As humans, we know fruits are important to keep ourselves healthy but did you know that it’s great for your dog, too?
Some days ago, I was eating an apple, and my Landlord’s puppy kept looking at me with this needy look in his really cute eyes, but I didn’t know if it was okay to feed him apples.
This made me research this topic, and I decided to share what I learned with my fellow dog lovers.
Though dogs don’t need fruit to be at their healthiest, adding fresh fruits to the daily diet of your pup will provide them with an additional boost of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, as well as some always-welcome extra hydration, permission, and guidance from your vet.
However, when it comes to feeding fruits to your dog, an important thing to note is that while certain fruits are perfect for dogs, not all of them are.
You should also be sure to pay attention to how your dog reacts to those fruits, in addition to checking out our list of the fruits that you should not feed your furry friend at the bottom of this page.
If you see signs of an upset stomach or other pain, even if it’s otherwise healthy for them, do not feed them that sort of fruit anymore.
Let’s get to it now that we’ve got the important disclaimer out of the way. Here are 10 of the best fruits for dogs to eat.
Fruits to Feed Your Dog
Below are 10 fruits dogs can eat…
1. Apples
An apple a day might keep the dog away but not necessarily the. It is not okay to feed a dog an apple, but slices or otherwise tiny bits of apple make excellent snacks and meal toppers.
Just be sure not to feed any apple seeds to your dog, as they contain small quantities of cyanide and pose a risk of choking as well.
Benefits:
- Help clean teeth and freshen breath.
- They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, and there are also phytochemicals found to fight the growth of cancer cells in the skin.
2. Bananas
For our furry companions, bananas have a lot of health benefits. They are also innately portable, making them a fun snack to bring along on long walks for the two of you to share.
Benefits:
- Bananas are good, and they aid a dog’s digestion. It is also good for their heart and muscles.
- Bananas are one of the fruits dogs can eat, and they contain a high amount of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
3. Blackberries
Sharing blackberries with your pooch is healthy, but in terms of cutting them into smaller bites, use your best judgment.
Instead of tart ones, stick to sweeter blackberries, which your dog would definitely prefer.
Benefits:
- Blackberries contain antibacterial properties that aid good oral health.
- Blackberries contain vitamins C and K, manganese, and fiber.
4. Blueberries
Dogs seem to enjoy blueberries that are already perfectly sized for both big and small mouths as treats.
However, whether you’re dealing with a little dog or a huge blueberry, split the berry in half before serving.
Benefits:
- A low sugar content makes blueberries good for diabetic dogs.
- Contain vitamins C and K, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants.
5. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a good and nutritious fruit for your dog to enjoy, but avoid feeding the rind, as intestinal harm can be caused by the rough texture.
Benefits:
- Cantaloupe contains High doses of beta-carotene, which is good for your dog’s immune system and vision.
- Cantaloupe contains vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as fiber, folate potassium, and niacin.
6. Cranberries
Thanksgiving isn’t the only excuse to fill your home with these tasty treats. Fresh, fried, or dried cranberries can be fed to your dog. Just avoid the sugar-laden cranberry sauce.
Benefits:
- Cranberries are good for the immune system and for your dog’s bladder health and gum health.
- Cantaloupe is one of the fruits dogs can eat because it contains a range of vitamins, from Vitamin B, which includes thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and B-6, to vitamins C and E.
7. Papaya
It is okay to go ahead and feed your pup some papaya. Papaya is one of the fruits dogs can eat so long as you do not feed your dog the skin or seeds.
The flesh of this exotic fruit makes a great snack.
Benefits:
- Papaya aid in everything from eye health and immune health to digestion and heart health.
- Papaya contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate, fiber, calcium, and potassium.
8. Raspberries
Raspberries are one of the fruits dogs can eat. Raspberries act as a delectable treat for your dog when eaten in moderation.
And most dogs like them, especially in summer, when they are at their peak of sweetness.
Benefits:
- Raspberries are believed to help fight against cancer, age-related decline, and circulatory disease.
- Raspberries contain antioxidants, vitamin C, folic acid, copper, magnesium, and fiber.
9. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the fruits dogs can eat because they are chock-full of antioxidants, like most other berries. Remove the leaves at the top first and cut the strawberry into quarters for healthy feeding.
If your dog is tiny, cut it in half every fifth (or smaller).
Benefits:
- Strawberries provide a big boost to the health of the immune system, help improve blood sugar, and also act as a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Strawberries contain vitamins C, B-6, K, and E, as well as manganese, potassium, and folate.
10. Watermelon
On a hot day, nothing is quite as satisfying as a juicy watermelon slice, and our dogs agree. Only don’t feed the rind or seeds that your dog might have a hard time digesting.
Benefits:
- Watermelon is high in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage.
- Watermelon contains vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as thiamin, which helps convert fat, protein, and carbohydrates into energy.
- Watermelon is one of the fruits dogs can eat, thanks to its high water content.
Fruits You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog
While the list of fruits that dogs can eat is long, you should also be aware of the fruits that dogs should not eat like a responsible pet parent.
They include:
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Limes
- Plums
When it comes to feeding your dog some sort of fruit for the first time, always err on the side of protection.
Even fruits that are not on this list can pose a problem for your dog, so do your homework, initially feed only small quantities, and be on the lookout for signs of a bad reaction.
How to Feed Your Dog Fruit?
It is easy to feed your pet fresh or frozen fruit, provided you remove the skin, seeds, and pits and cut the fruit into manageable bites.
But you can be more adventurous if you’re up for it.
- Freeze some pup-sicles. Fill either slot with freshwater or a tablespoon or so of plain yogurt in an ice cube tray, then pop in tiny bits of cut fruit and freeze. For an icy treat on a warm day, pop one of the pup-sicles out.
- Make a smoothie. Start with a base like water, plain yogurt, or beef, chicken, or veggie broth (just check the ingredient list first to make sure if you’re using store-bought broth, there’s no onion, garlic, or other no-go foods). Blend with fruit, fresh or frozen, and serve. If you make a serving too high, freeze the remainder for fast-frozen treats in an ice cube tray.
- Encourage your dog to play with their food. Swap out conventional treats for tiny bits of fruit in your dog’s favorite puzzle toy instead. Along with plenty of mental exercises, they’ll get a good nutritious snack.
- Sprinkle fruit on top of meals. By using cut-up fruit as a topper on your dog’s usual breakfast or dinner, add some spice to the mealtime. It’s a smart way to blend and add an extra dose of nutritious goodness to their meals.
Of course, fruits aren’t the only tasty human food dogs can eat. Learn how you can feed your pup lettuce as well.
