Having a dog, two or even more can quickly turn into anyone’s dream come true. Dogs come in many breeds, sizes and shapes, coats and colors and their personality can vary wildly. Even so, their basic personality traits revolve around being open to their human companions, loyal, excited about life, active and curious. Regardless of their specific personality, dogs will most definitely improve any person’s life as long as they take full responsibility for their furry friends.
It’s precisely because of this that dog owners may tend at times to spoil their pets and let them indulge in foods that could actually do more harm than good. Feeding your dog with human food is not entirely wrong, but it’s important to make the distinction between those fruits, for example, that are perfectly safe for dogs and those fruits that will actually mess up their digestive system.
It’s not only this, but feeding your dog with inappropriate human food, including fruits, can cause long-term health complications that are much more difficult to treat down the line and that may cause your dog unnecessary suffering.
Of course, not all dogs will eat everything they find on the kitchen table or lying around in your grocery bags. It all depends on how they’ve been fed up to that point and their personality. Some dogs will only stick to packaged dog food until the end of time, regardless of how much you try to train them to eat something else as well.
This is why it’s essential to know what you can share with your dog while paying quick visits to the kitchen. So you may rightfully ask yourself: what fruits are safe for dogs?
Let’s take a look at five of the fruits your dog can safely eat and that will leave you with zero regrets, knowing full well that you’re still being a good companion to them.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Since bananas are so common all throughout the world, you may want to know: can dogs eat bananas? Absolutely! Bananas are some of nature’s superfruits, since they’re simply a powerhouse of nutrients – antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Fortunately, they make for an excellent low-calorie snack for your dog as well.
Bananas are rich in fiber, copper, potassium and vitamin C, among others. This is why they’re going to be beneficial to your dog’s immune system, if given in moderation. However it’s important to remember that bananas are pretty high in sugar and this will not be in favor of your dog’s health. So it’s best to just offer your dog some banana from time to time, as a snack, and not as part of its regular diet.
Bananas are easy to eat, their consistency is soft and you won’t need to do much for your dog to enjoy it. Just peel the skin off and watch your dog happily gulp down on it.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries?
Cherries are a hard no for dogs, since they contain cyanide, a compound that makes them toxic to your furry friends. Cyanide will interfere with proper cellular oxygen transport, which means that if enough cherries were eaten, oxygen won’t reach the body’s cells anymore.
This shouldn’t worry you too much though – if your dog has inconspicuously stolen and swollen an entire cherry, it won’t be enough for cyanide poisoning. You should be extremely careful though not to let more cherries lying around the home, since cyanide can be strong enough to bring down even the largest of breeds.
If you’re not certain what happened when you weren’t looking, make sure you look for the symptoms of cyanide poisoning. These include heavy breathing, dilated pupils and bright red gums.
If your dog did eat more pitless cherries, vomiting may be the best course of action in order to prevent something more serious from occurring. However it’s best to call a vet as soon as you do notice any of these symptoms.
Cherries have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and they stimulate the production of melatonin, which in turns improves the overall sleep quality. Apart from this, they’re also high in antioxidants, which means they will boost your dog’s energy and support its immune system.
Can Dogs Eat Dragon Fruit?
How about dragon fruit, can dogs eat dragon fruit? A resounding yes! Your furry friend can definitely eat this marvelous fruit, since it’s completely non-toxic to dogs, as it is to us.
This fruit is highly nutritious and will be just like a healthy snack for your pooch. Be mindful that you first need to peel off the skin, as it’s inedible for your dog. Also make sure you feed your dog only small amounts of dragon fruit flesh, since larger quantities can upset its stomach and result in loose stools. The indicated amount would be 1-2 spoonfuls at a time.
You won’t need to remove the seeds of the dragon fruit before giving it to your dog. The fruit can be eaten in more ways than one and you simply give it to your dog as is or mix it with its more familiar food.
When your dog first eats this wondrous antioxidant fruit, make sure to observe its body language. If your dog likes it, it will display positive signs just as it would when something else that’s enjoyable: raising its ears, wagging its tail, licking its lips, drooling and staring, among other signs.
Dragon fruit is high in fiber that will aid digestion, antioxidant rich which means that it will keep your dog perky and its immune system robust. Dragon fruit is also filled with potassium and vitamin C, while also being low in cholesterol. So it’s safe to say dragon fruit is truly a healthy snack your dog can enjoy at any time, when added to an already sustainable diet.
Can Dogs Eat Apples?
What’s the verdict on apples, can dogs eat apples? Yes, without a doubt. Apples are another type of fruit that your dog can easily snack on, without leaving you thinking about unpleasant complications.
Apples are some of the most common and most beloved fruits out there by people and it’s no surprise why. They are low-fat and low-calories, while also boasting a wide variety of nutritious qualities that are meant to support your mental and physical well-being. These properties make apples the excellent snacks for senior dogs that may already be inclined to take on additional weight.
Apples contain considerable amounts of vitamin C and A, as well as plenty of fiber, which will help ease digestion. Apples also have very little sodium and are high in polyphenols which act as antioxidants.
It’s best that you remove the seeds and the core of the apples before feeding your dogs. They may not cause that much trouble, but it’s still recommended to do this if you want your dog to have a hassle-free fruit eating experience.
Can Dogs Eat Pears?
What is there to do about pears though? Can dogs eat pears? Absolutely. Pears are also safe for dogs and highly beneficial to their health, as long as given in moderation.
Many claim that eating this fruit can reduce the chances of having a stroke by 50%. Pears make for excellent snacks for your dogs since their content is a great combination of vitamin C, K, copper and fiber.
Similar to cherries, pear seeds contain traces of cyanide, only in smaller quantities. However it’s still recommended that you first remove the seeds before feeding your dogs pears. Also make sure to cut the fruit in smaller chunks, so the eating process is perfectly comfortable and risk-free.
Pears also have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them just as good a snack to dogs as they are to us humans. They may also prevent some types of cancers and will play an important part in preventing heart disease.
What Other Fruits Are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
The fruits mentioned above are only some of the fruits that are safe for dogs to eat, but there are others as well. So what other fruits are safe for dogs to eat? When back from the farmer’s market, you can safely share the following fruits as well with your furry friend:
Cantaloupe – A great source of water and fiber. However the high-sugar level indicates that it’s best for this to be a less frequent snack.
Cranberries – They are safe in small quantities. Otherwise they can lead to an upset stomach.
Mango – This exotic fruit is a great add-on in dogs’ lives, as it is in ours as well. This fruit boasts vitamin A, E, C and B6, together with a good amount of potassium, beta- and alpha-carotene. It’s important that you remove the pit of the mango before serving it to your dog, since it may contain traces of cyanide.
Oranges – Dogs can also safely eat oranges. Although they are quite healthy for dogs, not many may actually jump to the occasion of nibbling on such an intense-tasting fruit.
Peaches – Peaches also make the cut when talking about fruits that are safe for dogs to eat. Make sure that you remove the cyanide-ridden pit of the fruit and then serve the flesh to your dog as a refreshing summer treat.
Pineapple – Just make sure you peel the prickly skin off the pineapple before feeding it to your dog and you’re good to go. This is a soft, sweet, healthy and refreshing fruit that your dog will most likely enjoy.
Raspberries – Their high antioxidant content is great for dogs. However they should still be given to dogs in moderation, since large amounts can cause an upset stomach and loose stools. Their anti-inflammatory properties make raspberries an excellent treat for senior dogs that may have joint issues.
Strawberries – Strawberries are also indicated as healthy fruit snacks for dogs, so you can reward your friend with such a treat at any time. They are healthy and vitamin-rich, but also high in sugar, so make sure to only offer your dog strawberries from time to time.
Watermelon – This fruit is also an absolute ‘yes’ for your dog, but it’s important to remove the rind and the seeds first of all. Otherwise you may see your dog facing intestinal blockage and that’s never a fun experience. Watermelon is almost entirely water in content, so it’ll make a great snack for your dog on long, hot summer days.
Pick any of these fruits and see what best works with your dog. It will be your furry friend, in the end, to decide what taste is the most appetizing of all.
What Fruits Aren’t Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Apart from cherries, which we just discussed above and that are a hard no for your dog, there are also other fruits that are strictly forbidden for your dog.
One of these toxic fruits for dogs is avocado. Although it may be such a healthy snack for people and has become ubiquitous in our world, it’s not quite as beneficial for our dogs. In fact, avocados contain persin, a toxic that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in our furry friends. This is especially to be found in the skin, pit and leaves of the avocados.
Another fruit that doesn’t make the list of dog-approved fruits is represented by grapes. Both grapes and raisins, which are basically dried grapes, were found to be highly toxic for dogs, so don’t ever feed your pooch with them. In fact, they can actually lead to acute kidney failure, which is a road you would really never want your dog to go down on. So please be mindful of your surroundings, making sure no grapes or raisins are left in plain view or in places that are accessible to your dogs.
All in all, if you ever run out of ideas on what to treat your dogs with, you can always pick some of the dog-friendly fruits mentioned above. You’re bound to find something your dog will immediately resonate with and will have a fun time chowing on. Make sure to also be mindful of the dog-toxic fruits you eat and to always isolate them in a place that’s not accessible to your pooches. Any small, unintentional mistake could result in a catastrophe, so it’s best to take all precautions ahead.
What’s your experience so far with dogs and fruits? Have you fed your dogs any fruits yet? If so, what did you notice in their reactions? What fruits would you recommend other readers to feed their dogs with? Let us know in the comment section below.
