Do you enjoy lychee? If so, you’re not alone! This is a very popular food for humans! But is lychee safe for dogs to eat?
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Has your dog eaten lychee? Are you worried the lychee could make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t!
In this article, we’ll take a look at lychee and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Lychee?
Lychee is a fruit that originally comes from Asia. You may have also heard this fruit called the “alligator strawberry.” This is a common name for lychee, which developed because of the fruit’s appearance. The lychee has red, bumpy skin that strongly resembles alligator skin.
The fruit is oblong and about 1-2 inches in diameter. The flesh of the lychee is white, with a strong, sweet flowery scent. Many people eat this fruit alone or combine it to create fruit salads, smoothies, cocktails, and more.
While humans can safely enjoy lychees, what about dogs? Are lychees safe for dogs?
Lychees & Dogs
The good news is that lychees are not toxic to dogs. However, having said that, these fruits contain high amounts of sugar. This means a dog should not eat lychee on a regular basis or eat too much fruit.
The fruit of the lychee is safe for dogs, but the skin and seed of the lychee can be toxic and/or cause choking. The seed contains a substance called saponin. This can be toxic to dogs.
In addition, unripe lychee can also be toxic to dogs.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Lychee Seed/Unripe Lychee Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a lychee seed or an unripe lychee:
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Dark urine
- Drooling
- Head shaking
- Seizures
- Choking
The severity of the symptoms will depend on your dog’s size and weight, as well as how much of the fruit/seed he’s eaten. If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog has eaten lychee, then call the vet immediately. This could be a medical emergency.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical care after eating the seeds, skin, or an unripe lychee. So, if your dog is having symptoms, do get him to the vet as soon as possible! You may just save his life!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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