Say Hi to Jack – The Fruit!

Say Hi to Jack – The Fruit!

It is spikey on the outside but sweet on the inside and within its fruit hides another seed treat. You can say Jack’s features are similar to a coconut. Rough of the outside but sweet on the inside!  This tropical fruit is native to Western India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is also commonly seen in other parts of Asia, Africa, and fewer regions of South America. Jackfruit is known to be the largest edible fruit. It can provide us, humans, with a lot of health benefits. While some can’t get over its tropical taste, some hail the fruit as a “miracle fruit”.

Is this miracle fruit safe for your pooch? Well, the answer to this is maybe! To understand the fruit and if it is safe for your pet, we’ll need to take a detailed ride through the health benefits and the probable risks of feeding this fruit to your furry baby.

Jackfruit, scientifically named Artocarpus heterophyllus belongs to the family of figs, mulberries, and breadfruit. We can say that figs, mulberries, breadfruit, and jackfruit are cousins.

  • Figs in smaller quantities are safe for dogs. They can consume around 1 to 2 small figs. However, feeding them figs in larger portions can cause stomach upset.
  • Mulberries are non-toxic and rich in iron and vitamin C making them a healthy treat for dogs.
  • Breadfruit looks similar to Jackfruit and is considered safe for dogs. It is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and fiber. But, if fed in a higher portion it can cause various digestive issues.

Even though these fruits are considered safe for pets, a pet allergic to them may undergo various health issues. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult your veterinarian before introducing your pet to a new fruit.

Speaking of the nutritional value of jackfruit, it is low in calories and rich in fiber. It contains various essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, thiamine, vitamin B1-B2-B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, manganese, riboflavin, niacin, sodium, and zinc. Jackfruit contains phytonutrients and antioxidants, these compounds aid in reducing blood pressure and decreasing the risk of blood cancer.

So, if you want to feed your furry one a piece of jackfruit, you may go ahead but only after you’ve received a green signal from your vet. Avoid feeding him or her jackfruit’s outer skin or the inner seed. The seed is rich in nutrients and humans can consume the seed only after boiling it. However, it is very difficult for a canine’s tummy to digest the seed and can cause various gastrointestinal issues.

Some dogs are choosy eaters, and some are eager to try out new food items. If your canine is a choosy eater you need not worry about their food. However, if your canine loves to explore new food and eats everything reachable to him or her, it is a must to have a basic idea of what food is safe for him or her.