Dogs eat some fruits, but others, such as grapes and raisins, are toxic. Due to the balanced nature of high-quality, nutritionally complete commercial diets, it’s not necessary to supplement your dog’s diet with fruits, but it can be fun to use them as treats.
Here are some dog-friendly fruits and what to watch for, plus some fruits you should never feed your dog.
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Apples
Most dogs love apples! They are safe and healthy for dogs and contain many nutritional benefits like vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Apples are also low in calories, and the crunchiness of an apple can help promote dental health.
Be sure to permanently remove the stem, leaves, core, and seeds and to cut the apple into small pieces to avoid potential choking or intestinal blockages.
Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs. Still, it would take a considerable number of sources to cause cyanide poisoning, about 100 apples worth for a small dog, 200 for a medium-sized dog, and 300 for a small a large dog. It shouldn’t be an issue if your dog eats a small number of apple seeds.
Bananas
Although dogs can eat bananas, they should not be given banana peels, as these are difficult to digest and could cause intestinal blockage.
Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. However, they are also higher in sugar than many other fruits, so they should be given sparingly. They should be cut into small, bite-size pieces.
Blackberries and Raspberries
Yes, dogs can eat raspberries and blackberries in moderation.
Berries are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals, chemical compounds in plants that have been found to help fight cancer in humans. They are also low in sugar and calories.
Blackberries and raspberries, however, also contain small amounts of naturally occurring xylitol. This is a sweetener that is used in a lot of low-sugar foods. It’s very toxic to dogs in large quantities, but your dog would have to eat a lot of berries to cause hypoglycemia and a considerable amount for it to be lethal. A small handful a day should be the limit.
Blueberries
Blueberries are low in calories and high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Blueberries have been shown to improve night vision, help prevent cell damage, and help with a mental function in aging animals.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is healthy and nutritious for dogs to eat. It’s high in fiber and low in calories. It also has many vitamins and minerals, like vitamins A and C, folate, fiber, potassium, and others. Cantaloupe is also 90% water, so it’s great for hydration.
Watch out for the high sugar content, especially if your dog struggles with diabetes or obesity. And permanently remove the rind and seeds before feeding cantaloupe to your dog.
Cranberries
Cranberries are an excellent snack for dogs. They are safe and considered a superfood for humans and dogs. Cranberries are high in fiber and antioxidants and have vitamins C, E, K, B1, B2, manganese, and copper.
If you’re wondering whether cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections, we don’t have the research yet to back up this claim. Even if this is true, your dog probably won’t eat enough cranberries for this to happen.
Dried cranberries are a safe treat for pups, too. Just be aware that sugar per ounce is more concentrated when the fruit is dehydrated. Store-bought dried cranberries often have added sugars, preservatives, or even xylitol which is toxic to dogs. So it’s best to dry them with a dehydrator at home.
Honeydew
Honeydew is safe and healthy for dogs to eat. It contains vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and is low in calories. And much like cantaloupe and watermelon, honeydew includes a high percentage of water, making it great for hydration.
To keep your dog from choking or getting a blockage in his intestines, take the rind and seeds out of the honeydew before feeding it to him.
Mango
Mangoes are also high in sugar and should only be fed to dogs in moderation. However, they are high in many nutritional benefits like fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E. Be sure to remove the mango seed and cut it into small pieces when feeding it to your dog.
Oranges
Oranges are a safe and healthy treat for dogs to eat. They are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. And while most dogs love the sweet taste, some dogs don’t like the acidity of citrus fruits.
Oranges are not a good choice for dogs with obesity or diabetes because of their high sugar content. And eating too many oranges can give any dog an upset stomach from the high acidity and sugar levels. So be sure to feed them a treat in small portions.
Peaches
Yes, peaches are an excellent snack for dogs in moderation. They are filled with great health benefits like high fiber, low calories, and low fat. Plus, peaches contain antioxidants and plenty of vitamins and minerals.
However, peaches also have high sugar content, and you need to remove the stem, leaves, and pit before feeding peach pieces to your dog.
Pears
Dogs can safely eat pears. They contain health benefits like fiber, copper, vitamin C, and vitamin K. But before feeding your pup any pears, remove the stem, leaves, pit, and seeds. These could become choking hazards, and the pepears’eeds contain cyanide traces like apple seeds.
ItIt’sest to stick with fresh pears and avoid canned pears because they contain much more sugar.
Pineapple
Pineapples are a good source of water, antioxidants, and many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, manganese, copper, and B6. This fruit is excellent for supporting your dodog’smmune and digestive systems. Some dogs may not like pineapples because of their firm acidity.
Remember that high sugar content and acidity can upset your dodog’stomach. Over time, large amounts of sugar can lead to health issues like obesity or diabetes in dogs.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Strawberries can also help strengthen the immune system. They should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking, and they can be mashed or pureed for smaller dogs.
Watermelon
Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, but the rinds and seeds should be removed before giving the fruit to your dog, as they can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s an excellent treat for hot days. It can help keep your dog hydrated and is refreshing when frozen. Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins A, B6, C, and potassium.
Read More: 6 Dangers of Stone Fruits for Dogs
