Can dogs eat fruits? Yes and no. Some fruits are good for dogs, while others are not. Some fruits are toxic to a dog, so it is important to know the ones that your dog should not be eating so that you can avoid them altogether.
Carnivores, with dogs being one of them, do not need fruits and vegetables as such. However, a special treat of fruits once in a while doesn’t hurt.
It is good to know that dogs digest fruits differently from the way humans do. Therefore, wrong fruits can lead to long-term health issues, and it’s good to avoid them. Below are the fruits that your canine friend can have.
Yes, an apple is a good source of vitamins A and C. Apples are low in fats and proteins thus making them the best snack for your dog.
However, you need to make sure the seeds are completely removed from the fruit before feeding your dog. Cut the apple into smaller easy to manage pieces for your dog, especially if your dog has a tiny mouth.
If your dog is a senior dog, I would suggest peeling the skin of the apple away from it to prevent stomach issues that could occur.
Also, your dog should not eat a whole apple; only one-two slices will be just enough. When frozen, apples will make a perfect snack for your dog during those hot summer days.
A banana is a low-calorie fruit and it’s a great snack for your dog. They are a good source of vitamins, potassium, fiber, biotin, and copper.
They are also low in cholesterol as well as sodium. However, because of the high sugar content, bananas should be fed to your dog moderately, or your dog might start gaining weight and maybe later suffer from diabetes.
Try not to give your dog any part of the peel. The peel fibers are actually really hard for your dog to digest, and it can cause blockages in the digestive system.
Strawberries are just full of vitamin C as well as a good source of fiber. Strawberries have enzymes that help in whitening your dog’s teeth.
However, they need to be given in small amounts since they contain a lot of sugar. Strawberries should be fed to your dog in their natural state. The canned strawberries or the ones that have been added with syrup are not good for your dog.
Strawberries are not only a good treat for your friend, but they will help to stay in good health.
Strawberries help strengthen the immune system, help in aging problems, and keep your dogs weight in check.
You can feed your dog strawberries that are fresh or frozen. Just try to stay away from additives with strawberries.
How do you ensure that your dog is safe when eating his strawberries?
Cut the fruit into small pieces to ensure that your dog doesn’t choke. If your dog is quite young, you can crush the fruits into a puree so that the puree can be added to the dog’s food.
Before you start adding the fruits into the food, it is good to ensure that you have consulted your vet so that he can give his input.
You also need to be on the lookout so that if anything happens like an allergy or stomach upset, you’ll be able to notice. If there is anything strange, you should stop and then call your vet to advise on the next step.
Yes, melons are safe for your dog. However, feeding your dog with melons should be done with lots of precaution because the seeds can lead to intestinal blockage.
You should also not allow your dog to chew the rind because it can lead to gastrointestinal upsets. Melons are a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, A, and C.
A cup of a melon has about 50 calories, and 92 percent of this fruit is water thus making it the perfect snack for a hot day.
The fruit has no cholesterol or fat thus making it a good fruit for dogs because they’ll not suffer from fat or cholesterol-related ailments.
Depending on the size of your dog will ultimately depend on how much watermelon you should feed your dog. The smaller the dog, the smaller the piece of the watermelon should be.
Oranges are a good source of vitamin C as well as a good source of fiber. The peel is not toxic but the vets recommend that the peel should be removed because they are quite rough to the dog’s digestive system.
It is recommended that the peelings be removed before the dog can have the orange. Also, the seeds should be removed before feeding the dog.
For small dogs, a 1/3 of the orange is good for them, while older dogs can be allowed to have the whole orange.
Thankfully the citric acid in oranges shouldn’t upset your dog’s stomach but make sure not to give your dog too much because oranges do contain a lot of natural sugar inside them.
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that are useful in dogs, just like in humans. They help in preventing cell damage, just like in humans.
Blueberries are also a good source of phytochemicals and fiber that help in digestion. Blueberries can also lessen the chance of your dog developing a UTI (Urinary tract infection.
Blueberries are also full of vitamins C as well as K1. These nutrients help fight free radicals. You can give a blueberry to your dog as is, or you can freeze them to let your dog try a new texture.
Remember, when feeding blueberries to a small dog breed, you should cut them first or squish them to prevent the blueberry from choking your small dog.
Cantaloupes feature a lot of the same health benefits that watermelons do. They are made up of a lot of water which will help hydrate your dog on a hot day as well as being low in calories. If you want to spoil your dog with a treat but not give them any weight gain, then a piece of cantaloupe would be a wonderful option.
Cantaloupes are rich in many different vitamins such as potassium, folate, and vitamins B6, A, and C. This fruit is higher in sugar, which can be a problem for dogs with certain health conditions.
You can feed your dog some cantaloupe in moderation. One slice is plenty for your furry friend. If you have a smaller dog, you can give your dog slightly less.
Don’t feed your dog the seeds or the rind/skin of the cantaloupe. This can contain harmful bacteria, so cut that stuff out first.
Did you know that cucumbers are actually fruits, not vegetables? Cucumbers contain key nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamin K, C, B1, magnesium, and even biotin.
One of the best things about cucumbers is that they are really low in calories. So your dog can essentially have a lot of cucumber slices for a really low amount of calories.
This fruit is also great for dogs who have overweight issues because it contains no fats, carbs, or oils.
Mangos are filled with so many vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, C, and E. This treat also contains a lot of fiber which can be very helpful for humans but might make your dog need to go to the bathroom more.
You will want to remove the skin and the inside Pitt of the mango. Your dog will not be able to eat this or digest it well enough in its stomach.
The one thing you will have to watch out for is the sugar inside the mango. Mangos are very sweet and contain a lot of natural sugar, so it may not be the best treat choice for overweight or obese dogs.
Peaches are a fruit that is very easily accessible as well as affordable. Your dog can enjoy fresh, frozen, or even canned peaches. Your dog can only have the peaches in a can that do not contain heavy syrups. Try to look for the 100% fruit juice peaches.
Peaches are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin A. You can leave the skin on the peach for your dog as it won’t hurt them but just try to keep a conscious mind of how much you feed your dog. On the other hand, the pit is very toxic and actually contains chemicals like cyanide, so do not give your dog any of the pit.
Other than that, your dog can definitely enjoy the snack of a juicy peach.
Pears are another fruit that can be enjoyed by your canine friend. They have plenty of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, K, Fiber, and copper. Many people give their dog pears because it can help reduce your dog’s chances of having a stroke.
Remember to remove the seeds of the pears before serving to your dog. You can always buy canned or frozen pears too. If you purchase, canned pears get the ones without syrup and in 100% real fruit juice.
Pineapple is an excellent treat for your dog. as long as you properly remove the outside hard skin and the core on the inside, your dog will be able to enjoy a few bites of pineapple.
Pineapple has some amazing nutrients, minerals, and vitamins inside of the golden juicy fruit. It contains things like folate, zinc, vitamins, and bromelain, which helps break down meats and other foods inside the digestive system.
Pineapple does contain a lot of sugar so keep that in mind that a small treat will go a long way, and you certainly do not want to let your dog eat the entire thing. Too much sugar in a dog’s diet can lead to digestive problems and sometimes diarrhea.
Many people have jumped onto the train of just how good coconut oil and the meat is for your body. While dogs should not take coconut oil, they can, however, eat some of the coconut meat.
Coconut has natural anti-inflammatories inside it that can help with allergies, arthritis, and even bowel disease.
Coconut does have a major drawback: it is higher calorie, so if your dog is already overweight, this may not be the best option for your dog.
Believe it or not, but a pumpkin is a fruit. Not only are pumpkins very tasty to add to homemade dog food, but it can also give your dog a lot of health benefits. Pumpkin can help your dog with diarrhea and other digestive issues.
Toxic Fruits Your Dog Should Never Eat
The opening sentence was, can dogs eat fruits? Yes and no was the answer; here are is the list of fruits that your dog should never have. These are:
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are quite toxic and they should be avoided like a plague. As much as some dogs do not show any symptoms even after consuming them, they should never be allowed to eat them.
Grapes and raisins are known to cause irreversible kidney damages to your dog. Therefore, make sure your dog never gets to eat them. In the event, your dog does consume them, notify your vet as soon as possible.
Cherries come in many types; they are delicious, and they are popular. However, they are not good for your dog.
The pulp is quite safe for the dog, but the plant itself and the pit are quite toxic, and they are capable of leading to respiratory failure, and in extreme cases, the dog might even die.
The pit and the plants contain cyanide, which is quite toxic. Therefore, keep your dog away from cherry plants, but if you still want him to enjoy the fruit, feed him on the pulp only.
Not most people know that currants are toxic but they have very high levels of toxins. They can be put in the same category as raisins and grapes.
You might not notice any vomiting or diarrhea after your dog consumes them but take the dog to see a vet. Currants are capable of causing renal failure; they should be avoided at all costs.
Just like cherries, apricot leaves, seeds, and stems are quite toxic, and dogs should never be allowed to have them. Dogs can consume its pulp and not have any problems. The other plant parts contain cyanide that can lead to respiratory failures and even death.
Avocados are a superfruit for us humans, but dogs cannot consume any part of the avocado. Avocados have something called persin inside of them, which is a toxin that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
While the soft fleshy part does not contain as much of this toxin, it still is not safe for dogs to eat. Also, if your dog somehow got a hold of the pit, it can be a very serious choking hazard.
Lemons as well as other acidic fruit can cause serious stomach aches and pain in a dog. Allowing your dog to eat lemons can cause your dog to have very upsetting bowel movements on the way of diarrhea.
If I were you, I would completely avoid giving my dogs lemons all together. Don’t give your dog lemonade either, as it will harm your dog and give them way too much sugar.
Fruits are good for your dog. However, not all fruits are fit for your dog; some are toxic and can lead to the death of your dog in extreme cases.
Before you add any fruit to your dog’s diet, it’s good to check with your vet. Also, you need to research widely on what’s good and what’s bad for your furry friend.
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