What fruits can dogs eat?

Before we get into what fruits are okay (and healthy) for your dog to eat, there are a few general recommendations for feeding your dog fruit.

Fruit should only be given in moderation

When incorporating fruits into your dog's diet, moderation is key. While many fruits can provide valuable nutrients like vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, they should only be given as occasional treats due to their natural sugar content.

Overfeeding fruit can lead to weight gain, digestive issues and other health problems. A commonly adopted rule is to limit your dog’s treats (which can include fruit) to only 10% of their daily calorie intake, explains the American Kennel Club (AKC). Your veterinarian can help you understand what the right number of daily calories is for your dog’s diet.

Understand which fruits are okay for dogs to eat

Before offering any new fruit, it's crucial to do your research to ensure it's safe for dog to consume – if you’re ever unsure, you should contact your veterinarian. Some fruits, like grapes and raisins, are toxic and should be avoided entirely. When introducing a new fruit, start with a small amount and monitor your dog closely for any adverse reactions.

Prepare the fruit before giving it to your dog

It’s important to wash fruit thoroughly to remove any pesticide residue. You should always remove any seeds, pits, stems, leaves and other inedible parts as these can contain harmful substances or pose choking hazards to your dog. Also, make sure that the fruit is cut into bite-sized pieces that are appropriate for your dog’s size.

Yes, dogs can eat bananas in moderation.

Are bananas healthy for dogs?

Bananas are a good source of nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fiber for dogs. However, they are also high in natural sugars, so they should be fed in limited quantities.

Bananas are safe for dogs to eat in small portions. Start with just a few slices to make sure your dog tolerates them well. The high sugar content means bananas should be given as an occasional treat only, not as a regular part of their diet. Before feeding bananas to your dog, be sure to follow these two steps:

1. Peel the banana before serving, as the peel can be difficult for dogs to digest.
2. Mash or cut bananas into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking, especially for smaller dogs.

Ripe bananas are preferred over green, unripe ones, which can cause an upset stomach. Bananas can also be mixed into their regular dog food or frozen for a refreshing summer snack.

Yes, dogs can eat apples in moderation.

Are apples healthy for dogs?

Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants for dogs. However, be sure to follow these two steps when feeding apples to your dog:

1. Remove the core and seeds: The apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, which is toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities. The core can also be a choking hazard.
2. Slice or cut into pieces: Whole apples can pose a choking risk, especially for smaller breeds. Always slice or cut the apple into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog's size.

Avoid apple sauce and preserves – plain, fresh apples are best. Apple sauces and preserves often contain added sugars and other ingredients that may be harmful to dogs.

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon in moderation.

Is watermelon healthy for dogs?

Watermelon contains nutrients that can be beneficial for dogs. The juicy red flesh of watermelon is okay for dogs to consume and is mostly water. It contains vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as potassium. Be sure to read the following points before giving watermelon to your dog:

1. Remove seeds and rind: The black seeds can cause intestinal issues if eaten, and the hard green rind is difficult for dogs to digest, so remove both before feeding.
2. Cut into bite-size pieces: Cube or slice the watermelon flesh into manageable bites to prevent choking, especially for smaller dogs.
3. Introduce slowly: Like any new food, start with just a bite or two to make sure your dog tolerates it well before feeding more.

The high moisture content in watermelon can help keep dogs hydrated. You can also consider freezing pieces for a refreshing treat on hot days.

Yes, dogs can eat strawberries in moderation.

Are strawberries healthy for dogs?

Strawberries are full of antioxidants, high in vitamin C and fiber, and low in calories, making them a nutrient-rich snack for dogs. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Remove stems and leaves: The green stems and leaves of the strawberry plant contain small amounts of a compound called xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Be sure to remove them completely.
2. Cut into pieces: Whole strawberries can pose a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. Cut the strawberries into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog's size.
3. Introduce slowly: When first feeding strawberries, start with just a couple of small pieces to make sure your dog doesn't have an allergic reaction or digestive issues.

It’s also worth noting frozen strawberry pieces can make a refreshing low-calorie snack on a hot day.

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries in moderation.

Are blueberries healthy for dogs?

Blueberries are a nutritious, low-calorie treat that are safe for dogs to consume. Their benefits include that they are rich in antioxidants (like vitamins C and K), they’re a good source of fiber, lower in natural sugar, and may help fight aging/cognitive decline.

Introduce blueberries slowly to make sure your dog tolerates them well and follow these tips:

1. Wash them thoroughly to remove any pesticide residue.
2. Feed them whole, mashed, frozen or mixed into their regular food.

Make sure to avoid blueberries sweetened with xylitol, as this is toxic to dogs.

Yes, dogs can eat oranges in moderation without seeds or peels/rinds.

Are oranges healthy for dogs?

Orange flesh/pulp is safe for dogs to consume in small quantities. It provides vitamin C, fiber and natural sweetness. Fresh, plain, orange juice (unsweetened) is also okay to give your dog in limited amounts.

Start slow by offering just a slice or two to make sure your dog tolerates it well – some dogs with sensitive stomachs may not take well to the acidity in oranges.

Be sure to cut the orange flesh into bite-size pieces to prevent choking, especially for small dogs. Avoid canned/sweetened oranges as the added sugars are unhealthy.

No, dogs should not eat grapes or raisins as they can be toxic and potentially fatal. Even a small number of grapes or raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, explains the AKC. Any breed, gender or age of dog is susceptible to grape/raisin poisoning.

If you suspect your dog has eaten any grapes, raisins or grape products, it's critical to contact your veterinarian or pet poison control hotline immediately. Even a few inadvertently dropped grapes can be an emergency situation for dogs. Grape toxicity is potentially fatal, so err on the side of extreme caution and keep all grape products far away from your pup.

What if your dog has accidentally eaten grapes?

If your dog did inadvertently consume a toxic fruit or shows signs of distress after eating, seeking prompt veterinary care is essential. If your vet’s office is unavailable, WebMD recommends you contact either of these hotlines that are available 24/7:

• ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661

In such situations, having pet insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind by covering unexpected vet bills, allowing owners to make decisions based on their dog's health rather than cost concerns.

In conclusion, while many fruits can provide nutritional benefits for dogs when fed properly, it's important for owners to exercise caution and moderation. Some fruits are completely off-limits due to toxicity risks, while others should only be given in limited quantities as treats to avoid digestive issues or unhealthy weight gain. By thoroughly researching safe options, removing inedible parts, introducing new fruits slowly, and sticking to appropriate portion sizes, dog owners can let their four-legged friends enjoy the occasional sweet treat of dog-friendly fruits.