We’ve all been there – we want to give a little bit of that delicious fruit we’re having to our dogs. And they usually have that look that says, “I’d like some too, please.” But is the apple you’re having safe for a dog? Or a peach, mango, banana, etc. What fruits are good for our dogs and do dogs actually need fruits in their diet?
Bananas for Dogs
If your dog wants a little bit of a banana you’re eating, it is OK. Bananas are safe for dogs to eat. However, you shouldn’t give them whole bananas without removing the peel. The banana peel is not toxic either, but it is hard to digest. This can lead to blockages, which can cause digestive health issues.
So, a bite here and there is all right. You can also mash the banana and mix it with your dog’s food. Or, you can give it as a treat mix, especially if you freeze the banana. It will keep your dog occupied, and the reward is a delicious treat.
Apples – Great For Older Dogs Too
Yes, apples are safe for dogs to eat. These fruits are not just a great source of vitamin C, but they also provide enough fiber and vitamin A for our dogs. A word of warning: remove the core and the seeds before giving the apple to a dog.
These parts of an apple are small and can easily be inhaled, which leads to serious problems, as you already know. So, give an apple to your dog, but don’t forget to remove the seeds first. Also, an apple is a good choice for older dogs.
Blueberries — Antioxidants and Puppy Treats
This is another great choice to give to your dog as a healthy snack. Blueberries are full of antioxidants that help our bodies fight the bad byproducts of metabolic processes that happen on a cell level. These substances (antioxidants) are basically very important for cleaning our body and fighting cell mutations which can lead to cancer (among other things).
And, just as they are good for us, they are good for dogs too. Blueberries are a great source of fiber and vitamins K and C. And, they are often included in dog snacks we buy at the store. So, go for it – blueberries are a safe and healthy snack for your dog, no matter the age.
Cranberries – Fresh or Special Dog Treats
While cranberries are safe for dogs to eat, it doesn’t mean your dog will like the taste. If a dog likes the taste of cranberries, you should give it fresh cranberries or special cranberry treats made for dogs.
We don’t want to give them dried cranberries we buy for ourselves, because these are too sweet for a dog. Of course, a dry cranberry here and there won’t do much harm, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
As always, you can freeze the cranberries and give them as a snack. You can also make it more fun for those dogs that love to solve problems and put the cranberries into a dog bowl made for slow feeding. This way they’ll spend some time trying to reach the snack rather than just gulping it down.
Mango — Sweet Treats in Moderation
Just like with apples, before giving mango to your dog, make sure to remove the seeds. They are easy to inhale and cause choking, and they also have a small amount of cyanide, which is toxic.
Mango is a great healthy snack for dogs because it is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and potassium. All of these things help your dog fight bacteria and viruses, and overall, help your dog’s immune system.
However, unlike the fruits we already mentioned, mangoes are high in sugar. This means you have to be careful how much you give to your dog. They don’t need extra sugar intake, so keep the amount of mango slices you give to your dog low.
Pears — Fiber and Vitamins for Your Dog
Your dog can share a fresh pear with you. Just remember to remove the seeds and the pits before giving some pear to your dog because these pose a choking hazard, and like said, seeds have a small amount of cyanide.
Pears are a great source of copper for your dog. Besides copper, they are also full of vitamins K and C, and they have lots of fiber. All of these things are great for your dog’s immune system. You should avoid canned pears, as they have more sugar and are not as healthy as fresh pears.
Strawberries — Sweet and Safe Dog Snacks
If you’re eating strawberries and your dog wants some for himself, yes, it is alright to give him some. Strawberries are also a great source of vitamin C and fiber. They are a tasty snack that can also be offered frozen.
As always, give fresh fruit to your dog or fresh frozen fruit. Any other form has a lot of sugar and can cause more damage than help, especially if given to senior dogs or those that are prone to obesity, e.g. Dachshunds.
Pumpkin — High-Fiber Dog-Approved Fruit
This is a very good snack for your dog. Not only does it have a lot of fiber and antioxidants, but it also works well against both diarrhea and constipation. It is a natural remedy we can offer our dogs if they have such problems.
Of course, we are talking about pure pumpkins that you have to peel before giving to your dog. You can also bake the pumpkin in the oven and give it as a snack to your dog (peel the pumpkin first).
Pineapple for Dogs – Only Fresh Pineapple
This is a great fruit to give to your dogs from time to time because it contains vitamins and fiber, but it also has bromelain – an enzyme that helps your dog absorb proteins.
Of course, we are talking about a fresh pineapple. The canned or dried contains too much sugar, and it is not advised to give it to your dog. Also, it is important to peel the outer hard part and the crown of the pineapple before you give it to your dog.
Peaches as a Yummy Snack For Dogs
This is another great choice for a healthy dog snack. As always, be careful to remove the pits and the seeds before giving a peach to your dog. Just like the other fruits we talked about, the pits are a choking hazard, and the seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic.
If your dog really likes peaches, you can give him some as a frozen treat. This should keep your dog occupied if you need to finish some things around the house quickly, and it is a great source of fiber and vitamins.
Raspberries — Occasional Treats for Dogs
Your dog can eat raspberries, but it should not be too often. While raspberries have a lot of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, they also have xylitol.
Xylitol is a substance that can be very dangerous to dogs if consumed in great amounts. When a dog ingests a lot of xylitol, the body reacts in such a way that leads to hypoglycemia – low blood sugar. If not treated on time, this leads to tremors, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So, raspberries are safe, but only if your dog eats a few every few months.
Oranges — Vitamin C Treats (Without Peel)
Even though a lot of dogs don’t like the smell of oranges and other citrus fruits, oranges are a healthy source of vitamin C for your dog. Of course, remove the peel, seeds, and pits before giving orange slices to your dog.
If your dog actually loves to eat oranges, feel free to offer him an orange from time to time. After all, it is a nice way to add some vitamins to your dog’s diet.
Watermelon — Hydrating Dog Snack
And finally, watermelons are great healthy snacks for your dog as well. Watermelon is high in vitamin C and fiber and is a great way to keep your dog hydrated during summer because it is full of water.
We should always give peeled watermelons – remove the rind and the seeds. Your dog will enjoy a healthy snack, and it is darn cute to see a dog gulp down a juicy watermelon. Frozen bits of watermelon are also a great way to keep your dog entertained and to give him a good source of vitamins and water during hot days.
When To Give Fruit To Dogs?
No matter if they are safe for a dog to eat or not, fruits should not be a standard part of your dog’s diet. Fruits have their benefits, but they can also easily upset your dog’s stomach if they take too much fruit too often.
So, give your dog some of the fruits we mentioned occasionally, one apple every couple of weeks or once a month. This way, they get their share of vitamins, and you are certain they won’t end up with an upset stomach.
If your dog gets an upset stomach right after the first piece, stop with the fruit. There are other ways to ensure your dog has enough fiber and vitamins, such as specially designed-dog treats or supplements.
Do Dogs Need Fruit?
The simple answer is no. They don’t need fruits in their diet even though they are omnivores; dogs primarily eat meat. They won’t eat berries or other types of fruit in nature, but they will try to eat some grass as a source of fiber.
So, yes it is okay to give them the mentioned fruit as a snack but not as part of their everyday diet. They don’t need it and will do just fine without fruit. You also have to realize that the high-quality food we feed our dogs contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Final Thoughts
These 13 fruits we mentioned are nothing more than a great healthy snack you can give to your dog from time to time. Some of them, like watermelon, are a great source of water during summer or hot days, especially frozen.
Others, like strawberries, are a great treat after a well-done command during obedience training. However, all the fruits are just occasional snacks and should not be given often. Don’t forget to remove the seeds or pits before giving fruits to your dog. Also, you should only give our dogs fresh fruits or fresh frozen fruits and not the canned version. The canned fruit has too much sugar, which is bad for your dog, especially if it is a senior dog or dogs prone to obesity.
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