Can Dogs Eat Pomelo?
While you of course have a special diet for your dog, sometimes you want to give them some human food as a treat– or maybe you fall prey to the dreaded puppy dog eyes when you are trying to eat your own food!
So lets find out if pomelo fits in the OK category, and investigate can dogs eat pomelo?
Yes, dogs can eat pomelo. Just like many other citrus fruits, pomelo is something that dogs are able to eat. Of course, it is important to feed your dog pomelo only in moderation, as this is not a regular part of his or her diet. It is also rich in sugar, so feeding your dog too much of this treatment can be harmful to its health– though there are some health benefits of the fruit if it is served sparingly!
When it comes to fruit, pomelo is a safe treat to share with your four-legged friend.
What Is Pomelo?
Pomelo is a fruit that bears a resemblance to grapefruit, sometimes referred to as “Chinese grapefruit”. You may also know it under names such as “shaddock”, “pumelo”, or “pommelo”. Pomelo is a citrus fruit that has flavour notes of lemon and is considered to be sweeter than grapefruit. When it comes to size, many pomelo are comparable to grapefruits, but they can also grow as large as watermelons– it is the largest citrus fruit! Pomelo is grown in Southeast Asia.
Pomelo vs Grapefruit
Many people are confused about the differences between pomelo and grapefruit, or may mistakenly assume that they are the same fruit. This is not the case. They are two separate fruits that both fall under the umbrella of the citrus fruit family. For instance, pomelo is typically coloured either yellow or orange, with green oil poles, while grapefruit tends to be closer to a reddish yellow in colour.
There is also a slight difference in shape and size between the two. Pomelo has more of a teardrop shape than grapefruit, which is round. Pomelo also has the potential to grow much larger than grapefruit.
When it comes to taste, pomelo is sweeter and has subtle lemon notes. Grapefruit, on the other hand, is the more tart and acidic of the two fruit varieties.
Can Dogs Eat Pomelo?
Just like many other citrus fruits, pomelo is something that dogs are able to eat. Of course, it is important if your dog is going to eat pomelo that it can only eat pomelo in moderation. Pomelo fruoit should not be a regular part of his or her diet. It is also rich in sugar, so feeding your dog too much of this treatment can be harmful to its health– though there are some health benefits of the fruit if it is served sparingly!
Safety
Pomelo is safe for dogs. However, it is important to note that certain parts of the fruit are toxic and should be avoided. These toxic parts of the fruit are its skin, seeds, and leaves. Be sure that you are only feeding the flesh of the fruit to your companion. Pomelo is also high in many vitamins and nutrients that can have a positive effect on your pet’s health.
There is a high sugar level in this snack as well, though, which can outweigh the health benefits of the fruit if you are overfeeding pomelo. Dogs are sensitive to excessive amounts of sugar, which can cause issues such as stomach discomfort or diarrhea. This is why it is so important to ensure that you are feeding your pet safe amounts of pomelo and that you only introduce the snack in moderation.
Nutrition
As mentioned above, there are several great vitamins and nutrients in pomelo that can help your dog! For instance, this fruit, like many citrus fruits, is high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C can help to boost Fido’s immune system.
The antioxidants lycopene, naringin, and naringenin are all found in pomelo as well. Antioxidants can assist the body in a number of ways, such as by increasing heart health and by fighting bacteria and fungi in the body. Minerals like potassium and copper are found in pomelo too. Fruits are often a good source of dietary fiber, and the pomelo fruit is no exception. It not only contains fibre, but protein as well, which helps with digestion and in strengthening muscles.
Health Benefits for Dogs
Since there are so many powerful vitamins and nutrients found in pomelo, it should come as no surprise that this fruit boasts many different health benefits for you and your pup. It can help to aid in weight loss– getting your pup to its healthiest self–, as well as reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The Vitamin C and antioxidants found in pomelo can help to boost your pet’s immune system. Pomelo is also believed to help with digestion, due to the amounts of fiber it contains, though it may adversely affect digestion if your pet is fed too much pomelo– this is due to the amount of sugar in this particular fruit. The protein in pomelo can help to enhance your dog’s muscle health, too.
Lets Talk about How to Eat Pomleo
Now that you’ve learned about pomelo and pomelo flesh and how it can be a good treat for your four-legged friend, it is time to look into how you should serve this fruit. As was mentioned earlier, it is crucial that only let your dog eat pomelo in moderation to avoid any adverse effects or reactions.
How Much to Serve Your Dog
Experts believe that snacks and special treats– such as a wedge of pomelo!– should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Pomelo is high in sugar and calories, so this rule certainly applies to the fruit as well as with normal dog treats. You’ll want to limit this to 3-4 bites, or wedges, of the pomelo flesh per day. This may be adjusted slightly for larger or smaller dogs. It is important to understand why too much pomelo is harmful to your pup– the amount of sugar can cause not only an upset stomach but obesity, too. The amount of citric acid in pomelo can also be linked to the stomach or digestive issues.
How to Feed Your Dog Pomelo
When feeding pomelo to your dog, you should be careful about what parts of the fruit you are actually serving your pet. The skin, seeds, and leaves are toxic so they should be avoided– and discarded!– at all costs. The membrane on the fruit is also bitter and considered inedible, so this should be removed before you give the treat to your dog, too. You should always watch your dog as they eat snacks or treats to avoid any choking issues or adverse reactions if you are introducing a new food.
- Remove any leaves and wash the pomelo
- Peel off the skin and discard it
- Remove the membrane to expose the flesh of the fruit
- De-seed the pomelo
- Separate the flesh sections and place a few in your dog’s bowl
Pomelo Allergies in Dogs
You may also be wondering if dogs can be allergic to pomelo, especially if your pet has certain food allergies or sensitivities already. A dog can be allergic to just about any food, just like humans can. It all comes down to their bodies and the ingredients of the food. For instance, with pomelo, the fruit contains a high level of acid, which can affect those with sensitive stomachs differently. This is why it is so important to monitor your pet when you let it try the pomelo. You should start out by feeding a very small amount to your pet and watching to see if there are any allergies or reactions. Symptoms to watch out for could include itching or indigestion. However, if your dog does not end up showing any of these symptoms, you can continue to feed it pomelo– it is likely not allergic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pomelo poisonous?
Pomelo is not necessarily poisonous– it is a citrus fruit and can be eaten. That being said, the seeds, leaves, and skin will be toxic to your pet. Also, the membrane of the pomelo itself is very bitter, so that part of the pomelo is not considered to be edible.
Is it safe for dogs to eat citrus fruit?
Yes, you can let your dogs eat citrus fruits, and it is commonly known that citrus fruits are safe for your dog to eat, as long as you are offering them in moderation!
The citrus family includes such fruits as oranges, clementines, lemons, and limes, among others. While it is safe for your dog to eat small amounts of citrus fruits, many dogs will not want to eat any fruit that is too tart or acidic.
We have found with our dog that she is super choosy when it comes to these kinds of fruits because they are typically bold in flavor.
What fruit is poisonous to dogs?
Some fruits that are unsafe for your dog are cherries, raisins, and grapes. Cherries are toxic to dogs, while raisins and grapes are so dangerous to dogs because they are linked to kidney damage, and can even cause sudden kidney failure.
How much pomelo can I give my dog?
You should feed your pet pomelo in moderation. For a dog of average size, a few bites or wedges of pomelo will be enough. You can feed your dog pomelo 3-4 days a week without it becoming too much, as long as you are sticking to moderate daily amounts of the fruit. If your dog begins to show signs of digestive issues, you are probably feeding it too much.