Dogs aren’t just our pets, they’re extensions of our families. Whether you’re a young, single guy with a pooch as your only roommate, or you’re a mother of three humans and two fur babies, it’s important that our pets feel loved and included in every aspect of our lives—including mealtime. Have you ever been snacking on some blueberries (or cherries, or pineapple, or grapes) when your furry buddy hits you with those big old puppy eyes? Chances are, you went straight to the internet to find out if sharing would harm your dog—and we’re willing to bet this isn’t the first time this has happened, either! We’ve compiled a master list of common fruits to inform you which are healthy for your pup and which to avoid at all costs.
Can My Dog Eat Apples?
An apple a day keeps the vet away! You can absolutely feed your dog apples. Full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, these crunchy fruits are a healthy snack for your pet. Their skin contains phytonutrients, which are plant chemicals that contain antioxidants and immunity-boosting qualities that can contribute to your pet’s long-term health and well being—there’s even research suggesting they prevent cancer and other chronic illnesses.
However, refrain from sharing the core of an apple with your canine. Apple seeds contain cyanide and can be toxic, but if your pup gets a hold of a few seeds, don’t panic! Regular consumption of seeds over time is what causes serious harm. We recommend you core an apple and cut it into slices for a quick, healthy treat for your pet.
Can My Dog Eat Bananas?
High in potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, bananas are a safe and healthy snack for dogs. Bananas are also filled with fiber, which can help if your pup is having gastrointestinal issues; and magnesium, which helps with bone growth and aids in protein and vitamin absorption. While the peels aren’t technically toxic to your pooch, they’re difficult to digest so it’s best to avoid feeding them peels to prevent blockages.
Can My Dog Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon is a wonderful treat for your furry friend, especially on a hot summer day! Juicy watermelons are nutrient-dense and refreshing. In fact, watermelons really live up their names—they’re made up of 92% water. High in potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C, these sweet fruits are an excellent snack for your dog to nibble on. Just watch out for seeds and rinds, which can cause intestinal blockage and upset stomachs. Chop up the fruit into cubes and be sure to keep an eye on them while they’re snacking.
Can My Dog Eat Tomatoes?
The answer to this question is, “it depends.” Dogs can have tomatoes in the traditional red, ripe form. The green parts of the plant however—stem, leaves, unripe fruit, etc.—can cause serious health problems. Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family of vegetables, which contain a dangerous component called solanine. This chemical compound isn’t typically toxic to canines when ingested, but when consumed in large quantities or chronically over time, solanine poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, gastrointestinal issues, weakness, confusion, tremors, and even seizures. When preparing tomatoes for your pet, make sure always to remove the stems, leaves, and vine first.
Can My Dog Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are yummy, low-calorie treats for your pup! They are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which will help fight off free radicals, prevent cancer, and boost their immune systems. Feed your dog fresh strawberries or toss them in the freezer to beat the heat. Make sure you avoid fruit from a can or in a syrup! Sugary fruit, while delicious, is not healthy for canines.
Can My Dog Eat Pineapple?
Pineapple is an excellent, nutrient-dense snack for your Fido. Raw pineapple contains thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, high quantities of vitamin C, and more. In fact, there are almost too many vitamins and minerals in pineapple to name! Together, these micronutrients play an important role in your dog’s immune and digestive systems. However, pineapple contains large amounts of sugar and should be fed to your pup moderately. Just like strawberries, canned pineapples that contain syrup or other forms of sugar should also be avoided.
Can My Dog Eat Blueberries?
Rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, and fiber, blueberries are a great snack for dogs that will promote a long, healthy life. Unlike some fruits (we’re looking at you, pineapple), blueberries are low in sugar, which makes them an especially perfect food for canines with diabetes to nibble on. Give them to your pup fresh or frozen—both make for a fun summertime treat!
Can My Dog Eat Oranges?
It’s no secret oranges are high in vitamin C, which helps fight off colds and other illnesses in humans. Similarly, your dog can benefit from snacking on an orange from time to time. Although it’s not required for most mutts to supplement their regular diet with vitamin C, adding this citrus fruit can be particularly beneficial to furry friends who are vitamin C-deficient due to their exercise regimens or stress. A dose of vitamin C is even known to help detox their bodies if they eat a toxic substance, such as onion powder. Before feeding an orange to your pup, be sure to remove the rind and any seeds, as they may cause gastrointestinal distress.
Can My Dog Eat Peaches?
Another classic summer fruit, peaches are safe for your pup to eat. They are high in vitamins A and C, and an excellent source of fiber. However, you need to be extremely careful not to let your pooch eat the pit! Not only are peach pits a choking hazard, they also contain a cyanide compound that is toxic to dogs. Canned peaches should also be avoided due to their high sugar content. To prepare for your pup, simply cut the pit out of a raw peach and let your furry companion go crazy on this sweet, juicy treat!
Can My Dog Eat Grapes?
You should NOT feed your dog grapes—this goes for the grape’s dried counterpart, the raisin, as well! Veterinarians are not sure exactly which part of the grape is toxic, so you must prevent your pet from eating any piece of the fruit. Ingesting grapes or raisins, which are number three on the ten most common toxins ingested by pets, can cause kidney failure (which can be fatal).
Can My Dog Eat Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a great snack for your furry friend and can even improve their eyesight. Loaded with beta carotene and vitamin A, cantaloupe can prevent cancer and cell damage. It also contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, niacin, and potassium. As long as your dog avoids the rind, which can cause gastrointestinal issues, they can munch on that melon all day long!
Can My Dog Eat Mango?
Yes, your pet can absolutely eat mangoes! Sweet, juicy, and filled with vitamins A, B6, E, and C, these exotic fruits are an awesome fiber-filled snack for your pup. However, you should be careful not to feed your dog the mango pit, as it contains cyanide and can become a choking hazard. Although the skin is not technically toxic to your pet, it’s best to remove it before feeding the fruit to your dog as well. Seeing as this will be your first step before removing the pit anyway, don’t worry about creating more work for yourself!
Can My Dog Eat Cherries?
High in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants, the flesh of cherries is a healthy snack for your dog. Like other stone fruits, the pit of the cherry contains the toxin cyanide and should be avoided when feeding your pup this tart treat. If your pet happens to ingest a pit accidentally, do not fear! Each pit has a very small amount of cyanide that is not likely to cause your furry companion harm. Because they are so small, cherry pits should not cause intestinal blockage, either, but you may want to consult your veterinarian just to be safe!
Can My Dog Eat Pears?
Yes, your pet can snack on pears! They are full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, which makes them a healthy treat for your canine. Much like apples, however, the core and seeds of a pear should be avoided due to trace amounts of cyanide. To prepare a pear for your pup, cut around the core and seeds and chop into bite-sized pieces—especially if it is on the firmer side!
Feeding Fruit to Your Furry Friend
Most fruits are a wonderful addition to your pooch’s diet. Packed with micronutrients and full of fiber, dogs reap many of the same health benefits from fruit that we do. As an added bonus, they’ll feel so special while sharing our “human food.” Here are a few final things to consider when giving your good boy (or girl!) fruit to snack on:
- Veterinarians recommend treats (including fruit) only make up about 10% of your dog’s diet.
- Although fruits are nutrient-dense and filled with vitamins, you should practice moderation when feeding them to your pooch (especially if they have been diagnosed with diabetes).
- As is common with introducing a new food to your pet’s diet, you should give your pup a small portion of a new fruit and monitor their health and behavior for the following 24 hours. Canines can have allergies, just like humans, so be aware of how each fruit makes them feel and don’t be afraid to take it slow.
- Choking is always a concern, so make sure that you properly prepare and cut each fruit before serving it to your furry friend.
Most importantly, you should have fun introducing new fruits to your dog! It’s really incredible that we can share a human experience with our pets and bond over something we all enjoy—snacking on yummy fruits.
