Is your beagle spoiled? Beagles are adorable pets and they have a bit of a reputation for being food motivated, and really enjoying, treats. For that reason, a lot of beagle owners have questions about what kind of treats are healthy – or more importantly – what kind of foods could possibly be dangerous for their dogs.

In general, of course it’s best for your dog to stick to a dog food diet and stay away from “human foods” as much as possible. While there’s no problem with a little treat every now and then, serving table food regularly is generally not the best choice for your beagle’s health or for their obedience skills.

So, what kinds of “human foods” are a good choice for your beagle? I’ve found that a lot of beagles enjoy eating jackfruit in particular. So, is it safe for beagles? The short answer is that, yes, while not all fruits and vegetables are inherently safe, jackfruit can be eaten by beagles in moderate amounts.

What is Jackfruit? 

Jackfruit is, as its name would suggest, a fruit. It’s related to figs and bread fruits and can be found growing in tropical regions such as Thailand and Vietnam. Until just a few years ago, it was very uncommon to find jackfruit served in America. However, owing to its fleshy texture, it has recently become a popular meat substitute in the vegan world, and is used to mimic the feel of meat in a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Jackfruits are very large and unwieldy to peel and prepare by hand. The insides of these fruits are filled with a sticky white residue that can get on and stain everything They can also weigh as much as thirty or more pounds! If you are a true do-it-yourselfer, it might be worth a try to buy one, but most people prefer to get their jackfruit canned, in pouches, or in ready-prepared dishes or mixes.

The only parts of the jackfruit that is edible is the actual pulp. The rind and the seeds must be discarded, especially if you intend to feed it to your dog. It is occasionally eaten raw, but it can be cooked to bring out an extra savory flavor.

How Safe is Jackfruit For Dogs?

Jackfruit, like many natural foods, is safe for dogs in most cases – in moderate portions. The real answer depends upon your individual situation, as different beagles have different nutritional needs. Additionally, some dogs are more prone to food intolerances than others, so you’ll want to introduce any new natural foods slowly in a safe environment so that you can monitor your beagle for potential side effects. 

Additionally, table food should never be a substitute for prepared dog foods that are made to fulfill all of your dog’s caloric and nutritional needs. That said, the actual “meaty” portion of the jackfruit is relatively safe for dogs. They should not be given other parts of a jackfruit. For this reason, canned fruit may be the best choice (as long as there aren’t any hazardous additives or preservatives in the canned product that you choose). 

Health Benefits of Jackfruit for Beagles

Jackfruit is generally considered a healthy food for humans, and dogs can enjoy some of the same benefits. First of all, as it is a fruit, it is high in water and fiber content and low in calories compared to many other foods. Many dog treats are high in sodium, fat and calories – not something you want to serve regularly considering the rise of canine obesity today. Low-calorie, low-fat snacks that your beagle will really enjoy eating can be hard to come by!

In addition, jackfruit contains a variety of other important nutrients that can make it a healthy choice for a dog snack. Some of my personal favorite benefits of jackfruit include:

• High in Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for dogs and supports lots of their bodily functions. Some of the most important benefits of vitamin A for dogs include: improved coat and skin health, better regulated nerve function, and it is especially powerful for pregnant dogs because puppies require lots of it to grow and develop muscles.

Importantly, vitamin A deficiencies in dogs can lead to very serious health issues, including night blindness, muscle deterioration, and skin issues. That’s why it’s essential to seek out foods that are high in vitamin A wherever you can, and jackfruit is a good start!

• High in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another necessary vitamin that confers many of the same benefits that it gives humans in dogs, including supporting immune function and defending the body against free radicals. While it is true that dogs can generally produce vitamin C naturally their bodies, supplementation can provide benefits in certain cases. This is particularly true for older dogs, those with chronic health problems, or inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

• Good Source of Magnesium

The last big benefit of jackfruit is that it’s loaded with magnesium. Jackfruit has 15% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of Magnesium for humans, and it’s very important for dog health too. Magnesium plays a direct role on the following functions in your dog’s body: hormone function and secretion, metabolic functions, and maintaining calcium movement into the muscles. Deficiencies in magnesium in dogs can lead to depression, endocrine issues, lethargy, and severe muscle pain in the long run.

As you can see, jackfruit is a generally healthy choice for dogs. However, there are some things that you also need to be aware of if you’d like to serve your beagle this tropical treat.

Potential Dangers of Jackfruit for Beagles

When you give your beagle any new kind of food, you should always be there to supervise. Not only are there food-specific concerns, there is always the possibility of a sensitivity or allergic reaction when you introduce something new. Signs of a food allergy or hypersensitivity will usually show up fairly quickly after feeding and often include: itching, swelling or hives, coughing or sneezing, snorting, and swelling of the mouth or throat. The last symptom mentioned – mouth or throat swelling is a serious veterinary emergency and you should get your dog to the vet immediately.

Although allergies to jackfruit are rare, it can happen. Among human populations, people with birch pollen allergies have also shown sensitivities to jackfruit.

In addition to this general rule about serving new foods, you should also consider the following if you decide to serve your dog jackfruit.

• Jackfruit Can Be a Choking Hazard

While the actual pulp of a jackfruit is very fleshy and easily swallowed and digested, other parts of the fruit can be more problematic. Because it is such a large fruit to begin with, the seeds are likewise large and can cause a serious choking hazard for your pint-sized beagle.

If you prepare your jackfruit from the whole, raw fruit, you will need to be very diligent in scooping out all of the seeds. Raw jackfruit seeds are toxic to humans and can only be consumed when cooked. Canned jackfruit may be a better option for this reason.mThe rinds of jackfruit are also very rough and inedible, and if your dog consumes it, could lead to intestinal problems or even a blockage.

• Jackfruit Can Spike Blood Sugar

Jackfruit may not be an appropriate snack for diabetic dogs. The fruit is high in sugar and has been shown to have an effect on glucose tolerance. While not all dogs with diabetes will experience a problem eating jackfruit, it’s probably best to avoid jackfruit in favor of other treats approved by a vet for diabetic beagles.

How to Prepare Jackfruit for Your Beagle

In consideration of the potential hazards of eating jackfruit discussed above, getting a whole jackfruit and preparing it from scratch for your dog is probably not the best – and definitely not the easiest – option. However, if you are going to serve it this way, it is absolutely vital that you carefully clean and remove all seeds. Check and double check to be certain you got them all!

Additionally, you should dispose of the rind and other inedible parts of the fruit somewhere that your dog will not get into them. Lastly, the gooey white substance around the flesh can cause allergic reactions in people (and potentially dogs) with latex allergies, so be sure to wash the pulp of the fruit carefully.

If you purchase canned or pouched jackfruit, look for a brand that is packaged in water with no other added ingredients. Give your dog a small taste and watch for any signs of allergy before offering more of the snack.

Final Thoughts

Many beagles love the taste of jackfruit! But there are plenty of pros and cons to serving it as a dog snack. If you have a healthy beagle with no known allergies, you might find that it becomes one of their new favorites! However, if you have a dog with medical issues or allergies, it might be best to look for other options. If you have any questions, or if your beagle accidentally ingests any other part of a jackfruit than the fleshy pulp, you should get in touch with your veterinarian for advice.