Refusing to those drooling faces and wide demanding eyes is not easy while enjoying a colorful fruit basket, right? Yes! We know, and we will make your visit worthwhile by covering all the questions related to feeding fruits to your dog.
If you are searching for a one-word answer to the question can dogs eat fruit?, then, technically speaking, the answer is YES, dogs can eat fruit. But before tossing that cherry towards your pup, stop and read this article till the end.
Fruits are appealing and have benefits but don’t forget that here we are talking about dogs who are carnivores. Dogs’ body mechanisms and functionality are different from human’s; this excludes some human-edible fruits from the dog’s safe-diet list.
What Fruits Dogs Can And Can’t Eat
Old science termed dogs as facultative carnivores meaning that dogs can also get nutrition from plant-based diets. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have to bring animal-related products for your dog if you are a vegetarian. This simply means that you can add small portions of green stuff to your dog’s diet.
Fruits mentioned below have proven to be safe and beneficial for most dogs but for the best diet suggestions for your puppy, consult your vet.
The ingestion capability of your dog is different from yours, and you should not forget this. We did all the research work and tried to cover most of the common fruit-related questions you have in your mind.
Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Yes! Apples are safe to eat for your dog. Apples can help you in avoiding unnecessary visits to the vet clinic because of their high nutritional value. Apples are loaded with nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Fiber.
Benefits of feeding apples to your puppy include better bowel functionality and decreased risk of bones and joints issues.
However, you should also know that apple seeds contain little cyanide, a potential choking hazard.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry?
Luckily, we can share these Vitamin-C-loaded powerhouses with our little furry friends without giving a second thought. You can freeze strawberries or cut them into small pieces and offer them as a refreshing summer treat.
Can Dogs Eat Mangoes?
Mangoes are among the foods that are irresistible for both humans and dogs. Fortunately, feeding some chunks of mangoes to your puppy won’t hurt. In fact, mangoes are loaded with Vitamin C, A, E, and B6, which are antioxidants at their best.
Bear in mind that you get rid of the skin and pit of the fruit completely before adding it to your dog’s food.
Can Dogs Eat Apricots?
Not only can your dog eat apricots, but you should feed apricots to your dog because of its benefits. Beta Carotene present in apricots aids the vision of your dog.
The flesh of the fruit is beneficial; however, you should look out for the pit because it contains cyanide. Moreover, the pit of apricot can also get stuck in your dog’s throat.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Bananas can be a good source of sugar for your dog because of their high glucose content. For the same reason they are beneficial, that is, high sugar content, you should not feed more than half a banana to your dog at a time.
What Fruits Are Good For Dogs?
Here are some other fruits worth mentioning that are safe for your dog to eat:
Blueberries
Blueberries are on this list because they are rich in phytochemicals, Fiber, and especially antioxidants. Blueberries can be a great tool to teach your dog to catch things in their mouths.
Now you might be wondering what is phytochemical and how it is good for your dog? Phytochemical is a substance naturally present in plants that fight against cancer.
Coconut
Various studies showed that coconuts acted as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral agent.
Despite these benefits, you should make sure that you only treat your dog with fresh coconut pieces. It is recommended because coconut oil might cause diarrhoea.
Watermelon
Watermelons could be a refreshing summer treat for your dog that is not only tempting but also delicious too.
The thing to note here is that watermelon seeds and rinds are removed before sharing with your dog. It is advised because rinds can be a choking hazard, and seeds can lead to diarrhoea.
What Fruits Are Bad For Dogs?
Now you will be wondering which fruits you should enjoy while keeping your dog away? Taking your concern into consideration, we made a list of fruits that are forbidden for your dog.
Here are some fruits that you should avoid at all costs:
Avocados
Because they contain a toxin called Persin that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs. Your dog might not even appreciate the taste.
Boysenberries
They can upset the stomach of your dog.
Cherries
The pit of cherries is embedded, and they have long stems making them a risky food. Otherwise, the flesh of the cherries is safe to eat for your dog.
Grapes
Because they can lead to Kidney Failure as they are poisonous to dogs.
Lemons
The seeds and rind are toxic, and the acidity level is too high for dogs.
Summary
Dog owners have plenty of concerns regarding the elements they can or cannot add to their dog’s food menu. These concerns are normal because dogs are carnivores and can’t ingest all kinds of human-grade food.
Fruits are a major part of many dogs’ owner’s diets, so they are curious whether it is okay to feed fruits to dogs or not? Dog owners should be very careful because a wrong fruit or wrongfully presented food can lead to many complications.
In a nutshell, you should avoid citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and grapefruits, except small amounts of oranges. On the flip side, most of the berries are safe to eat for the dogs if pits and stems are removed completely.
Remember that fruits can be very nutritious and refreshing for your puppy. They should be on your dog’s menu.
If you were looking for any particular fruit that is not listed in this article, consult your vet before feeding.