What fruits can dogs not eat?
While many fruits are safe and even beneficial for our four-legged friends, others should be avoided. The list of fruits not suitable for dogs includes:
The fleshy part of citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits are quite acidic and can cause stomach upset. The peel of all citrus fruits presents a choking hazard and can also cause GI issues.
While small amounts of avocado flesh won’t hurt your dog, other parts of the fruit (skin, leaves, and stem) contain persin, a substance that is toxic to dogs. Symptoms of persin toxicity include diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog accidentally ingests these parts of the avocado fruit, call your vet right away.
Both grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Even if fed in small amounts, they can cause kidney failure in some dogs. The reason for this is unclear, but some experts believe that they contain traces of mold that’s toxic to dogs. If your dog consumes these fruits accidentally, call your vet immediately.
Figs are very high in fiber which can cause diarrhea in your dog. If you decide to feed figs, be sure to limit their intake to one or two per week. The reason for this is because the fig plant contains a toxin called ficin, which is toxic if ingested or in contact with the dog’s eyes, mouth, or skin. If your dog exhibits symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, or abdominal pain after ingesting parts or a fig plant, be sure to take them to the vet.
Even though dates aren’t toxic to dogs, you should avoid offering them as a treat. First of all, ingesting whole dates together with the pits can result in bowel obstruction. Second, dates are quite high in sugar and dietary fiber, so consuming more than a few can cause diarrhea.
While cherry flesh is tasty, there’s not much of it compared to the size of the pit. Chances are, if your pup indulges in cherries, they will swallow them whole. Not only do the pits contain traces of cyanide, but they can also cause bowel obstruction.
Similar to dates and cherries, the main concern with plums is associated with the ingestion of the pit. The pits can be sharp and easily damage your pet’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. There’s also a risk of the pit obstructing the intestinal tract, especially in smaller dogs. Finally, if the pit is crushed, it can release cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. The plum flesh is not harmful unless it’s fermented, rotten, or moldy. The flesh also contains high amounts of sugar and should be fed in small amounts.
While some berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, are safe and even beneficial for dogs, others growing in the hedgerows should be avoided. Juniper, holly, elderberries, and rowan are all harmful or poisonous and therefore should not be offered to our canine friends.
When fruits are dried, the water gets removed, and sugars get concentrated, making them unsuitable for dogs. In addition, store-bought dried fruits can contain chemical compounds that are potentially toxic to dogs. At best, your dog could suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, and, at worst, dried-fruit poisoning can result in kidney failure.
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| GOOD Fruit For Dogs | BAD Fruit For Dogs |
|---|---|
| Apples | Lemons |
| Bananas | Avocado |
| Blueberries | Grapes |
| Strawberries | Figs |
| Raspberries | Dates |
| Blackberries | Cherries |
| Cranberries | Plums |
| Apricots | Hedgerow berries |
| Oranges | Dried fruits |
| Peaches | Acidic citruses |
| Pears | |
| Mangoes | |
| Pineapples | |
| Coconut | |
| Kiwi | |
| Watermelon | |
| Cantaloupes |
Small pieces of dog-safe fruits, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, mangoes, and blueberries, make delicious and healthy treats for small puppies. However, keep in mind that treats shouldn’t make up more than 5% of your puppy’s diet, so they should only be given in small amounts and on occasion.
It’s best to feed your puppy a commercial puppy food, which includes meats, grains, fats, fruits, and veggies. This food should be your puppy’s main diet until they reach one year old. Consult with your veterinarian about the proper nutrition for your furry baby and whether it is safe to feed them the fruits included on our dog-safe list.
Tips on how to serve fruits for dogs
Whether you’re looking for new, healthier treats for your dog or want to supplement their diet with some low-fat, vitamin-rich foods, adding fruits is a great way to rev up their usual meals and treats. Here are some tips to help you safely feed fruit to your canine friend.
Signs Your Dog has had Too Much Apricot
Fruit, especially dried fruit, can offer your dog a few benefits when fed to them occasionally (and with your vets permission). In general, your pup can glean vitamins, minerals, fibers, and energy from the occasional dried apricot, however, theres always risk associated with feeding your pup this treat.
As we said above, the issue with apricot is the stems, leaves, and pits. While this shouldnt be an issue with dried apricots, its always possible that your dog gets his or her paws on a trace amount of the cyanide from these parts of the apricot.
So, how can you tell if your dog is having an adverse reaction to dried apricots? Check for signs of difficult breathing, dilated pupils, and discolored gums. These are all tell-tale signs of cyanide poisoning. Additionally, your pup could experience things like panting, lethargy, fatigue, extreme weakness, shock, and in extreme cases, sudden death.
You dog might be experience cyanide poisoning from the apricots youve fed them if theyre showing signs like:
Here are a few other signs to look out for:
Historically, apricots are some of the most common toxic human foods for pups. The cyanide in the apricot pit, stem, and leaves inhibits the enzyme in dogs that allows cells to transport oxygen through their body, making your dog incredibly ill, or potentially killing your pup. This has been a well-documented issue in veterinary journals, studies, and experiments.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, acute cyanide poisoning, the kind of poisoning that your dog could get from ingesting apricot leaves, pits, seeds, and kernels typically occur quickly, as soon as 15-20 minutes post ingestion. Typically, your dog will display signs of excitement initially, followed by dyspnea, tachycardia, bitter breath, and stagger struggles before they collapse if left untreated.