This article will answer the question, ‘Can dogs eat monk fruit?’ But first, let’s look at what exactly a monk fruit is.
While monk fruit may not be the healthiest of options for a dog, it’s unlikely to do your pet any harm. If your dog has accidentally eaten monk fruit, don’t worry, he’ll likely be fine. Keep an eye on your pet as some dogs with sensitive stomachs may get sick from eating monk fruit.
What is monk fruit?
Monk fruit originates in southeast Asia. It’s a small, green gourd and looks similar to a small melon. The fruit isn’t very appealing but was eaten and used to create teas and tinctures by Buddhist monks in the 13 th century. This is where it got its unusual name. As fresh monk fruit doesn’t store well, isn’t very popular, and is not commonly grown in America, it’s unlikely that you’ll have fresh monk fruit in your home.
Monk fruit is more commonly used dried or is available as a medicinal tea. It’s also used as an artificial sweetener and is an alternative to sugar and other sweeteners such as Xylitol. While Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can prove to be fatal in the worse cases, monk fruit is a safer alternative. Monk fruit is also called lo han guo, and shouldn’t intentionally be given to dogs.
Monk fruit sweetener is produced using the juice of the fruit. The seeds and skin are first removed, and the fruit is then crushed. The monk fruit juice is then used to create a sweeter. It is calory free and can be added to a variety of foods and drinks. Monk fruit juice is up to 250 percent sweeter than sugar, which means a very small amount will sweeten food.
What to do if your dog has eaten monk fruit
While it may not be a good idea to give your dog monk fruit knowingly, it’s unlikely to cause your dog harm if he eats some. It’s also worth noting that monk fruit is a relatively new ingredient as a sweater, and not much research has been done into how it affects dogs over the long term. It’s therefore not a good idea to regularly give monk fruit or food that contains monk fruit extract or sweetener to your pet.
If your dog has accidentally eaten monk fruit, it won’t cause any health problems unless he has a sensitive stomach or has eaten large quantities of the fruit. Some dogs may vomit after eating the fruit or food that contains the sweetener. Keep an eye on your pet and consult your vet if you’re at all worried.
While eating monk fruit as a one-off won’t harm your pet, a dog that regularly eats food that contains monk fruit sweetener will be at risk of severe health issues. Monk fruit is a lot sweeter than sugar and, if consumed regularly, can cause diabetes or obesity in dogs. Overweight dogs will also be at risk of health issues such as joint problems and may be more likely to develop certain cancers.
Giving your dog fresh monk fruit isn’t a good idea either as it has a hard shell and contains seeds that may prove to be a choking hazard or cause internal blockages.
Conclusion: Dogs Can Not Eat Monk Fruit
It’s not a good idea to knowingly give your dog monk fruit. While your dog may be able to get away with eating a small amount as a one-off, regular consumption can cause severe health problems. Monk fruit sweetener is fairly new to the market, and there hasn’t been much research done on the effect it has on dogs.
Artificial sweeteners have been manufactured for human consumption and shouldn’t be given to dogs; some sweeteners are toxic to dogs. When a dog overeats human food on a regular basis, it can disturb their body’s natural balance. Human food often doesn’t contain the nutrients that dogs require and may also lead to stomach problems and obesity.
Rather than giving your dog monk fruit, you can choose a healthy fruit such as dragon fruit or olives, which will provide your pet with beneficial nutrients.
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