August 17, 2024, 6:22 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Some owners will have been amazed to see how their four-legged friend eagerly snatched an apple from the table rather than a sausage. Many types of fruit provide dogs, like us humans, with important vitamins and nutrients. But which fruits should dogs eat, and which fruits should they stay away from?
A balanced diet and ample exercise contribute to our pets’ health and vitality, which naturally also positively impacts their lifespan. Dogs, as we’ve come to understand, are not strictly carnivorous but have evolved to adapt their metabolism and digestive systems to their environments. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, fruit can also be part of their diet. But which fruits can dogs eat? Which are well tolerated by them, and which are harmful or even poisonous?
What fruits should be part of a dog’s diet?
Essentially, numerous fruits are excellent energy sources and contain vitamins that bolster a dog’s immune system. It should be noted that ripe and even overripe fruit is particularly suitable for feeding, but it should not be fermented. Ideally, one should use regionally-sourced organic produce that is free of pesticides.
Suitable types of fruit for dogs at a glance
- apples
- pears
- bananas
- Berries: blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and currants
- Watermelons
- pineapple
- papaya
- Stone fruit (pitted!)
Fruits containing these healthy ingredients are suitable for dogs
Apples and pears
Apples are particularly rich in vitamins and contain the fiber pectin, just like pears. Pectin is good for the intestinal flora and helps with diarrhea, for example. It has anti-cancer properties and lowers blood pressure.
Apples, when ripe and coreless, should be the only kind fed to dogs, as the cores and seeds contain hydrocyanic acid. The same applies to pears, which should only be fed overripe.
Pears aid digestion and support the natural movement of the intestines. The tannins they contain also alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation.
Bananas
Most dogs like bananas because they taste sweet. Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. However, they should not be fed if the skin is still green or pale yellow. As with humans, eating too many raw bananas can lead to constipation.
Berries
Berries are among the purest vitamin bombs: blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and currants. They contain a lot of vitamin C and folic acid. Unlike humans, dogs can produce vitamin C themselves in their bodies, but there may be situations in which the additional intake of vitamin C through food can be helpful. For example, vitamin C supports the immune system in the fight against pathogens. Folic acid, on the other hand, is one of the B vitamins and plays an important role in cell division and cell growth. In general, the power berries protect the cells from oxidative stress. They should also be ripe when feeding, and blueberries even overripe.
Watermelon
Especially on hot days, a piece of watermelon can also provide a welcome, and above all, fresh change for dogs. The fruit contains valuable ingredients for dogs, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and citrulline. The latter helps to lower blood pressure. Important: Before feeding watermelon, it is essential to remove the green parts of the skin and the seeds.
Pineapple & papaya
Exotic fruits, such as pineapple and papaya, should only be fed when they are ripe and in small quantities. These tropical fruits contain special enzymes that aid digestion as they help break down proteins. They are also the purest vitamin C bombs, which strengthen the dog’s immune system.
Stone fruit
If you want to strengthen your dog’s eyesight, go for stone fruit. Apricots, mirabelle plums, damsons, cherries, nectarines, plums, and peaches are good sources of vitamin A. Vitamin A is also healthy for the skin and coat. Apricots, cherries, and nectarines are rich in the trace element potassium. This ensures healthy and strong muscles. Caution: It is essential to remove the stones before feeding! These contain harmful substances such as hydrocyanic acid. The seeds can also block the intestines. Plums, mirabelle plums, and damsons should only be eaten occasionally by dogs, as the fruit peel is difficult to digest and can ferment in the intestines. This often leads to diarrhea.
Tip: When walking dogs through meadow orchards, you should always make sure that they do not eat fallen fruit that may have already fermented.
An overview of unsuitable and harmful fruits for dogs
- Citrus fruits
- avocados
- Grapes and raisins
Citrus fruits
Although citrus fruits such as oranges and mandarins are excellent sources of vitamin C, they contain a lot of acid. Many dogs get gastrointestinal complaints from citrus fruits.
Avocados
Avocados can cause breathing problems, nausea, and diarrhea in dogs, as the pit contains persin and the flesh can be contaminated, even if the pit has been removed.
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins are absolutely not suitable for dogs. If dogs eat grapes in large quantities, they often show signs of poisoning, and there is a risk of kidney failure. If the dog has secretly nibbled on the forbidden fruit, you should see a vet as soon as possible.
How should fruit be prepared and fed to dogs?
A small snack in between meals in the form of a piece of raw apple is permitted. Larger quantities should be chopped up, e.g., grated or pureed.
Dogs absorb the nutrients best when the fruit is pureed and mixed into their food. Most dogs also like to eat fruit with a small portion of quark or yogurt. These fat sources also facilitate the dog’s absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Which fruits have the least sugar?
Berries are particularly low in sugar. Apples, apricots, pears, kiwis, oranges, plums, and watermelon are also good choices. It’s best to feed bananas to dogs in moderation.
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Sources
- Tiermedizinportal, „Welches Obst ist gesund für Hunde und welches giftig?“ (accessed on 26.7.2022)
- Hundeo, „30 gesunde Obst und Gemüse Sorten für Hunde“ (accessed on 26.7.2022)
- Look Tierschutzverein, „10 giftige Obst- und Gemüsesorten für Hunde“ (accessed on 26.7.2022)
- Hundefutter Ratgeber, „Obst und Gemüse für Hunde Liste – Lecker und gesund (+ Was dürfen Hunde nicht essen?)“ (accessed on 26.7.2022)