Can dogs eat blueberries and bananas
What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?
What Fruits Can Dogs Eat Safely?
Apples
Most dogs love apples, which are safe and healthy for them to eat and contain many nutritional benefits like vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Apples are also low in calories.
Always remove the stem, leaves, core, and seeds before feeding an apple to your dog. You should also cut the apple into small pieces to avoidpotential chokingorintestinal blockages.
Bananas
Althoughdogs can eat bananas, they should not be given banana peels, as these are difficult to digest and could cause intestinal blockage.
Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. However, they are also higher in sugar than many other fruits, so they should be given sparingly. Always cut bananas into small, bite-size pieces.
Blackberries
Yes, dogs can eat blackberries in moderation. Berries are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are chemical compounds in plants that have been found to help fight cancer in humans. They are also low in sugar and calories.
But blackberries also contain small amounts of naturally occurring xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. That said, your dog would have to eat a huge amount of blackberries to experience any adverse effects. A small handful of blackberries (depending on the size and health of your pup) a week should be OK.
Blueberries
Blueberriesare low in calories and high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. These berries can be a great snack for your dog as a food topper.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupeis a healthy and nutritious fruit for dogs to eat. Its high in fiber, low in calories, and contains numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, folate, fiber, and potassium. Cantaloupe is also 90% water, so its great for hydration.
Just watch out for the high sugar contentespecially if your dog struggles with diabetes or obesity. Remember to always remove the rind and seeds before feeding cantaloupe to your dog.
Cranberries
Cranberriesare a great snack for dogs. They are not only safe, but cranberries are considered a superfood for humans because theyre high in fiber and antioxidants. They also contain vitamins C, E, K, B1, and B2, plus manganese and copper.
Dried cranberries are a safe treat for pups, too. Just be aware that the amount of sugar per ounce is more concentrated when a fruit is dehydrated. Know that store-bought dried cranberries often have added sugars, preservatives, or evenxylitol, an artificial sweetener thats toxic to dogs. Its best to dry cranberries with a dehydrator at home.
Honeydew
Honeydew is safe and healthy for dogs to eat. It contains vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and its low in calories. And much like cantaloupe, honeydew contains a high percentage of water, so its great for hydration.
Always remove the rind and seeds before feeding honeydew to your dog to avoid any potential choking hazards or intestinal blockages.
Mangoes
Mangoesare also high in sugar and should only be fed to dogs in moderation. However, they are high in many nutritional benefits like fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E as well.
Be sure to remove the mango seed and cut it into small pieces when feeding this fruit to your dog.
Oranges
Oranges are a safe and healthy treat for dogsto eat. They are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. And while most dogs love the sweet taste, some dogs dont like the acidity of citrus fruits.
Oranges are not a good choice for dogs who experience obesity or diabetes because of the high sugar content. Eating too many oranges can give any dog an upset stomach from the high acidity and sugar levels, so be sure to feed oranges as an occasional treat in small portions.
Peaches
Yes,peaches are a great snack for dogsbut again, in moderation. They are filled with health benefits like fiber and antioxidants while being low in calories and fat. However, peaches also have high sugar content.
Youll need to remove the stem, leaves, and pit before feeding peaches to your dog. The peach pitor stonecan be a dangerous choking hazard or even cause an intestinal blockage.
Pears
Dogs can safely eat pears, which contain health benefits like fiber, copper, and vitamins C and K. But before you feed any pears to your pup, remove the stem, leaves, pit, and seeds. Any of these could become choking hazards.
Avoid feeding canned pears to your dog, as they often contain added sugars.
Pineapple
Pineapplesare good for hydration and are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. This fruit is great for supporting your dogs immune and digestive systems, but some dogs may not like pineapples because of the strong acidity.
Keep in mind that the high sugar content and acidity can upset your dogs stomach in large amounts. Plus, large amounts of sugar over time can lead to health issues, including obesity or diabetes.
Raspberries
Like blackberries, dogs can eat raspberries safely on occasion. But because theyre high in sugar, limit the amount of berries to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Strawberries
Strawberriesare a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. As with other fruits, they should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking. Strawberries can also be mashed or pureed for very small dogs.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are not toxic to dogs, despite a popular myth that says otherwise. While you shouldnt let your pup eat the stems or leaves of a tomato plant (which can be bad for dogs), a picked, ripe tomato is totally fine and can be a good source of potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin A and C.
Watermelon
Yes,dogs can eat watermelon. But the watermelon rinds and seeds (even the pale seeds) should be removed before giving the fruit to your dog, as they can cause choking or an intestinal blockage.
Watermelon is mostly water, so its a great treat for hot days. It can help keep your dog hydrated and is refreshing when frozen. Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as potassium.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Yes, dogs can eat blueberries. Blueberries are a great source of , minerals, antioxidants, and more. This fruit is a healthy snack for both large and small dogs, and most pups love them.
Are Blueberries Good for Dogs?
Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants). Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Phytochemicals are linked to several aspects of health, including the ability to fight cancer in humans. Blueberries are also filled with antioxidantsand have beenshown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans.
Antioxidants, like those in blueberries, help fight free radicals, which are responsible for cellular and molecular damage in dogs and humans. As an added bonus, studies show that adding antioxidants to a dogs diet reduces the effects of brain aging, which is great if you have a senior dog.
Feeding Your Dog Blueberries
You can feed your dog both fresh and frozen blueberries. As with all treats, make sure to only feed your dog this fruit in moderation. Blueberries are small, which means you dont need to cut them up. But there are still potential risks, such as choking, especially to smaller dogs.
All treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dogs daily diet. Just as you would do for any other fruit or vegetable, make certain that the blueberries are thoroughly washed to remove any pesticides or dirt prior to giving them to your dog..Consult your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns about feeding blueberries to your dog, and monitor your dog closely after giving as a treat for the first time. Consult this list to learn about which fruits and vegetables that are safe or unsafe for dogs to eat.
Here at the AKC, we field many queries from anxious dog owners about what is and isnt safe for their canine companions to eat. Questions range from the obvious (Can dogs eat steak bones?) to the trendy (Can dogs eat quinoa?) Check out more Can dogs eat articles on AKC.org to see what foods could be harmful to your dog, includingcherries,avocados, andonions.
Vet Blog
Both the blueberry and the banana support heart health, are rich in nutrients, and offer support to you and your dogs as part of a balanced diet.
Yes, our dogs can eat blueberries and bananas. In fact, they may be your and your dog's favorite go-to treat, especially after we talk more about these two superfoods.
Let's have a closer look at the benefits of blueberries and bananas individually. As the amazing pair, you may not know they are. We will also reveal one of the best-kept secrets about bananas you and your fur baby can delight in together!
Blueberry Nutrition
Like us, our dogs' bodies are made up of cells. Just one cup of blueberries has over thirteen thousand antioxidants plus flavonoids, another type of antioxidant the body processes individually. Unlike us pet parents, our dogs are exposed to more toxins such as plants, yard herbicides and pesticides, human foods, and much more.
The antioxidants in the blueberry help prevent cell damage, boost their immune cell functions, and can slow the aging process of their cellular molecules. In other words, just like us enjoying a cup of this super fruit giving your dog a few blueberries here and there will have them feeling great!
A half-cup of blueberries we enjoy provides us with twenty-five percent of our daily recommended fiber. While your dog should only have eight to ten blueberries, they still benefit from this rich-in-fiber snack.
These delightful bursting berries are also rich in vitamin C, sixteen percent of our daily value, and vitamin K, a whopping twenty-four percent for us. While your dog should never have the same amount of berries as you are enjoying, they still reap the rewards of this healthy snack.
High in omega oils, blueberries keep you and your dog's brain healthy, also helping your dog have a shiny coat. Omega oils are part of what promotes your dog's heart health. They also help with itchy, flakey, and dry skin and help with joint pain. Even our dog food companies know the benefits of our dogs eating blueberries. That's why they are now incorporated into the recipes for a balanced diet.
Banana Nutrition
Like us pet parents, our dogs need a balanced, and once in a while, our dogs and we need to eat fiber-rich foods to keep things moving smoothly. A dog should not eat one whole, even a small banana at a time. This could cause things to run overly smooth. A large dog can have up to half a banana, but a small dog should only have a few chunks.
Bananas are high in vitamin C, promoting immune health. They contain potassium supporting healthy kidney and heart functions, magnesium which helps their bodies use vitamins and minerals more effectively. Both potassium and magnesium contribute to your dog's healthy bones. Bananas also contain biotin, an essential muscular supporter that contributes to healthy skin and a shiny coat.
One more benefit of the banana is it regulates hormones, builds proteins, and supports your dog's neurotransmitters, vitamin B6. However, there is one caution you should be aware of when feeding your dog a banana. Because they are naturally high in sugar, too many bananas could contribute to obesity and diabetes in some cases.
Blueberries a Perfect Treat for Dogs
Some dogs love blueberries so much that if you live in an area where wild blueberries thrive or if you grow the lovely bushes in your gardens, they just may help themselves. While the whole fresh juicy berry is loaded with natural moisture-rich delight. As we now know, suitable for our dogs overall. But, too many could cause a bit of a tummy ache, not to mention some seriously blue or black stools.
However, the whole blueberry is a fantastic treat because dogs don't always chew well. You should know they could be a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. Now it is not wrong to allow your dog to have the whole fresh goodness. It is best to give them one or two at a time. Dogs who love frozen treats can even enjoy the icy delight as long as you are supervising.
When you're considering training treats, the blueberry is a great option, and you can purchase them dried or dehydrated. Still, you must check the packaging and get ones that have no sugar added. You can also pick or purchase whole fresh berries and oven-dry them yourself, ensuring your dog isn't getting extra dangerous sugars in their diet.
A few other ways your dog can indulge in this super treat are on a scoop of Greek yogurt blended with sweet potato, and mashed blueberries added to their meal. Even supper mashed as a dog licking delight. Dogs who enjoy a bit of salad may also like a few dried blueberries added to their greens or some well-mashed berry as a bit of a dressing.
As fantastic as the blueberry is, your dog should not have blueberry pie or muffins that you enjoy because those added sugars are not suitable for our dogs.
Banana the Supper Treat for Dogs
A few dogs love the creamy goodness of a banana so much they may swipe them right off the counter. Suppose you have a dog with this love and talent. In that case, you should find a good hiding place for that bananas because while the skin of the banana is not seriously bad for your dog, it still contains such a level of hard fibers that it could really bind things up for your dog.
Also, remember that bananas are naturally high in sugars, which needs to be part of a balanced treat situation. Dogs that are training, working, or simply expunge a great deal of energy sometimes need those extra calories or energy bubbles to burn.
Now I'm not saying if your dog isn't super active, they shouldn't have a banana; I'm just making sure you understand that banana treats should be given with awareness. They are an excellent training treat some dogs will do anything for a banana.
However, you may not want to risk a mushy mess in your pocket, so a dried or dehydrated banana is the way. Once again, if you are purchasing them over the counter, you have to be on the lookout for added sugars. You can also oven dry bananas at home, ensuring no sugar is added to their sweet treat.
A few other ways your dog can enjoy their banana treat are mashed and placed in their bowl, chopped or dried, and added to their salad. Mixed with peas and carrots made into a dog smoothie, with a scoop of Greek yogurt, or simply added to a meal.
Which Is Better for Dogs? Blueberries or Bananas?
While the blueberry and banana are fabulous stand-alone treats for your dog, they are also fantastic for using in other goodies. In fact, if you look at the ingredients of dog treats and dog food, you'll often find blueberries and bananas here and there. Let's have a quick look at some homemade dog treats. One more revelation about the banana that will have your dog obeying every command for this secret treat.
Ground oatmeal, flour, blueberries, a banana, and a couple of eggs make a healthy dog cookie you can easily pack for hikes and long car rides. Whole wheat flour, rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, egg, flaxseed, blueberries, and bananas make a fun rollable dough.
You can make it into your dog's favorite shape for their handy treats. Fresh blueberries, a ripe banana, some strawberries, and Greek yogurt are blended, then poured into silicone trays and frozen to make a dog ice cream delight.
Mixing Other Healthy Dog Foods With Blueberries and Bananas
On the healthier side of what we feed our dogs, you could make ground turkey, oatmeal, squash, or pumpkin chunks with blueberries and bananas. Spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas, ground chicken, and brown rice, drizzled with banana blueberry sauce, one of my dog's all-time favorite meals, could be a hit with your dog too.
At the same time, homemade meals do not always consist of all the nutrients your dog needs. It is essential to consult with your vet if you will start incorporating these into your dog's diet.
Conclusion
Our dogs share so much love with us that it is wonderful to know we can give them the supper treats of blueberries and bananas. They get to enjoy the fresh popping berries and the creamy delights, and we don't have to worry; we are letting them have something that isn't good for them.
As pet parents, we celebrate the day they were born, the day they moved in with us, and any other reasons we can come up with to have notable events with our dogs. We have delightful dog cakes we can enjoy on those spectacular days with our dogs! Just remember, too much of a good thing could become dark blue or black runners.