At A Glance
Lychee is generally safe for dogs. In fact, it comes with loads of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals, and is low in calories. However, it should be limited as occasional treats and should be properly prepared to avoid health and safety risks:
Last Updated on: October 4, 2023
Lychees (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) are small, sweet, and refreshing tropical fruits originally grown in China and Southeast Asia. They thrive in warm, humid climates and the majority of lychees worldwide are produced in China. Lychees are a member of the soapberry family and have red, pink, or brown bumpy skin, and juicy, fleshy aril surrounding the seed.
It has three layers: the spiky pink-red skin on the outside, the white to translucent flesh in the middle, and the concealed brown seed on the inside.
It’s also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote heart, liver, and spleen health. Today, lychee is consumed in various forms and as an ingredient in sweets like smoothies, cold juice drinks, fruit preserve, or enjoyed on its own as a snack or dessert.
So, if it’s lychee season and you’re wondering, can dogs eat lychee safely? The answer is yes but with a number of caveats. Give your dog ONLY the flesh, in small amounts, and without any additives or sweeteners.
The skin and seed may be toxic for dogs and are choking hazards so throw them away.
Also, lychees already contain sugar so any added sweetener will render it unhealthy for your pup, even as a treat.
While it’s deemed relatively safe for dogs, some reports say that lychees, especially unripe lychees, contain naturally occurring toxins that affect glucose metabolism and brain function in some cases in humans.
It should not be eaten on an empty stomach especially by kids. So it’s best to keep caution when feeding this fruit to your dog.
To be on the safer side, remember these cautions:
There are a number of reasons why lychee is considered beneficial for humans, so it’s considered relatively good for dogs, too.
Aside from its nutrients and fiber, lychees are also a natural diuretic which helps flush out toxins and excess fluids from the body. They are also composed of 80% water making them a refreshing, hydrating snack especially during hot summers.
Lychees are beneficial to dogs when consumed in moderation and property prepared – skin peeled and seed removed. So, if you want to feed your dog lychee, be mindful about the portions you give as a treat.
Feeding your dog more than a few lychees at once can be harmful to its digestive system and sugar level.
No sufficient research has been done to determine the health advantages of lychee in dogs, but because the fruit is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, they are considered generally beneficial.
Some of the nutrients found in lychee include:
Lychee is an excellent source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that stimulates tissue growth, aids in preventing disease and cancer, and strengthens the immune system.
Lychees contain significant amounts of vitamin B-complex. It is an enzyme that boosts metabolism and aids in the breakdown of protein and fat.
Lychee is high in iron, a component of hemoglobin that transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron is an essential mineral even in dogs, and a deficiency can lead to anemia.
Lychee contains potassium, which is a nutrient that improves muscle and heart health. It is vital to maintain a dog’s energy levels and appetite.
Zinc is a mineral that benefits dogs by regulating and enhancing immune and thyroid function.
The calcium in lychee can help your dog’s bones and teeth grow stronger and be healthier. Low calcium in dogs can lead to weakness, appetite loss, and muscle twitching.
Lychee is very rich in fiber, which helps in digestion and excretion. Eating too much lychee can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Lychees contain flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, and tocopherol that support immunity, neutralize free radicals, and fight oxidative stress in the body.
This will depend on the dog’s health condition, size, age, and breed. Generally, one or two small pieces a few days a week would be enough. Lychees are incredibly sweet – one hundred grams of lychees contain 15 grams of sugar. This may not be an extreme amount but dogs’ digestive systems do not process sugar very well.
A spike in their sugar levels can lead to an upset stomach, dental issues, and risks of diabetes, heart disease, and weight gain. It is an even worse idea to feed your dog canned lychees as an alternative because they are overpacked with sugar.
To reiterate, the answer is no. Lychee skin is thick, rough, and spiky and contains chemicals hypoglycin A and methylene cyclopropyl glycine that are toxic to children and possibly to dogs especially if consumed in large amounts.
The skin and seed are also a choking hazard and may cause intestinal blockage.
It is a widely known fact that dogs and humans shouldn’t be eating fruit seeds. First of all, they are choking hazards that must be avoided at all costs.
Lychee seeds, in particular, contain saponin, which is a bitter-tasting, toxic chemical and a high level of an acidic toxin called hydrocyanic acid. Ingesting a lychee seed can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and intestinal pain in your dog.
While ice cream is not exactly poisonous to dogs, veterinarians advise owners to avoid feeding them dairy products as they are likely to be lactose intolerant. Dairy can lead to stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. Plus, the added sugar in ice cream can cause a spike in your dog’s blood sugar level.
No matter what type of fruit it’s made of, dogs should not be fed jellies, jams, or marmalades in any form. These products contain very high levels of sugar, which will put your dog at risk of diabetes, tooth decay, and weight gain that will impact its overall health.
In pure form, yes but again, only in small amounts. Lychee juice with added sugars and preservatives should be avoided.
Small dogs like Shiz Tzu may eat lychee but only in small quantities.
While overindulging your dog with lychee is not a smart move, occasionally treats will not do much harm. This sweet, juicy treat can put a smile on your dog’s face as it enjoys the delicious and refreshing tropical flavor.
As a final verdict, lychee is not a no-go fruit to add to your dog’s diet as an occasional treat but if the risks bother you, you can instead opt for other alternatives like sliced bananas, blueberries, peach, cranberries, watermelon, or apples. Remove all choking and toxic parts, sliced the flesh part, and serve in moderate quantities.
Otherwise, go ahead and give your dog this treat responsibly. Lychees do offer nutrients and a delightful taste and if your dog likes it, supervised feeding is not really a bad idea.
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
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