Can dogs eat jackfruit as a one-off treat, or are you thinking of adding it to their regular food? Some fruit can be dangerous for dogs; does jackfruit come into that category, or is it perfectly safe?
If you enjoy snacking on jackfruit and would like to offer some to your dog but you’re unsure about the safety aspect, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about dogs and jackfruit.
In this article:
What Is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit grows primarily in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, and Brazil. Jackfruit comes from the Moraceae plant family, which also includes mulberries, figs, and breadfruit. It’s a fruit but not like any fruit you’ve probably eaten before; people claim it has the consistency of certain types of meat.
Young jackfruit doesn’t have any particular taste, and chefs in the regions where it grows add the jackfruit into several savory dishes.
Jackfruit is a source of protein and is low in calories; the fruit also contains fiber and potassium; the seeds harbor a lot more protein than the flesh.
You can eat ripe jackfruit as a fruit, sliced open and the pips removed; it’s sweet-tasting and is better refrigerated. Or you can use it in cooking before the fruit is ripe. Jackfruit is especially excellent as a meat substitute in tacos, curries, stir-fries, burgers, and burritos.
Now you know a little more about jackfruit, let’s address the question can dogs eat jackfruit?
Is Jackfruit Safe For Dogs?
Jackfruit is a new fruit in the west and is only recently starting to catch on; this leaves us with limited information. Because it’s so new to the US market, there hasn’t been any real publicity about dogs and jackfruit.
In theory, there shouldn’t be an issue giving a small amount of jackfruit to your dog, but be very cautious at first.
There are several videos online showing dogs and other animals eating jackfruit in the regions where it grows; there doesn’t seem to be any adverse reaction from those dogs. You would think if the dog became ill after filming, the owner of the video would have removed it.
But as with all different types of food, some dogs have no problem whereas other dogs can fall ill. So there’s no evidence for or against whether jackfruit is safe for all dogs to eat. After all, it’s only in the last twenty to thirty years that vets and scientists discovered grapes were toxic to dogs; even today, it’s unknown what substance in a grape is harmful.
Some humans are allergic to jackfruit, raw or cooked; the fruit is in the birch pollen category. Have you fed figs or breadfruit type fruits to your dog, and he has shown an allergic reaction? If so, it’s not a good idea to try to feed your dog jackfruit.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Jackfruit?
Dried fruits can be an excellent treat for dogs because of it’s sweet and has chewy consistency; dogs love to get their teeth into something so tough. However, with all dried fruit, there’s always a lot more sugar content than in the fresh fruit version, so take the extra care you’re not feeding your dog too much dried fruit in his diet.
If you’re eating dried jackfruit and your dog gets hold of a piece or two by accident, keep your eye on him for any sign of a reaction, especially if it’s the first time your dog’s eaten jackfruit.
Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Chips?
Jackfruit chips are a nutritious snack; they have a healthy amount of fiber to help with digestion. But if you’re going to feed them to your dog, you should choose healthy cooking options such as baking or roasting; avoid fried jackfruit chips or chips that have added spices or flavorings.
Feed them to your dog only if you are sure he’s not allergic to jackfruit and only in small quantities.
Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Pulp?
As mentioned, providing there’s no allergy, your dog should be fine eating jackfruit meat in small quantities. However, the fruit sits inside a white sticky layer known as latex. This substance needs removing before you give your dog any fruit.
Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit Seeds?
Animal studies suggest jackfruit helps reduce LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. A 2015 study found that when rats ate a diet high in jackfruit seeds, their LDL levels reduced, and their HDL levels increased.
Humans may get these benefits by eating jackfruit seeds that have been boiled or roasted; raw jackfruit seeds are toxic for humans.
You should avoid feeding your dog jackfruit seeds raw or cooked; the main reason is they are a choking hazard.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Jackfruit?
Cooked or raw jackfruit is the same as far as any health benefits. The issue will be with what is cooked with the jackfruit. The fruit is often cooked with many herbs and spices, especially if it’s cooked in a curry dish. Many of these dishes contain onions and garlic, which can be exceptionally bad for a dog’s health. People also often eat jackfruit with tortillas but we wouldn’t advise you to feed your dog with it.
Is Jackfruit Good For Dogs?
There are some health benefits for humans when they eat jackfruit, but not much is known whether those benefits will pass to dogs. Can my dog eat jackfruit? If you give them small pieces of the flesh only and providing they have no allergic reactions, then yes. But dog owners must not give seeds, latex, and rind to their dogs.
There is fiber and vitamins A and C, but there’s probably healthier fruit, such as berries and apples, that offer the same nutrients without any possible risks.
Other Fruits Dogs Can Eat And Can’t Eat
Apples
Yes, apples are an excellent source of vitamins and fiber. Because they are low in protein and fat, an older dog can also happily snack on an apple.
Avocado
No, you should avoid feeding your dog avocado. There is a toxic substance within avocados called persin; while it would take a lot of this substance to harm your dog, it’s best to ignore this fruit.
Bananas
Yes, bananas are an excellent source of potassium, vitamins, biotin, and fiber. Ripe bananas contain a lot more sugar than when they are unripe, so beware of that and only give it as a treat and sparingly.
Cherries
No, don’t feed your dog cherries unless you give small amounts of the flesh. Cherry pits contain cyanide if your dog cracks one open, and if he doesn’t and swallows it whole, it’s a choking hazard.
Papaya
Yes, dogs can eat papaya; it’s an excellent mouthwatering treat for dogs. Papaya is rich in fiber, has plenty of vitamins, folate, calcium, and potassium. Make sure you remove the pips before your feed papaya because they contain small amounts of cyanide.
Final Thoughts – Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit?
Because jackfruit is a relatively new fruit to the west, it’s challenging to say if it’s suitable for dogs or not. There’s been no evidence that it’s harmful to dogs to eat jackfruit, providing we’re only talking about the fruit’s flesh—seeds, latex, and rind as a dog owner, you should avoid.
In fairness, the risks outweigh the benefits for dogs eating jackfruit; there are better alternatives to choose from should you wish to provide your dog with fruit.
