25 fruits dogs can eat (and can’t eat)

Growing up, my family dog Ralph didn’t like dog food so he ate what we ate. I thought it was normal and healthy for dogs to eat human food, especially since Ralph lived to an old age of twenty. But over the years I’ve heard terrible stories of dogs getting really sick and even passing away from eating human food. So when I got my first dog Soda I made sure I did a lot of research so I knew exactly which human food she can eat and which human food can make her sick.

Generally speaking, dogs don’t need fruit as part of their diet, however the occasional piece of fruit as a treat is ok. Treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s diet.

As with any new food, it’s always best to introduce your pup to new fruit slowly, so you can determine if your dog has an allergy, intolerance or any trouble digesting them. 

If your dog has a health condition or is trying to loose weight, please consult your vet before introducing new fruit to them.

How to safely prepare fruit for your dog

• Remove the skin, seeds, pips, any leaves, stalks or stems as these can be a choking risk or cause an internal blockage. Seeds and pips can release cyanide which can poison your dog.

• Cut fruit up into small pieces (so they don’t choke on it).

• Always serve fresh fruit, not tinned or dried fruit, which contain too much sugar for most dog’s digestive system to handle.

What fruits can dogs eat (and not eat)?

Can dogs eat apples?

Yes, dogs can eat apples. They’re a great source of vitamin C & A and are high in fibre. Just make sure you remove the core and seeds. Apple cores are not only a choking hazard, they also contain seeds which if chewed thoroughly enough can release cyanide which can be toxic.
Caution: Remove the core. Remove seeds, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat apricots?

Dogs can eat the flesh of apricots, however the stem, leaves and pip contain cyanide which can poison your dog, so make sure you remove them first and only feed your pup the flesh of the fruit. The pip is also a choking risk and can cause an internal blockage if swallowed.
Caution: Remove the stem, leaves and pip, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat avocado?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat avocado. The skin, pit and fleshy inside of the fruit contain a toxin called persin which causes dogs to throw up and have diarrhoea. The high fat content can lead to pancreatitis in some dogs. The pit is also a choking hazard.

Can dogs eat bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, however like strawberries, bananas have a high sugar content so they’re a great low-calorie treat in moderation. Just don’t let your pooch eat the peel, it’s a choking hazard. Why not try making these banana and strawberry frozen treats as a warm weather snack.

Can dogs eat blackberries?

Yes, dogs can eat blackberries. Blackberries are fine in moderation. They’re packed full of antioxidants and they’re low in sugar and calories. However, like raspberries, blackberries contain a small amount of xylitol which is very toxic to dogs in large amounts, so limit your dog to a small portion.
Caution: Contains a small amount of xylitol (toxic)

Can dogs eat blueberries?

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. They’re packed with fibre and are low in calories. Their small size and low sugar content makes them the perfect training treat.

Can dogs eat cherries?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat cherries. The pit, stems and cherry leaves all contain cyanide which is poisonous for dogs, and if consumed in large amounts can be lethal. The pit is also a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.

Can dogs eat figs? 

Yes, dogs can eat figs, just don’t let them eat any fig leaves as they’re toxic to dogs. Figs are a great source of dietary fibre, potassium and calcium. They’re also high in sugar which can cause an upset tummy if your dog consume too much.
Caution: Remove fig leaves, they’re toxic

Can dogs eat grapes?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat grapes. Grapes and sultanas (dried grapes) are extremely toxic to dogs. They can cause vomiting, sluggishness and lead to acute sudden kidney failure.

Can dogs eat kiwi fruit?

Yes, dogs can eat kiwi fruit. They’re packed with more vitamin C than oranges and more potassium than bananas. It’s important not to feed your pooch a whole kiwi fruit as it could cause choking or it could block the digestive tract causing sever health issues.

Can dogs eat lemons?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat lemons. The citric acid in lemons and limes is what makes them toxic. They can cause an unset tummy, vomiting, diarrhoea and an unusual sensitivity to light. The rind and seeds also pose as a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages.

Can dogs eat mandarins?

Yes, dogs can eat mandarins. Mandarins are high in sugar which can lead to weight gain and are high in acid which can lead to an upset tummy, so only use them as an occasional treat. Ensure you remove the peel and seeds, which if chewed thoroughly enough can release cyanide which can be toxic.
Caution: Remove peel. Remove seeds, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat mangos? 

Yes, dogs can eat mangoes. They’re packed full of vitamin A, B6, C, E and potassium. Mangos are high in sugar, so only give them to your dog as an occasional treat. Like with most fruit, remove the pit first as it contains small amounts of cyanide.
Caution: Remove pip, it contains cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat nectarines?

Yes, dogs can eat nectarines. They’re rich in magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and C. Like with most fruit, remove the pit first as it contains small amounts of cyanide. The pip if swallow can be a choking risk and could cause an internal blockage if swallowed.
Caution: Remove pip, it contains cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat oranges?

Yes, dogs can eat oranges. Your pup might be put off by the strong citrus smell, but if not, the juicy flesh of an orange can be a nice treat. Oranges are great source of vitamin C, potassium and fibre. Oranges are high in sugar, so keep them as an occasional treat. Ensure you remove the peel and seeds, which if chewed thoroughly enough can release cyanide which can be toxic.
Caution: Remove peel. Remove seeds, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat passion fruit?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat passion fruit. The rind and seeds can be a choking hazard for your dog and could cause blockages in your dog’s digestive system. The seeds, if chewed thoroughly enough can release cyanide. Cyanide poisoning can lead to serious health issues with symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. 

Can dogs eat pears?

Yes, dogs can eat pears. They’re a great source of vitamin C, K and fibre. Remove the core as it poses a choking risk and the seeds which can release a small amount of cyanide. Always feed your dog raw pears - tinned pears in syrup contain too much sugar for dog to digest. Pears are 84% water, making them a great treat on a warm day they can help keep your pup hydrated.
Caution: Remove core. Remove seeds, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat peaches?

Yes, peaches are safe for dogs. Peaches are a great source of vitamin A and fibre. However, just like cherries, peach pips contain cyanide. As long as you remove the pip, peaches are a safe treat for your dog. Steer clear of tinned peaches in syrup as they contain too much sugar for dog to digest.
Caution: Remove pip, it contains cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat pineapple?

Yes, dogs can eat pineapple. Pineapple is high in vitamin C and fibre.  Pineapple has a high sugar content so only feed them to your dog in moderation. Remember to remove the core and prickly skin, and don’t feed your dog tinned pineapple. The syrup contains too much sugar for most dog’s digestive system to handle. 

Can dogs eat plums?

Dogs can eat the flesh of plums, however the stem, leaves and pip contain cyanide which can poison your dog, so make sure you remove them first and only feed your pup the flesh of the fruit. The pip is also a choking risk and can cause an internal blockage if swallowed.
Caution: Remove the stem, leaves and pip, they contain cyanide (toxic)

Can dogs eat raspberries?

Yes, dogs can eat raspberries. Raspberries are packed with antioxidants and they’re low in sugar and calories. However, raspberries, like blackberries contain a small amount of xylitol which is very toxic to dogs in large amounts, so limit your dog to a small portion.
Caution: Contains a small amount of xylitol (toxic)

Can dogs eat rockmelon?

Yes, dogs can eat rockmelon. They’re a great source of water and fibre, however they’re high in sugar so they should be fed to your dog in moderation. Just remember to remove the skin and seeds as they can cause an unset tummy.

Can dogs eat strawberries?

Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. Strawberries are a great source of fibre, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants, however they also contain a lot os sugar so it’s best to feed them to your dog in moderation.  Why not try making these banana and strawberry frozen treats as a warm weather snack.

Can dogs eat tomato?

Firstly, yes tomato is a fruit. It’s safe for dogs to eat ripe, red tomatoes in moderation. However, tomatoes contain a natural chemical called solanine which is found in unripe tomatoes as well as the stems and leaves of the plant. This chemical can make your dog sick so it’s best to avoid feeding tomatoes to your pooch.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, as long as you remove the rind and seeds (both black and white seeds contain cyanide) which can cause choking or an intestinal blockage. It’s full of vitamin A, B6, C and potassium. Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a great treat on a warm day and can keep your dog hydrated. 
Caution: Remove ring. Remove pips, they contain cyanide (toxic)