Are you wondering about “can dogs eat lychee?” If yes, then it’s good that you asked, because the answer is complicated.
One one side, where humans love lychee, on the other, this fruit might not be the best choice for dogs. In this article, we have discussed all the reasons why and everything you need to know about lychee and dogs.
Is Lychee Good For Dogs?
You would be glad to know that lychee is safe for dogs and can even bring some health benefits to your dog. This includes:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Antioxidants
- Dietary fiber
- Hydration
However, every dog has certain nutritional needs that should be fulfilled with a balanced diet. Unfortunately, lychee has low nutritional value and may add more risk than benefits to your dog’s body. It is important to note that lychee has less flesh part, which is actually edible, while the rest is just the shell and seed, which should not be fed to dogs.
Risks of Feeding Your Dog Lychee?
1. Choking hazards
Due to the shape of the lychee, it’s very likely that your dog might gobble a few down like dog treats. However, this can cause choking hazards and gastrointestinal issues if not cured properly in time. Hence, you should only let your dog be near lychee under your supervision.
2. Overfeeding
Another reason why lychee might not be the best choice for your dog is because overfeeding the lychee flesh can lead to digestive problems. Also, you should start with tiny amounts of it as your dog might be allergic to this human food.
3. Toxicity
A significant reason behind this “do not feed your dog lychee” is also because of the compound called amygdalin that releases cyanide, which is toxic to dogs (article). This can be found in the seed of lychee, and hence, it’s not worth the risk of feeding your dog lychee fruit. Same goes for unripe lychee as it can also be toxic to dogs.
4. Calories
Lastly, lychee is relatively high in sugars and calories, which can contribute to your dog’s weight gain and obesity. Hence, if you feed your dog lychee, please make sure that you plan the portions with your veterinarian and start with small amounts only.
Conclusion
Our final thoughts are that lychee indeed contains beneficial nutrients, but it does not have enough nutritional value to fulfill all your dog’s dietary needs. To meet those requirements, you should include other human foods like chicken, crab, fish, or fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, peas, eggplants, apples, mango, bananas, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should confirm with your veterinarian how much lychee is safe for your pooch. This is because it depends on an individual’s tolerance, as even small amounts of lychee can cause digestive problems due to its sugar content.
We do not recommend feeding dogs any lychee products as they are neither nutritious nor safe for dogs. Especially sweet products can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs (study).
No! You should keep your doggo far, far away from lychee seeds or pits. Not only can they cause choking hazards, but they also lead to cyanide poisoning that can make your dog sick or even be life-threatening if consumed in large amounts.
No, you should never feed your dog lychee ice cream. It is because lychee is already very sugary, and putting it in ice cream will make it more sweet and harmful for dogs, especially if they have diabetes.