When your pup is drooling, panting or whining for a taste of the human food you're eating, it can be hard to deny them a sample of what's on your plate. However, some foods can be extremely toxic to your canine, and it's important to be cautious about what sorts of human products you feed your dog. Luckily, not everything is off limits when it comes to satisfying your pup -- and some fruits are a great alternative to many fatty treats. Here are some sweet fruits that your canine can snack on safely:
With the summer season fast approaching, finding a healthy snack for your pup that also cools them down is essential. Luckily, watermelon is perfectly safe for dogs, though be sure to remove the rind and seeds to avoid any digestion problems. A cup of watermelon contains only 46 calories and is mostly made of water. The few ingredients and dozens of vitamins and minerals in watermelon provide exceptional benefits for a hungry pet, such as improving blood functions, speeding up metabolism and reducing the risk of diseases. And because of its high water content and potassium, the fruit fights dehydration, helps a dog recover after exercise and is a perfect treat to replenish any active pup.
Though this small fruit must be consumed in moderation, it can pack in some incredible health benefits for your canine. Blueberries contain high levels of disease-fighting antioxidants that promote heart, brain and bone health while lowering a dog's cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. These berries are so beneficial to doggos that they can even be found in a variety of the commercial dog foods and treats that your pup is already obsessed with, such as Blue Buffalo and Purina Beneful. And with only 41 calories in each half cup, blueberries are an excellent healthy snack for your dog.
While canned pineapple should be avoided, a few bite-size, peeled chunks of raw pineapple can be a fantastic and sweet snack for your furry friend. A two-ounce slice of pineapple is just 28 calories, and pineapples are great when it comes to improving digestive functioning. The tangy fruit also helps canines absorb essential proteins from their normal meals and provides them with a variety of vitamins. Pineapples are also linked to preventing cancers, offsetting pancreatitis and stopping bladder and kidney stones from developing, keeping your pups internal organs functioning and healthy.
Once you remove the seeds (which contain a small amount of cyanide, a toxic substance) and the core, apples are a perfectly safe treat for any dog -- and the majority of pups are head over heels for the food. There are many types and sizes, but a medium-size apple weighs in at only around 95 calories. Apples are filled with nutritious vitamins and minerals, are high in fiber and contain calcium. All of these factors support healthy bones, muscles and organs.
Although the little seeds covering a strawberry may seem threatening, strawberries -- seeds and all -- are a completely healthy snack for a pup. And a cup of sliced strawberries -- well over what your pup likely needs -- is a mere 49 calories. Besides satisfying any dog's craving for something sweet, the consumption of strawberries is accompanied by a plethora of benefits. They are rich in healthy nutrients, can help curb chronic illnesses and cancers, and they receive their red flavor from flavonoids: a powerful, antioxidant-boosting metabolite found in plants that offer numerous health benefits for your canine.
Bananas are an excellent and enjoyable treat, and they are also at the top of the list of healthy fruits for your canine. A medium-size banana is just over 100 calories. High in fiber, potassium and magnesium, the soft fruit is both easy to consume and beneficial to a pup's health and growth. The many vitamins in bananas help give your dog a healthy and shiny coat, keeps your pup's energy up, can lead to weight loss and has other positive impacts on your canine's physical health. The high levels of potassium are also necessary for a dog's nervous system, muscular structure and electrolyte levels.
Although diabetic pups should be sure to avoid this high-sugar fruit, the treat is a healthy addition to a dog's day and can help your canine pal lose a little weight and prevent dehydration throughout the upcoming summer months. There are 23 calories in a 2.4-ounce wedge of the soft, juicy fruit. There aren't many benefits that your dog will experience from eating cantaloupe besides a potential improvement to their eyesight, but it's a perfect replacement for normal dog treats that are high in fat or processed sugars.
Kiwi is not only a delicious treat for your pup -- it is also highly praised for its benefits. A kiwi is only 46 calories and packed with incredible amounts of vitamin C, which can boost your canine's immune system. It is also high in potassium, which is essential for any creature's body to function. In addition, its high fiber and antioxidant levels make the fruit both heart healthy and anti-cancerous. But be sure to remove the seeds from these sour fruits, as they may contain trace amounts of cyanide that could be toxic to your dog.
As much fun as it is to share human food with your furry friends, it is essential to always do so in moderation. Be sure to prepare any servings of fruit with any potential choking hazards and toxic ingredients removed, potentially including seeds, pits, rinds and skins. And although these fruits are dog-friendly, not all are. In particular, grapes and raisins are particularly harmful for doggos and should never be fed to them.
When not organic, fruits sometimes have pesticides or other chemicals or products on the outside to preserve them, and you should consider washing or removing the skins before serving the treat to your canines. In addition, be sure to cut up any fruits into smaller bites to make sure your dog doesn't choke on larger pieces of any sweet treats you might give them.
Every dog reacts differently to different foods -- so be sure to monitor your pup closely as they munch on any of these delicious fruits, and talk to your vet before changing your pet's diet.