You already know that fruit is important for your health, but did you know that it is also good for your dog? While dogs don't need fruit to be healthy, feeding your pooch fresh fruit will give him an extra boost of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as always-welcome extra hydration.

As a dog owner, it is important to remember that not all fruits are good for your dog. If you notice signs of an upset stomach or other discomfort, you should stop feeding him this type of fruit - even if it is otherwise safe for him.

Here are 10 of the best fruits for dogs

Apple

An apple a day may not keep the vet away, but apple slices or small pieces of apple make a great treat and accompaniment to meals. Just make sure you don't feed your dog apple seeds. Like other types of pome fruit, they contain hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic to your dog.

Advantages:

• They help clean your dog's teeth and freshen his breath.
• They contain vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. The peel also contains phytochemicals that have been shown to combat the growth of cancer cells in laboratory studies.

Bananas

Bananas have a lot of health benefits for our dogs. They are also easy to transport and are therefore a good snack for long walks as a couple.

Advantages:

• The fiber in bananas can be good for your dog's digestion.
• They contain a high proportion of potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

But be careful: Bananas contain a lot of sugar, so they shouldn't be on your dog's menu every day. Bananas also contain a lot of potassium, which can lead to an oversupply in dogs. Therefore, you should not feed your dog bananas if he suffers from heart problems.

Blackberries

You can share blackberries with your dog, but you should use your best judgment to cut them into small pieces. Choose the sweet blackberries rather than the tart ones, which your dog probably likes better.

Advantages:

• They may have antibacterial properties that support good oral health.
• They contain vitamins C and K, manganese and fiber.

Blueberries

Dogs love blueberries, which are already the perfect size for both small and large mouths. However, if you're dealing with a small dog or a large blueberry, consider halving the berry before serving.

Advantages:

• Blueberries are low in sugar and fat and make a good treat for dogs who don't want to consume too many extra calories.
• They contain vitamins C and K as well as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and antioxidants.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a safe and healthy fruit for your dog to enjoy. However, avoid feeding the shell as the rough texture can cause intestinal damage.

Advantages:

• High doses of beta-carotene, which is good for your dog's vision and immune system.
• Contains vitamins A, B-6 and C, as well as fiber, potassium, folic acid and niacin.

cranberries

Thanksgiving isn't the only reason to stock these sweet treats in your home. Cranberries can be fed to your dog raw, cooked, or dried, but skip the sugary cranberry sauce.

Advantages:

• Cranberries are rich in antioxidants.
• They contain vitamins C and E as well as a number of B vitamins including thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and B-6.

papaya

Feed the papaya to your four-legged friend. The pulp of this exotic fruit makes an excellent snack.

Advantages:

• Contains vitamins A, C, E and K as well as folic acid.
• It contains lots of fiber, calcium and potassium.

Raspberries

When eaten in moderation, raspberries are a delicious treat for your dog. And most dogs seem to like them, especially when they're particularly cute in the summer.

Advantages:

• They are believed to help against cancer, circulatory diseases and age-related decline.
• They contain vitamin C, folic acid, copper, magnesium, fiber and antioxidants.

Strawberries

Like most other berries, strawberries are full of antioxidants. For safe feeding, first cut off the leaves at the tip and then quarter the strawberry. If your dog is small, cut each quarter in half (or smaller).

Advantages:

• Strawberries can boost the immune system with their high antioxidant content. They also have a high water content, making them a hydrating snack.
• They contain vitamins C, B-6, K and E, as well as folic acid, potassium and manganese.

Watermelon

Nothing is as satisfying as a juicy slice of watermelon on a hot day, and our dogs feel the same way. Just don't feed the peel or seeds, as they are difficult for your dog to digest.

Advantages:

• • Rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage.
  • Contains vitamins A, B-6 and C as well as thiamine, which supports the conversion of fat, protein and carbohydrates into energy.
  • Thanks to their high water content, they are particularly moisturizing.

How to feed your dog fruit

Fresh or frozen fruit is easy to feed to your dog, provided you remove the peel, seeds and core and cut the fruit into manageable pieces. But if you feel like it, you can get even more creative.

• Freeze a few four-legged friend ice cubes. Fill each slot of an ice cube tray with fresh water or a tablespoon of yogurt, then add small pieces of chopped fruit and freeze. Pull out a four-legged ice cream and enjoy it on a warm day.
• Make a smoothie. Start with a base, e.g. E.g. water, plain yogurt, or beef, chicken, or vegetable broth (check the ingredient list beforehand to make sure it doesn't contain onions, garlic, or other banned foods if you're using store-bought broth). Mix it with fresh or frozen fruit and serve. If you make too large a batch, you can freeze the rest in an ice cube tray for quick frozen treats.
• Encourage your dog to play with his food. Swap out the traditional treats in your dog's favorite toys for small pieces of fruit. This gives your dog a healthy snack and a lot of mental exercise at the same time.
• Sprinkle fruit over your meals. Sprinkle sliced ​​fruit over your dog's regular breakfast or dinner. This is a great way to lighten up meals and give them an extra dose of healthy treats.

Watch for bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea

Some dogs are more sensitive than others and may experience bloating, vomiting and/or diarrhea when given fruit. Even dogs with "stomachs of steel" can experience gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea if they are given too much fruit because it contains a lot of fiber. If you want to give your dog fruit as a snack, you should start slowly and watch for signs of gastrointestinal upset before making it a regular treat. If you notice any of the above signs of gastrointestinal upset, you should stop feeding your dog fruit and should call your veterinarian.

Can dogs eat dried fruit?

Yes, dried fruits are healthy treats and can be eaten by dogs in moderation. Some dried fruits contain more sugar and calories than others, so it's important to choose them carefully. If you feed your dog dried fruit, be careful not to eat too much of it as this can lead to weight gain. Dried fruits can also pose a choking hazard, so cut them into small pieces before giving them to your dog.

Not all dried fruits are the same. Some are more harmful to dogs than others. Raisins, for example, are highly toxic and potentially fatal. So avoid giving them to your dog. If you have concerns about feeding your dog dried fruit, talk to your veterinarian.

How to feed dried fruits to your dog

Dried fruit or dried fruits can serve as healthy, nutrient-dense snacks for dogs. However, it is important to feed dried fruit in moderation as it contains a lot of sugar and calories.

Here's how to feed dogs dried fruit:

• Choose a product that does not contain added sugar or artificial ingredients.
• Choose a product that is high in fiber and low in sugar. A good choice is unsweetened dried cranberries.
• Avoid any products that contain raisins or grapes, as these are toxic to dogs
• Pay attention to your dog's weight when feeding him dried fruit. Too many calories can cause dogs to become overweight.
• Adjust her regular food accordingly.

Dried fruits that dogs can eat

Although it may seem unconventional or bizarre to you, dried fruit is a quick source of vitamins, fiber and minerals for your dog - just like it is for us humans!

Can dogs eat dried mango?

The answer is YES. Not only are dried mangoes a safe and non-toxic choice for your dog, but they also contain natural sugars that give your pet a boost of energy - perfect for playtime! The part about natural sugars is important. This may be obvious, but make sure you only feed your dog fleshy, soft dried mango pieces and avoid the peel and pit. If you have dried mangoes on hand, you probably don't need to worry about this step. But it's important to know that fruit pits and seeds pose a choking hazard to pets. Eating too much of it can cause vomiting or diarrhea. We therefore recommend eating a few pieces of dried mango once or twice a week.

Can dogs eat dried pineapple?

YES! As with mango, you should only feed your dog dried pineapple if it is 100% natural, meaning it does not contain any additives or ingredients that you are not familiar with. The same applies here: feed your dog dried pineapple in moderation. The first time you feed dried pineapple, you should check regularly to see if your dog has developed diarrhea or another illness. If this is the case, your dog may not tolerate dried pineapple.

Can dogs eat dried jackfruit?

Your dog can eat dried jackfruit too! Check out all of these new, healthy treats you can add to your dog's diet every now and then. We can't stress it enough, but you should only give your dog dried fruits without additives. With jackfruit this also applies to spices. Some spices can upset your dog's stomach, so pay attention to this when reading the nutritional information. Since healthy dried jackfruit consists only of natural sugar, fiber and water, most dogs can safely consume this treat.

Conclusion - fruit for dogs

Overall, it can be said that a balanced diet is very important for dogs to ensure their health and well-being. Fruit can be a valuable addition to dog food because it contains important nutrients and fiber. However, care should be taken when selecting and dosing fruit for dogs, as not all varieties are suitable for them and too much can lead to digestive problems. If in doubt, you should contact a veterinarian or an animal nutritionist to ensure that the fruit is well tolerated by dogs and does not cause them any health problems.