compared to the safe ones. For instance, cherries are dangerous because of the cyanide in the pit, stem, and leaves.
