What Type Of Fruit Can Dogs Eat?

What types of fruit can you share with your dog and what fruit should you avoid giving your dog?

It’s summer here, which means there’s fresh fruit everywhere. While fruit is a delicious and (relatively) healthy sweet treat for humans, not all fruit is safe for dogs. To learn more about what kinds of fruit to share with your dog and what fruit your dog shouldn’t eat, we have Dr. Tina Wismer, Medical Director of the ASPCA

Which fruit is good for dogs?

The safest fruits to share with dogs are apples, blueberries, watermelons, watermelons, and bananas as recommended by Dr. More wisely recommended.

Dogs can eat certain types of fruit, so long as they’re served on occasion and in moderate amounts. Many dogs enjoy snacking on healthy, fruity treats between meals. Still, you should only let them indulge from time to time to avoid the risk of adverse side effects.

So, what are some of the best fruits to feed dogs? The list below covers some of the safest fruits for canine consumption, but remember to always check in with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your pet’s diet.

Apples

Apples are great for dogs are chock-full of vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and dietary fiber. You can safely feed them to your dog, but make sure to remove the seeds because apples can contain small amounts of cyanide. Cut the apple into smaller pieces to make it easier for your pet to chew and digest.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium, biotin, vitamins, and fiber. However, they’re also pretty high in sugar, so only serve them in small amounts. Banana peels are difficult for dogs to digest and might cause intestinal blockage, so it’s best to keep them away from your pup. If your pet eats a banana peel, you don’t have to panic right away. Just keep an eye on them and go to the vet at any signs of distress.

Blueberries

Blueberries are good for dogs because they’re loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fiber. This superfruit make an excellent training treat, but, as with all treats, they should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Strawberries

Strawberries are another great alternative to store-bought dog treats. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, they help strengthen your dog’s immune system and slow the aging process. On the flip side, these bright red berries are high in sugar, so be sure to serve them in moderation. They can also cause an allergic reaction in some dogs, so make sure to be extra careful when feeding them to your pet.

Raspberries

Raspberries are low in calories but rich in antioxidants, potassium, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, folic acid, and fiber. These tiny red berries are one of the best fruits for dogs in their late years due to their anti-inflammatory properties. However, it’s important to note that raspberries contain one of the highest levels of xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in many fruits and veggies, as well as other human food products, but toxic to animals in high doses. Raspberries aren’t necessarily harmful to dogs, but you should definitely serve them in moderation (less than one cup a day should be plenty).

Blackberries

Blackberries are rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C, making them an excellent fruit for dogs’ immunity and skin. As with the other fruits on this list, make sure to feed them in moderate quantities because too many could cause stomach upset.

What fruits can dogs not eat?

While many fruits are safe and even beneficial for our four-legged friends, others should be avoided. The list of fruits not suitable for dogs includes:

Lemons and other citrus fruits

The fleshy part of citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits are quite acidic and can cause stomach upset. The peel of all citrus fruits presents a choking hazard and can also cause GI issues.

Avocado

While small amounts of avocado flesh won’t hurt your dog, other parts of the fruit (skin, leaves, and stem) contain persin, a substance that is toxic to dogs. Symptoms of persin toxicity include diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog accidentally ingests these parts of the avocado fruit, call your vet right away.

Grapes and raisins

Both grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Even if fed in small amounts, they can cause kidney failure in some dogs. The reason for this is unclear, but some experts believe that they contain traces of mold that’s toxic to dogs. If your dog consumes these fruits accidentally, call your vet immediately.

Figs

Figs are very high in fiber which can cause diarrhea in your dog. If you decide to feed figs, be sure to limit their intake to one or two per week. The reason for this is because the fig plant contains a toxin called ficin, which is toxic if ingested or in contact with the dog’s eyes, mouth, or skin. If your dog exhibits symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, or abdominal pain after ingesting parts or a fig plant, be sure to take them to the vet.

Dates

Even though dates aren’t toxic to dogs, you should avoid offering them as a treat. First of all, ingesting whole dates together with the pits can result in bowel obstruction. Second, dates are quite high in sugar and dietary fiber, so consuming more than a few can cause diarrhea.

Cherries

While cherry flesh is tasty, there’s not much of it compared to the size of the pit. Chances are, if your pup indulges in cherries, they will swallow them whole. Not only do the pits contain traces of cyanide, but they can also cause bowel obstruction.

Plums

Similar to dates and cherries, the main concern with plums is associated with the ingestion of the pit. The pits can be sharp and easily damage your pet’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. There’s also a risk of the pit obstructing the intestinal tract, especially in smaller dogs. Finally, if the pit is crushed, it can release cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. The plum flesh is not harmful unless it’s fermented, rotten, or moldy. The flesh also contains high amounts of sugar and should be fed in small amounts.

Hedgerow berries

While some berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, are safe and even beneficial for dogs, others growing in the hedgerows should be avoided. Juniper, holly, elderberries, and rowan are all harmful or poisonous and therefore should not be offered to our canine friends.

Dried fruits

When fruits are dried, the water gets removed, and sugars get concentrated, making them unsuitable for dogs. In addition, store-bought dried fruits can contain chemical compounds that are potentially toxic to dogs. At best, your dog could suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, and, at worst, dried-fruit poisoning can result in kidney failure.