Feeding Fruit to Your Dog: Everything You Need to Know
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With nearly 40% of households containing at least one dog, they’ve become one of the most common house animals. Taking care of a dog is a rewarding experience, but that starts with knowing what they can and can’t eat! Many of us may wonder what fruits dogs can eat when buying food.
If you’re curious to know about the fruits that dogs can eat, we’re here to help. Read on to learn some of the benefits and risks of feeding your dog fruit.
What Makes a Fruit Good For Dogs?
Why feed your dog fruit instead of dog food? Fruit is expensive, requires more preparation, and isn’t always safe. Here are some of the primary reasons people like to give their dogs fruit.
Health Benefits
The most significant reason is that fruit contains plenty of health benefits for dogs. Depending on the fruit, these health benefits can change.
Some fruits are great for helping with digestion or circulatory health. Many veterinarians will suggest some fruits to improve heart health or other organs.
Dogs also are often more energetic and playful on a fruity diet. Your best friend might enjoy mealtime more when they’re getting juicy, ripe fruit instead of lackluster kibble.
Many pet owners prefer to give their dogs a more organic and wholesome meal. While dog food is generally great, low-quality or discount dog food can contain ingredients you want to keep away from your dog. Because of this, many opt for a fruit diet instead.
Training Treats
There’s more to gain than a healthy meal! Many dogs’ treat lack nutrition or give dogs things not all pet owners want to give them.
Instead, you can substitute small chunks of frozen fruit. Make sure you’re using fruits that dogs can eat, preferably small and infrequently. That way, the treatment remains a treat instead of an expected snack.
What Makes a Fruit Bad For Dogs?
Now that we know some of the benefits, what are the risks of feeding your dog fruit? It’s worth knowing that not every fruit is good for your dog. Some things that are harmless to us can severely harm your dog.
Here are some of the primary reasons some avoid giving dogs fruit.
Hazards and Risks
The most prominent reason to avoid giving your dog fruit is the risk associated. Some fruits are great only in moderation and can cause issues later.
Blueberries, for example, are wonderful when given infrequently. However, if a dog has too many, it can lead to stomach issues. Indigestion, diarrhea, and more are all common symptoms.
Some fruits, like cherries or grapes, are toxic. You may find yourself wondering if can dogs eat mandarins, but citrus fruit as a whole can cause stomach issues for pups.
Choking Hazards
Some fruits aren’t bad for dogs but can cause issues in other ways. Seeds can cause issues with digestion. Fruit with pits or large seeds can lead to your animal choking to death!
Even small seeds such as watermelon seeds can cause issues. If you’re preparing fruit for your animal, make sure you remove anything that they could choke on.
Good Fruits For Dogs
Now that we know some of the fruits that dogs can’t eat, which ones can they eat? Here are some of the fruits that dogs can eat without issues.
Apple Slices
If you properly prepare apple slices, they’re one of the best snacks you can give your pup. Apples are high in vitamins A and C, making them healthy for your pup to snack on.
They also have a healthy serving of fiber. The fiber in an apple can help your pup’s digestion and bowel movements.
However, make sure you prepare them correctly! Remove the seeds and core of the apple.
The seeds contain a small amount of cyanide. If a dog eats enough, this can cause severe illness or death. The core is harder to eat and can become a choking hazard.
Bananas
Bananas are another great treat for your pet. One of the best perks is how easy banana is to eat! Smooth and mushy, bananas will rarely present a choking hazard for your dog.
Bananas are also high in fiber, vitamins, and potassium. They’re healthy, but you won’t want to give your pup too much. Bananas are also high in sugar, which can cause issues or hyperactivity in your dog.
Additionally, make sure the peel stays far away from your pup. Dogs often try to eat banana peel, which is difficult for them to digest.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a classic treat for pups. They require no prep, as there are no seeds and they won’t need their peels removed. That said, you may choose to cut them into smaller bites so they last longer.
They’re small enough to rarely present a choking hazard. Still, they sometimes can prove a choking hazard anyway, especially for small pups.
Past the easy use of blueberries, they’re high in antioxidants and vitamins. Consider blending some up and mixing them with your dog’s food! They’re also great frozen fruit snacks for pups.
Watermelon
Watermelon requires a small amount of preparation before you can feed your pup. First, you’ll want to remove the rind and cut away anything green or pale. It’s best to feed your pup the red flesh only!
Afterward, you should remove any seeds from the watermelon. Black seeds are bitter, and your pup may not enjoy them. More importantly, they can cause digestion blockages or choking hazards.
If there are white seeds, these are often fine. The white, translucent seeds are the remains of seeds almost forming in seedless watermelons. That said, it’s safest to remove them anyway since you’ll be cutting the fruit.
Deciding Which Fruits Dogs Can Eat
Knowing which fruits dogs can eat is crucial to feeding them. If you aren’t sure what fruits dogs can’t eat, don’t feed them fruit! Consult your veterinarian to see which fruits your pup can safely enjoy.
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