Loquats are tasty, little tree fruits, low in calories and high in anti-oxidants. Maybe you have a loquat tree in your backyard and are concerned about your dog eating its fallen fruit, which is very responsible. So can dogs eat loquat fruit?
Technically, the short answer is yes, but our recommendation is no; loquat fruit requires significant preparation, with too little nutritional value to be a good addition to your dog’s diet. And under no circumstance, should your dog be allowed to eat the fallen fruit from the ground.
With so many fruits out there, many of them veterinarian-approved, there’s just no need to take risks or give yourself more work than necessary.
That being said, you must always run fruits like the loquat by your veterinarian to get the full pros and cons rundown before feeding them to your dog.
Why Is Loquat Fruit Bad For Dogs?
Technically, the fleshy part of the loquat fruit is safe for dogs to eat, according to the ASPCA. However, there isn’t a ton of nutritional value in it, compared to much easier fruits to give dogs.
For example, both blackberries and dragon fruit make for great treats, high in nutritional value, with little preparation needed.
With the loquat fruit, the trouble is the seeds and the pit located inside. Both have cyanogenic glycosides, a chemical compound, that is toxic for dogs in large quantities. Plus, the seeds are large and quite the choking hazard.
If the seeds and the pit are removed, the fruit itself is okay for dogs to eat, but they do require that preparation on your part. In general, this much preparation for a fruit that has limited health benefits for your dog isn’t the best option all around.
Furthermore, dogs newly introduced to loquat fruit tend to end up with an upset stomach. Overall, the cons just simply outweigh the pros.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats a Loquat?
Loquat trees grow quite tall, sometimes as high as 25 feet, and can drop up to around 200 loquats per year onto the ground. If you have such a tree, it’s important to keep your dog from the fallen fruit.
Loquats smell sweet and are quite the attraction to a dog, but eating them whole is a bad idea.
Even a single loquat, eaten whole, can cause significant issues, but if your dog eats a bunch of them off the ground, seek veterinarian assistance. This will likely cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in a best-case scenario.
If your dog has just eaten one loquat or just some flesh from one, a simple call to the vet will likely suffice. You’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on them, though, for allergic reactions.
Make a plan with your veterinarian in advance if you have a loquat tree at home.
Do you have a loquat tree in your backyard? Has your dog ever tried to eat the fruit off the ground? Let us know in the comments below.
