What Fruits Can Puppies Eat?

What Fruits Can Puppies Eat? Puppies can safely eat fruits like apples, blueberries, bananas, and watermelon, but some fruits, such as grapes and cherries, are toxic to them.

Offering fruits as occasional treats can provide essential nutrients, but it’s important to know which fruits are safe and which should be avoided.

Including fruits in your puppy’s diet can be beneficial, but moderation is key to avoid digestive issues.

Safe Fruits for Puppies

Here’s a breakdown of the fruits that are safe for puppies and how they can benefit their health:

• Apples: Apples are a healthy treat for puppies, packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants that support their immune system. The crunchy texture can help clean their teeth, but always remove the seeds and core to avoid choking hazards and cyanide exposure from the seeds.

Acccording to Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian and expert on canine nutrition, notes in his article on Rover that apples are a low-calorie snack rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making them a great addition to a puppy’s diet in small amounts.

• Blueberries: Blueberries are a safe, antioxidant-rich treat for puppies that support brain function and cognitive development. Their small size makes them ideal for training or adding to meals, and they also provide fiber, which aids digestion.

According to AKC, blueberries are a superfood that can benefit dogs of all ages, providing important antioxidants that promote brain and overall health.

• Bananas: Bananas are a safe, nutritious snack for puppies, packed with potassium, vitamins, and fiber. Sliced into small pieces, they support digestion, offer a quick energy boost, and are heart-healthy due to their low sodium and cholesterol content.

• Watermelon: Watermelon is a hydrating and refreshing treat for puppies, especially in warm weather. Make sure to remove the seeds and rind to prevent choking or digestive issues. Rich in water, it also offers vitamins A, B6, and C, making it a nutritious snack.

For additional tips on keeping your puppy hydrated, explore our guide to water and hydration for pets.

• Strawberries: Strawberries are a safe, nutrient-rich treat for puppies, providing antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. They can be served fresh or frozen for a cooling snack, promoting healthy skin and coat. However, due to their sugar content, they should be given in moderation.

For more fruit options, check out our complete list of safe fruits for dogs.

How to Introduce Fruits into Your Puppy’s Diet

When introducing fruits to your puppy’s diet, it’s important to do so gradually and in moderation, as sudden dietary changes can upset their sensitive digestive systems.

Begin by offering small pieces of one type of fruit at a time to monitor for any allergic reactions, such as itching, swelling, or digestive discomfort. If your puppy responds well, you can continue to offer the fruit as an occasional treat.

Fruits like blueberries or apple slices also make excellent, low-calorie training treats, adding a healthy incentive during training sessions.

However, it’s crucial to ensure fruits only make up about 10% of your puppy’s diet, with the majority of their nutrition coming from a well-balanced, puppy-formulated food to support proper growth and development.

For more tips on training and diet, check out our puppy care guide.

Fruits to Avoid for Puppies

While many fruits are safe for puppies, some are toxic and should be completely avoided. Here’s a list of fruits that should never be given to dogs:

• Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure, even in small amounts. It’s important to avoid giving your puppy any products that contain grapes or raisins, including baked goods and trail mixes.

Veterinary experts from VCA Animal Hospitals emphasize that grapes and raisins can cause rapid kidney failure in dogs, with even small amounts being potentially deadly.

• Cherries: Cherries contain cyanide, particularly in the pits, stems, and leaves, making them unsafe for puppies. While the flesh of the cherry is technically non-toxic, the risk of cyanide poisoning from other parts of the fruit makes it best to avoid altogether.

• Avocados: Avocados contain a substance called persin, which is toxic to dogs. While small amounts of avocado flesh are less likely to cause harm, it’s best to avoid feeding avocados to puppies entirely.

Conclusion

Puppies can safely enjoy fruits like apples, blueberries, bananas, watermelon, and strawberries, which provide essential vitamins and hydration.

However, it’s important to avoid toxic fruits like grapes, cherries, and avocados.

Always introduce fruits gradually and in moderation to avoid digestive issues.

By choosing safe fruits and monitoring your puppy’s reaction, you can incorporate healthy treats into their diet to support their growth and well-being.

FAQs

Fruits should make up no more than 10% of a puppy’s diet, and it’s best to start with small amounts to see how they react before giving more.

Some fruits, like grapes, raisins, cherries, and avocados, are toxic to puppies and should be completely avoided.

While puppies can have fruit regularly, it should be given in moderation as a supplement to their balanced puppy food, as too much fruit can cause digestive issues or lead to excessive sugar intake.