Is It Safe to Give My Dog or Cat Fruit?

There are many benefits of including fruit in our own diets, but as a pet parent, you may ask yourself: can my pet eat fruit, too? If you're tempted to feed these tasty treats to your furry friend, you'll be happy to know that there is a wide range of fruit you can safely include in your pet's snack routine. Read on to find out which fruits are safe for your cat or dog.

Can Dogs Eat Fruit?

The answer is yes, dogs can eat fruit, but only certain kinds of fruits and in small amounts. Moderation is the key to incorporating fruit into your dog's meals, as excessive ingestion of fruit (even safe fruit) may cause intestinal irritation, diarrhoea or bloating. Additionally, be sure to remove any choking hazards, such as ball-shaped pieces of fruit, seeds, pits, and stems, as some of these can be toxic.

Here are some safe fruits for dogs, including recommended portion sizes. The PDSA recommends cutting these fruits into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking, and choosing plain options to keep sugar intake down. All foods below should be discussed with your veterinarian before giving to your dog.

• Apples (1-2 slices): High in fibre and protein, this fruit is a great source of vitamins A and C. Do not feed your dog the core because the seeds contain a substance that can release cyanide.
• Apricots (1 slice): It's a yummy, sweet treat, but carefully and completely remove the leaves, stem and pit prior to serving because these are toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
• Bananas (1-2 pieces): These are rich in potassium and carbs, but also high in sugar, so feed them to your dog in very small amounts.
• Blackberries (2-3 berries): Full of antioxidants and fibre, this berry also packs vitamins A, C, K and E.
• Blueberries (2-3 berries): This berry has strong antioxidant properties and is considered a superfood for humans and dogs.
• Cantaloupe (1 piece): This melon contains beta-carotene, a pigment that makes it orange, and which aids in the improvement of vision.
• Cranberries (1-2 tablespoons): Cook this berry in water (and no other ingredients) before serving it to your dog.
• Kiwis (1/2 slice): In addition to fibre, kiwis provide vitamin A and potassium.
• Mango (1-2 slices): Before serving this exotic fruit to your pet, peel it and remove the pit to avoid digestive issues. The pit is toxic.
• Peaches (2-3 pieces): Skip the canned version (too much sugar) and opt for the fresh fruit, with the toxic pit carefully removed, for a treat that's high in vitamin A.
• Pears (2-3 pieces): Pears are high in fibre and copper. Choose chunks of the whole fruit and remove the core and seeds, which are toxic.
• Pineapples (2-3 pieces): Raw, fresh pineapple is a wonderful sweet treat. Cut off the prickly skin before serving.
• Strawberries (1/2 berry): This yummy berry contains vitamins B1 and B6, helpful for your dog's muscles.
• Watermelon (1 slice, seedless): Because it's 92% water, this melon is a go-to for humans and dogs to prevent dehydration when temperatures rise.