Fruits in a proper dog diet

Contents

1. Can fruit be part of a dog's diet?
2. What fruits can dogs eat?
3. Apples and pears
4. Berries
5. Tropical fruits and others
6. What fruits can't dogs eat?
7. Other dangerous fruits:
8. How to safely introduce fruit into your dog's diet?
9. Summary

Diet has a significant impact on our pets' health. When composing daily meals, it's worth remembering that dogs, unlike cats, are considered relative carnivores. This means they can obtain nutrients from both meat and plant foods. Recent research shows that dogs, compared to wolves, have additional genes encoding amylase, necessary for starch digestion.[1]. This is an adaptive mechanism thanks to living in close proximity to humans for thousands of years. In this article, you'll learn which fruits can be included in a dog's diet.

Can fruit be part of a dog's diet?

Dogs, thanks to their anatomical adaptations, can eat plant foods, including fruit. Fruit is not only a source of carbohydrates in a dog's diet but also valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, it's important to remember that not every dog will respond well to it. This all depends on the dog, its health, and physiological state. A healthy dog, outside of pregnancy or lactation, has no need for carbohydrates. However, fruit can be an optional addition to the diet, for example, in the form of snacks or treats. It's important to remember that it shouldn't constitute more than 5% of a dog's daily diet due to its high sugar content.

What fruits can dogs eat?

It's best to choose seasonal fruits, which will give you greater assurance that they are fresh and nutritious. They can be a valuable addition to both homemade and commercial diets. Remember to limit their feeding to overweight or diabetic pets due to the simple sugars they contain. Fruits are rich in fiber, which regulates digestive processes, and thanks to the presence of vitamins and antioxidants, they positively impact your pet's health. Remember to wash them and remove any skins, seeds, and pits before feeding them to your dog.

Fruits that can be safely fed to dogs:

Apples and pears

They should be served seedless, as they are a tasty source of fiber, vitamins C and A, B vitamins, E, and K. They also contain many minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron, as well as fiber and pectin, which aid digestion.

Berries

• Blueberries and bilberries  – they contain a high amount of antioxidants, which strengthen the dog's immune system and slow down the aging process. Studies suggest that dogs' muscles recover faster after eating blueberries after intense exercise than dogs that didn't eat them. [2]  Additionally, they improve blood microcirculation and reduce some visual disturbances. Thanks to the presence of antioxidants and tannins, they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. .
• Strawberries – Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and manganese – all important for supporting the immune system. However, they should be fed in moderation, as they contain small amounts of a naturally occurring sweetener called xylitol, which can cause toxicity in dogs.
• Raspberries – a high content of macro- and micronutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and iron, as well as vitamins (C, E, A, PP, B1, B2, and B3), which have a beneficial effect on the immune system. Additionally, they contain ellagic acid, a very powerful antioxidant that protects DNA from damage and oxidative stress, and also has antiviral properties.[3]
• Blackberries – low in calories, rich in vitamins C, K, manganese, fiber, and powerful antioxidants, which have a beneficial effect on dogs' health. Please note that feeding dogs whole blackberries can cause choking, so for small breeds, it's safer to cut them into small pieces.
• Currants – a healthy snack for dogs, containing vitamins C, K, potassium and antioxidants that protect cells from damage and have a positive effect on dogs’ health.
• Cranberries – has a beneficial effect on the urinary tract, particularly in the treatment of bacterial inflammation. It has acidifying properties and contains vitamins C, A, and E, fiber, potassium, and selenium. It also improves cognitive function and protects the dog's body from free radicals thanks to the presence of antioxidants. Raw, cooked, or dried unsweetened cranberries are acceptable treats, but cranberry sauce and cranberry juice should be avoided, as they often contain too much sugar.

Tropical fruits and others

• Bananas –they contain a lot of potassium, which helps maintain proper nerve conduction. They are high in sugar, so they should be limited to occasional treats.
• Watermelon and melon  – a great way to keep your dog hydrated, rich in vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as potassium. Serve without the skin or seeds.
• Peaches, nectarines and apricots The flesh of these fruits contains vitamins A, C, E, and B vitamins, as well as potassium, zinc, magnesium, and fiber. It's crucial to remove the pit before feeding, as it contains amygdalin, which can poison your dog and even lead to a blockage!
• Plums – a source of vitamins A, C, E, B6, and K. They are also rich in polyphenols, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. They contain fiber and pectin, which have a beneficial effect on the digestive system and digestion. Again, it's essential to remove the pit before serving!
• Mango – rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E, as well as fiber and antioxidants, which are beneficial for skin, coat, and digestion. However, they are high in sugar, so they should be fed in moderation. Before serving, remove the hard central seed, which contains poisonous amounts of cyanide.
• Kiwi – rich in vitamins C, E, K, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. Before feeding your dog, remove the skin and seeds and cut the fruit into small pieces to avoid the risk of choking.
• Pineapple – They contain vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9, as well as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and potassium. They should always be fed in small amounts and should be avoided because of the bromelain content, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Papaya – It contains vitamins A, C, E, K, and B vitamins, as well as many minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus, as well as papain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. It should be consumed in moderation, and its seeds can be toxic and cause intestinal obstruction, while its skin can pose a choking hazard.

What fruits can't dogs eat?

• Grapes and raisins

Giving them to dogs can lead to acute kidney damage and even death within a few hours. Initial symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These fruits should not be given to dogs at all, as the toxic dose has not been precisely determined. Some dogs will show no symptoms after eating several hundred grams, while others may die after eating just a few fruits. Tartaric acid and its salt, potassium bitartrate, are currently believed to be responsible for the toxicity of these fruits. The lowest toxic dose recorded to date is 19.6 g of grapes per kg of dog's body weight. i 2.8 g/kg body weight for raisins.[4]

• Avocado

After consumption, dogs may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Eating large amounts can lead to pancreatitis due to the fruit's high fat content. Swallowing the pit can lead to intestinal obstruction. It's worth noting that avocados, both in the entire fruit and in the leaves and tree, contain persin, a fungicidal compound. It is harmless to humans but toxic to animals, particularly birds and horses. Sensitivity to this toxin varies from person to person, and observations show that dogs have a high resistance to its effects. The toxic dose of avocado for dogs has not been determined, so for safety reasons, it is not recommended to feed it to your four-legged friends. [5]

• Citrus fruits

Such as Lemons, tangerines, and oranges contain significant amounts of essential oils, which can irritate the mucous membranes in the mouth and induce excessive salivation. Furthermore, larger amounts can lead to stomach irritation and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Studies on rats have found that high doses of hesperidin, a compound found in citrus fruits, can cause poisoning and even death in rats.[6]. Administering lower, controlled doses to rats had positive health effects.[7]. Such studies have not been performed on dogs. For this reason, citrus fruits should not be included in dogs' diets.

• Stone fruits:

All fruits with pits, especially cherries, sour cherries, and mirabelle plums, which require special attention due to their high pit-to-pulp ratio, can pose a threat to our four-legged friends. The ripe flesh of these fruits is safe for dogs to eat, but in moderation. The pits themselves are the cause of serious poisoning. They contain a compound that, when chewed by a dog, releases toxic hydrogen cyanide into the body. This inhibits cytochrome oxidase, an enzyme essential for cellular oxygen transport, preventing proper oxygen uptake by cells. Consuming toxic amounts can result in clinical signs of dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, seizures, weakness, bright red gums, shock, and in extreme cases, death. Not every pit is toxic; an unchewed pit should not cause these symptoms, but in small animals, it can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction.

Other dangerous fruits:

• Quince Quince fruit pulp is considered safe for dogs to consume in moderate amounts. Quince itself is quite hard and tart, so larger, unchewed pieces can cause choking or obstruction. Like all fruit seeds, quince seeds contain toxic hydrogen cyanide and can lead to serious poisoning.

• Rhubarb – contains a compound dangerous to animals called oxalic acid. The highest concentration of this compound is found in the leaves, which are the most toxic. The stem contains less of it, but consuming larger amounts can cause symptoms such as excessive salivation, vomiting, convulsions, bloody urine, and in extreme cases, acute kidney failure or death. Lower doses can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and calcium oxalate deposition in the urinary tract.

• Black elderberry "Although its processed fruit has many health-promoting properties, consuming significant amounts of raw fruit or leaves can lead to cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of elderberry toxicity can be severe, leading to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, organ failure, and even death. Consuming just a few berries or leaves poses a low risk of poisoning.".

• Carambola Like rhubarb, it's rich in oxalates, which combine with calcium in a dog's body, causing a sudden drop in calcium levels. Consuming even small amounts can be toxic and lead to kidney failure, gastrointestinal problems, and even death.

How to safely introduce fruit into your dog's diet?

1. New vegetables and fruits should be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with very small amounts.
2. After administration, you should always observe the dog's body's reaction, including the appearance of the stool and whether there are any symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting or flatulence.
3. All fruit should be served washed, often peeled and, of course, seedless!
4. We introduce fruits into the food ration one at a time to know which of them could have caused a possible intolerance.
5. If your pet refuses to eat fruit, don't worry; they can survive perfectly well without carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are more important in the diet of working or intensely exercised dogs.
6. If you are not sure what will be suitable for your dog and how to introduce it into his diet, go to an animal nutritionist who will surely answer all your questions.
7. If your dog eats a toxic fruit, see your vet immediately!

Summary

In the table below you will find fruits that you can safely give to your dog and those that should be avoided.

Bibliography:

[1] Axelsson E, et al., The genomicsignature of dog domesticationrevealsadaptationto a starch-rich diet. Nature 2013, 495(7441), 360-364.

[2] Dunlap KL, Reynolds AJ, Duffy LK: Total antioxidant power in sled dogs supplemented with blueberries and the comparison of blood parameters associated with exercise. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. And Mol. Integr. Physiol. 2006, 143, 429-434.

[3] Kondratyuk TP, Adrian JA, Wright B, Park EJ, van Breemen RB, Morris KR, Pezzuto JM. Evidence supporting the conceptual framework of cancer chemoprevention in canines. Sci Rep. 2016 May 24.

[4] Eubig PA, Brady MS, Gwaltney‐Brant SM, Khan SA, Mazzaferro EM, Morrow CM. Acute renal failure in dogs after the ingestion of grapes or raisins: a retrospective evaluation of 43 dogs (1992–2002). J Vet Intern Med. 2005;19:663‐674.

[5] Nagy AL, Ardelean S, Chapuis RJJ, Bouillon J, Pivariu D, Dreanca AI, Caloni F. Emerging Plant Intoxications in Domestic Animals: A European Perspective. Toxins (Basel). 2023 Jul 4;15(7):442.

[6] Li Y, Kandhare AD, Mukherjee AA, Bodhankar SL. Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity studies of hesperidin isolated from orange peel extract in Sprague Dawley rats. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Jul;105:77-85.

[7] Abd-Eltawab Tammam A, A Khalaf AA, R Zaki A, Mansour Khalifa M, A Ibrahim M, M Mekkawy A, E Abdelrahman R, Farghali A, A Noshy P. Hesperidin protects rats' liver and kidney from oxidative damage and physiological disruption induced by nickel oxide nanoparticles. Front Physiol. 2022 Oct 19;13:912625

Klaudia Kuczyńska

veterinarian