Can Dogs Eat Passion Fruit?

As loving dog parents, we are often eager to feed our pups everything that is deemed healthy for us. This includes fruits such as passion fruit.

But the question is:

Can dogs eat passionate fruit?

To answer this question, we did some research, and here’s everything that you need to know.

No, passion fruit is not considered safe for dogs. Although there are no researches to suggest that the fruit is entirely unsafe, certain components of the fruit, like the seeds, are toxic for canines. Hence, it is advised that you avoid giving passion fruit to your pups.

With that said, you also need to know that some parts of the fruit are safe for dogs to consume. Keep on reading to know exactly what these are.

Why passion fruit may be unsafe for dogs

Before we get into discussing the parts of passion fruit, you can safely give to your dogs, let’s talk about why it is best to avoid feeding this exotic fruit to your pups.

Passion fruit seeds

The flesh of the passion fruit contains many little seeds, which can be dangerous for dogs. As a general rule of thumb, no fruit seeds should be given to dogs. This is because seeds contain cyanide. Cyanide is toxic for dogs and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other health issues if consumed. In the worse case, cyanide poising may even prove to be fatal.

Unripe passion fruit

Passion fruit is a delicious treat, only when it’s ripe! Unripe passion fruit is considered toxic for both humans and canines. This again is due to the presence of cyanide in the fruit’s seeds. The concentration of cyanide in the unripe fruit is highest of all, which is why it needs to be strictly avoided. According to one study, two children in Costa Rica were poisoned by eating a green, unripe passion fruit, in 1972. And one kid died due to it.

Latex allergy

Studies suggest that passion fruit can trigger allergic reactions in humans who have latex allergies. Based on this research, we suggest that the same could be true for dogs. So, if your dog has allergies that are linked to latex, you should not even try to feed the fruit to him.

Purple passion fruit

The skin of the purple passion fruit is considered toxic due to the presence of cyanide like a toxin. And when consumed in large quantities, it can potentially be poisonous. Although the skin is usually not eaten by humans, you can’t really expect a dog to do the same.

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But here’s the interesting part:

Although passion fruit itself is not suitable for dogs, the passion fruit vine is considered safe for canines. Let’s discuss this in detail, shall we?

Can dogs eat the passion fruit vine?

Passion fruit comes in many different varieties. Amongst them, purple and yellow are the most commonly available. This fruit grows on vines that belong to the passiflora species that are native to Brazil, Argentina, and other parts of South Africa. Even though it would be completely rational to assume that these vines would be unsafe for dogs, they actually aren’t.  Passiflora species are not particularly considered toxic to dogs. At least not the purple or yellow ones. So, if you’ve got one growing in your backyard, you do not need to worry about your pup munching on some of its leaves.

However, experts still recommend that you keep your dog away from passion fruit vine. Because even though it is “safe”, it is not exactly suitable for dogs. And some pups may experience side effects such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Thirst or excessive panting

In case you observe such symptoms, it is advised that you seek immediate medical help.

Now,

We’re sure you must be wondering, what other exotic fruits are unsafe for dogs? If that’s the case, just keep on reading to find out.

Fruits toxic to dogs (Video)

Other exotic fruits that are unsafe for dogs

Every responsible dog parent needs to know about all the things your dog needs to avoid. Hence, we’ve compiled a list of exotic fruits that you must NOT give to your dogs.

Figs

Fresh figs contain a substance known as ficin. Ficin can trigger allergic reactions in humans, as well as dogs. Hence, it is considered unsuitable for dogs with allergies! Consuming fresh figs can cause rashes, irritation, or itching. Although dried figs are generally considered safe

Persimmon

Persimmon is considered to be unsuitable for dogs due to its high sugar content. Consuming this fruit in excess causes indigestion. Apart from that, the seeds also pose a threat to dogs as they might irritate the intestines when ingested.

Pomegranate

Just like passion fruit, pomegranate has many small seeds. These seeds might cause intestinal blockage if consumed in excess. So, pomegranate should not be fed to dogs. However, if you must give it to your pup, you can do so by mashing the pulp.

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Kumquat

The skin of the kumquat can cause irritation on the dog’s skin if consumed in excess. It also adversely affects the liver. Hence, it is best to stay clear of this fruit. But if you really wish to feed it to your pup, you must remove the peel.

Jackfruit

Another exotic fruit that is best avoided is jackfruit. This is due to the indigestible hard rind and seeds that contain cyanide.

So, should you feed passion fruit to your dog or not?

Here’s the real deal:

Although passion fruit is generally considered to be unsuitable for dogs, you will come across many people who believe and state otherwise. This is because exotic fruits are rare, and sufficient evidence is not present to declare them entirely unsafe. All the possible side effects have been derived from analyzing the impact of the fruit on humans.

Often times, these side effects may not even occur in a certain dog. This is because age, breed, and health play a great role in determining how passion fruit reacts to the dog’s body. For example, a large dog may be able to ingest passion fruit seeds without a problem, while a small dog may get affected by even a little amount.

So, what we’re basically trying to say is that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As a dog parent, it is essential that you choose only the best for your pup and avoid anything that is even remotely unsafe. Hence, we advise that you do not feed passion fruit to your dog.

Related questions

Can I give passion fruit juice to my dog?

No, passion fruit juice still has seeds in it, only ground. This means that the cyanide in seeds is present in the juice as well.

How can I tell the passion fruit is ripe?

The passion fruit will be entirely colored and plump when it is ripe. A fully ripe yellow passion fruit will be almost golden in color and the purple will be nearly black.

What should I do if my dog eats passion fruit?

If your dog eats passion fruit, you need to monitor his behavior and watch out for any symptoms that have been mentioned in the post above. If you think that your dog has eaten an excessive amount of the fruit, you may need to induce vomiting. It is best to seek medical help in such a case.

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Nadine Oraby

My name is Nadine; I am a passionate writer and a pet lover. People usually call me by the nickname “Joy” because they think that I am a positive and joyful person who is a child at heart. My love for animals triggered me to create this blog. Articles are written by vets, pet experts, and me. Thanks for visiting. Your friend, Nadine!

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