Taking care of pet food is fundamental to the health and quality of life of pets. Therefore, it is common to be concerned about what is healthy and what should be banned. This is the case with fruits, for example.
Therefore, in this text the Healthy Minute will inform you about which fruits are considered beneficial for the dogs, and which ones should be avoided, as they can harm the health of the animals.
Contents
Can you give fruits to dogs?
Yea! Dogs are allowed to eat fruit, however, they cannot be the only foods present in the pets’ feeding routine. Therefore, from time to time a fruit (or vegetable) can be used as a natural snack, replacing artificial ones.
The nutrients present in fruits are very beneficial for the health of pets, but not all are good for the dog. This is because the dog’s organism is not adapted for the digestion of certain components that make up the fruit.
Thus, it is recommended to consult the veterinarian (a) before including any fruit in the animal’s diet. In addition, the professional will advise on how many times a week and the correct time the fruit should be given to the dog, according to the daily menu and the age of the pet.
Depending on the age, the amount of fruit consumed by the animal during the week may be more or less frequent, given the differences in relation to the caloric expenditure and nutritional needs of each pet.
What fruits can dogs eat?
In addition, it is necessary to sanitize the food well before giving it to the dog, ensuring that no micro-organism will contaminate your animal. It is worth remembering that the peel and seeds (if the chosen fruit has) must be removed.
Another point to be highlighted is that the taste of some fruits may not please the taste of certain dogs, being recommended the substitution for others.
See which fruits are released for your pet:
- Banana (rich in vitamin A and B complex, also has minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium);
- Pear (source of minerals and vitamin A and B complex);
- Apple (contains vitamin A, C, B, E, K, minerals and dietary fiber).
- Papaya (has vitamin A, C and fiber);
- Red fruits such as blackberry and raspberry (they are sources of vitamin A and C, contain mineral salts such as magnesium, calcium and iron);
- Mango (source of vitamin A, C, E, B6 and potassium);
- Watermelon (has mineral salts such as potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and C);
- Melon (rich in vitamin C, A and complex B, is also a source of potassium);
- Coconut (source of good fats, minerals and B vitamins);
- Strawberry (contains vitamin K and B vitamins, as well as important minerals, such as magnesium and potassium);
- Pumpkin (source of vitamin A, fiber and minerals such as zinc, iron and potassium);
- Kiwi (rich in vitamin C, A, E and B6, also contains minerals such as magnesium and potassium);
- Guava (source of fiber and vitamin C, in addition, has mineral salts such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and iron);
- Jabuticaba (has vitamin C and E, as well as magnesium, phosphorus and zinc);
- Cashew (source of vitamin E and K);
- Peach (rich in vitamin A and C and also some minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium).
What fruits cannot dogs eat?
Due to components considered to be toxic to the dog’s organism, some fruits should be kept away from the animals’ diet, to ensure the health and well-being of the animals. In general, they are:
- Carambola: certain substances that are in the fruit are able to increase the chances of kidney problems in the dog, being indicated not to give it to the animal;
- Grape: although the reason is not known, the grape is considered extremely toxic to dogs, and can cause anything from serious illnesses to the death of the pet;
- Orange, pineapple and lemon: due to the high level of acidity in these fruits, their consumption by the animal can cause gastritis and other damages to the digestive system;
- Avocado: due to the presence of a substance called persine, the fruit can trigger a vomiting crisis, diarrhea and even serious complications to the dog’s heart;
- Cherry: when consuming this fruit, there is a high chance that the dog will ingest cyanide, a toxic substance found in the leaves of the cherry tree. Therefore, it is forbidden to give cherries to the animal.
It is worth mentioning that to avoid any damage to your pet’s health, it is important to seek professional guidance from a veterinarian before giving the dog any fruit or other food.
