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.
Can dogs eat fruits like apples?
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. When frozen, apples will make a perfect snack for your dog during the warm weather.
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 lest the dog starts gaining weight and maybe later suffering from diabetes.
Strawberries are just full of vitamin C as well as a good source of fiber. Strawberries are also a good of an enzyme that helps 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 syrup are not good for your dog.
Strawberries are not only a good treat to your friend but they will help him to stay in good health.
Strawberries help in strengthening the immune system, help in aging problems as well as keeping his weight in check.
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 into the dog’s food.
Before you start adding the fruits into his 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 look out 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.
Can dogs eat fruits like watermelons?
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.
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 should be removed before the dog can be allowed to 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.
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 helps in digestion. If you want to teach your dog to catch things in the air, this is the perfect alternative as compared to treats that are bought from the stores.
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 he consumes 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.
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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