Can Dogs Eat Fruit? Safe Feeding Tips

1 Feeding Fruit to Dogs Safely

Before giving your dog fruit, consider the following points.

1. Limit high-sugar, high-calorie fruits

High sugar and high calories are a source of obesity. Dogs with kidney disease should not be given sweet, high-calorie fruits, which put a heavy metabolic burden on the kidneys. Juicing or drying fruit only concentrates the sugar, so owners can offer light, refreshing vegetables instead. High-sugar, high-calorie fruits include watermelon, durian, and pineapple.

2. Peel and remove pits

Dogs aren’t smart enough to peel and pit fruit like people; they just chew a little and swallow, so coarse peels and large pits are hard to digest and can even get stuck in or scratch the esophagus, or cause oxygen deprivation — a threat to the dog’s life. Owners should peel and pit fruit in advance, and cut it into small pieces if needed. Fruits with thick skins and pits include peach, watermelon, and cherry.

3. Avoid disease triggers

Fruits like cherry, dragon fruit, banana, blueberry, and carambola are very high in potassium, which is a heavy burden for dogs with kidney or urinary disease. Grapes also easily cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. So limit the amount of these fruits and avoid them where possible.

4. Wash thoroughly

Fruit surfaces carry pesticide residues; if too much remains and is eaten, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Don’t assume your dog has an iron stomach — wash fruit before giving it to your dog to avoid harm.

5. Judge the fruit’s nature

Before feeding fruit, consider the fruit’s properties and your dog’s condition. If your dog is healthy and in its prime, you can worry less about the fruit’s nature; but for puppies or senior dogs, know the fruit’s properties to avoid upsetting the stomach.