Can dogs eat fruit?

What fruits can dogs eat?

Does your pup have a sweet tooth that includes snacking on fruits? In most cases, it's perfectly fine to share a juicy slice of fruit with your dog—and perhaps—fruits can even be beneficial to their diet.

So, yes dogs eat fruit.

But... what fruits and in what quantities of fruit are safe for dogs to woof down? The answer involves a look at canine nutrition, what feeding in moderation really means, and avoiding the fruits that are toxic to dogs.

Are Fruits Good Or Bad For Dogs?

Bite for bite, fruits might be a little high in natural sugars, but they're typically lower in calories and more hydrating than your dog's favorite biscuit.

That means when fed in moderation and after checking their toxicity status, most fruits are safe—and even nutritious—for dogs.

Of course, the nutrients depend on what your dog's favorite juicy snack is. Here are the healthy highlights dog-safe fruits might provide:

• Antioxidants for fighting free radicals and improving cognitive function
• Potassium for properly functioning heart, nerves, and muscles
• Omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and immune function
• Vitamin A for healthy vision, teeth, skin, and coat
• Vitamin B for healthy skin, heart, and digestive system
• Vitamin C for a healthy immune system
• Fiber for digestive regularity

How much fruit is safe for your dog to eat?

Fruit can be a healthy dog treat and it's a common ingredient in many commercial dog foods. But too much fruit could cause your dog to have diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach.

So, adding extra fruits and vegetables to every complete and balanced commercial dog food meal probably isn't necessary.

However, slices or small pieces of fruit make an excellent snack or treat between meals. Especially when your pup craves an extra hydrating morsel in the summer heat.

A good rule of thumb is that any treat in addition to your dog's regular food shouldn't make up more than 10 percent of their diet.

If you're unsure if your dog is eating the right amount of food or if they're getting all the nutrients they need, chat with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Are dogs omnivores or carnivores?

Domestic dogs descended from the gray wolf, who (historically) survived on a carnivorous, or meat-based, diet. It's likely that the first domestic dogs craved a similar diet—though they likely ate table scraps and leftovers from their human companions.

As the wolf's territory became smaller and domestic dogs continued to adapt to life as man's best friend, their digestive systems also changed.

For example, a 2013 study found that our pups have some starch-consuming enzymes that enable them to digest human-loved foods like rice and potatoes—enzymes their relatives didn't have 10,000 years ago.

All in all, modern wolves and domestic dogs have diets that look more like an omnivorous diet than their natural carnivorous diet.

Fruits Dogs Can and Can't Eat

Before introducing any new food to your dog, check its toxicity status.

Then, give your dog a small taste and monitor for any adverse reactions.

Can dogs eat pineapple?

Yes, dogs can eat pineapple.

But reach for fresh pineapple without the core and skin—canned pineapple is packed full of sugar that will make your dog sick.

A small treat of pineapple for your dog boasts vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium, iron, and some calcium and zinc.

Can dogs eat strawberries?

Yes, dogs can eat strawberries.

Like other fruit snacks, strawberries should only be given in small amounts and after a good rinse.

The pup-safe snack is high in omega-3, which helps to keep your dog's skin and coat healthy, and vitamins C, B1, B6, and K which help to boost the immune system.

Can dogs eat apples?

Yes, dogs can eat apples—but only when prepared in slices and after the seeds, core, and skin have been removed.

As for applesauce, that's safe too but watch out for added sugar.

Can dogs eat blueberries?

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries.

Blueberries aren't just safe for dogs to eat; they're packed full of antioxidants and are low in calories.

This makes blueberries a popular ingredient in many pet treats and foods.

Can dogs eat tomatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat the ripe, fleshy part of the tomato. But unripe tomatoes, their stems, and their leaves are toxic to pets, like all plants in the nightshade family.

As long as the tomato is ripe and all parts of the green plant have been removed, fresh tomatoes offer your pup nutrients such as fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Just think twice before sharing your spaghetti sauce with your pup—tomato sauces likely have onion, garlic, sugar, and other toxic ingredients added in.

Can dogs eat bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas.

While on the sweeter side of safe fruit snacks for dogs, bananas are low in calories and high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper.

Banana peels might cause your pup digestive upset, but they're non-toxic to dogs.

So, don't fret if your dog snags a whole banana from the counter.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon.

Ditch the rind and the seeds first, then you're left with a healthy and hydrating snack for your pup.

In the summer, this dog-safe fruit is a popular choice as a frozen, cool treat for canine friends.

Plus, watermelon boasts vitamins like A, C, B6, and B1, as well as calcium and potassium.

Can dogs eat grapes?

No, dogs cannot eat fresh grapes or raisins.

Even a single grape or raisin could send your dog to the emergency vet. So, keep them far from reach.

The effects of eating grapes (acute to sudden kidney failure) have been known for quite some time.

But research has only recently uncovered the toxic culprit—tartaric acid makes grapes deadly to pets.

Can dogs eat oranges?

Yes, dogs can eat oranges—if they can get past the strong citrus smell that most pups despise.

But the acidity can cause digestion problems for dogs, so it's best to limit their snack to just one to two peeled orange slices at a time.

Can dogs eat mangos?

Yes, dogs can eat mangos.

And pups with an extra sweet tooth will have the added benefit of gobbling down fiber and vitamins like A, C, E, and B6 with every mango slice.

Of course, just remove the pit and chop the ripe fruit into bite-sized pieces before serving a small, sweet treat to your pup.

Can dogs eat cranberries?

Yes, dogs can eat cranberries.

Whether you want to share a scoop of your Thanksgiving cranberry sauce or if you're wondering why your dog's favorite treats list cranberry as an ingredient—cranberries are safe for dogs to eat and are packed with immune-boosting vitamins, antioxidants, and other great nutrients.

If you're dishing out canned cranberry sauce or preservatives, just check the label for any spices or artificial sweeteners (like xylitol) that are toxic to dogs.

As for the question of ‘can cranberries cure my dog's UTI', it's best to leave that to your veterinarian.

But if your dog frequently suffers from bouts of urinary discomfort, ask your vet if adding cranberry supplements to their diet could provide UTI prevention.

Can dogs eat cherries?

Yes, dogs can eat cherries—with caution.

Dogs can safely eat the ripe flesh of cherries, but that doesn't mean your bowl of freshly picked cherries should be left unattended for your dog to chow down on.

The stems, leaves, and pits of cherries all contain cyanide—and if you haven't heard of this dangerous compound—it means an emergency trip to the vet.

Can dogs eat avocado?

Yes, dogs can eat the ripe flesh of avocados, but you might want to pass on this high-fat fruit.

The high-fat content of avocado isn't the best treat to reach for when maintaining your pups perfect body condition score.

Plus, all that fat can cause digestive upset.

Even worse for your pup is that the pit, leaves, and stem of avocados contain persin—a natural fungus-killing toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

Conclusion

As with all changes to your dog's diet, whether or not fruits should make a regular appearance in your dog's diet is best answered by your veterinarian.

But overall, most fruits make a great treat or reward for your dog. As long as you stick to dog-safe fruits, in limited quantities, and prepared appropriately—your pup can enjoy a fresh or frozen fruit snack along with you.