Why
Dragon fruit comes from pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), a climbing cactus that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs and cats. The soft flesh, white or deep pink and dotted with tiny black seeds, is mild and juicy, and many dogs take to it the way they take to watermelon.
Dragon fruit still counts as a treat rather than food. PetMD advises washing any fruit and removing the skin before sharing it, because tough peels are hard to digest and can be a choking hazard. Eating too much fruit of any kind can upset a dog's stomach, and all treats together should stay under 10 percent of the daily diet.
What to watch out for
- The leathery skin: hard to digest and a choking hazard
- Vomiting, diarrhea or gas after eating too much
- Large chunks gulped by small dogs
- Sugar content for dogs with diabetes or weight problems
- Dried, canned or sweetened dragon fruit products
How to serve it
- Wash the fruit, cut it in half and scoop the flesh away from the skin. Throw the skin away where your dog cannot reach it.
- Cut the flesh into small cubes. Dragon fruit is soft, but dogs that gulp can still choke on a big piece.
- Frozen cubes with no added sugar make a cool summer treat. Let them soften a little first so they are kind to your dog's teeth.
- Start with one or two pieces and watch your dog's stool for the next day.
How much?
Dragon fruit is best kept to a few small cubes now and then, and together with other treats it should stay within 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.
Red, white or yellow dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is sold in three common types: pink skin with white flesh, pink skin with red flesh, and yellow skin with white flesh. The ASPCA entry names the white-fleshed pitaya, Hylocereus undatus, as non-toxic to dogs. The red-fleshed and yellow kinds are close cactus relatives that the ASPCA does not list separately, and they are prepared and shared the same way: peeled, plain and in small pieces.
Red dragon fruit tends to stain everything it touches, including fur, carpets and your dog's chin, so it is easier to hand-feed over a mat or outdoors. Whichever color you buy, choose ripe fruit that gives slightly when pressed and skip any that smells fermented.
A dragon fruit vine on the balcony
Dragon fruit plants are grown on balconies, rooftops and in backyard gardens across warm parts of Asia. The ASPCA lists the whole pitaya plant, also called night-blooming cereus or queen of the night, as non-toxic to dogs, so a dog that nibbles a fallen flower or a piece of stem is not facing poisoning.
The dragon fruit plant can still cause small injuries. The ridged stems carry short spines that can prick a curious nose or a paw, and the large pots and trellises are easy to knock over. The AKC also reminds owners that fertilizers and other garden products can make pets sick even when the plant itself is safe, so store them away and keep dogs off freshly fed soil.
- Check your dog's mouth and paws if it has been poking around the plant.
- Pick up fallen fruit before it ferments in the heat.
- Keep fertilizer and pest sprays in a closed cupboard.
Smoothie bowls, dried dragon fruit and desserts
Dragon fruit shows up in smoothie bowls, ice pops, jellies and bags of dried fruit, and these versions are not the same as the fresh flesh. PetMD says dried fruit concentrates sugar and calories, so it is easy to overdo, and that canned fruit in syrup should never be given to dogs.
Sugar-free dragon fruit drinks and snacks deserve a careful look at the label. Some sugar-free products contain xylitol, which the FDA warns is dangerous for dogs even in small amounts. If you want to share a little smoothie, set aside a few cubes of plain fruit before anything else goes into the blender.
Dragon fruit is not a good choice for every dog. PetMD advises talking to a vet before feeding fruit to dogs with obesity, diabetes, bladder stones, allergies or gastrointestinal disease, and a dog on a prescription diet should not get extras without the vet's approval.
Common questions
Is dragon fruit good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Dragon fruit comes from pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), a climbing cactus that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs and cats. The soft flesh, white or deep pink and dotted with tiny black seeds, is mild and juicy, and many dogs take to it the way they take to watermelon.
Is dragon fruit bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: the leathery skin: hard to digest and a choking hazard.
Are dogs allowed to have dragon fruit?
Yes. Wash the fruit, cut it in half and scoop the flesh away from the skin. Throw the skin away where your dog cannot reach it.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Pitaya.
- PetMD. What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?
- American Kennel Club (AKC). 7 Nontoxic Houseplants for Dog Owners.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). “Can Dogs Eat…?” article series.
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).