The groceries you brought home were filled with delicious tropical goodies. Midway through dinner, you eat longan. When you bite it, you start thinking, “Can dogs eat Longan?”
It has not been studied whether feeding longan to dogs has any benefits or side effects. But a little is unlikely to harm them.
To feed longan to your dog efficiently, you must know what it is, how it affects your dog, and how much you should provide them.
What is longan?
The longan fruit is a tropical fruit native to China and other warmer regions of Asia.
It has a musky and sweet taste similar to lychee. A dark and hard pit is located in the centre of the longan, identical to that of a lychee.
Can Dogs Eat Longan?
The fact is that there are barely any studies that tell us about the benefits of longan for humans. Therefore, no such research has been conducted on dogs as well.
However, humans can feed their dogs longan without any negative impact.
How to Feed Longan to Dogs?
Longan for dogs should be given with the following considerations:
REMOVE THE SKIN
You should permanently remove the skin of the longan before giving it to your dog. However, there is no indication that it is dangerous for dogs, but it also doesn’t have any health benefits or a pleasant taste.
REMOVE THE SEED
Seeds of longan contain saponins that irritate dogs’ stomachs and ultimately cause Diarrhea. Besides this, longan seeds can choke your dog or cause an obstruction or blockage in the digestive tract.
MAKE SURE IT’S RIPE
Unripe fruits can be dangerous for dogs and can cause stomach-related issues. After removing its skin and seeds, you should ensure that you feed your dog only ripe longan fruit.
LIMIT THE PORTION SIZE
If you intend to feed longan to your dog, you should ensure that it is in a moderate amount.
The main reason is that longan fruit contains lots of vitamin C. It has 80% of the vitamin C dosage that doctors recommend for humans.
Excess to anything is bad for humans and their canine friends. The same applies to Vitamin C.
Benefits of Longan for Dogs
Although longan is said to have several health benefits, no studies have been conducted on it-
An improved immune system: Longan is rich in Vitamin C. It is well-known for being a powerful immune booster.
Enhanced complexion: Vitamin C aids in iron digestion, which results in healthy skin. Logan contains several other nutrients that promote youthfulness and slow ageing.
Anemia Prevention: Longans contain more iron than spinach and grapes. Iron promotes blood circulation and prevents anaemia.
Improved heart condition: Longan promotes blood circulation, helps maintain cardiovascular health, and reduces stress. Additionally, it prevents heart problems such as cardiac arrest and stroke.
What is the recommended amount of longan for my dog?
Although longans make a delightful snack for your dog, they shouldn’t be his sole source of nutrition.
Longan contains a high amount of vitamin C. It is well-known that excess of anything is wrong, which also applies to Vitamin C. Dogs can be affected by too much vitamin C, so longan should be given in moderation.
It would help if you also moderated your dog’s consumption of longan treats. Longan contains a lot of sugar, and a high-sugar diet can cause weight gain and tooth decay in dogs.
Is it safe for dogs to eat longan seeds?
Whenever you feed your dog longan, you should permanently remove the seeds. Dogs shouldn’t consume longan seeds since they can pose some health risks. Choking and intestinal problems are among the health risks associated with dogs eating longan seeds.
The seeds are complex and cannot be completely broken down by your dog’s teeth, nor can they be fully digested.
Their consumption can cause serious health problems for your dog. Longan fruit seeds contain saponin, which may be dangerous for dogs. You may notice that your dog vomits or experiences Diarrhea after ingesting this compound.
In any case, longan seeds are bitter to dogs, and they won’t eat them.
Can dogs eat dry or canned longan?
Preservatives and additives are often added to canned and dried fruits and vegetables. Canned produce may contain additives that are harmful to dogs.
If you are giving your dog canned or dried food, you must first double-check the additives or preservatives present and whether they are safe for a dog’s consumption.
It is common for canned longans to be covered in a sweet syrupy coating. Longans are already sweet, and their sugar content increases drastically when canned in syrup. The excessive consumption of sugar by a dog can have many negative effects. You should avoid giving your dog longan that is released in a syrupy mixture.
Sugar is not always present in dried longans, so you only need to consider which preservatives have been used. If sugar was added to dried longans during dehydration, you should not feed them to your dog.
It is important to note that the extra sugar present in canned and (sometimes) dry longans can harm your dog’s health even when given in small doses.
Conclusion
It is safe for dogs to eat logans; however, since they have a higher sugar content than other fruits, you should consider limiting the quantity they consume.
Ensure your dog only eats the fleshy fruit, not the seed and skin.
Longan is low in calories, full of antioxidants, and contains vitamin C, which benefits dogs.
There are some additives and preservatives present in dried and canned food that can be harmful to dogs. If you are giving your dog canned or dried longan, make sure it doesn’t include ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
It has been found that canned longans in a syrupy mixture usually contain a high amount of sugar, which is terrible for dogs and should not be fed to them.
If you still have further questions regarding feeding longans to your dog, consult a veterinarian.
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