Can Dogs Eat Fruit? A Vet’s Opinion
Fruit is a mature part of a ripened ovary. This part of the ovary can either be fleshy or dry, depending on the plant. The Fruit encloses the part of the ovary and has seeds inside or outside it. It forms a shell around the seeds. There are many different fruits available, like apples, bananas, oranges, watermelon, berries etc., but can you feed fruits to your dog?
Most dogs do not like fruits which are a bit acidic in nature since they have a strong taste. Fruits like oranges and cranberries, while they aren’t harmful to your dog’s health, your dog might not be tempted to gobble them up. However, there are fruits like bananas, watermelons and apples, which your dog will love to eat. Fruits are not a must in your dog’s diet. However, you should include them in a nutritional diet.
Let’s dive in:
Benefits Of Fruit For Dogs
There are many different types of fruits available in the market for human consumption. However, not all of these fruits are good for your dogs. Some of the best fruits for dogs are apples, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, strawberries and watermelon. Apples are unique fruits to give to your dog for a multitude of reasons. Apples are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fibre, potassium and antioxidants. Moreover, apples are low in calories, which would make for a balanced diet. The firm and crunchy structure of the apple would be beneficial for your pooch’s dental health. Bananas are another fruit your dog might enjoy. However, since they are high in sugar content, they should be given in a lesser quantity. Banana contains fibre, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. Berries are very nutritious and often will be loved by your pooch as a part of their daily diet. Berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are abundant in fibre, vitamin C, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Blue berries especially have been linked with improved night vision, cell repair and mental functioning of ageing dogs.
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Watermelon are all great sources of nutrients and water for your dogs. They are excellent in the summer for hydrational purposes. Cantaloupe is high in fibre and has many vitamins and minerals like vitamins A and C, folate, fibre, and potassium. Watermelons additionally are a great source of vitamin B6 as well. Moreover, pineapples are very beneficial for your dogs because they provide some minerals which are essential for the daily functioning of your dog’s internal systems. Pineapples contain manganese and copper, which are essential for your dog’s immune system and digestive systems, respectively. However, you may not like pineapples much since they are acidic. Cranberries are excellent nutritious snacks for dogs, which contain vitamins like C, E, K, B1, and B2. Mangos are loved by dogs as well. However, they have a high sugar content; hence their quantity needs to be managed. They are an excellent source of vitamin E. If your dogs like citrus fruits, then oranges are an excellent choice for their daily meals since they are a rich source of vitamin C! Fruits like strawberries are a great choice to help strengthen the immune system since they are rich in antioxidants. Peaches and pears are some of the fruits which you can feed to your dog in moderation. They both provide a vast amount of minerals and vitamins.
How To Safely Give Fruit To Dogs
Food should be washed properly before being it to your dogs. Moreover, you should make sure to take out all the rind and seeds of any fruits you give to your dogs since seeds hold no nutritional value and are a choking hazard. They can even be stuck in the digestive tract and cause issues like upset stomach or other intestinal issues.
Moreover, make sure that the amount of Fruit you give to your dogs should be at most 10% of the daily calories your dog takes. Ensure proper removal of stems, leaves and pits. You should make sure that the food given is adequately cut so that your dog can easily digest it. Otherwise, it will pose a choking hazard. The best way to give fruits to your dog is in a mashed-up way or mixed with their food. Canned fruits are getting popular these days among dog owners. However, the syrup has a high sugar content and has preservatives added to it, which will make your dog sick. Make sure to avoid any canned foods for your dog.
Will Fruit Make A Dog Sick?
There are some fruits which can make your dogs sick. Avocados, hold great nutritional value; however, they have a high sugar content which makes them not suitable for daily consumption. Moreover, the large-sized pit in avocados can cause intestinal blockage in dogs. There are some fruits, however, which are downright toxic for your dogs. Some of them are grapes and wild berries. Grapes and raisins may be toxic to your dogs, even in small amounts. Hence make sure to keep your dogs away from them. There is no way to tell how your dog will react to these fruits; hence it’s best to avoid them. Wild berries are challenging to identify and are very misleading. Most berries are toxic to dogs, so we will urge you not to take a risk with your dogs.
There are some seeds which have poisonous characteristics, which we want you to avoid as well. Apple seeds contain a poisonous substance called cyanide, which is lethal to both animals and humans. Make sure that you do not feed a lot of apples to your dogs, and even if you do, remove the seeds! Blackberries and raspberries contain a naturally occurring sweetener like xylitol. This compound is toxic to dogs in large amounts. The key idea is to make sure that you give everything in moderation!
Vet’s Summary
Fruits are really beneficial for your dogs’ health and can be given in moderation to your dogs. Fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, and watermelons are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins for your dogs. These minerals and vitamins are essential for the immune system and digestive systems of your dogs. These fruits should be given in small cubes and not in large pieces to prevent choking accidents. Moreover, the seeds, pit and rinds should be removed as well to prevent choking hazards. However, there are some fruits like grapes, raisins and wild berries which should be avoided at all costs. Grapes toxicity is prevalent among dogs. Wild berries are often misidentified since most are poisonous to dogs. They should be avoided! However, make sure to take your dog pro-biotics as well for good gut health. Probiotic supplements, along with fruits, will ensure that your pet dog will stay healthy!
Videos To Watch
If you are wondering what related foods are good to give your dog, watch this:
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