Protect Your Pup - TOP 5 Dog Friendly and Safe Fruits

Whether chopping up an apple or slicing a strawberry, it might be tempting to share a piece of fruit with your dog. If it’s healthy for us humans then it must be good for Fido, too, right? Not always! There are many different fruits that you can share with your pup, and also a few you should never feed them.

Here are 5 of the top dog-friendly fruits to serve your dog as an occasional snack:

1. Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor — or vet — away! Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C and fiber. These crunchy fruits are low in fat, making them a healthy snack for dogs of all ages. Whether you feed them a sweet Red Delicious or sour Granny Smith, your dog will be waiting for you to share the next time you slice up an apple.

Before feeding an apple to your dog, be sure to remove the core and seeds. Chop them into small bites or even freeze them for a warm-weather snack.

2. Bananas

A banana is a healthy substitute for high-calorie, fatty dog treats. These yellow fruits are full of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. Like any snack, bananas should be fed to your pup in moderation. Whether the banana is served with a little dab of peanut butter or stuffed into a Kong, your dog will be begging you for more.

To share these sweet fruits with your dog, first, remove the peel. Then, slice the banana into small bite-size pieces. You can either feed them as-is or freeze the pieces. Some vets recommend frozen bananas for teething puppies that need something cold to munch on.

3. Blueberries

These little purple berries are packed with vitamin C, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring in many plants, and research has shown phytochemicals may help prevent and treat cancer in dogs. Blueberries are full of antioxidants, which help fight free radical damage in dogs and humans and boost brain health.

There are many different ways to share blueberries with your pup. Feed them fresh or frozen, and keep an eye on your dog as they enjoy their “berry” delicious treat. 

4. Cucumbers

While cucumbers seem like they should be a veggie, they’re actually fruits! And these fragrant, green fruits are safe to share with your dog. Cucumbers are low-calorie and have a crunchy texture that many dogs love. These fruits contain 96% water, so they’re very hydrating. And while pickles are cucumbers, never share pickles with your dog because they’re full of salts and spices.

To prepare cucumbers for your dog, cut them into small, thin slices. If you have a teething puppy, cut cucumbers into spears and freeze them for a gum-soothing chew.

5. Watermelon

Last, but certainly not least, watermelon is a sweet summer treat to share with your dog. Watermelon is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B6, and C. Like cucumbers, watermelon contains a high percentage of water, so it’s the perfect fruit to give your dog on a hot day.  

While watermelon is safe for dogs, you must correctly prepare it before sharing the fruit with your pup. First, remove any seeds and the rind. Then, cut the watermelon into bite-sized chunks. You can either share this pink fruit with your dog fresh or frozen — some pet parents puree the watermelon and freeze it in a mold or ice cube tray.

Never Feed Your Dog These Dangerous Fruits

While most fruits are safe to share with your dog in moderation, there are a few that you should never give your dog. These fruits are dangerous to dogs:

• Lemons
• Avocados
• Grapes, figs, and dates
• Cherries
• Plums
• Any dried fruits like raisins

If you believe your dog has consumed any of the fruits above, call your vet right away. Some fruits, like grapes and raisins, are very toxic to dogs — and your pet may need immediate emergency care.

Swap Calorie-Dense Dog Treats with Healthy Fruits

Fruit is a great snack to share with your dog, and many dog-safe options are probably already in your refrigerator or fruit bowl. To prevent overfeeding your dog, vets recommend treats should only account for up to 10% of your dog’s daily diet.

Learn more about other dog-friendly fruits, like pumpkin, a low-calorie ingredient for pups. And if you don’t have pup-safe fruits in your home, keep a bag of crunchy, low-calorie pumpkin puffs in the pantry to reward your dog for good behavior.