Can Dogs Eat Durian?

We all know that fruits are beneficial to our health. But can we share everything that we eat with our pets? Unfortunately, no! As a pet owner, you must decide your pet’s meal after doing some research. This article relates to Durian and its safety and efficacy in a dog’s diet. Can dogs eat Durian? Is this fruit palatable? In how much amount can dogs consume this fruit? All of these questions will be answered if you scroll down! 

What Is Durian?

In some regions of the world, Durian is regarded as the King of Fruits and is known for its thorny rind and unique smell. Durian is a component of many Southeast Asian savories. The silent feature of this fruit is its odor which is recognized as the odor of rotten onions and turpentine. 

This fruit has such a putrid smell that some regions of the world have banned its usage in public transport. But it’s custard-like taste is admired in many cuisines. 

Where a population finds the smell of this fruit disgusting, we cannot deny its nutritional value. The raw form of Durian contains 27% carbohydrate, out of which 4% is dietary fiber, 5% fat, 1% protein, and 65 % water containing additional vitamins and minerals like thiamine, ascorbate, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus, etc. In addition, the fleshy part of Durian contains oleic and palmitic acid, which are saturated fats and good for the heart’s health.

Can Dogs Eat Durian?

Well, if you like this fruit and the desserts containing its flavors, you must be considering if you should add it to your dog’s diet. After all, it’s a fruit! The fruit is safe for dogs if fed without seeds. The seeds must be removed before feeding Durian because

• Durian seeds are indigestible, so they can cause choking of the G.I tract characterized by bloody stool, stomach ache, and vomiting. 

• The seeds contain a poisonous component, life-threatening Cyanide. Cyanide is a lethal chemical that declines heart and brain functions.

If your dog behaves strangely after eating or smelling Durian, this is due to the strange odor of the fruit. You can feed your dog with Durian after cooking it a little. Also, Durian should be given less frequently to the dogs.

What Amount Of Durian Is Safe For Dogs?

More than 10 % of calories consumed daily through treats can make your dog lethargic! Therefore, you should keep Duran intake of your dog to a treat level as this fruit is rich in sugar and calories. Let’s discuss this in the following sections:

• As the fruit is rich in sugars & high sugar intake is never healthy. So, keep it moderate by feeding a limited quantity of Durian. 
• The fruit is also rich in fat. Keeping your dog on a high-fat diet can lead to obesity and lethargy. 
• Consumption of more than a moderate amount of Durian fruit can affect the cardiovascular system. 

So you should never consider making Durian fruit a full meal for your dog. Rather keep feeding your dog Durian as a treat every week. 

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning

Cyanide is poisonous to the cells as it deprives them of energy production. If a dog consumes Durian seeds, leaves, or stems, the following symptoms can help determine cyanide poisoning. 

• Dilation of the pupils
• Excessive Salivation
• Abdominal pain and vomiting
• Seizures that may lead to paralysis
• Breathing difficulty
• The intense coloration of the gums

Keeping raw durian fruit, rind, or leaves away from the dog is a preventive measure you can adopt to make sure your dog never suffers from cyanide poisoning.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Durian Seed?

Add synthetic digestive enzymes to your dog’s food if your dog has swallowed durian seeds. The seeds are indigestible, choking the digestive tract and causing stomach upset. To recover the digestive process, you can feed acidic pineapple juice to your dog as a remedy. Bloody stool, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue are the signs that your dog may have consumed durian seeds. 

As consumption of durian seeds puts your pet at the risk of cyanide poisoning, it’s better to take professional help immediately.

Benefits of Durian On Dog’s Health  

As we have mentioned earlier, Durian is rich in: 

Fiber – which is excellent for the digestive system. As we know, a fiber diet is beneficial in improving gastric motility and thereby relieving constipation.

Protein – helps strengthen muscle tissue nerve functions and work on the body’s mass & bone density. 

Vitamins & Minerals – improve the body’s defense system, thereby boosting immunity and aiding in cognitive development. 

Antioxidants – Durian also contains antioxidants that are incredible fighters of free radicals, which can cause premature aging and tumors. So this fruit comes under the umbrella of healthy food, but it should be given moderately with precaution. 

When To Stop Giving Durian

Most likely, your dog would react to the durian fruit due to its rotten onion-like aroma. However, this doesn’t mean you should add it to their treat. You should instead look for the following reasons.

• If your dog is already gaining weight, durian can be unhealthy because of the fat content. 
• Your dog develops stomach issues after one or two treats, stop feeding them durian.
• If your dog shows any signs of allergic reactions. 

Taking your dog out for a walk after a durian treat would help maintain digestion and weight. 

Conclusion

Can Dogs Eat Durian? Feeding the dogs a moderate amount of the fleshy part of the durian is healthy. However, the pungent aroma of this fruit may offend your dog, which can be masked by cooking it a little.

The sugar and calories may be trouble makers, especially for healthy dogs, and they may suffer from intolerance. Lastly, durian is a healthy treat to your pet if given with necessary safety precautions. Seeds, spiky rind, and overconsumption should be avoided while feeding your puppy with Durian. Out of these, REMOVING SEEDS is of huge concern. 

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• Can Dogs Eat Nylabones?
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