What Fruits Can Dogs Eat? 21 Healthy Choices & 5 Fruits Dogs Can’t Eat

Rewrite and expand this content to 700 words To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process. Although fruit isn’t required in a dog’s daily diet, there’s no question that fruits have health benefits for our furry friends. And they love the sweet flavors and varying textures. Many premium dog food brands even include whole fruits to boost the nutritional value (and taste) of their formulas. But, as is the case with all types of human foods, some fruits that we eat can be quite harmful to our canine companions. We give you a comprehensive guide of the best fruits for your pup, their health benefits, safe feeding guidelines, and fruits to avoid giving your dog. Healthy Ways To Add Fruit To Your Dog’s Diet Many fruits make yummy snacks straight from your fridge or pantry (as long as you wash them first), or you can easily use them in homemade dog treats. They also make great food toppers to entice picky eaters. Although many fruits are low in calories, you still need to make sure you share them with your furry friend in moderation. And always check with your veterinarian before you give your pup any new food. Experts agree that it’s extremely important to moderate treats, snacks, or any additional food you give your dog. “I regularly come across dogs who are overweight, and often the underlying reason is that they eat too many treats in addition to their dog food,” says Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed, MRCVS, a small animal veterinarian at Bridges Veterinary Surgery in Cardiff, Wales. “It’s easy to get carried away when giving your dog treats, especially if you’re training them, but to avoid becoming overweight or unhealthy, treats should be no more than 10% of a dog’s daily food intake.” Godfrey shares one example of how easy it is for owners to fall into the treat trap. “I saw a young rescue dog recently who was a bit anxious. The owner was giving lots of treats to try to train them and combat boredom and separation anxiety. As a result, they were piling on the pounds! Thankfully, by giving fewer treats, swapping treats for healthier raw carrots, and providing other types of rewards and enrichment, the dog lost weight.” What’s The Best Fruit For Dogs? Top 8 Choices Many of the most popular fruits for humans are also the healthiest options for our four-legged friends. This makes dog fruit treats easy because you likely keep these on hand for your family. Just be sure to follow the necessary modifications and serving suggestions for safe snacking. 1. Blueberries Perhaps the crown jewel of all fruit, blueberries are an amazing nutrient-dense superfood with multiple health benefits for us and our furry sidekicks. Another bonus, they require no de-seeding or other safety modifications (other than washing) for most dogs. Fresh and frozen blueberries are a hit with most dogs. For small dogs, you should chop or mash them up to avoid the potential for choking. Dogs can safely have a handful of blueberries every day. I’ve found that blueberries are fantastic to use as low-calorie training treats, particularly when you need to give multiple rewards during a training session. Benefits Low in calories and sugar Rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help prevent cell damage, have anti-cancer properties and fight heart disease High amounts of fiber for healthy digestion and vitamin C for immune health Anti-inflammatory properties Good source of vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc Our Personal Experience “Our Cavaliers LOVE blueberries as treats. You can freeze them, too so they aren’t as messy to eat (and they last longer). It’s a nice, sweet treat in the summertime. We also like to mix them up with yogurt or peanut butter in a frozen mold to make yummy treats too”. – Sadie C., Canine Journal 2. Apples Many dogs love the crunchy texture and sweet taste of apples, and apple slices are a super healthy treat as long as you remove the seeds and core. When chewed, apple seeds release a small amount of cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. The core is a choking hazard and can be difficult for dogs to digest. Apple skin is fine for dogs in moderation. Stick to two or three apple slices at treat time. Too much apple at one time can cause a tummy ache or diarrhea. And a whole apple contains too much fructose (a “fruit sugar”) for our pups. Dogs love raw apples, but you can also add plain, pureed apples to homemade baked treats. Benefits Excellent source of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and antioxidants Low in calories Fiber-rich apple peels can help regulate digestion and maintain a healthy weight Helps clean teeth Green apples contain slightly less sugar and carbs and a bit more vitamin A than red apples 3. Pumpkin Pumpkin is a frequent addition to premium dog food, treats, and supplements for its many health benefits, with digestive health topping the list. Pure canned pumpkin (without spices) is the easiest way to give your pup this fruit, but you can also feed your dog fresh pumpkin flesh (raw or cooked). Plain roasted pumpkin seeds are safe and healthy snacks for pups, but they’re fairly high in fat, so you should feed them sparingly. Benefits High in fiber, vitamins A and K, and copper Excellent remedy for diarrhea, constipation, and anal gland problems Good source of vitamins C and E, iron, and folate Supports skin, coat, and immune health Low in sugar Can feed daily in small amounts for healthy digestion Our Personal Experience “My dog has had an occasional upset tummy, and my go-to cure is adding pumpkin to her diet for a couple of days. It always settles her stomach, plus she loves the taste of it. It’s a win-win!” – Kimberly A., Canine Journal 4. Watermelon Consisting of 92% water, watermelon is the perfect fruit to keep your dog hydrated during hot summer outings. Just make sure you remove the seeds and rind before sharing this nutritious treat with your four-legged friend because they can cause intestinal blockage. However, watermelon is fairly high in sugar, so it’s best to limit your pup to one slice. Benefits High in potassium, vitamins A, B-6, and C Good fruit choice for overweight dogs (contains the amino acid arginine, which helps burn fat) Low in calories and carbohydrates Can keep your pup hydrated Our Personal Experience “My dog loves watermelon, and the kids love sharing it with her. I suggest feeding it to your dog outside as the juiciness of the fruit can drip from your dog’s mouth and make your floors sticky.” – Kimberly A., Canine Journal 5. Strawberries Another fave fruit among us humans, strawberries combine a juicy, fun texture with a sweet, tart taste that most dogs love to devour. They’re an excellent treat fresh or frozen, but be sure to cut them into smaller pieces to avoid choking. How many strawberries can dogs have each day? One is sufficient for small dogs, medium-sized dogs can have two or three, and large dogs can eat up to five per day. Benefits Extremely rich in vitamin C and antioxidants for cell and immune health Low in calories and less sugar than apples and bananas High-fiber content is good for digestive health Support heart health Contain omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health Contain an enzyme that helps whiten teeth 6. Bananas America’s most popular fruit, bananas are a healthy choice for our pups as long as you peel them first and feed in moderation. The peels aren’t toxic, but they can be difficult to digest and can cause intestinal blockage. Although bananas contain many nutrients, there’s a fair amount of sugar lurking inside that peel (and the sugar and carb content continue to rise as bananas ripen). Therefore, be mindful to give your pup small amounts of banana and not feed it frequently. Also, they’re not a healthy choice for diabetic or overweight dogs. Still, for many pups, mashed bananas make an easy and healthy addition to homemade baked dog treats. I blend a small amount together with frozen blueberries or strawberries for a paw-fect pup smoothie. Benefits Low in calories and cholesterol High in potassium, fiber, biotin, vitamins C and B6, and copper Help maintain healthy blood pressure…