Does your dog eat fruit? Mine has developed such a fruit fetish – it’s forced me down the internet rabbit hole to learn more about which fruits are healthy for him to consume.
Jaxson truly loves fruit…
When he was a puppy he would nibble on small pieces of apples and bananas. As he grew – so did his fresh fruit interest. After a while I found myself searching the web-world to learn more about those fruits –
- he could enjoy
- that had the most benefits
- to stay away from
Earlier this year – his palate experienced the culinary delights of a pear…
Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper and vitamins C and K. Don’t know about you – but I had no doodle-idea what Vitamin K did, so off to the keyboard I flew.
Turns out –
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin instrumental in activating your dog’s blood’s ability to clot.
7 Vitamins Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Lifestyle
CURRENTLY LIFE IS PEACHY –
Recently, Jaxson has fallen for the flesh of a peach! …
Loaded with vitamin A, peaches help maintain optimal health particularly with their skin, coat, muscles and nerves.
Low in calories yet high in fiber, peaches can boost the immune system while improving the functions of their liver and kidneys.
To remain on the super-safe side of fruit, I opted to omit the peach skin as well as the pit. Peach flesh only – cut into very small pieces.
One peach – split between the two of them…
Harley wasn’t as enamored as his brother. He sniffed and walked away. Jaxson, shamelessly, dined from both bowls…
KNOW YOUR FRUITS –
Fruits can be a doodlelicious treat for your dog. They’re full of antioxidants, immune boosters, vitamins and offer tremendous benefits such as digestive support.
However it is critical to know AND understand that –
- ALL fruits are not good for your dog
- SOME fruits may cause allergic reactions – so tread with small doses initially
- FEW are high in sugar – therefore must be rationed as a true treat
I found a list of the 13 best fruits for dogs to eat and saw a couple we haven’t tried.
Which ones are on this list that YOUR dog loves to nibble on? –
- Apples: both Doods enjoy them, great source of potassium too
- Bananas: definitely not a favorite with Harley, but Jaxson loves them
- Blackberries: haven’t tried them yet – great source of antioxidants
- Blueberries: the three of us (yep – me too!) love to eat these frozen!
- Cantaloupe: great multi vitamin source – a hit here in Doodleville
- Cranberries: I might stew them and add to food ocassionally
- Kiwi: this would be a new fruit food for them
- Oranges: never would have guessed
- Pears: a hit with Jax – Harley has to be in “the mood”
- Pumpkin: only served pureed in their food a few times a month
- Raspberries: like the blackberry – haven’t served it yet
- Strawberries: Harley’s all time favorite, Jaxson’s too
- Watermelon: they both love it – I can’t eat it alone EVER!
TIPS FOR FEEDING FRUIT TO YOUR DOG –
Feed fruits to your dog as a small training treat or stuff his favorite dog toys with some peanut butter and fruit for a great and healthy occupier.
Pet Central
Here are some other tips:
- Always talk to your veterinarian about any treats you feed your dog, including fruit.
- Give your dog small portions of fruit only, especially the first time feeding them to your dog. Even though fruit is good for him, fruit is not calorie free. Also, you don’t know if your dog will have an allergic or other adverse reaction, such as gas or an upset stomach.
- Clean fruit thoroughly before offering it to your dog.
- If you can, introduce small portions of fruit to your dog when he is young. He may be more likely to try it and like it.
- Some dogs don’t like raw fruit. Try mashing it into their food or adding it as an ingredient when you make homemade dog treats. You can also use fruit juice, but make sure it is 100 percent fruit juice and not added sugars.
- Avoid feeding your dog any type of seeds or pits. Although not all seeds are known to cause problems, it is better to be safe than sorry. What is known to be problematic or toxic are apple seeds, apricot pits, nectarine pits, plum pits, cherry pits and peach pits
In addition to these tips, this site also has really “simple to make” recipes incorporating each of the 13 recommended fruits.
SO –
Does your dog eat fruit? Do tell…
Have a great day on purpose ❤️
June 16, 2020
Bailie gets some banana with her breakfast every morning. I’m not much for fruit, but Olivia loves anything she can eat. Right now she is into blueberries. Mom has to always watch her fruit because Olivia will steal it in a hot second. Enjoy, boys!
June 20, 2020
Ask your mom to freeze some of those blueberries! Jaxson says they’re doodle*licious when they are frozen!
June 16, 2020
I only wish both Elsa and Norman would eat fruit. Previous pets were absolute fruit connoisseurs but these guys look at me like I was some sort of monster if I offer any. Oh well, more for me, eh?
June 20, 2020
Some fruits (with a softer texture) are only of interest to Harley if it is served with something. He will eat the peach flesh for instance with his food, or with a spoonful of whipped cream. Maybe your crew would entertain their fruit served that way! 🙂
June 17, 2020
Baxter loves cantaloupe and has it every morning. He loves blueberries and strawberries too. Actually there is not too much Baxter won’t eat. Hope you are all doing well. Love your posts and Instagram pics . Take care.
June 20, 2020
Hello Patricia – Baxter sounds a lot like Jaxson. As a matter of fact, Jaxson’s zest for food is what also helps Harley gobble stuff up. I guess Jaxson makes it look so doodle*licious, Harley can’t help himself. Have a great weekend!
June 17, 2020
I’ve often seen Grapes on the list NOT to give dogs. This includes Raisins. Hera does not favor fruits. She doesn’t get offered them much either. There is a pumpkin blueberry treat that smells divine and she really likes them. If she has a bad tummy I’ll give her a spoon of pumpkin with her food and it is generally helpful in restoring a healthy gut.
June 20, 2020
Hey Dixie!!!! Grapes and raisins are very toxic and dangerous for dogs. I’ve been making yogurt, strawberries (or blueberries) and banana frozen treats lately and they are a h huge hit with the Boys. Harley still doesn’t care for anything ice cold, so he will wait for his to resemble a slushy almost. Jaxson loves ice so he chomps away on his treats.
June 17, 2020
Thank you for sharing this good information. I am trying to introduce them to my doods- 6 and 7 year olds- I know I am late but I will still try. Last night was blueberries- I looked in their dish and I cracked up – still had the blueberries. They are sooooooo smart. We have fresh Fredericksburg peaches now and will give them a try.
Love your blog!
Debbie
Gracie Mae and Savannah Blu
San Antonio
June 20, 2020
Hey Debbie – I laughed when I read your comment, Harley used to kick his blueberries around the floor for the longest. Finally they ate one when my daughter ate one and it’s been a blueberry romance ever since. Introduce it slowly, small pieces, and perhaps if you nibble on a piece first they will want to try it. Texture plays a huge role. Peaches for Harley had to be mixed with something (I think it was food) before he would willingly eat it alone in his bowl. I find it fascinating to watch which fruit they instantly fall in love with. Let me know how things go…. Thanks so much for reading – we love our virtual friends so please come back again soon.
June 17, 2020
My dog loves apples, oranges, and watermelon. He does like grapes but read in one of your comments that grapes aren’t good so will stop that. Great article!!
June 20, 2020
Hello Mia – Yes, grapes are not good – they are very dangerous. According to the AKC “Unfortunately, grape/raisin toxicity can even be fatal. Ingesting the fruit could potentially lead to acute (sudden) kidney failure in dogs.” So please don’t give him grapes at all. There are so many other doodle*licious fruits he can enjoy….. Take care and thanks for reading!
June 19, 2020
Luke has tried and liked everything on that list except for oranges, kiwi, cranberries and raspberries.
His favorites are bananas, cantaloupe, and watermelon. He probably gets pumpkin the most, he gets a spoonful in his breakfast every other morning.
Our beagle Kobi used to eat blackberries right off the bushes when we were out for walks!
June 20, 2020
I always associate pumpkin with the fall and winter months, not sure why I forget to give it to them all year round. I am getting better at remembering to spoon a little in a few days each week.
August 15, 2020
My dog only loves watermelon haha
January 26, 2021
Harley is becoming rather selective in his old age too. He’s a strawberry and watermelon kind of Dood, but likes his fruit “room temperature” #cantmakethisstuffup
April 28, 2022
Thank you for your great work and useful information on your site.
June 24, 2022
You are so welcome!
June 20, 2020
Thanks for the share!