Can my dog eat fruit?

Does your pooch ever give you puppy dog eyes as you bite into a juicy apple, orange or pear? Well, it looks as though you might need to share, as most fruits can make a tasty and nutritious snack and/or ingredient in dog's food. 

We share a comprehensive guide to the best fruit for dogs, and the ones you must avoid at all costs - grapes we're looking at you! 

What are the benefits of feeding fruit to dogs?

Choosing a dog food that contains fruit on its list of ingredients ensures your dog is getting access to plenty of essential vitamins and fibre in their daily meals.

Fruit can also be a low calorie, low fat reward to use when training your dog. 

What fruit can I feed my dog?

Apples

Apples can be given to dogs in bite-sized chunks with the seeds/core removed for safety. They are a good source of vitamins A and C and are also low in fat which is why they are a key ingredient in our nutritionally complete All-Day Buffet dog food. You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the vet away!

Bananas

Bananas are high in potassium, fibre and vitamins and make a nice occasional treat for any dog… Such as our Sit Roll Repeat Treats which do indeed contain bananas.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a fantastic source of antioxidants which are known to help prevent damage to cells in the body, have anti-cancer properties and help to fight heart disease. They are also a great source of fibre and vitamins C and K, which is precisely why you will also find these little nuggets of joy in our All-Day Buffet ingredients list.

Blackberries

A sweet and tasty snack for any dog, blackberries are full of vitamins and minerals.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates - another key ingredient in our All-Day Buffet food - are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help support a dog’s immune system, joint health, and skin and coat health.

Cranberries

These are a great snack especially if your dog has urinary tract issues as they are packed with potassium and Vitamin C which both help to support a healthy bladder.

Coconut

Coconut is a delicious and nutritious part of our diets, and small amounts of it can be good for dogs too. The dense, white coconut fruit is high in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fat which will lead to a healthy shiny coat for your pooch. Coconut is found in our Canine Shine treats for this very reason.

Mango

This fruit is full of vitamins and safe for your pup to consume as long as it’s peeled and the pit is removed.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is very high in fibre and vitamin A. This is a really good fruit choice to help dogs who suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea and constipation due to its digestion benefits.

Peach

Fresh peaches are a great source of vitamin A and fibre. Cut up the pieces of flesh and remove the pit to ensure it is safe for your dog. Avoid canned or preserved peaches as they can cause tummy upsets.

Pears

Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fibre. Make sure to remove the seeds and core before serving up.

Pineapple

Pineapple is a very nutrient-dense fruit that can help support your dog’s immune system and digestive systems. It contains Manganese, Copper, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and calcium. However, you should only feed it in small quantities and never from tins as these are higher in sugar due to the syrup that preserves it.

Strawberries

Strawberries are full of vitamin C and a great snack to give your dog. In moderation (because they are very sugary), strawberries make for a tasty treat.

Watermelon

Packed full of vitamin A, B6 and C as well as potassium, melon is a tasty and nutritious snack for your dog. Make sure you remove the rind and the seeds before giving to your pooch. Watermelons are also ideal for hydrating your dog during warmer weather.

What fruit should I never feed my dogs?

Cherries – contain cyanide which is toxic to your dog

Grapes/raisins – toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening kidney problems

Lemons and limes – very acidic and can cause an upset stomach

Tomato (unripe or plants) – the green parts of an unripened tomato are toxic which can cause gastrointestinal and neurologic problems

Avocado – can cause stomach upsets

Grapefruit – another acidic fruit which can lead to stomach upsets

Fun fruit snacks for dogs

Here's a few fun ideas that you can create at home with fruit that is safe and healthy for your dog:

Blueberry and Banana Treat

You will need:

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup blueberries, fresh
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup almond butter, natural
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour

Method:

• Preheat oven to 150 C
• Chop the blueberries and then mash the banana
• Put your wholewheat flour and all other ingredients in a large bowl, mix well
• Use your hands to create a nice dough and transfer this onto greaseproof paper/reusable baking mat
• Use your hands to press your treats to around 1/2″ thickness and create shapes using cookie cutters if desired
• Bake at 150 C for around 15 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool
• Your treats can be stored in an airtight container for a week or in the fridge for up to two weeks

Fruity Ice Lolly

You will need:

• A pot of live plain yoghurt (no sugar, no sweetener)
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 large carrot

Method:

• In a bowl, mix the plain yoghurt, banana and honey. Take a hand whisk and gently blend until lumps are removed
• Spoon your mixture into suitable ice-lolly-sized pots
• Slice the carrots into batons. These will act as edible lolly sticks so should have enough length to hold when you place them into your yoghurt mixture
• Place your lollies in the freezer and provide as a tasty, cooling treat when required

Banana-berry frosty

You will need:

• Mashed banana
• Chopped strawberries
• Water (optional)
• Ice cube tray

Method:

• Mix the mashed bananas and chopped strawberries together to make a puree
• Take an ice cube tray and fill each cube with your puree mix
• You may want to add some water into this mix to reduce the calories in each cube – especially if your dog is a small breed or on a weight loss plan.
• Place in a freezer overnight, leaving you with an ice-cool, healthy snack!

Now you know which fruits are best for your dog you can provide them with a little extra treat that will not only be super tasty but also super nutritious too.

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