Has your dog eaten a kumquat? Are you worried the kumquat will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
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In this article, we’ll take a look at what a kumquat is and whether or not it could make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Kumquat?
A kumquat is a very small, citrus-like fruit that originates in Southeast Asia. It looks a little bit like an orange in shape and color but is smaller than an orange. The word “kumquat” is a Cantonese word, which means “golden orange” or “golden tangerine.” The fruit has been around for quite a while in Asia and has become very popular around the world in recent years.
Kumquats have a citrusy, sour taste. And the peel is sweet and eaten, too. As you eat the entire fruit, there’s a burst of sweet and sour at the same time!
While kumquats originated in Asia, they are now grown in parts of Florida, Texas, and California.
We humans can safely enjoy kumquats; however, are kumquats safe for dogs?
Kumquat & Dogs
The good news is that kumquats are not toxic for dogs. However, as with any fruit, a dog should not eat too many kumquats. The only issue we could find during our research is that the fruit contains high levels of magnesium.
If a dog eats too many kumquats, it’s possible the magnesium in the fruit could lead to a bad bout of diarrhea. Magnesium has a laxative effect.
Another issue may be the skin of the kumquat. The rind contains citrus oil, which can lead to skin irritation in dogs and could even affect the dog’s liver.
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Ask a Vet Live NowFeeding Kumquats to Your Dog
First, only feed a small piece of kumquat to your dog as a once-in-a-while treat. Too much kumquat could lead to diarrhea, which is not pleasant for your dog. It’s also not fun to have to clean it up! So, just feed your dog a very small piece of kumquat.
Avoid feeding him the rind of the fruit, too. And make sure the fruit has been washed before giving a bite to your dog.
If your dog is new to eating kumquats, then start out slowly. Try to give him one small piece, then wait to see if he develops any digestive issues. These could be vomiting and/or diarrhea. If he does, then it’s probably best not to offer him more of the fruit in the future. However, if he handles the kumquat piece OK, then you can try to offer him a slightly larger piece next time. Just don’t offer him the entire fruit.
So, that’s the good news—your dog can definitely enjoy small pieces of kumquat once in a while! These fruits are safe for your dog!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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