Fruit is a healthy snack for humans, but is the same true for our dogs? The answer depends on the fruit! While some are healthy to share, others can cause poisoning. In this article, we’ll discuss which fruits are healthy for dogs, how to serve them safely, and which fruits to avoid altogether.
Can Dogs Eat Fruit?
Most fruits make a healthy treat for your dog when fed in moderation. However, there are exceptions. Always research the specific fruit before feeding, as it may be toxic or have unsafe parts.
Remember to feed fruit in moderation, since it contains a lot of sugar. Fruit is considered a treat, and treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet. The other 90% should be a balanced dog food, as this ensures they receive all the necessary nutrients.
Feed your dog fresh fruit after washing it to remove pesticides, and cutting it into bite-sized pieces if necessary. Avoid fruits baked into desserts, canned fruits, and dried fruits, as they often contain excess sugar and other ingredients that can be dangerous.
Parts of Fruit to Avoid
Generally, you’ll want to avoid feeding these parts of the fruit:
- Pits and large seeds: If the fruit has a pit, you’ll want to remove it before feeding it to your dog. Pits are difficult for your dog to digest, and they may choke on them. In addition, some of them are toxic!
- Rinds: Fruits like watermelon or honeydew have thick, tough skins that aren’t safe for dogs to eat. They could choke on large pieces, and the rind can cause bowel obstructions. To be safe, cut the rind off before serving.
- Some leaves and stems: Sometimes, the leaves and stems of the fruit can be toxic or otherwise unsafe to feed. One example is tomatoes, which contain toxic compounds in their leaves, stems, and unripened fruits.
- Some smaller seeds: For instance, it’s recommended to avoid feeding too many black watermelon seeds or the small apple seeds found around the pit.
Safe Fruits for Dogs
1. Cherries
Dogs can eat cherries as long as you remove the pits, leaves, and stems first. Basically, they can eat the same part of the fruit that you can!
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are often a favorite for dogs, and they’re completely safe for them to eat. Blueberries are also considered a superfood because they’re full of nutrients. They’re also tiny enough to make a great training treat.
3. Raspberries
Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat, but they do contain small traces of xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. This means that too many raspberries can cause problems, so don’t let your dog get a whole of a whole container of them, and be extra cautious with small dogs.
4. Cranberries
Cranberries are safe for dogs in small amounts, but many dogs won’t eat them because they’re too tart! If your dog is begging for a taste, it won’t do any harm to let them try a bite.
5. Strawberries
Dogs can eat whole strawberries. They typically prefer sweeter fruits over the leaves, which can have a tart taste. In my experience, many dogs also avoid the more tangy-tasting berries.
6. Blackberries
Blackberries are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts. Like raspberries, they contain trace amounts of xylitol, which can be dangerous in large quantities. This is more likely to affect smaller dogs than large ones, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
7. Apples
Dogs can eat apple flesh and skin, but not the pit, stem, or seeds. Never feed your dog a whole apple. Instead, cut it into slices with the toxic parts removed.
8. Pears
Similar to apples, pears are safe for dogs after the seeds and core are removed. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and let your dog have a few!
9. Nectarines
Nectarines are safe for dogs to eat, minus the pit. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and give your dog one or two.
10. Honeydew
Honeydew melons are safe for your dog to eat. These and other melons make a great summer treat, as they are high in water content and also quite nutritious. Remove the rind before serving.
11. Watermelon
Watermelon is safe for dogs, but you should remove most of the black seeds and the rind before giving it to them. This is many dogs’ favorite fruit!
12. Kiwi
Kiwis can taste a bit tart for most dogs, but some like them! If your dog enjoys the flavor, you’ll be happy to know that kiwi is completely safe for dogs to eat. Just remove the skin, as its fiber content can cause digestive issues.
Also, make sure to cut the kiwi into small pieces. Dogs can choke on whole kiwis due to their shape and size.
13. Peaches
Peaches are safe for dogs to eat so long as the pit is removed first. You may also want to remove the skin. Although it’s safe to eat, some dogs will dislike the texture.
14. Pineapple
Pineapple is safe to feed your dog in moderation, but too much can make their mouth sore due to its acidity.
15. Bananas
Bananas are another fan favorite that are totally safe for dogs to eat. Always remove the peel first, as it’s too tough to digest and can pose a choking hazard. Cut the banana into small pieces so that your dog doesn’t choke on it.
What Fruits Aren’t Safe for Dogs?
Grapes
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Each dog seems to react differently to grapes, with some experiencing severe kidney damage after eating a small amount and others remaining unharmed after consuming large amounts.
Of course, you don’t want to experiment to find out which side your dog leans towards. Just avoid grapes altogether, as they can cause severe illness and even death.
If your dog eats even one grape, call your local veterinarian or pet poison hotline for help. Do not wait until they show symptoms, as early treatment can be lifesaving. Remember that by the time you can see signs of kidney damage, the kidneys are already functioning at less than 25%.
Avocado
Avocados are also toxic to dogs because they contain a toxin called persin. While dogs don’t seem to react as strongly as other animals, they do show symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Unripened Tomatoes
Lastly, unripened tomatoes, as well as tomato leaves and stems, are toxic to dogs. Always make sure tomatoes are fully ripe before feeding, and remove any green parts. If you’re growing tomatoes in the garden, make sure your dog cannot get into them!
