With the rise in popularity of all-natural food, it’s easy to see why fruits have retained their spot at the top of the ‘Must Eat’ list. After all, they’ve been around since long before processed foods existed, and were one of the few things that people are animals could find and eat on the spot since the dawn of time.
Lately, however, it seems that pet parents have stopped feeding their dogs and cats fruit, and have opted for less organic options instead. The reason? Most people are terrified by the idea of giving their dog “human food”, since a lot of times they have adverse reactions that humans are not prone to and we’re afraid they’ll blow up into a blueberry like that girl did in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. However, certain fruits have fantastic health benefits for our pets just like they do for us!
Here are some fruits your dog CAN and SHOULD be eating:
1) Oranges
Pros: Packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, B1, and B6!
Cons: Be sure to keep them away from the rind and seeds, as well as any part of the actual tree.
Ideal amount: Half of a segment (too much can cause an upset stomach)
2) Apple slices
Pros: Great source of fiber and potassium for your pooch!
Cons: Make sure not to give them the core or let them anywhere near the seeds! That part is poisonous to them.
Ideal amount: Half an apple
2) Bananas
Pros: Contains vital carbohydrates and potassium!
Cons: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!
Ideal amount: About one inch
4) Watermelon
Pros: Great to hydrate your pet during the summer months! Contains vitamins A & C, as well as potassium, magnesium, and water.
Cons: As usual, keep your dog away from the seeds and the rind.
Ideal amount: One to three pieces of 1-inch slices of watermelon should do the trick!
5) Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cranberries)
Pros: Each berry has its own beneficial properties, and there are a lot of them! Ranging from antioxidants to vitamins to fiber or omega-3 fats, all of these berries are extremely healthy for your pooch!
Cons: As with anything you eat, there is such a thing as ‘too much’. Make sure to follow the guidelines of the quantity that gives your dog the nutrients without negatively impacting them!
Ideal amount: Strawberries (½ -1 berries), Blueberries (2-3 berries), Blackberries (2-3 berries), Raspberries (2-3 berries), Cranberries (2 tablespoons stewed over their food).
6) Cantaloupe
Pros: Vitamins A, B complex, and C, potassium, folic acid, beta – carotene, etc.
Cons: As stated before, avoid the outer shell and seeds.
Ideal amount: One inch of a cantaloupe wedge will do the trick!
While it’s exciting news to find out you can finally treat your pooch to some of your favorite foods, be careful not to get too carried away! There are also still many fruits that you dog should definitely NOT be eating.
Here are some fruits that are POISONOUS to your dog:
1) Avocadoes – They may be delicious, but this fruit contains persin, which is absolutely toxic to your pup! Keep your nachos and guacamole dip to yourself!
2) Grapes – Surprisingly enough, both grapes and raisins have been found to poison dogs in many instances. They also cause kidney failure in your furry friend. Early signs that your dog has already gotten into your stash is repeated vomiting, depression, and pure lethargic behavior. Take care to make sure your dog doesn’t get into that grape and cheese platter at your cocktail party this weekend!
3)Raisins – These will cause kidney failure as well. Refer to the above explanation about grapes.
4) Peaches – Not only can the seeds cause inflammation in the small intestine, but the pit is also completely poisonous to your dog due to its cyanide content. Stick to feeding your pet the other fruits if you want your day to stay ‘just peachy’.
5) Plums – These fall under the same category as peaches. Keep them far away from your dog unless you want to be slumming it with a very sick pooch this weekend.
As you can see, some fruits are amazing for your pup, while others could cause an impromptu trip to the vet’s office. The trick is to know which ones are safe, and keeping the toxic ones under lock and key. If you follow these guidelines, your pet will become drastically healthier and happier, just as any human who begins eating right.What’s even better is that these foods are yummy, causing your pup to come back constantly begging for more!
We hope you learned a lot from this post about what fruits your dog CAN eat, and which ones they CAN’T! And if you ever have a question before feeding your dog something new, or they begin to have a strange reaction to something, make sure to call your vet IMMEDIATELY. In a situation like that, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
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