Figuring out what fruit is safe for dogs to eat can be a lot of fun, after all, as pet owners, we want to show affection to our loyal pets by sharing human food that are safe for dogs to eat. Nonetheless, as a pet owner, I know how easy it can be to get it wrong as there are numerous fruits that are bad for dogs to eat too!
But to narrow down what fruits to feed your dog and how much is safe, you’ll need the know-how for dog nutrition as well as pet food poisoning.
So, What fruit is safe for dogs to eat?
Most fruits humans can eat, are safe for dogs to eat too, though I’m not what you call an expert “dog nutritionist” as such, but I do know a fair bit of food poison in pets is only rampant when dogs are left to eat too much of fruits like avocado, pumpkins or apples with core and apple seeds.
I find that having the right amount of fruit portioning is key to feed your dog while also allowing the dog’s digestive system speed up tasks and processes of handling human food, which in turn increases productivity of the digestive system before the fruits become burdensome.
We’ve all been told that fruits are good for our health. They are rich in vitamins and nutrients that help the human body generally function better.
If we said that fruits could be useful for a dog’s health too, a lot of you may be surprised.
Studies have shown that fruits are also beneficial to a dog’s health.
As much as we can say that dogs can eat fruits, you should also know that some fruits can be dangerous and could cause serious health problems to our canine companions.
With that being said, let us look at the fruits that are okay for your dog to eat.
1. Bananas
These fruits could be offered to your dogs as a treat. The trouble is that most pet owners tolerate their pets when they see them eat the banana peelings which is not good for your dog.
So, Is a banana good for a dog?
Yes! Bananas are good for dogs when given as a treat. These fruits are a huge plus for dogs as they are rich in carbohydrates which help in metabolism and digestion every time your dog eat them on their own or as part of a mixed meal.
And for active dog breeds, eating bananas provide them with vital carbohydrates which is a good energy source.
Besides that, Bananas are rich in potassium which has a function of controlling blood pressure and assisting in glucose metabolism.
2. Watermelons
Dogs eating Watermelons is always on pet owners mind
Not only is this fruit rich in essential mineral compounds like potassium, and magnesium, but the watermelon is also primarily made of water, which will hydrate your dog.
They also contain Vitamin C, which has the functions of wound healing and collagen synthesis dogs need as they age. On top of that, watermelons come packed with vitamin A which assists in vision.
With so many rumors and stories of dogs getting food poisoning from eating certain types of fruits, its only natural for pet owners to wonder if pet dogs can eat watermelons…
So, Is melon safe for dogs to eat?
Yes, dogs can safely eat watermelons as long as the dog eats the melon fruit in moderation. Many pet owners who have overweight dogs greatly benefit from feeding melons to their dogs as a healthy alternative to traditional junk food used as dog treats.
Caution should be taken for puppies when they are fed melons with seeds.
As harmless as melon seeds can be to dogs, they can easily become a choking hazard to inexperienced younger or smaller pooches.
So, as a part of moderating how much melon your dog eats, you should avoid feeding melon seeds to your dog as much as possible.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin and dog diet does not really look like a match made in heaven, but if your dog has lately suffered from diarrhea,(common in older dogs) feeding that dog cooked or fresh pumpkin may just help put her on to the mends she desperately needs.
Why Feeding Pumpkins Dog With Diarrhea Works Wonders?
Naturally, pumpkins are rich in fiber, which helps mainly indigestion, especially dogs whose poop is runny. Pumpkins also have Zinc, Potassium, and Vitamin A, which essentially helps to firm your dog’s poop.
But with all the information overload, you probably have been told that feeding your dog both raw and cooked pumpkin is not safe for dogs.
So, can dogs eat pumpkin?
Yes! Dogs can eat pumpkins safely as long as you keep it to a minimum. And for dogs or felines who have historical diabetes and chronic kidney disease, eating both raw or cooked pumpkins helps greatly to remedy the disease.
While feeding pumpkins to dogs with diarrhea is beneficial, I would never do it unless I have a local veterinarian’s professional opinion on it.
So, regardless of how both raw or cooked pumpkins are safe for dogs to eat, always ask your vet first.
And to make sure that your pooch’s health and safety is not compromised after eating pumpkin seeds and the flesh of fresh raw pumpkins, make sure you measure how much you give your dog as too much of anything can quickly turn poisonous.
All in all, dogs can eat pumpkins and are safe provided it is not too much of it or somewhat a rotten pumpkin that’s been sitting around for four weeks.
They are also rich in iron, which helps in the production of blood cells.
It is most recommended to feed your dog the seeds which have to be grounded and feed to them unsalted.
4. Strawberries
With its attractive red color, strawberries are rich in fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Folic Acids and Magnesium
Strawberries are also rich in Vitamin K which helps in reducing toxic contents in the blood in case your dog swallowed something poisonous.
As a treat you can give your dog one strawberry.
5. Raspberries
These particular berries have Magnesium, copper, iron and fiber. Raspberries are also good at reducing body toxins.
On top of that, they are rich in vitamin k, and B-Complex. For these, it is recommended that you give them at least 3.
6. Oranges
These fruits have flavonoids, Vitamin A and C, Folic acid, Potassium and iron. They also have minimum amounts of calcium that assist in bone formation and strengthening.
While oranges offer so much nutritional benefits, you should not feed your dog more than half of a segment.
7. Pears
Pears have potassium, copper, folic acids, Vitamin C, A, B1 and B2. In addition to that, they have Vitamin E which helps in smooth muscle growth.
For this fruit, you can give your dog 2 to 3 cubes.
8. Blueberries
These type of berries are rich in Vitamin C, E as well as Vitamin A. On top of that, they offer Selenium and Zinc.
For blueberries, give your dog at least 2 or 3 berries as a treat.
9. Blackberries
We have all heard the expression “the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice”. This applies to blackberries too. They are indeed very tasty.
Blackberries are rich in Vitamins A, C, K and E. In addition to that, they have fiber, Manganese, Folate and Tannin.
10. Apples
At the center of controversy for countless pet owners is whether dogs can eat apples…
And there’s no surprise there as many lapdogs often tend to want all nibles going into their owner’s mouth must also be fed to them.
Especially apples, they are crunchy and juicy every mouthful bite for dogs when eaten with the apple skin and core.
Sadly, pet owners who let dogs eat the core of the apple are the ones who ruin it for all as it means the dog is likely to ingest apple seeds which contain a poisonous compound known as cyanide.
So, Can dogs eat apples?
Yes! Dogs can eat apples and benefit from the apple’s plant chemicals called phytonutrients. This mineral compound is found in apple skin and is thought to be rich in protective agents against some types of cancer even in humans. …
So, as long as you keep your pooch away from eating apple seeds, which is where large concentrations of cyanide is present, your dog should be able to eat apple fruits with the core and seeds removed safely.
Can the saying “An apple a day keeps the Vet away” apply to dogs? It sure can. Apples are high in fiber, Vitamin C, flavonoids, and Potassium.
You can add this fruit to your dog’s daily diet. It is a very healthy fruit-No wonder they are so popular. Note that you should remove the seeds as they can cause health problems when ingested by the dog
11. Cantaloupe
This juicy fruit contains Vitamins A and C, fiber, Potassium, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, and Folic acid
On top of that these fruits offer Vitamin B which play very important roles in Cell metabolism.
12. Kiwis
These fruits are rich Potassium and Vitamin C. They are also rich in fiber, which, along with with assisting in absorption in the intestines, help in digestion in the stomach. It is best recommended to give your dogs at least 1 Slice at a time as a treat.
13. Cranberries
Known for helping the body fight against infections of excretory organs, Cranberries are rich in Fiber, Manganese, and, most importantly, vitamin C.
Because of their benefits, cranberries should be added to the dog’s food regularly to prevent any infections and save you from a trip to the Vet.
14. Squash
Rich in Beta-carotene, which gradually improves eyesight. It also has fiber that assists in healthy digestion.
Therefore, a little bit of this fruit from time to time in its diet won’t hurt.
While this fruit might be useful for your dogs to eat, the seeds are not so healthy. Make sure that you remove them before feeding your dog.
15. Pineapples
This fruit naturally contains calcium, which will strengthen your dog’s bones and will assist in producing blood.
On top of that, pineapples have Potassium, which assists in glucose absorption, which gives our cells, muscles and vital organs energy.
Pineapples also have a high fiber content which will help in digestion.
16. Peanuts
Just to clear all the doubt, yes, peanuts fall in the category of fruits. Peanuts have a lot of proteins and fats.
While it may seem fine to give to your dog fruits that are rich in fats, it is not a good idea to give them excessive peanuts.
What we mean is, make sure they are given the minimum amount to avoid them from having health issues.
17. Coconut
The Coconut flesh contains lauric acid which assists in the strengthening of the immune system.
On top of that, it helps to attack and minimize the effect of viruses when they are appear in the system.
Having said this, the rest of the coconut is not suitable for dogs-especially the outer shell.
18. Mangoes
Mangoes are an excellent fruit for dogs to eat as they contain essential minerals like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc.
Mango fruit also are rich in Vitamins such as A, Niacin, B6 and Vitamin K your dog needs every day or soon after a diarrhea bout in dogs.
This beloved fruit will make a great treat for your dog- just give it about 2 slices that should be cut into smaller pieces.
Mangoes also offer a Vitamin called Choline which assists in production of signaling molecules in the neurotransmitter. In other words, it helps your dog to be more proactive to its surroundings.
19. Peaches
These fruits are rich in Vitamins like C, E, K, Pantothenic acid (B5) and Thaimine (B1). On top of that, peaches contain carbohydrates that full cells with energy as well as fibers that will help their digestion system.
These peaches are definitely the fruits that your dog will benefit from so be on the lookout for peach season.
20. American Plum
Mostly used to make Jam and wine, the American plums contain Vitamin K, E, Folic acid and Vitamin C.
On top of that, it contains small fiber and Tannin, which will make your dog healthier for longer.
21. Silver Buffaloberry
This unique and rare fruits originated from the middle and western parts of North America and naturally contains Vitamin A, E and Pantothenic acid.
The Buffalo berries also have antitoxins. As a result, they are used in medicines.
If you can get your hands on these beautiful berries, make sure your dog has some too.
22. Tangerine
Common in every country around the world, tangerines are surely loved by many.
Not only are they sweet, these fruits are also very nutritious as they contain Vitamins like B6, choline, C, thiamine and vitamin A.
They also contain Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Potassium.
For your dog, Atleast 2 segments will do. Just remove the rind and the seeds.
23. Kokum
The kokum is well known in Asia and Africa continents. It is used mostly in pharmaceuticals mostly because it has antitoxins.
The kukom has Vitamin K, Pantothenic, B and C. On top of that it has Minerals like Potassium and phosphorus.
Before you serve this fruit to your dog, remove the find and the small seeds inside it.
24. Cassabanana
Also called “Sikana”, fruit is native to the eastern part of South America. It is closely related to the watermelon in terms of the fact that it is very watery.
Like the water melon, the Cassabanana is rich in mainly in Vitamins A and C.
The cassabanana should be given to the dog as treats-preferably one thirds of it and it should be chopped into smaller pieces for the dog to easily eat.
25. Tamarillo
The final fruit on our list is this egg-shaped fruit that has a bright red color when it is ripe. These fruits are popular all over the world.
They contain Vitamin A, C, and main minerals, which are Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron.
As a treat, give your dog at least half a segment of this fruit, further chopped in case they just want to swallow it without chewing.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, knowing what fruits are healthy or not can be an exhausting task, but for the well-being of your canine, it is worth it.
Always remember to clean the fruits before you give them to your dog. Also, you can make any fruit an ingredient to your dog’s diet by crushing it- making it a smaller part of the whole diet.
