Dogs and Fruit: What Fruit Can They Eat?

As omnivores, dogs are blessed with a varied diet; they can have both plants and animal products as part of their meals (or snacks). But can dogs eat fruit?

Yes, they can. In fact, topping up your pup’s dog food with some fruit is a great way to give them a vitamin and antioxidant boost, along with a range of other health benefits. For instance, they make for a great low-calorie treat, and can improve dogs’ digestion.

That said, not all fruits are the same – so make sure to check which fruits are safe for dogs to eat, and run it past your vet first, especially if your pooch has any underlying health problems like diabetes, obesity, or bladder stones.

We’ve rounded up some dog-safe fruits, and toxic ones to avoid at all costs.

What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

Fruits that are generally safe (and even beneficial) to pups include:

Apples

Packed full of nutritional goodies, such as antioxidants, fibre, vitamins A and C, and potassium, apples are the perfect snack. They also have a low calorie count, and can double as a dental treat, cleaning the teeth of your pooch and refreshing their breath.

Before feeding your dog apples, get rid of the seeds, core, and stem, and cut them into slices to avoid a choking hazard.

Bananas

A powerhouse of potassium, bananas tick all the boxes when it comes to low sodium and cholesterol content. However, reward your pup with these in moderation, as they are quite sugary, and always peel them first!

Blueberries

Perhaps the most famous antioxidant-rich fruits, blueberries are also an excellent source of phytochemicals and fibre, so they’re a great choice for an immune system boost. Low calorie content makes them ideal as a training treat or a meal topper.

Mango

Serving healthy portions of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, alongside a range of vitamins, mangos have many health benefits. They’re also quite high in sugar, so spread them out over multiple meals, and take care to always remove the pit – not only is it a choking hazard, but it also contains trace amounts of cyanide.

Oranges

Oranges are one to watch if your pup struggles with diabetes or excess weight, as they contain a lot of sugar; they’re also quite acidic, so feeding a dog too much in one go can cause indigestion.

Other than that, it’s a great vitamin C, fibre and potassium source, so it can be a nice sweet treat. That said, not all pooches love citrus, so it might be a hard sell for your fluffy friend.

Pineapple

Fresh pineapple is another treasure-trove of antioxidants and vitamins, great for improving your dog’s digestion, hydration levels, and immunity. That said, pineapples are also both sugary and acidic, so serving them in moderation is best.

Make sure to peel the skin and chop off the hard inner core pieces, then slice into smaller pieces to keep your pet from choking.

Strawberries

Great for fibre and vitamin C intake, strawberries can also help whiten your pup’s teeth, thanks to an enzyme called malic acid. Before treating your dog to a strawberry, make sure they’re washed, destemmed, and – if your furry friend is especially greedy and doesn’t always check thoroughly – chopped up.

When mashed or pureed, strawberries can also make for a delightful puppy food topper.

Tomatoes

Small portions of ripe tomatoes are generally safe for your dog – they’re low calorie and can deliver a nice antioxidant boost to their diet. However, all the green bits of a tomato plant are bad for dogs (including leaves and stems), so make sure they’re removed and the tomato has fully ripened before feeding it to your pup.

Watermelon

A superstar during heat waves, watermelon – as the name suggests – is mostly made up of water (92%), so it’s perfect for keeping your pooch hydrated. As well as being refreshing, it’s also packed with vitamins – A, B6, and C, to name a few.

Do get rid of all the rinds and seeds before serving, to avoid choking or digestive system issues.

What Fruits Can’t Dogs Eat?

Despite their nutritional benefits, some fruits can be bad – or even seriously toxic – to dogs. Here are some culprits to avoid:

Avocado

Besides the pit being a choking hazard, there are a few lesser-known dangers to dogs associated with avocado. The leaves, skin, and pit all contain high amounts of persin, an oil-soluble fungicide, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and – when consumed in large enough amounts – potentially a heart attack.

The flesh contains smaller amounts of the toxin, so little bits don’t pose as much danger. However, it’s still quite calorie-dense and heavy on fats, leading to potential pancreatic issues and weight gain.

Grapes

Whether fresh, or in the form of raisins, sultanas, or currants, grapes are extremely toxic to dogs even in the smallest amounts, potentially leading to acute kidney failure. The cause for grape toxicity is still unknown, and not all dogs will have an adverse reaction, but you should take your pet to the vet immediately if they eat any grapes, as a timely reaction can make all the difference.

Cherries

The majority of a cherry plant contains cyanide, which is toxic to dogs and can cause breathing problems, gum irritation, or dilated pupils. The pits are also a culprit for intestinal blockages, so it’s best to steer clear of this fruit, even if the flesh itself is technically safe.

Safely Feeding Dogs Fruits

There are many fruits out there which are safe for dogs and can make a great addition to their regular serving of dog food. These tasty toppers can provide a nutrient boost, support digestion, and substitute more calorie-heavy treats.

That said, you should always feed your dog fruit in moderation (aiming for a maximum of 10% of their daily calories), and take care with preparation, washing, peeling, and deseeding where applicable, before cutting up in easy-to-chew bites.

It’s always best to also consult with your vet before introducing a new fruit into your pup’s meal plan, and monitor them for any adverse reactions to identify previously unknown allergies or other issues.

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