Can Dogs Eat Kiwi? Yes, Peeled and Cut Small

Why kiwi is safe for dogs

Kiwi fruit has no compound known to be toxic to dogs, and the ASPCA lists kiwi among fruits that are fine to share with pets once peeled and cut. The flesh is soft and sweet, and the tiny black seeds are small enough to pass through without trouble at normal treat sizes.

The AKC notes that kiwi is high in fiber. That is the reason for moderation: a few pieces can be a pleasant change, but a dog that eats several kiwis may get loose stools or an upset stomach. Kiwi is also fairly acidic, which some dogs do not tolerate well.

The warning: whole kiwis and the skin

The biggest risk with kiwi is choking. A whole kiwi is smooth, firm and roughly the width of a large dog's throat, and the AKC warns that a dog could swallow one in a single gulp and block its airway. Never toss a whole kiwi to a dog, and keep fruit bowls out of reach.

The skin is not toxic, but it is fuzzy, tough and high in fiber, and it can upset the stomach. If your dog grabs a whole kiwi or chews a lot of peel, watch closely, and call your vet straight away if your dog is gagging, coughing or struggling to breathe.

How to serve kiwi to your dog

Choose a ripe kiwi that gives slightly when pressed, and wash it. Cut off both ends, then peel away the skin with a knife or scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Slice it into rounds and cut those into pieces: blueberry-sized cubes for a dog around 10 lb, thumbnail-sized pieces for larger dogs.

Plain fresh kiwi is best. Frozen cubes make a cool summer treat once they soften slightly. Avoid dried kiwi, which is often sugared, and fruit cups or desserts packed in syrup. Kiwi-flavored candy and drinks have no fruit benefit and may contain sweeteners.

Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.

How much kiwi by dog weight

Keep treats under about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. For a dog under 20 lb, two or three small cubes is plenty. For a dog of 20 to 50 lb, a few thin slices, about a quarter of a kiwi, is a sensible occasional amount.

For a dog over 50 lb, up to half a kiwi cut into pieces is enough. Start with a single piece the first time to see how your dog's stomach handles it, and offer kiwi a couple of times a week at most rather than every day.

Puppies and dogs that should skip kiwi

Puppies can try a tiny peeled cube once they are on solid food. Their airways are narrow and they tend to gulp, so cut it very small and supervise. A complete puppy food covers everything they need, so fruit should be an occasional taste only.

Dogs with diabetes should check with their vet first, since kiwi contains natural sugar. Dogs with kidney disease need their vet's approval because of the potassium, and dogs with sensitive stomachs or a history of reacting to acidic foods may be better off skipping it altogether.

Signs it disagreed with them, and what to give instead

Too much kiwi usually shows as diarrhea, gas or vomiting within a day. Call your vet the same day if vomiting repeats, your dog seems uncomfortable or lethargic, or you notice itching, hives or facial swelling, which can suggest a food sensitivity. Choking or trouble breathing is an emergency.

If kiwi does not suit your dog, blueberries, seedless watermelon with the rind removed and banana slices are soft, low-risk fruit options. Keep every fruit to a few pieces and count it in the daily treat allowance.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.