Can Dogs Eat Fruits?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Fruits?“.

Can dogs eat fruits? Both yes and no. Dogs can eat some fruits while others can not. Several fruits are toxic to dogs so it is important to know which ones you should not let them eat so that you can avoid them.

The majority of carnivores including dogs do not need fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless a special treat of fruits once in a while isnot a bad thing.

Dogs digest fruits differently than humans which is good to know. Thus eating the wrong fruits can lead to long-term health issues so it is best to avoid them. The following fruit list is for your canine companion.

Apples

Its true that apples are good sources of vitamin C and A. In addition to being a good source of vitamin C and A apples also contain low levels of fats and proteins.

Before feeding your dog however you must remove the seeds completely from the fruit. Cut the apple into smaller easy-to-eat pieces for your dog especially if your dog has a small mouth.

I suggest that if your dog is a senior you peel the apples skin away from it to prevent stomach issues.

In addition your dog should not eat the whole apple; just one or two slices will be fine. Apples are a great snack for your dogs during the hot summer days if they are frozen.

Bananas

You can give your dog a banana as a tasty snack because bananas are low in calories. In addition to vitamins and potassium they contain fiber biotin and copper.

In addition they have a low sodium and cholesterol content. In spite of the high sugar content bananas should only be fed to your dog in moderation or it might gain weight and develop diabetes.

Avoid giving your dog any parts of the peel. Dogs actually have a hard time digesting the peel fibers and it can cause digestive blockages.

Strawberries

A strawberry is a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Strawberries contain enzymes that can help whiten your dogs teeth.

Since they contain a lot of sugar they need to be given in small amounts. Your dog should be given strawberries in their natural form. You should not feed your dog canned strawberries or strawberries that have been added with syrup.

Besides being a good treat for your friend strawberries will keep your friend healthy.

The benefits of strawberries for dogs include boosting their immune system preventing aging problems and controlling their weight.

Fresh or frozen strawberries can be fed to your dog. Make sure not to add any additives to the strawberries.

How do you ensure that your dog is safe when eating his strawberries?

Ensure that your dog does not choke on the fruit by cutting it into small pieces. The fruits can be crushed into a puree and then added to the dogs food if your dog is quite young.

To ensure that your vets input is sought before adding fruits to the food you should consult him before doing so.

Additionally you should be alert to any changes such as allergies or stomach upsets so you can spot them as soon as they occur. The first time you notice anything strange you should stop and then call your veterinarian for advice.

Watermelon

Dogs are safe to eat melons. Melons should not be fed to dogs without a lot of precaution however since the seeds can cause intestinal blockages.

In addition you should not let your dog chew the rind because it can upset his digestive system. Among melons’ nutritional benefits are potassium vitamin B6 and vitamin A.

An average cup of melon contains about 50 calories and 92 percent of this fruit is water which makes it the perfect snack for a hot day.

Due to its lack of cholesterol and fat the fruit is good for dogs since they would not suffer from fat or cholesterol-related ailments.

The amount of watermelon you should feed your dog will ultimately depend on the size of your dog. A smaller piece of the watermelon should be given to a smaller dog.

Oranges

As well as being high in vitamin C oranges are also rich in fiber. Vets recommend removing the peel because it is rough to the dogs digestive system but the peel is not toxic.

Prior to feeding the dog an orange it is recommended that the peelings be removed. It is also recommended to remove the seeds beforehand.

A third of the orange is sufficient for small dogs while a whole orange can be given to older dogs.

Although oranges have a lot of natural sugar inside them citric acid should not upset your dogs stomach. However make sure that you do not overfeed your dog because oranges have a lot of natural sugar inside them.

Blueberries

Blueberries contain antioxidants that can be beneficial for dogs just as they are for humans. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage in dogs and humans alike.

In addition to phytochemicals and fiber blueberries are a good source of fiber. A dogs chance of getting a UTI (Urinary tract infection) can also be reduced by eating blueberries.

In addition to vitamin C and vitamin K1 blueberries contain a lot of antioxidants. Free radicals are attacked by these nutrients. The blueberries can be given to your dog as it is or frozen for a new texture.

Blueberries should be cut first or squished before feeding to small dog breeds to prevent them from choking.

Cantaloupe

Watermelons and cantaloupes both provide many of the same health benefits. The water content of these treats will help your dog stay hydrated on a hot day as well as be low in calories. It would be nice to give your dog a treat without causing them to gain weight so a piece of cantaloupe would be a wonderful choice.

Many vitamins are found in cantaloupes including potassium folate and vitamins B6 A and C. However the fruit has a high sugar content which may pose a problem for dogs with certain health issues.

In moderation you can feed your dog some cantaloupe. One slice is more than enough for him. You may give your dog slightly less if you have a smaller dog.

Seeds and rind/skin of the cantaloupe should not be fed to your dog. The seeds can contain harmful bacteria so remove them first.

Cucumbers

Are you aware that cucumbers are actually fruits and not vegetables? Cucumbers are rich in nutrients and vitamins including Vitamin K C B1 magnesium and biotin.

Cucumbers have a low-calorie count making them a good choice for dietary needs. Cucumber slices are so low in calories that your dog can eat a lot for a low-calorie diet.

Due to its lack of fats carbs or oils this fruit is also great for dogs with weight issues.

Mango

There are so many vitamins in mangos including vitamins A B6 C and E. In addition this treat contains a lot of fiber which is helpful for humans but might make your dog need to go to the bathroom more often.

In order to remove the skin and the pit from the mango you must first remove the skin. There is no way for your dog to eat this or digest it properly.

Sugar inside the mango is one thing you need to watch out for. Mango is very sweet and contains a lot of natural sugar so it may not be the best choice for overweight or obese dogs.

Peaches

The fruit peaches are both readily available and very affordable. They can be eaten fresh frozen or even canned. Peaches in cans without heavy syrups are the only type your dog can eat. Look for peaches made from 100% fruit juice.

Fiber and vitamin A are abundant in peaches. As long as you are aware of how much your dog is eating you can leave the skin on the peach for your pet as it will not harm him. On the other hand the pit is very toxic and contains chemicals like cyanide so you should not give it to your dog.

Apart from that juicy peach is a tasty treat your dog can have.

Pears

You can also give your dog pears as a treat. As well to vitamin C K Fiber and copper they have plenty of vitamins and minerals. Pears reduce your dogs chances of having a stroke so many people give their pets pears.

If you are serving pears to your dog make sure the seeds are removed. Frozen pears and canned pears are also options. When purchasing canned pears make sure they have no syrup and are 100% fruit juice.

Pineapple

Pineapple is a great treat for your dog. You can feed your dog a few bites of pineapple as long as the hard outer skin and core are removed.

Pineapples contain many nutrients minerals and vitamins that make them so healthy and delicious. It contains folate zinc vitamins and bromelain which aid in digesting meats and other foods in the digestive system.

Pineapple does contain a lot of sugar so make sure you only give your dog a small amount and you certainly do not want to let them eat the whole thing. An excessive amount of sugar in a dogs diet may cause digestive issues and diarrhea.

Coconut

It has become common knowledge how good coconut oil and meat are for your body. However dogs can eat some coconut meat even though they should not take coconut oil.

In addition to helping with allergies arthritis and bowel diseases coconut has natural anti-inflammatories.

The main disadvantage of coconut is that it is higher in calories so if your dog is overweight this may not be the best option for him.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are fruits whether you believe them or not. Pumpkins are not only delicious to add to homemade dog food but they can also have a number of health benefits. Dogs who suffer from diarrhea and other digestive issues may benefit from pumpkin.

In addition to fiber zinc iron and vitamin A pumpkins are high in potassium. The only pumpkin you should buy for your dog to eat is the pumping puree not the pumping pie mix.

Toxic Fruits Your Dog Should Never Eat

Can dogs eat fruits? This was the question asked at the beginning. The answer is yes and no; here is the list of fruits your dog should never consume. Here are some of them:

Grapes and Raisins

Raisins and grapes are quite toxic and should be avoided at all costs. Despite the fact that some dogs do not show any symptoms after eating them they should never be given them.

It has been proven that raisins and grapes can permanently damage your dogs kidneys. Do not let your dog eat raisins or grapes. Should your dog consume them be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Cherries

There are many types of cherries; they are sweet and delicious and they are very popular. Unfortunately they do not do your dog any good.

The pulp is quite safe for the dog but the plant itself and the pit are rather toxic and they can lead to respiratory failure. In extreme cases the dog might even die.

A great deal of cyanide is present in the pit and the plants. So keep your dog away from cherry plants but if you want him to eat the fruit feed him only the pulp.

Currants

The majority of people do not know that currants have very high levels of toxins. These fruits are comparable to raisins and grapes in terms of toxic levels.

You might not notice any vomiting or diarrhea after your dog consumes them but you should take the dog to the vet. It is important to avoid currants at all costs because they cause renal failure.

Apricots

As with cherries apricot leaves seeds and stems are quite toxic and dogs should not be allowed to eat them. However the pulp is safe for dogs to consume. The other parts of the plant contain cyanide which can cause respiratory failures and even death.

Avocados

For humans avocados are a superfruit but dogs are not permitted to eat avocados. Avocados contain a toxin called persin which can make you vomit and make diarrheal.

Although the soft fleshy part does not contain as much toxin it is still unsafe to feed it to dogs. In addition if your dog somehow manages to get a hold of the pit it can pose a serious choking hazard.

Lemons

Dogs may suffer serious stomach aches and pains from lemons and other acidic fruits. If you let your dog eat lemons he may have very upsetting bowel movements in the form of diarrhea.

I would completely avoid giving my dogs lemons if I were you. Do not give your dog lemonade either as it will harm them and give them way too much sugar.

Conclusion

Your dog will benefit from fruits. However not all fruits are safe for your dog; some are toxic and can cause your dog to die in extreme circumstances.

If you plan to give your dog any fruit you should check with your veterinarian first. Additionally you need to do a lot of research on whats good and whats bad for your pet.

This research sparked your interest did not it? Feel free to share it with your friends so they will also know which fruits dogs can eat.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Fruits? (Watch Video)