What is the most beneficial fruit for dogs?

Dogs are omnivorous, which means that they require a combination of animal and plant material to have a healthy, balanced diet.

Table of Contents Show

Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
Are Bananas Poisonous for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Other Berries?
Other Fruits That Are Safe for Dogs
Fruits That Can Be Unsafe for Dogs
Fruits That Are Not Safe for Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Fruit Snacks?
How to Add Fruit to Your Dog’s Diet
How Much Fruit Can a Dog Have?
How to Safely Prepare Fruit for Your Dog
Watch for Gas, Vomiting, or Diarrhea
Which Other Foods Are Safe for Dogs?

Dogs can eat some fruits, but other fruits are toxic to dogs, such as grapes and raisins. Due to the balanced nature of high-quality, nutritionally complete commercial diets, it’s not necessary to supplement your dog’s diet with fruits, but it can be fun to use them as treats.

Before feeding your dog any fruit, check out this list to see which fruits are safe, and be sure to ask your veterinarian if your pet has any pre-existing conditions. Dogs dealing with obesity, diabetes, bladder stones, and other conditions should not be fed fruit without consulting your veterinarian first.

So, if there are no pre-existing conditions, can dogs eat blueberries or strawberries? Can dogs eat watermelon? Are bananas poisonous for dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries.

Blueberries are low in calories and high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals (chemical compounds in plants that have been found to help fight cancer in humans). Blueberries have been shown to improve night vision, help prevent cell damage, and help with mental function in aging animals.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Yes, dogs can eat strawberries.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Strawberries can also help strengthen the immune system. They should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking, and can be mashed or pureed for smaller dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, but the watermelon rinds and seeds (even the pale seeds in seedless watermelons) should be removed before giving the fruit to your dog, as they can cause choking or intestinal blockage.

Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a great treat for hot days. It can help keep your dog hydrated and is refreshing when frozen. Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as potassium.

Are Bananas Poisonous for Dogs?

No, bananas are not poisonous for dogs. Although dogs can eat bananas, they should not be given banana peels, as these are difficult to digest and could cause intestinal blockage.

Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. However, they are also higher in sugar than many other fruits, so they should be given sparingly. They should be cut into small, bite-size pieces.

Can Dogs Eat Other Berries?

Yes, dogs can eat raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries, in moderation.

Berries are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals while low in sugar and calories.

Blackberries and raspberries do contain small amounts of naturally occurring xylitol. This is a sweetener that is used in a lot of low-sugar foods and is very toxic to dogs in large-enough amounts. For this reason, blackberries, and especially raspberries, should only be given in small amounts.

Never feed your dog wild berries, as they can be easily misidentified, and many are toxic to dogs.

Other Fruits That Are Safe for Dogs

These fruits are okay for your dog to eat, in moderation, as long as you remove any seeds, pits, or cores.

Apples (remove seeds and core)
Cucumbers
Oranges (can cause some gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten)
Mango (remove skin and pit)
Peaches (avoid the pits)
Pears
Pineapple

Fruits That Can Be Unsafe for Dogs

These fruits fall into a gray area, and it might be best to avoid giving them to your dog.

Avocado: Although the actual pulp is not toxic to dogs, the pit can cause intestinal blockage, and the high fat content can cause some dogs to have pancreatitis or stomach upset, even from just a small amount.
Tomatoes: The ripe fruit is not toxic to dogs, but eating too much can cause stomach upset. Eating parts of a tomato plant itself can also cause dogs gastrointestinal (GI) upset.

Fruits That Are Not Safe for Dogs

Avoid giving your dog these fruits, which are toxic for dogs.

Cherries
Grapes/raisins/currants
Wild berries

Can Dogs Eat Fruit Snacks?

No, dogs should not eat fruit snacks. While fruit snacks are not considered toxic to dogs, they are very high in sugar, so they should be avoided.

How to Add Fruit to Your Dog’s Diet

Here are some tips for adding a little dog-safe fruit to your dog’s diet.

How Much Fruit Can a Dog Have?

Treats should take up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet. This also applies to fruit. If you are giving your dog fruit in addition to other dog treats, make sure that you adjust the amount of treats given so that you do not exceed this 10% recommendation.

How to Safely Prepare Fruit for Your Dog

As with all produce, fruit should be washed thoroughly before being fed to your dog. All of the fruits listed as safe can be given fresh or frozen. Canned fruit in syrup should never be given due to the high sugar content.

Pieces of fruit can be given as individual treats or added to your dog’s meals. As with any treat, fruit can cause a choking hazard for small dogs, so please monitor your dog while they are eating.

Watch for Gas, Vomiting, or Diarrhea

Some dogs are more sensitive than others and may have flatulence (gas), vomiting, and/or diarrhea if given fruit. Even dogs with “stomachs of steel” can end up with GI upset like vomiting and diarrhea if given too much fruit due to its high fiber content.

If you want to safely give your dog fruit as a snack, start out slow and watch for any signs of GI upset before making it a regular treat.

If you do notice any of the signs of GI upset listed above, stop feeding your dog any fruit and call your veterinarian.

Which Other Foods Are Safe for Dogs?

Your dog can also enjoy these foods safely:

Asparagus
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Celery
Green beans
Peanut butter (give sparingly and avoid peanut butter with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs; usually found in “no sugar” or “low sugar” peanut butter)
Peas
Pumpkin (canned plain pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie mix)
Rice (plain rice)
Sweet potatoes
Zucchini

Which Foods Are Not Safe for Dogs?

Do not give your dog these foods:

Resources:

Featured Image: iStock.com/Bratislav Stefanovic

Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on December 05, 2021

Dogs can eat certain fruits. Some are healthy and could be part of a balanced diet, while others are toxic and dangerous for them to consume. Others can be consumed but only in moderation or with special preparation.

Many dogs don't like tart or acidic fruits like oranges or cranberries, but most dogs do enjoy some kinds of fruits. Dogs don't need fruits as part of their diet, but they can enjoy fruit as a treat or supplement to a balanced diet.

The following fruits are safe for your canine pal to consume:

Apples
Bananas
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cranberries
Cucumbers
Mango
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
Pineapple
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

Just because your dog can safely eat something doesn't mean it is necessarily good for them in large quantities. Healthy fruits for dogs include:

Blueberries. These berries have lots of antioxidants and fiber, so they are healthy for your dog's bowels.
Cucumbers. This might be a great snack if your dog needs to lose a bit of weight. They have lots of vitamins and very few carbohydrates.
Watermelon. As long as you remove the rind and seeds, this fruit is good for your dog. It has lots of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C. Since it's mostly water, it's also a hydrating treat for hot summer days.

Other fruits are safe for dogs to eat, but require special preparation or should only be enjoyed in moderation:

Apples. Remove the seeds and core as those could be harmful to your dog.
Bananas. This fruit is high in sugar, so you should give it as a treat once in a while.
Cantaloupe. This is another sweet treat that should be given in moderation.
Cranberries. Some dogs don't like the tart flavor of this fruit. If your dog does like it, giving them too many cranberries can give them diarrhea.
Mango. The pit of this fruit contains cyanide and is a choking hazard, so cut the mango up and remove the pit before giving it to your dog.
Oranges. Peel oranges before giving them to your dog. The peel can give them an upset stomach.
Peaches. Avoid canned peaches as the syrup contains too much sugar. When preparing fresh peaches, cut out the pit as it contains a small amount of cyanide.
Pears. Pear seeds contain a low level of cyanide so be sure to remove them before feeding a pear to your dog.
Raspberries. This fruit contains xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Give your dog less than 1 cup of raspberries per day.
Strawberries. These also contain a lot of sugar, so they should only be enjoyed in moderation.

Some fruits are toxic to your dog. Avoid feeding them to your dog:

Avocado. This fruit contains persin, a toxin that makes dogs throw up and have diarrhea.
Cherries. Cherry pits contain cyanide. It's not usually harmful if a human swallows one whole by accident, but chewing the seed releases the cyanide, which could harm your dog.
Grapes. Grapes can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Remember, raisins are dried grapes and should also be avoided.
Tomatoes. The green parts of the tomato plant have solanine, which is toxic to dogs.

Dogs are curious creatures. They sometimes eat things that are bad for them when you're not looking. Even if you just suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Contact your veterinarian right away. Some symptoms take a few days to show up. When you call your veterinarian, they will let you know whether to come in or whether you should watch for symptoms based on the situation.

If your veterinarian is not available, you can also contact the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on holidays. They also have a mobile app to help educate you about other substances that might be toxic to your dog.

Symptoms in dogs who have eaten something toxic may include: