Can dogs eat rambutans? I love sharing my food with my doggo. Especially because whenever I begin enjoying any meal or snack, my dog looks at me with such hopeful eyes that it is quite hard for me to say no.
However, I understand that my loyal friend can eat not everything I can eat.
One thing I wait for all year is rambutans. I love the sweet and sour taste of the fruit. And whenever I enjoy the food, my doggo starts nudging me to give some to him too, probably because of its attractive color. So, I decided to find out if I could do so safely.
Can dogs eat rambutan? Yes, they can eat certain parts of rambutan. This mainly includes the flesh of the fruit.
However, the seed and the rind should not be given to dogs. Therefore, you must be careful when giving the fruit to your furry friend.
Let’s delve deeper into the topic to get a better understanding.
How can dogs eat Rambutan: To eat or to avoid?
This tropical fruit is naturally grown in south-east Asian countries. It is brightly colored on the outside and has white sweet and sour flesh on the inside. If you have ever had lychee or a pulasan, you can consider rambutan to be somewhat like them.
Can dogs eat rambutan? If you get your hands on the fruit, I am sure your dog will ask for some because of its appearance. And while dogs can eat rambutan, you need to be careful when giving the fruit to them.
Only give your doggo a small amount of rambutan flesh at a time. Make sure you remove the skin properly and discard the seeds.
Here’s more that you need to learn about : Can Dogs Eat Plums?
The Real Question: Are rambutans safe?
Rather than worrying about whether or not can dogs eat rambutan, the real question to ask is whether the fruit is safe for them to eat. You see, technically, there are a lot of things animals can eat that end up being detrimental to their health.
Therefore, I was more interested in finding out how safe the fruit is for my doggo. I am sure you are wondering the same.
The fruit, as a whole, is not safe for your dog. This is because the seed of rambutan can lead to indigestion. It can also cause choking.
Additionally, the rambutan seed contains a toxin called cyanide that can cause fatalities in dogs! Therefore, it is crucial to keep the seed away from your dog.
Dogs can eat the flesh (the fruit’s good part). But, since it contains a lot of sugar, caution must be taken, and dogs should be given only a small amount of the fruit to avoid sudden blood sugar spikes.
All in all, rambutan is only safe when you give it to your dog in your presence and in the right amount.
The Nutritional Profile of Rambutan
You might wonder, if the answer of ‘can dogs eat rambutan?’ isn’t a safe yes, why should you even bother sharing the treat with your furry friend. Well, it turns out that the fruit has a lot of enriching nutrients.
According to Healthifyme, 100 grams of rambutan is equipped with:
The fiber in a rambutan is the same quantity that you can find in fruits like pears and apples. Both of these fruits are famous for being rich in fiber!
When you talk about nutrients, it seems that the rambutan is packed with quite a lot of them.
The Bright Side: Benefits of feeding rambutan to your doggo
If you are like me, the probability is you don’t know what to do with the nutritional information I mentioned above. After all, not everyone knows the benefits of different nutrients or whether they are good for dogs! I certainly didn’t back when I got my doggo.
To help people like me, I think it is only fair to list down the benefits of eating rambutan.
Rambutan Danger: Risks of feeding it to dogs
It seems like everything has a flipside! This is certainly true for rambutans, which have their fair share of risks when fed to a dog.
For starters, if you give too much rambutan to your dog, there is a chance that your pet might develop diabetes in the long run. This is because rambutan has quite a high sugar content. Overeating, therefore, can also lead to obesity. Not to mention that too much sugar is detrimental to their oral health.
Moreover, the rind and seed of the fruit specifically are full of danger. Ideally, you shouldn’t give your dog any of the skin or the seed. This is because the seeds are a choking hazard and can be poisonous to dogs.
Cyanide poisoning caused by rambutan seeds can manifest as:
I am sure the last pointer spooked you. This is why you should never take the risk of feeding rambutan seed to your fury friend.
Are Dogs Allergic to Rambutan?
Allergic reactions can occur to any food item. And there are times when you can only detect an allergy once you administer the given food to your pet. This is why you should be very careful when introducing new food to your dog’s life. A rambutan is no different.
If your dog is allergic to the tropical fruit, it will likely show as hives, prolonged indigestion, face swelling, itching, rashes, or even ear infections. If your doggo exhibits such symptoms, take it to the vet immediately.
Also, to avoid this, feed only a small amount of rambutan flesh the first time. See if your pet has a reaction to it. Only proceed if it seems safe to do so.
Verdict: Is it good to feed Rambutans to dogs?
Now that you know both the benefits and risks associated with rambutan, what do you think? Can dogs eat rambutan safely, and should they be given the fruit?
It all boils down to how many times you feed the fruit to your loyal friend. Suppose you give the flesh of the fruit occasionally, in moderation. In that case, you can help your dog in realizing the benefits of eating the tropical delicacy without incurring any side effects.
If you don’t think you can be careful enough with it, then it’s not a good idea to feed it to your doggo.
Things to Consider While Feeding Rambutans to Dogs?
When feeding the tropical fruit to your dog, keep the following considerations in mind:
As a rule, whenever you give your dog some rambutan to eat, remove the skin and seed and discard it immediately. Once proven to be safe, give your doggo a few pieces occasionally. Always check to see his reaction to the food before proceeding.
The Safe Number: How many rambutans can dogs eat?
WebMD’s studies reveal that most fruits are safe for animals when prepared in the recommended way (without rind and seed) and eaten in moderation.
If you are thinking of replacing rambutan with some of the daily treats for your dog, then know that you can’t do so. The fruit can only be given to them, a few pieces at a time, every now and then.
Also, treats should give your pup at most 10 percent of its calories. But, the entirety of this should not come from rambutan because of the fruit’s high sugar content.
If your dog is small, at most, give one small serving of rambutan. You can give it at most two servings of rambutan if it is a bigger breed. I think it is best to keep it on the lower side so that you don’t mistakenly give too much sugar to your doggo.
Too Many Rambutans: What to do!
Can dogs eat rambutan? Yes. Can they overeat rambutan without any repercussions? No!
Too many rambutans can cause adverse effects like diabetes and obesity in the long run. In the short run, it might cause upset stomach and diarrhea. Additionally, it can cause your dog to experience a loss of appetite, which may cause light-headedness.
In case you gave too many rambutans to your dog by mistake, you should get your pup checked by a professional vet. This way, you can know if your dog is suffering from bloating or uneasiness. Your vet will then guide you on the way to rectify the situation.
The Forbidden Parts: Skins and Seeds
I understand that this is overkill by this point. But, I really want to get this point across. So, if you missed the brief mentions above, here is a clear warning:
You should not give the skin and seed of a rambutan to your dog for eating.
The skin of the fruit is quite rough and full of spines. When ingested, it can cause blockage in the intestines of the doggo, which can cause constipation.
The seed of the rambutan, just like that of apples and pears, has cyanide in it. Even if you disregard the risk of choking from the seed (which you shouldn’t), the fact remains that the toxicity of the rambutan seed is enough to kill your pet. Even a small amount of cyanide can be toxic for dogs.
So, keep them away from your precious pup!
Can Dogs eat Rambutan? Here are some Substitutes your doggo will like!
Is the risk associated with rambutan too much for you to handle? Or, has your doggo rejected the fruit, but you still want him to get the benefits associated with the fruit? Either way, you might want to find alternatives to rambutan to introduce into your pup’s diet as occasional treats.
Here are some fruits that make for good substitutes:
Lychee
Lychees are rich in various minerals and vitamins and are often liked by picky eaters. Many confuse lychee with rambutan since the flesh of the two looks quite alike. It turns out that the two fruits have similar nutrients too.
Carrots
Another great source of fiber and nutrients is carrots. They are excellent for the oral health of dos as well.
Blueberries
You might want to give your dog blueberries to get similar antioxidant-related benefits. However, these are also quite sweet and should be given in moderation.
Sweet Potatoes
If you are worried about your dog’s vitamin A and C intake, sweet potatoes are a great substitute for rambutan in this regard. They are rich in these nutrients and are excellent for a dog’s immune system.
Pro Tip: Be cautious with all treats!
Remember that each alternative of rambutans comes with its own pros and cons and intake recommendations. So, don’t give them as treats as you please. Read other guides specifically for these food items and make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts – Can Dogs Eat Rambutans?
It is hard being a Smart Dog Owner, isn’t it? You need to be constantly on your toes about what your pup can and can’t eat.
If you are already wondering if your dog can eat some other food, then chances are I have had the same question too. Go and peruse some of my other guides.
In the case of rambutans, yes, your doggo can enjoy an occasional treat of rambutan’s flesh. Make sure to keep the considerations in mind. Keep your pup away from the seed and the peel. Give the fruit in small quantities, and in case of an allergic reaction, seek help.
With these simple guidelines, you can introduce your furry friends to new flavors without jeopardizing their health. You’ve got this!
