One thing is certain: most dogs love to eat meat. When we think of the nutrition of our beloved four-legged friends, many probably think first and foremost of rumen, dried pig’s ears and, above all, pieces of meat in the bowl. But nowadays we know that dogs are not pure carnivores and can even benefit from carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits.
What fruit for dogs? As many people probably already know, some vegetables for dogs are true vitamin bombs and are extremely healthy (beware: some are not!). But what about fruits? Which types of fruits are digestible and healthy for our dogs and which should be avoided?
Dogs are carnivores and omnivores.
Unlike wolves, dogs are not pure carnivores. Although the dog is known to have descended from the wolf. In the course of domestication, dogs have adapted to the environmental conditions of humans and also to the food supply.
A healthy diet that meets a dog’s needs includes, among other things, fruits and vegetables. But be careful, some foods that are healthy for us humans can be toxic for dogs. See also the article: Toxic foods for dogs. Unfortunately, this is also the case with some types of fruit, but more on this later.
What types of fruits are dogs allowed to eat?
Fruits contain many vitamins and nutrients that have a positive influence on many processes in the body of our pets. The dietary fibres contained in vegetables and fruit are also essential for the intestinal health of our darlings.
However, it should be mentioned in advance that dogs are of course individuals with different preferences and food intolerances. Some dogs literally love certain fruits, others will spit the same out in disgust. Most dogs tolerate apples very well, for example, but there are also congeners who react negatively to them physically. In this case, your powers of observation are called for.
Which fruits for dogs?
The following types of fruits are generally well tolerated by dogs and can be fed safely. However, make sure that it is only ripe and seedless fruit. Wash the fruit well beforehand or feed it without the peel to avoid pesticides as much as possible.
Carefree (seedless):
- Apple
- Pear
- Papaya
- Apricot
- Banana
- Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Blueberry
- Gooseberry
- Cherry
- Melon
- Peach
- Nectarine
- Mango
Feed little (seedless):
The following types of fruits are not toxic to dogs, but should only be given in small doses, as they are either difficult to digest, ferment in the stomach, have a laxative effect or have too high an acid content. With these varieties it is also important to look for ripe and seedless fruits, the skin should be removed in any case.
- Plum
- Mirabelle
- Currant, Cranberry
- Pineapple
- Fig
- Kiwi
- Pomegranate
- Orange
- Tangerine
- Grapefruit
- Lychee
- Dried fruits (usually more nutritious and should therefore only be fed in small quantities and without sugar).
As you can see, there are many types of fruits that are healthy, tasty and edible for your pet. Depending on the tolerance and subjective taste of your four-legged friend, you can either offer a potpourri of different types of fruits, or feed the fruit individually as a small snack for in between meals. Small apple slices snacks, for example, clean your dogś teeth all by themselves 😊.
Important: Especially when fruit trees lose their fruit, it is particularly important to look after your own furry friend. Fallen fruits are usually fermented and contains indigestible seeds that release toxic prussic acid when chewed. If your dog shows signs of poisoning, there is no time to lose, seek immediate veterinary treatment.
Which fruit is taboo for dogs?
On the other hand, there are types of fruits that are anything but digestible for dogs and can even cause serious health problems. The following fruits are therefore not recommended for dogs:
- Grape
- Sultana
- Star fruit
- Physalis
- Quince
- Avocado
Fruit for dogs: Form of administration and daily dose.
As with many things in life, it is the quantity that counts, as Paracelsus already recognised. For, as is well known, the dose makes the poison. This means that even the healthiest fruit can lead to health problems if given in high doses.
Therefore, it is important to adapt the respective dose to the dog and its size and weight. The daily requirement of vegetables and fruits should be around 20%. This means that less than a quarter of the daily ration should consist of fruits and vegetables.
How you divide up this amount each day is entirely up to you and your dog’s preferences. Start with small amounts to see if your dog tolerates it. If he gets diarrhoea or other symptoms, skip the fruit.
It is advisable – as mentioned above – to always remove the seeds, wash the fruit and only feed ripe fruit. You can mix it into the food in small pieces or mashed, or offer it raw as a snack.
Good to know: The fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed well by the dog’s body, especially if a fat source is also given.
Summary
It’s not just us humans who benefit from eating fruits every day, because it contains valuable fibre, minerals and healthy vitamins. Our beloved dogs also benefit from it, because – unlike cats – dogs are omnivores. The daily dose of vegetables and fruits for dogs is essential for the health of our pets and also particularly tasty.