Can Dogs Eat Rambutan?

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With a peculiar name and an even more peculiar look, rambutan is becoming a more popular fruit day by day. But what exactly is rambutan and is it safe for your dog to eat? In this article we’re going to break down everything you need to know about letting your dog eat rambutan. 

a stack of rambutan fruits with a couple cut open

What Is Rambutan?

Some say that it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie… and maybe they’re right. Rambutan is a peculiar looking, but extremely nutritious fruit from Southeast Asia. It is found in tropical climates and is surrounded by red and green hairs, almost looking like a sea urchin. Rambutan is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, plus vitamins and minerals. Per serving, the flesh has about 2 grams of fiber and it is also rich in vitamin C. It offers other nutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. With so many health benefits, many across the world are adopting rambutan as a staple in their diet.

lychee fruits cut open to show the differences between these and rambutans
See how the lychee fruit is different from the rambutan

Is A Rambutan The Same As A Lychee?

When you first see a rambutan, you might think you’re looking at a Lychee. We don’t blame you, they look very similar and are actually cousins. Both are tropical fruits native to Southeast Asia and are grown in the same climate and conditions.

Although they look similar, upon inspection a Lychee has smaller hairs on the outside and are smaller overall, including its seeds. A rambutan also has a sweet and creamy taste, while lychee is more crisp and refreshing. The process for eating both fruits are the same: carefully break open the outer skin with your hands by squeezing the fruits outer membrane, revealing the flesh inside. From there you can begin eating the flesh directly from the fruit.

Is Rambutan A Berry?

Being such an odd looking fruit comes with this question: what exactly is a rambutan? Well, it is in fact a berry. It is part of the Sapindaceae family, otherwise known as the soapberry family, which is also home to jackfruits.

Can You Feed Dogs Rambutan?

With so many antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, you’ll be glad to hear that you can feed your dog Rambutan. The hairy red fruit is extremely nutritious, causing some pet owners to give their dog a piece whenever they can to help improve their health.

As with most fruits, it’s recommended to give your dog only a few pieces per day, no more than 1-2 times per week. Since fruit contains sugar, too much could upset your dog’s stomach. However, when given in moderation, rambutan can be an excellent addition to your dogs diet to help boost their health. If you’re interested in adding rambutan into your dogs diet, here’s how to do it:

  1. Using a sharp knife, carve around the rambutan to slice through its skin without piercing the flesh. If the rambutan is very ripe, you can peel the skin by pulling it apart with your thumbs.
  2. Pull the skin apart to reveal the flesh
  3. Remove the single seed inside of the center of the rambutan by cutting around the flesh, then pull the seed out
  4. Now that you have the flesh of the rambutan, cut it into 1-2 inch size chunks (or smaller depending on the size of your pup) and then give a piece or two to your furry friend
rambutan hanging from the tree

Is Rambutan Toxic To Dogs?

Thankfully, rambutan is not toxic to dogs. However, you need to make sure your dog does not eat the skin or the seed of the rambutan. Both of these components can be extremely hard for your dog to digest. The seed itself can cause intestinal blockage and poses a choking hazard to dogs of all sizes.

Are Dogs Allergic To Rambutan?

As a general statement, dogs are not allergic to rambutan. They’re able to eat the flesh and can reap the benefits of the antioxidant, vitamins, and nutrients from this delicious fruit. For your dog specifically, they could have an allergic reaction but there is no evidence of a specific breed being allergic to rambutan.

With that being said, it’s best to give your dog a small piece to begin with and see how they react to it. You can check their stool to see if they begin having diarrhea or if they vomit. Either way, it’s good practice to give your dog fruits like acai, pineapple, jackfruit, papaya, or any other fruits in moderation and see how they react to it.

Short Version: Rambutan Flesh Is Safe In Small Amounts For Canines

Rambutan is a tropical fruit from Southeast Asia that is similar to a lychee. The skin is red and hairy and it contains a single thick seed in the center of the flesh. It contains loads of vitamin C, antioxidants, and nutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Many pet owners have begun making rambutan a staple in their pets diet, as it can help improve your dog’s health.

Once you peel back the skin and dispose of the seed, 1-2 small pieces of the flesh of a rambutan can be given to your dog a few times a week. Remember not to give your pup the skin or the seed of a rambutan, as both can cause digestive issues and the seed can pose a choking hazard. There isn’t any evidence that dogs are allergic to rambutan and in moderation can be a great addition to their diet to improve their health

KEY POINTS

  • Rambutan is a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that can help your dog improve their health
  • It is safe to feed your dog rambutan in moderation as long as it’s the flesh and you don’t include the seed or the skin, which can cause digestive issues or pose a choking hazard
  • Dogs aren’t allergic to rambutan, but you should still monitor them during and after they consume it to see if it affects them negatively
  • Adding rambutan flesh to your dogs diet is a great way to help boost their immune system and enrich their diet with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients 

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