As pet parents, we’ve all seen those puppy dog eyes staring at us while we’re eating something. And naturally, we’d have the urge to share our human treats with our furkid. But before we do that, we’d check if a certain food is safe for our pets, as proven by Google’s search recommendations.
Hence, we shall be answering your burning questions in this article to put your doubts to rest.
First of all, why fruits?
Dogs are omnivores and a moderate serving of fruits makes a great way of introducing more nutrients to their diets. Some benefits of feeding your dogs fruits that are safe for their consumption include:
- Boosting immunity
- Improving skin conditions
- Reducing inflammation
- Aiding digestion
However, the sweetness present in fruits means that it has a higher sugar content than vegetables. Hence, fruit consumption should be limited in overweight pets, and given sparingly to pets even if they are at a normal weight.
How to introduce fruits to your dog
Similarly to changing your dog’s diet, new fruits or vegetables should be gradually introduced in order to reduce stomach upset issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. To prepare, make sure to wash all fruits, remove rinds, inedible skins, seeds and pits before feeding it to them.
While it’s adorable to watch our pets chomp into a juicy fruit, there are some seeds and peels that are hazardous to them too.
Okay so what fruits can dogs eat?
Generally speaking, fruit seeds and pits are a big no for pets. Big or small, they contain cyanide and are a choking hazard. Hence, extra steps must be taken to rid of the seeds and pits before feeding them to your dog.
That being said, here are the
Absolutely safe fruits that may be a-peeling to your dog:
Apples
- A great source of vitamins A and C as well as fibre
- Good for older in age dogs as they’re low in fat and protein
- Remember to remove the seeds and core
Bananas
- High in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fibre, and copper
- A great low-calorie, low cholesterol and sodium treat for dogs
- Due to its high sugar content, it’s not to be a part of your dog’s regular diet
Blueberries
- A superfood rich in antioxidants, fibre, and phytochemicals
- Prevents cell damage in both humans and canines
Cantaloupes
- Low calorie, nutrient packed, a great source of water and fiber
- To be eaten in moderation as it’s high in sugar
Cherries
- Contains vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants
- Make sure to remove pit and only feed flesh to dog
Cranberries
- Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and manganese
- May be an option in fighting urinary tract infections
- Great as raw, cooked or dried treats if your pet enjoys its tartness
Mangos
- Rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E as well as potassium, beta-carotene, and alpha carotene
- Best given as an occasional treat as it’s high in sugar
- Make sure to remove the pit first
Oranges
- An excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber
- Make sure to remove peel and seeds as the orange peels may upset their digestive system and the oils in the peels may be off-putting
Peaches
- A great source of fiber and vitamin A
- May help with fighting infections
- Only applies to fresh peaches without the pit as canned peaches contain high amounts of artificial sugar
Pears
- High in copper, vitamins C and K as well as fiber
- Fresh pears make a great snack and may reduce the risk of having a stroke by 50 percent
- Make sure to remove seeds, do not feed canned pears due to high added sugar content
Pineapples
- Full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Also contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids the absorption of protein
- A few chunks with the prickly peel removed is a great sweet treat
Raspberries
- High in fiber, manganese, vitamin C, and antioxidants
- Low in sugar and calories
- Great for senior dogs due to its anti-inflammatory properties which may help with ageing joints
- Limit to less than a cup of raspberries per serving as they contain small amounts of xylitol which can make your dog sick when ingested in large amounts
Strawberries
- Similar to blueberries, it’s high in fiber and vitamin C
- Also contains an enzyme that aids with whitening your dog’s teeth while eating it
- To be eaten in moderation as it contains sugar
Watermelon
- High in vitamin A, B-6 and C as well as potassium
- A great way to keep your dog hydrated as it contains 92% water
- Feed only the flesh as the rind and seeds can cause intestinal blockage
Bonus section: Local fruits
Yes because we love our local fruits, here’s some advice on why and how to share these local fruits with our dogs!
- High in fat and calories
- Rich in vitamin A, B6 and C, folic acid, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus.
- Only feed the flesh but in moderate amounts
However, do note that even if your dog loves durian, their digestive system may say otherwise. Hence, do look out for signs like vomiting, laziness, tiredness, diarrhea, loose or bloody stool, or constipation.
- Rich in fiber and vitamin A and C
- Flesh is great raw or as chips as long as it doesn’t contain any spices that could upset their stomachs
- Avoid if dog is allergic to figs or breadfruit due to a birch pollen allergy
- Rich in fiber, vitamin A, C, E and K, as well as papain enzyme, folate, potassium, magnesium and calcium
- Aside from treating indigestion, bloating and flatulence, it can prevent heart problems and atherosclerosis
- Only feed the flesh in moderate portions as it may cause irregular bowel movements
- A great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and phosphorus
- It’s also a natural antibiotic which helps fight against infections and bacteria. May work to remedy intestinal parasites
- Do separate the flesh from the seed before feeding
Here are 3 BIG NO NO fruits
1. Grapes and Raisins
These have been proven to be deadly to dogs as it can cause kidney failure and irreversible kidney damage within the next 24 hours.
Symptoms: Vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, noticeable abdominal pain, little urination, and wobbly and almost weakened movement
2. Avocados
Delicious to us; a painful death to dogs. These avocadon’ts could cause painful and fatal oxygen deprivation and pancreatitis.
Symptoms: Trouble breathing or loss of breath, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, fluid build up in the chest area
3. Fruit seeds and pits
Technically not a fruit but it’s present in almost all fruits.
It’s really crucial to remember to remove any seeds and pits before feeding it to your pet as it could cause bowel and intestinal obstruction as well as cyanide poisoning.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning: Dilated pupils, hyperventilation (rapid breathing or panting), shock, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and skin irritations. Persimmon and its seeds in particular can cause diarrhea, then intestinal inflammation.
-//-
The Final Slice
Fruits are a great nutritional addition to your pets diet. After checking that it’s safe for your dog’s consumption, perhaps you could try offering it a small piece just for starters.
Seeing as fruits contain high levels of sugar, it’s best to keep it as a treat and not as a meal. However, should you have any doubts, feel free to speak to our Petchef Advisors about it!
And finally, always remember to rinse, peel and core your fruits before feeding them to your pets!
