Have you ever asked yourself the question; can dogs eat fruit snacks? It is essential to know what kind of snacks your dog can take not to create digestive and health-related complications that could lead to severe illness or death.
Though fruits are not toxic to humans and dogs or any other type of pet, they still need to be carefully considered for their consumption. The more you know about dog fruit allergies, the better you can handle the situation when the need arises.
So, Can Dogs Eat Fruit Snacks? Which ones can they eat? No, dogs should not eat fruit snacks because they are high in sugar, and certain acids can make dogs ill. This fact does not mean that dogs cannot eat fruits at all.
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What Are The Fruit Snacks That Are Bad For Dogs?
Dogs are omnivores, which means they consume a balance or combination of plant and animal source foods.
It is not necessary to provide fruit supplements to your dog because fruits like grapes and raisins in their natural form can harm the dog.
Most nutritious and well-balanced meals do come with a fine blend of healthy fruits and vegetables.
Though dogs can consume dogs like bananas, they should not be given peels. Banana peels can be very difficult to digest in dogs and could cause damage to the intestines. Just like bananas, avocados should also be avoided as fruit snacks for dogs.
Though the avocado pulp is non-toxic to dogs, the pit of the fruit may cause intestinal blockage. The high-fat content of avocado may upset the stomach or pancreas in dogs even if you add a tiny amount.
Ripe tomatoes are not toxic to dogs; overeating them can be harmful to dogs. Each part of tomatoes can create a gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Some other fruits you must avoid giving to your dog include; cherries, currants, grapes, and wild berries.
In addition to these fruits, some other foods that can create a severe problem for dogs are; alcohol, bread, pasta, caffeine, chocolate, citrus, garlic, dairy, mushrooms, nuts, onions, salty food, and cooked or raw meat and eggs.
Are There Fruits That Are Healthy For Dogs?
While fruit snacks are unhealthy there are certain fruits you can give to your dog in a minimal amount.
Blueberries, for instance, are very low in calories and nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Fruits like blueberries have been proven to improve night vision and fight cancers in both humans and dogs.
Like blueberries, dogs may also eat strawberries because they also contain essential antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, etc. Strawberries have also been found to help slow down cell damage. For smaller dogs, strawberries should be mashed, or pureed and for larger dogs, they should be cut into smaller pieces.
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
Dogs may also eat a minimal amount of watermelon, but You must remove the seeds and pales because they can cause choking and intestinal blockage.
Since watermelon provides roughly 92% water, this fruit could be an ideal option for your dog on hot and dry days. Aside from keeping your dog hydrated, watermelon is also a rich source of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, fiber, and Potassium.
Can dogs eat blackberries or Blueberries?
Other berries like raspberries, cranberry, and blackberries are also suitable for dogs but in small quantities. Berries are particularly good for dogs because they contain very low sugar, low calories, and high antioxidants and phytochemicals great for the dog’s system.
Blackberries and raspberries are also rich in naturally occurring Xylitol, a natural sweetener used in place of sugar. Wild berries are highly toxic to dogs and might be mistaken for other types of berries; hence your dog must avoid them by all means.
Can dogs eat Ripe/Raw Apples?
Several other fruits can be safe for dogs to consume but in small quantities. While unripe apples are acidic and must be avoided, You can give moderately ripe apples to your dog.
Make sure the apples are sliced into bits. Avoid oranges because they can trigger gastrointestinal upset, but you can give small, sliced cucumbers to the dog.
You may serve small peaches, but you need to remove the pits. You can also serve pears and pineapples in tiny amounts.
Broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, celery, green beans, peas, pumpkin, plain rice, zucchini, and sweet potatoes are some other safe fruits and vegetables that are safe for consumption for dogs in minimal quantity.
How Much Fruit Can A Dog Have?
Fruits snacks must be avoided by all means, but there are ways you can incorporate healthy fruits into your dog’s diet.
Fruit treats should make up less than 10% of your dog’s daily diet; since you have dog food meals with sufficient fruit components already, you should avoid giving them too much of the same food components.
It is also essential that you prepare your dog’s fruit serving safely. Make sure the fruits are washed thoroughly before cutting into smaller pieces and serving. You can serve all freshly prepared fruits listed as safe as fresh or frozen.
Never serve your dog canned fruit in syrup as they contain higher sugar contents plus some other preservatives that can cause adverse reactions.
You can mix in the pieces of fruits inside the main meal. As with several other kinds of treats, fruits may cause some choking hazards in smaller dogs; hence you must monitor the dog while eating.
You must also pay for gassing, vomiting, and diarrhea during and after consuming fruit as part of your dog’s meal.
Some dogs are more sensitive than others regarding fruit consumption, and such sensitive dogs may develop flatulence, diarrhea, or vomiting after being served fruits.
The high fiber content in fruits may cause some of these problems; hence you should serve them very little initially and watch if they can tolerate more quantities. You should stop feeding your dog fruits if you notice any unpleasant reaction.
Fruit Allergies, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment, In Dogs
Dogs may become allergic to fruits without knowing it, but most allergy symptoms will disappear once the fruits are withdrawn from their diets.
The most prominent symptoms of fruit allergies in dogs are; itching, ear infection, skin inflammation, bloating, depression, discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of fur or hair.
In some severe allergic cases, the dog may develop more complications like dilated pupils, dehydration, bright red gums, swelling, abnormal urinating, and drinking.
Swelling, hives, shock, and difficulty in breathing are also advanced fruit allergy symptoms in dogs.
The leading cause of fruit allergies is the body’s reaction to the components of the fruits. The dog’s body will naturally produce an immune response when the served fruit is not an everyday meal component.
Most allergic reactions will develop quickly, that is, within minutes or a few hours after consumption, but it can take several months or years for some allergies to develop in dogs.
Many allergies relating to food may also occur when the dog suffers an infection in the intestine or surrounding organs.
Symptoms of Fruit Allergies in Dogs
Diagnosing fruit allergies in dogs often starts with physical examination and collection of information on foods you fed the dog before triggering the allergic reactions.
Physical reviews on the dog will help discover abnormalities in vital organs, and The veterinarian may also take a complete blood count for further investigation.
A Packed Cell Volume (PCV) test will also be conducted to ascertain the dog’s level of dehydration. If the dog vomits at the clinic, the veterinarian may examine the contents of the vomit.
Unfortunately, many of these tests may produce false-negative results. Fecal tests may be conducted for likely parasitic infection connected or unconnected to the allergy issue.
If the skin’s rashes and inflammation are detected, the veterinarian may conduct intra-dermal skin tests for confirmation. Many food allergies may produce delayed results during veterinarian diagnosis.
Remedies For Fruit Allergies in Dogs
The doctor may also handle localized allergic reactions like those found in the nose, ears, mouth, and genitals separately during diagnosis. These tests may involve detecting antibodies that can give a clue on the cause of the allergic disorder.
Oxygen administration on a dog suffering from difficulty in breathing may be one of the treatment options. The withdrawal of fruits causing allergies is generally recommended as a treatment.
Prescription medications are recommended only when fruit withdrawal from diets doesn’t stop allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Even though certain fruits are relatively safe for consumption, the best step to take is to avoid feeding your dog with snack fruits.
As mentioned earlier, the consumption of fruits may not trigger immediate allergic reactions, but the dog may not be able to cope when delayed symptoms eventually show up.
Keeping up to date with a physical examination of your dog is very important because it helps predict future health issues.
Sometimes, a dog may refuse to eat fruits that are causing issues within its body, but such problems are not giving physical symptoms.