Is Feeding Your Dog Fruit a Good or Bad Idea?

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Can I Give My Dog Fruit?Obviously eating fruit is healthy, but does this hold true for dogs?

Truth be told, the answer isn’t so simple!

There are various pitfalls, precautions and preparations to consider before feeding your dog some fruit.

The good news:

Most fruits are not harmful for dogs.

But they should only be fed in moderation.

Your Dog Can Eat Fruits (limited portions)

There are health benefits. Just don’t deviate too much from a meat-based diet.

So, basically, you can feed your dog some fruit here and there.

Just consider this:

Fruits are mostly water and sugar (with some nutrients).

More importantly, they lack protein.

And if your dog is fed too much the pH levels may cause a stomachache or other digestive issues.

So Important: Always remove seeds or pits prior to serving fruit.

Moderation Is A Must

Feeding your dog certain fruits can be a good source of nutrients.

A healthier immune system and protection against degenerative diseases are also great bonuses.

The key is to limit portions and be selective.

And never switch your dog to an all fruit diet. Get them outdoors and more active (if they need to lose weight).

Specific Fruits For Fido

Dogs can eat raspberries, blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, cantaloupes, mangoes, pineapples, apricots, peaches and strawberries to name a few.

So what’s harmful?

Citrus fruits.

Dogs don’t do well breaking down acids found in, for example, oranges and grapefruits.

That’s not all…

Grapes and raisins are toxic. We’re talking renal failure and other major health problems.

Fruit Not Always Fantastic

Fruits are basically soluble carbohydrates or simple sugar that are later broken down into energy.

Your dog will also receive some fiber, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants.

This, however, doesn’t outweigh downsides of an all-fruit diet. Again, a lack of protein makes such a feeding strategy inappropriate for dogs.

So fruits can never be a replacement for a meat-based diet.

Most raw fruits contain two nutrients, the most prominent being vitamin A and vitamin C.

These vitamins can play an important role in your dog’s life. They can help to fight off sickness and boost energy.

But again, fruit is not essential.

Those valuable nutrients are found in other, more suitable sources.

Potential Health Benefits

Whole apples, with the skin on them, are a good source of vitamins including beta-carotene and pectin.

Pectin binds and eliminates toxins as well as helps move waste through the body. Whole pears also contain pectin, along with potassium, which is necessary for muscle contraction, a healthy heartbeat and metabolism.

Does this apply to dogs?

Not to the same degree.

Downsides For Dogs

Consider that oranges and grapefruit may disrupt your dog’s stomach due to the acids.

They do, however, contain lots of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium which support the immune system and fight off sickness as well as diseases.

But consider that dogs produce their own vitamin C.

The Bottom Line

Fruits are a good source of vitamins and other nutrients. There are beneficial aspects for dogs.

But, ultimately, canines are carnivorous meat eaters which means they require a lot of protein and calcium.

Feeding your dog a bunch of fruit is a bad idea.

Limit consumption to treat status. Provide them only occasionally and in moderation.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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9 thoughts on “Is Feeding Your Dog Fruit a Good or Bad Idea?”

  1. What fruit is safe to give my Terrier-cross? She seems to like most fruits. Thanks

    1. Hi Julie. I am involved with fostering and rescuing Cairn Terriers. My family includes a Cairn Terrier, a Cairn/Maltese and a Cairn/Jack Russell. The Cairn and Cairn/J.R. love fruit, especially apples and mangoes. Go light on mangoes as they can cause diarrhea and never let them have the seeds as they are poisonous.

      My Cairn/Maltese will only eat apples if I put a bit of peanut butter on the pieces. They also love carrots and green beans. In the summer, they love watermelon and I sometimes freeze pieces and put it in their wading pool. They love trying to get their treat!

  2. My puppy loves mashed bananas with yogurt and water. He gets it as a treat once a week. He also loves boiled chicken, carrots, beans and potatoes. His stools are generally okay and in varied colors. He seems to be fine. I guess each dog has a unique taste!

  3. We are a proud dog-rescue family and tend to adopt the senior Lab mixes. I have onion and garlic allergies myself, so all of my homemade treats are typically safe foods. One of my dogs is a bit overweight. Yes, my fault. So, I supplement their kibble with frozen green beans, blueberries, apples and ground flax.

    Summertime sales on watermelons gave me another idea! I freeze large chunks and keep them in freezer bags for year-round, low-calorie treats. If I know I need to leave on a business trip, I place the frozen treats in their toys and away they go! Fun and delicious.

    Another favorite ritual is when I return from a long day, both dogs dance around when I ask if they want Cheerios. I toss the equivalent of 1/4 cup so they can can search for the scattered, tiny treats. They love the entire game.

  4. My dog used to be a spoiled puppy and got fruit everyday until my 6 year old son gave her grapes. She passed away about a month ago. Never feed your dog grapes!

  5. My Springer Spaniel loves his fruits and vegetables. He gets a good quality, dry food twice a day but we live on a farm so he’ll forage apples, raspberries, blackberries, damsons, cabbage stalks, carrots, all raw. Very occasionally he’ll take a whole wild rabbit.

    His stools are firm and regular and he’s ideal weight for his build and very active, so I let him get on with it. In fact, when he was on dry food only he struggled with constipation, so he must need the fiber. I guess different diets suit different dogs.

  6. I cook all my dog’s food. He loves blueberries, strawberries and apples. Today he’s having ground pork (drained of fat) with diced sweet potatoes and chopped kale.

  7. I live in Jamaica. I have quite a few dogs, all mutts. I noticed about a year ago that one of my dogs, Spotsie, would always go out when I’m driving out in the morning and get a mango from underneath any of the trees on our avenue. She is very diligent and eats the skin and all and licks the seed white. None of the others can go near her.

    I have wondered for some time if it’s okay for her to have it but she enjoys it a lot and hasn’t keeled over yet. A few of the others have taken up her habit especially since it’s now mango season and my own tree is bearing fruit. It’s good to know that she’s okay.

  8. Our 9 week old Jack Russell Terriers enjoy a very small amount of pear. I try not to give them too many human foods as they need their natural diet to get strong and healthy.

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