Can Dogs Eat Fruit in Centennial, CO

 

As nutritious as fruits are to humans, dogs cannot eat all fruits. Our furry friends have special diets that require attention. It is important to understand which fruits dogs can eat and which fruits are dangerous. Some fruits contain a coating on the outside that causes skin reactions, while other fruits cause digestive issues leading to stomach pain and indigestion.

Safe Fruits for Dogs

The safe fruits that your dog can eat include apples, raspberries, apricots, and pears. These tropical fruits contain various antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins in dogs’ overall health. Surprisingly a lot of medications and supplements use fruits or the extract of fruits. For instance, dogs can consume coconuts, especially coconut oil. Coconut oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps dogs with skin allergies and arthritis.

You can rub this oil on your dog’s coat or give it to them in the form of a pill supplement. Some pet owners give their pets coconut oil supplements to increase the overall health and shininess of their dog’s coat.

Watermelon is another favorite fruit snack that contains rich vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C. It is also high in potassium which hydrates your dog and increases its immune system. The best part about Watermelon is that this fruit is mainly made up of water, which increases your dog’s hydration and water intake. It is a perfect snack for hot summer months.

Dangerous Fruits for Dogs

Although there are many fruits that dogs can’t eat, there are even more fruits that dogs cannot eat. Citrus fruits have a lot of acids that upset a dog’s stomach causing skin allergies and ulcers. Interestingly enough, the peel of citrus fruit is also a choking hazard and does not digest fully in a dog’s stomach. Grapes are also toxic because they can result in kidney failure. Researchers are still trying to understand why grapes and raisins cause kidney failure, but there is one theory that grapes contain mold, which is toxic to dogs.

Your dogs should also stay away from avocados, especially the peel of an avocado. Although avocados are filled with healthy fats that humans can consume, they are a high calorie food that is toxic to dogs. Some dogs even react by breaking into hives from contact with avocados.

While it is okay for your dog to accidentally consume a small amount of these fruits, you should take your pet to their local vet to ensure that they are okay. Some symptoms of eating toxic fruits include throwing up, diarrhea, fever, and skin reactions.

 

Why can dogs eat some fruit, but not all?

Researchers and vets are still trying to understand why some fruits affect dog’s negatively, while others don’t. However, the reason depends fully on each fruit. For example, when it comes to citrus fruits, they are toxic to dogs because of their acidity levels.

The acidity does not sit well in a dog’s digestive system, creating indigestion and leading to Acid Reflux. Heartburn causes acid to rise up. Some dogs throw up because of their inability to digest the citrus fruits.

Reactions to Dogs Eating Dangerous Fruits

The majority of reactions to these fruits are digestive. However, the peels of citrus fruits do cause redness and swelling of the lips. These allergic reactions are uncomfortable. The rash like mark on your dog’s skin can become infected and irritated quickly.

Since your dog’s lips touch objects and food all day, it is easy to introduce bacteria to this gentle and fragile spot. It is also very dangerous to frequently feed your dog fruits that are not safe. While some cause mild discomfort, they can lead to stomach ulcers. If your dog is frequently throwing up because of toxic fruits, the throw up can burn and irritate your dog’s stomach lining.

Treatment and Management

There aren’t many ways to treat the reactions. Instead, you should avoid giving your dog the fruits that are toxic to them. If you need additional help, always consult your dog’s veterinarian. It is also recommended for pet owners to post pictures and lists in clear view of what their furry friends can eat and what they can’t.

To manage your dog’s condition after eating toxic fruit, you should give them a cool source of water with ice cubes. The coolness can slow down any irritation on their lips and head. The hydration is necessary to prevent dehydration and stomach ulcers. Your veterinarian may prescribe your dog with supplements to increase your dog’s stomach acid.

Conclusion

All in all, fruits are nutritious, hydrating, and a favorite for many pets! Although these taste treats are delicious, there are some fruits that can cause dangerous reactions. You should never feed your dog grapes and citrus fruits. Also, any fruit peels can cause choking as they do not deteriorate.

The best way to prevent this is to keep all of these fruits out of your dog’s reach. However, most dogs are not interested in these fruits. Instead, offer your dog fruits they can consume like bananas, coconuts, and kiwis. Fruits are filled with nutrients, vitamins, and natural anti-oxidants that can increase your dog’s overall health.