FRESH FRUITS FOR DOGS

By Sunday, December 10, 2017 9 No tags Permalink

Two weeks ago the Boys and I met with a holistic veterinarian. Among many things we discussed – one subject was about fresh fruits for dogs…
FRESH FRUITS FOR DOGS
I was so excited to have this discussion with her because for quite some time now both Harley and Jaxson have been chomping down MORE –

  • apples
  • green beans
  • broccoli
  • watermelon
  • pineapple
  • strawberries
  • mangoes
  • blueberries
  • cantaloupe

When I switched them to a species appropriate diet a few months ago, I took it a step further and eliminated many commercial “processed” cracker/cookie treats and substituted them with certain fruits and veggies.

Whether you’re looking to slim down your pet’s waistline, or just looking for healthy alternatives to commercial pet treats – many of the fruits and veggies we eat can also be given to our pets. SOURCE: Trupanion

I’ve been fascinated with their acceptance of these new foods. Fresh fruit is such a healthier alternative when it comes to snacks!

LET’S TALK FRUIT –

Apples are Jaxson’s all time favorite, and strawberries make Harley dance a little doodle jig as I slice them.

I must admit though, I have yet to try feeding them –

  • apricot full of potassium and beta-carotene which can help fight against cancer. Be sure your pet doesn’t eat the poisonous pit, stem, or leaves.
  • cranberries –   fights urinary tract infections in both cats and dogs. Vitamin C, fiber, and manganese make cranberries an attractive snack, provided they can handle the tartness. Raw, cooked, or dried cranberries are acceptable treats.
  • orange – nutrients and Vitamin C can help their immune system and flush toxins out of the body. However, the seeds, peel, leaves, or stem of the orange contain oils that are poisonous, so make sure you only feed pets the fleshy part of the fruit.
  • pear – full of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber, and make a great snack when served in moderation. As with apples and oranges, pear seeds contain traces of cyanide and should be removed before feeding to your pet.
  • raspberrieswhile they are low in sugar and contain lots of fiber and vitamin C. Anti-inflammatory properties make them great for older pets. HOWEVER – they do contain small amounts of Xylitol (which is a sweetner) and can be toxic for pets in large doses. With so many other fruit choices – I think I will forgo raspberries.

Be sure to wash, remove rinds, inedible seeds and pits before they consume anything.

WARNING –

  • Avoid cherries (toxic), grapes or raisins (kidney damage) and citrus fruits like lemons, limes, grapefruits and persimmons (upset tummies).
  • As with anything, I highly recommend you introduce fruits in moderation.
  • Believe it or not, pets can have allergies to certain fruits. Feed small amounts and preferably one at a time.
  • And don’t forget to check with your veterinarian first especially if your pup has a medical condition.

Stop by later this week to learn about “cruciferous” veggies!

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the many veggies I never imagined dogs could eat.

When life gives you Monday. Dip it in glitter and sparkle all day ❤️

9 Comments
  • Emma
    December 11, 2017

    My sisters and I are not big fruit eaters. Katie loved to eat fruits. I guess we are all different. Mom wishes we would eat fruit with her.

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 13, 2017

      Tell your Mom once the Boys were introduced to fruit, I haven’t been able to eat an apple by myself in months!

  • Pamela
    December 11, 2017

    Honey comes and goes on fruit. Sometimes she loves clementine slices. Other times she just licks it and turns her nose up.

    She used to like apples. Now she’s not so keen.

    And grapefruit? An empty grapefruit rind is one of her favorite toys.

    One other benefit of fruit and veggie treats? They’re usually cheaper than decent, processed treats.

    Can’t wait to see what else Harley and Jaxson get to eat.

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 13, 2017

      I have yet to give either of them a citrus fruit, besides pineapple. Will be interested in how they react to a HALO tangerine.

  • Lindsay
    December 11, 2017

    The boys LOVE their fruits and veggies. Particularly carrots, apple, oranges, strawberries. Charlie insisted on me breaking him off broccoli one night after hydrotherapy on our way home. Lol! It was insanely cute, him woofing on the front seat eyeballing the broccoli on the floor. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 13, 2017

      I’m going to steam some broccoli for them on Friday. Right now I’m only giving them the steamed veggies three times a week.

  • Monika & Sam
    December 12, 2017

    Love it when the pups eat fruit. Sam wouldn’t before Elsa arrived and now seems eager to make up for lost time. Mostly I think he just wants what she has but whatever.

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 13, 2017

      Oh, I’m positive that’s it. Harley could have cared less about an apple until Jax started eating them. Now he’s all over anything I place in his bowl.

  • Jan K
    December 16, 2017

    Luke has tried and loves every fruit on your first list except for mangoes, but we haven’t tried any on the second list. That’s probably because I don’t eat any of those, not because he probably wouldn’t like them! He has tried wild black raspberries (or maybe they’re blackberries, I can’t really tell the difference) though and loves those too.