Feeding fruit to dogs - is it species-appropriate?
The idea that "dogs are true carnivores" still holds strong. So why feed bananas, apples, and the like? After all, dogs are descended from wolves, and they fed on a lot of meat! Well, precisely because the wolf is the ancestor of our dogs, fruit is also part of a →species-appropriate and balanced diet for dogs.
Let's take a look at the wolf's menu: From its prey, it not only eats the muscle meat but also consumes it with skin and hair or cartilage and organs, including the plant remains in the stomachs. Its daily menu is supplemented by fruits like berries or other greens, which is why dogs are classified as carnivores and omnivores (“carni-omnivorous”).
Therefore, feeding fruit and also vegetables to our four-legged friends is essential. Just like us humans (and wolves), they are dependent on the vitamins, fiber, and trace elements contained in fruit. Thus, feeding fruit contributes to the maintenance of your dog's health and can even lead to deficiencies and health issues if intake is insufficient.
Gesundes Gemüse für Hunde
Welches Gemüse dürfen Hunde essen? Finde es heraus!
Which fruits can dogs eat?
Many types of fruit are a tasty and healthy snack for dogs. However, it is always important to consider which fruits can be fed and how. Seeds and skins are often toxic. Additionally, you should not feed too much fruit at once, as it can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea.
Also, note that a →high-quality complete feed for dogs already contains all the important nutrients. Meat, fruit, and vegetables, as well as fats and minerals, are already present in sufficient quantities and usually do not need to be supplemented.
Only the best of the best goes into our food. In addition to juicy meat, our range includes various types of fruit such as apples, raspberries, bananas, mangoes, pears, blackberries, and much more. Come by and discover your dog's new favorite food now!
Unser Futter für Hunde: gesund, ehrlich, lecker.
Fruits for dogs that can be fed without worry
These types of fruit can be easily eaten by your dog. They generally do not cause bloating and are, when cut into small pieces or pureed, well tolerated. Note to remove seeds and possibly the skin beforehand.
- →Apple
- Apricots
- →Bananas
- →Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Dates
- →Strawberries
- Pomegranates
- →Raspberries
- Currants
- Nectarines (without pit)
- Papaya
- Plums
- Pomelo
- Gooseberries
If your dog is not used to being fed raw fruit occasionally, start with a small amount and gradually increase. Due to the numerous fibers and fruit acids in fruit, it can otherwise lead to →stomach aches.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Nicht immer muss es Fleisch sein: Viele Hunde essen sehr gern auch mal ein Stück Obst oder Gemüse als leckeren Snack zwischendurch!
Fruits for dogs that should be fed with caution
When feeding these types of fruit, you should be a bit more cautious. In principle, they are all not toxic. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The same applies to these fruits: Remove seeds and skin if necessary!
- →Pineapple (only overripe and not too much, contains a lot of acid)
- →Pears (only feed overripe)
- Figs (can have a laxative effect)
- Persimmon or Sharon fruit (harmless, but contains a lot of sugar)
- →Cherries (remove pits, can have a laxative and bloating effect)
- Kiwi (do not feed too much, contains a lot of acid)
- Mandarins (only feed in small amounts)
- →Mango (harmless, but contains a lot of sugar)
- →Melons (only feed overripe, do not feed the flesh close to the skin)
- →Oranges (only feed small amounts and overripe)
- Lemons (do not feed too much, contains a lot of acid)
Toxic fruits that MUST NOT be fed to dogs
In contrast to vegetables, there are few types of fruit that are not well tolerated by your dog or can be [→even toxic](/magazin/hunde/hunde-gesundheit/diese-dinge-sind-giftig-fur-deinen-hund). To ensure nothing harmful ends up in your dog's bowl at home, take a close look at the following types of fruit:
- →Grapes (toxic!)
- The pit of cherries, nectarines, peaches. Crushing the pits can release toxic cyanide.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Welches Obst dürfen Hunde essen? Wirf einen Blick auf unsere Listen!
Help, my dog has eaten toxic fruit or vegetables!
Did your dog sneak some grapes? Depending on the size and weight of your four-legged friend, the first symptoms of poisoning can appear quite quickly. The first signs of poisoning are heavy panting, restlessness, and trembling.
But don’t panic, a clear head and quick action are important! In a veterinary clinic, your dog will be given an injection to induce vomiting, so that the toxic fruit or vegetables are expelled as quickly as possible. It is important that you do not act on your own - do not attempt to make your dog vomit yourself. Home remedies are also toxic to dogs and therefore off-limits.
Don't panic on the Titanic! If your dog has tasted some of the ‘forbidden fruit’, vets can help quickly and your pet will soon be feeling better.
Which fruits are good for dogs' digestion?
If your four-legged friend has a sensitive digestion and often has stomach grumbles, you can preferably feed a little grated apple or some mashed banana. However, you should avoid fruits with a lot of fruit acid like pineapple, mango, kiwi, or berries.
SOS! Your dog has acute →diarrhea or →vomiting? Carrots, rice, and chicken cooked in a pot make a soothing diet, which you can feed your four-legged friend for 3-5 days if he is struggling. It must be quick, and you don’t have time to stir the pot yourself? Then just open a can of our special **→wet food "Vet" Stomach & Intestines Fit with chicken, cottage cheese, and rice.
Behandlungsbegleitend an eurer Seite: Pets Deli VET
How much fruit can a dog eat?
Even though fruit is healthy and full of vitamins, you should not give too much of it. Many types of fruit contain a lot of fruit acid and fruit sugar. Both can affect digestion in dogs. Therefore, start by feeding your dog only a little fruit and observe how well he tolerates it. The amount fed is always dependent on the size and weight of your four-legged friend.
If you want to regularly feed fruit to your dog, you should adjust the amount to your dog's daily nutrient needs. If you feed your dog dry or wet food, all individual food components, i.e., proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, fiber, and trace elements, are already present in sufficient quantities. This means that everything you feed your dog in fruit is on top and should actually be deducted from his food. This is not so easy with a complete feed, which is why you should stick to a small handful of blueberries or a piece of apple occasionally.
If you want to regularly feed fruits and vegetables in larger quantities, perhaps the →BARF concept is for you: Here, you prepare your dog's food fresh. This means you put together the meal with its individual components like meat, fruit, vegetables, and carbohydrates yourself. The respective amounts must of course be tailored to your dog's needs and weighed individually.
You'll love to try BARF!
Does that sound too complicated to you? Once you get the hang of it, followers of BARFing do not want to miss this way of feeding anymore, but we can understand if you find it too time-consuming. That’s why we have developed our [→"BARF Complete"](/products/barf-complete-kennenlernpaket-rind-huhn-fur-hunde), which allows you to feed your dog uncomplicatedly and at the same time with delicious, fresh ingredients. The menu already contains everything your four-legged friend needs daily: fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, as well as minerals and oils. Everything weighed and pre-portioned, super fresh and tasty!
