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Dogs are omnivorous, which means that they require a combination of animal and plant material to have a healthy, balanced diet.
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.
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Apples (remove seeds and core)
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Cucumbers
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Oranges (can cause some gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten)
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Mango (remove skin and pit)
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Peaches (avoid the pits)
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Pears
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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.
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Cherries
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Grapes/raisins/currants
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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:
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Asparagus
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Bell peppers
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Broccoli
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Brussels sprouts
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Cantaloupe
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Carrots
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Celery
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Green beans
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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)
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Peas
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Pumpkin (canned plain pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie mix)
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Rice (plain rice)
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Sweet potatoes
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Zucchini
Which Foods Are Not Safe for Dogs?
Do not give your dog these foods:
Resources:
Featured Image: iStock.com/Bratislav Stefanovic
When it comes to dogs and human food, it’s usually best to steer clear. After all, there are a lot of human foods that can make our dogs very poorly, or even kill them. Alcohol, chocolate and foods containing the sweetener xylitol can all be deadly to our four-legged friends. As a general rule, it’s safest to stick to feeding your dog a commercially available, good quality, complete dog food. This way you know your dog will get the right balance of nutrients and it will only contain safe ingredients.
However, if you want to give them a treat, your dog may love some safe fruit and veg as a healthy snack. If you’d like more information on what to feed your dog and keeping them in shape, visit our free guides:
How much fruit and veg should I feed my dog every day?
As long as you’re feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age (your vet or vet nurse can help you with this) then they don’t actually need extra fruit and veg every day. Complete dog foods contain all the nutrients your dog needs to keep them happy and healthy. We wouldn’t recommend feeding fruit and veg as part of your dog’s daily diet.
Some fruit and veg, on the other hand, make great treats! Just like our favourite snacks, commercial treats from the pet shop or supermarket can sometimes be quite fattening and contain a lot of additives. If you’re looking for a tasty treat for your dog, safe fruit and vegetables can be a great, healthy option.
Which vegetables can my dog eat?
There are a few different vegetables our dogs are fine eating (but remember, a little for us is a lot to our dogs so keep treat sizes small!). Any veg you give to your dog should be raw or boiled/steamed with no extra oils, butter or flavourings. Always cut it into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking and feed in moderation, especially if your dog isn't used to eating fresh veg.
Dog-safe vegetables include:
- Broccoli – in small amounts, raw or steamed
- Brussel Sprouts
- Carrots – many dogs enjoy them raw, but they can be given steamed or boiled
- Celery
- Green beans – steamed, boiled or raw
- Peas – sugar snap peas, garden peas and mangetout, but avoid tinned peas
- Sweet potatoes and potatoes – plain, boiled or steamed (not raw)
- Sweetcorn – fresh cooked corn with nothing added can be given to dogs but it must be cut off the cob first!
Click to enlarge
Just like veg, there are a number of fruits our dogs can eat safely. However, most fruits have more sugar then vegetables so they’re best given as an occasional treat. Make sure they’re plain (with no sugar or chocolate coatings) and cut into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking. If you are giving your dog a bit of fruit, it should be alongside their normal diet - don’t forget to reduce their daily food allowance that day to account for the extra calories.
Dog-safe fruit includes:
- Apples – de-seeded and cored
- Bananas – in very small amounts as they are high in sugar
- Blueberries
- Cranberries – some dogs might not like the taste, but they’re safe!
- Mango – remove hard stone/pit and skin
- Nectarine – remove the stone/pit
- Orange – remove the skin and any seeds. Some dogs don’t like the taste but oranges are safe
- Peach – remove the stone/pit
- Pears – remove the seeds/core/pit
- Pineapple – remove the skin
- Strawberries – very sugary so only very small amounts
- Watermelon – remove rind and seeds
Which fruit and vegetables are NOT safe for dogs?
Although feeding your dog any new fresh food can give them a tummy upset, especially if you give them too much at once, there are a number of fruits and veg that you really shouldn’t feed your dog. At all. These can be toxic, cause a blockage, or just cause a very big stomach upset. If they accidentally eat some, it’s probably best to call your vet for advice to be on the safe side!
Unsafe fruit and veg includes:
- Avocado – can cause very upset stomach
- Cherries – pits/stones contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs
- Corn on the cob – the cob can cause blockages
- Garlic – toxic to dogs
- Grapes/raisins – toxic to dogs. Find out more about grape and raisin toxicity on our Hub
- Grapefruit – very acidic and can upset your dog’s stomach
- Leeks – toxic to dogs
- Lemon – very acidic and can upset your dog’s stomach
- Lime – very acidic and can upset your dog’s stomach
- Mushrooms – certain types are toxic to dogs, so best to steer clear
- Onion – toxic to dogs
- Plums – stone/pit can be toxic or cause blockages and can often get left in the plum
- Potatoes (raw) and potato plants – when raw they can be toxic and the plants and leaves can also be dangerous
- Rhubarb – toxic to dogs
- Tomato (unripe) and tomato plants – while the ripe red flesh is safe, the green parts can be toxic so best to avoid
Our vets give their advice on what to feed your four-legged friend and the best dog food.
Which food is best?
A few too many treats can make our pups pile on the pounds! Read our vets' advice on overweight dogs.
Staying in shape
Along with eating healthy, your dog will need to stay active to stay in shape and happy.
Keeping active