Dogs can eat certain fruits, and some of them may be healthy and nutritious if eaten in moderation or prepared in a certain way. Among good examples include but are not limited to pears, apples, mango, peaches, oranges, bananas, pineapple, cucumbers, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, raspberries, watermelon, and strawberries.
However, others are dangerous and poisonous and should not be eaten at all. One fruit that is being discussed these days is longan. Can your dog eat it?
What Is Longan Fruit?
Longan is a tropical tree. It produces the fruit of the same name. It is actually part of soapberry family. Meaning, it also includes rambutan and lychee, two other delicious fruits. These fruit-bearing trees are native to Asia. However, it has also been introduced to warm regions around the world. The fruit grows in small clusters on the branches.
Longan is named after the “dragon’s eye” because of its dark seed after it has been peeled. Longans are about the size of a grape and have a similar texture. Longan has a sweet, somewhat tart, and floral taste, in addition to being musky for some eaters.
Can Dogs Eat Longan?
Dogs can eat longans. They’re a good source of fiber and vit. C. These are perfect for their immune and digestive system. Just don’t forget to get rid of the pit. These contain toxic saponins. If consumed, it can trigger diarrhea and abdominal pains in dogs.
Meaning to say, longan is generally safe for dogs to eat. Though it has to be given in smaller quantities. Also only when fully ripe. Longan fruit is high in vitamin C. Be careful though as it contains sugar, which should be avoided in dogs. Before eating longan, you should first peel it and remove the seeds.
Health Benefits of Longan
Longan does have a few health advantages for both dogs and humans. These advantages are more in favor of humans. As for dogs, vitamin C, immune system enhancement, stress relief and energy boost are just among the benefits dogs can get from longan.
Although, there are several benefits that are associated with longas when fed to dogs. Some of these benefits are:
Skin health – Longan fruit provides dogs with vitamin C. This actually helps in improving their skin health. In addition to iron absorption, longan fruit is said to slow down the aging process. This makes your dog look healthier than ever before.
Better cardiovascular health – with longan and proper diet, it is known that it can help in improving the dog’s heart condition.
Then again, there are no proven studies that would cement these claims. One thing is for sure though, longans can be beneficial to our pets. Considering it’s given in the right portions.
Health Issues of Longan
Longan itself is not harmful to dogs. The thing is, there are parts of it that should not be given. For instance, the skin and seeds should be thrown away. These are known to contain saponin. And as previously mentioned, if this is consumed, it can trigger diarrhea in dogs. It may be smart to be aware of the quick points below:
- Longan Seeds – these contain saponin that can not just cause diarrhea, but also nausea and vomiting. It can be the cause of irritation in the digestive system of your dog.
- Longan Shells – this is a choking hazard waiting to happen. In the event that it was swallowed by your dog, the shell might obstruct the intestinal tract of your dog.
- Longan – the fruit itself contains a high amount of sugar. So always remember, no matter how your dog loves it, be the alpha and give it in moderation.
Remember all these and you should have no problem giving longan to your dog.
Dogs and Longan FAQ
Do you constantly seek out new foods to try for your dog? If so, you may be excited to see longans. They are sold at your local farmers’ market, making them easy to find.
How To Feed Longan To My Dog?
Believe it or not, it is rather easy to feed longans to your pet. On the other hand, there are a few steps that need to be done. Don’t worry, these are going to be quick and simple.
Step 1: Take a few of this fruit.
Step 2: One by one, peel off the skin.
Step 3: Remove seeds inside. Be careful as these seeds are quite small.
As discussed earlier, seeds and skin of longan are dangerous to your dogs. Thus, make it a point that there’s no trace of it.
How Many Longans Can Dogs Eat?
In general, dogs have a small stomach. This makes it difficult for them to consume a ton of sugar or salt. With this in mind, the magic number to feed longans to your dog would be 3. You can feed them at least twice per week with this treat.
Giving them more than the recommended amount might be more than what your pet could take. If such could happen, it may cause certain health issues as discussed. Perhaps, might make your dog to act weird.
Can Dogs Have Allergic Reaction To Longan?
It’s probably fine if your dog eats a bit of longan flesh. Then again, there is not much information to be had about it. What you want to do is watch out for allergic reactions.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Longan?
Now, let’s just say that your dog accidentally ate an entire longan fruit. This is when you would want to call your vet immediately. The shell fragments getting into their intestinal tract can cause a serious problem.
In case your household love longans and you got plenty of it at home, just see to it that it’ll be out of reach of your dog.
Can Dog With Diabetes Eat Longan?
If your dog has diabetes, it is fine to eat between meals. Treats are not required. However, to be on the safe side, you may prefer to stick with meals without treats. At the same time, try avoiding snacks that contain syrup, molasses, fructose, dextrose, or maltose.
From what we have learned here, avoid high sugary food items. Given the health condition of your dog, this totally makes sense. Hence, if you’re to give longans to your dog, make sure to do it in moderation.
Can A Longan Cause Allergies?
As talked earlier, there are no studies linking longan causing allergies to dogs or triggering an allergic reaction. But one thing is for sure, it’s to bring your pet to your vet if something’s out of the ordinary.
Longan Alternatives
Of course, there are several other alternatives that you can give to your dogs. Some of the top options include but are not limited to:
- Strawberries
- Lychees
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
In addition to these fruity options, you can give them snap peas, carrots, and canned pumpkins too. These are perfect alternatives that your dog will love.
Border Collie and Longan
If you wish to introduce a new treat or fruit with your Border Collie, you must first determine whether it is safe or not. Unfortunately, there are a number of fruits that dogs should not eat, and some that might even harm them.
For instance, there are fruits that are commonly okay for pets to eat. Longan for example is one of them. There is no evidence presented whether it is safe or harmful to dog’s health. But experts say that giving large amounts of it to your dog can cause adverse effects on its health. The key here is moderation in the amount you’ll be feeding your dog.
Now, if you want to be safe in giving longan or any fruit to your dog, it’s recommended to always remove the skin, seeds, pits, and peel. Do this before giving it to your Border Collie or any pet dog you have.
As a word from expert veterinarians, it is crucial for pet owners to practice portion control. Indeed, fruits are abundant in minerals, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. We know them for being healthy. Still, you ought to know that it contains lots of sugar.
Some of you may say that it is natural sugar and should be nothing to be worried about. Then again, science and research showed us that it is still, sugar. For our four-legged friend, overconsumption should be avoided at all costs.
To be perfectly safe, it is wise to give fruits as small treats or as a form of reward. This should never be used as a substitute for your pet’s diet.
Conclusion
Up to this point, there are no proven benefits of giving longan fruit to our dogs. Sure, its sugar content is high that is partnered with low fiber content.
Even so, the vitamin C contents of this fruit will definitely be taken advantage by your dog. You should avoid feeding longan fruit with its seeds and pit to your canine. It could hurt your dog. If you decide to give it as a treat or snack, do it in controlled amounts.
