Can Dogs Eat Durians?

Most people are divided about durians, some tend to love them, and others loathe them. The same applies to dogs. Some dogs love durians for their intense taste and smell, thus nibbling on them whenever they find them. Others find them repulsive.

So, what do you do if Fido wants to chow on some durians? Should you let him have them or stop him from eating the fruit? What parts of durians are safe for your dog to eat if they can? Is your dog allergic to durians? Let’s find out.

What Are Durians?

Durians are prickly fruits with creamy yellow flesh, strong taste, and distinctive odor. Some compare their taste to onions, while some think it is closer to custard and caramel.

Can Dogs Eat Durian?

You might not like durians because of their potent smell and weird taste, but are they safe for your dog? Yes, dogs can eat durian but only the flesh. You should not let your pup anywhere near the rest of the fruit. It would help if you also were careful with the amount of durian you give them; too much is dangerous for them.

Health Benefits Of Durian

Durians can be very nutritious for your furry friend when eaten in moderate amounts. They contain healthy nutrients and vitamins, such as:

• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Copper
• Phosphorous
• B vitamins
• Zinc
• Iron

Durians also contain fiber which promotes your dog’s digestive system. There’s also protein which is good for building and developing their muscle tissue.

The fruit’s abundance of vitamins and minerals ensures your dog’s immunity stays strong and helps promote healthy nerves. Moreover, durians contain many antioxidants, which help eliminate harmful free radicals.

Health Risks Of Durians

Before feeding durians to your dog, you must know their potential risks. Some of the risky parts of the fruit include:

The Rind

Your furry friend should not eat durian’s spiky outer rind because it has sharp points that will hurt them by tearing the inside of their mouth and piercing their stomach’s inner lining.

The outer parts of the fruit are also hard and can hurt or break your dog’s teeth when chewing it. During swallowing, your dog can choke on the fruit’s hard exterior.

Durian Seeds

The seeds from the fruit are among the most dangerous part of a durian. They contain cyanide, a chemical compound that is toxic to humans and even more toxic to dogs. Consuming the seeds can have lethal and rapid effects, putting your dog’s life at risk.

Stem And Leaves

The other parts of the durian fruit, the stems, and leaves, also contain cyanide. What’s more, they can obstruct your furry friend’s digestive tract, putting them in a great deal of pain.

If you have a durian plant in your backyard, you should consider fencing around it. This will prevent unwanted accidents. Moreover, you should train your dog not to go near it.

How Many Durians Can Dogs Eat?

One of the most important things to pay attention to regarding durians is the amount you give to your dog.
The fruits contain natural sugars, which are useful to a dog’s body. However, the quantity is too much. Excessive sugar intake can lead to unhealthy spikes in your dog’s blood sugar, which in the long run, cause diabetes. Limiting the amount of durian you give your pup is important to prevent this from happening.

Something else to be cautious of is the amount of fat in the durian. Unlike most fruits, they contain too much fat that can fatten your dog. Fat has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans; thus, feeding your dog too much fruit can cause them to become overweight.

The fruit might be good for underweight dogs as it can help them gain much-needed weight. But, you should pay attention to the amount you feed them, even if they are underweight. It is best to give your dog a few durians occasionally.

A study shows that giving a dog durian could speed up their heart rate, risking their lives. Although the study was done on humans, the reaction would likely be more significant and deadly in your canine.

It means you must limit the durian your pup eats and ensure that you only give them small amounts as a treat. It is best to follow the 10% rule, which states that treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily total caloric intake.

Can Dogs Be Allergic To Durian?

It is important to know if durians are a potential allergen for your dog. To determine this, you should start by feeding them only a small amount of the fruit. After feeding them, observe their reaction for the next few days.
Look out for:

• Excessive drooling
• Hives
• Itching
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Swelling of the mouth or face
• Paw or ear infections

Your dog can also show other signs of intolerance, such as hyperactivity. They might be too jumpy or require too much stimulation and activity. Another sign is that they become fatigued, sitting around listlessly. Either sign could mean their body is rejecting the durian or that you gave them too much of the fruit.

You might also see your pup acting weak, whimpering, panting, or with their ears sticking up. This signals a high durian intake which is affecting their health.

If you see any of the above signs, it means your dog is allergic to the fruit, and you should stop giving it to them altogether.

Other dogs might not have allergies but do not like the fruit or have problems digesting it. Do not force your dog to have anything they do not like, as they may become aggressive.

What Happens If Your Dog Eats Cyanide?

As we have seen, certain parts of the durian contain cyanide and put your dog at risk of cyanide poisoning. Signs of cyanide poisoning include:

• An unusual heartbeat
• Irregular breathing
• Dilated pupils
• Skin problems
• Vomiting

Your dog might not show any outward reaction to the fruit. This does not always mean they are fine; they may have gone into shock and will require a visit to the vet. Alternatively, you can call poison control to know what you should do.

Don’t take action into your own hands to avoid complicating the situation; it is better to leave it to the professionals.

How To Feed Durian To Your Dog?

You have to be very cautious when feeding your furry friend durian. To reduce their chances of ingesting the poisonous parts of the fruit, cut the rind and scoop the flesh out. Ensure you discard the unwanted part properly, so your dog doesn’t find it.

Remove the seeds and discard them safely as you did with the rind. You should also remove the leaves and stem if they were attached to the fruit.

Cut a small piece of the flesh and give your dog to taste. It is advisable to allow a few hours to pass after their first bite and observe their reaction. If they don’t react badly and seem to enjoy it, you can give them more pieces of fruit. Take care not to give them the whole thing and dole it out in pieces.

You must do this process outdoors if you can. Durians have a potent stink that will leave your kitchen putrid.

You can also find homemade treats to make the durian more delectable for your pup.

Conclusion

You can feed some durian to your beloved furry friend. Keep in mind that the flesh is the only safe part; avoid the stem and the leaves at all costs. Also, peel the fruit and be mindful of how you discard the rind and seeds to ensure your furry friend doesn’t eat them.

Following all the rules, you can safely give your Fido some of this tasty fruit.