When it comes to dog treats, many owners decide to spoil their beloved pets by sharing a table scrap or some of their favorite people’s snacks instead of the usual dog treat. The common misconception is that if the food is safe for you to eat, it must be alright for your dog, which is not the case.
Even though most people’s food is perfectly safe for dogs to eat, there are some foods, especially fresh fruits or vegetables that can upset their tummy or lead to more serious cases. That is why it is important to know the difference between people’s food, and what you can or cannot give to your dog as a treat.
In today’s article, we will primarily focus on fruits. Most people have fresh fruit in their home which makes the job much easier since you don’t have to run to the dog store to get the special treats. Instead, you can give your dog, a delicious food snack pack with all the vitamins and minerals they need for a healthy life.
Let’s go through the list of some of the fruits that are safe for dogs.
Apples are a common dog treat that is safe for them to eat. It is packed with vitamins C and A, as well as fiber, making it very good for your dog. Also, since apples are low on protein and fat, they make the perfect snack for senior dogs.
Just make sure you prepare their snack by removing the seeds and core first. You can give them frozen just to keep them occupied on a hot day or fresh. In fact, Apple is a common ingredient for most dog foods.
Most people are shocked when they find out that bananas are safe for dogs. They are rich in potassium, biotin, vitamins, fiber, and copper but the calorie intake is low, making it a great snack in-between meal.
Bananas are low in sodium and cholesterol, but since they are high in sugar, bananas should be given only as a threat, not included in the main diet.
Often forgotten, Spot & Tango says cranberries are healthy for dogs to eat in small amounts. Apart from being great as a snack packed with vitamins, cranberries also have many health benefits for dogs. Cranberries are great for:
- Cancer prevention – making them great for older dogs
- Managing Immune – Well-balanced gut microbe is not only good for their digestive system but for their immune system as well
- Reducing the risk of heart disease – Cranberries contain hydroxycinnamic acids that can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes in dogs
- Improving their oral health
So, the next time you are at the store, make sure you get some cranberries. They love them in every way either dried, raw, cooked, and freeze-dried.
Sticking to the berries, we have the most delicious super-snack for dogs, blueberries. If you are already familiar with the characteristics and effects of blueberries for people, they work the same way with dogs.
Blueberries are a superfood that is rich in antioxidants that prevent cell damage. They are packed with phytochemicals and fiber, and dogs love them in every way possible.
On top of that, they make the job much more fun especially if you through the blueberries in the air and let your puppy catch them.
The most common fruit that can be found in every home are oranges making them a great snack if you run out of dog treats. According to veterinarians, oranges are safe for dogs to eat, but when it comes to the taste, most of them are not fans of the strong-smelly citrus.
They are packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamin C, and if your dog likes eating them, you can use oranges as a treat.
Let’s go with a more tropical fruit that is great for the summertime. Mangos are safe for dogs to eat, and they come with great benefits, such as vitamin A, C, E, and B6. On top of that, they have potassium, and alpha, and beta-carotene.
As with most fruits, make sure to remove the hard pit first since it contains small amounts of cyanide and it can become a choking hazard. Since Mango is super-rich in sugar, make sure you only give it to your dog as a treat, and not in their regular diet.
We can all agree that pineapple and pizza don’t go together, but dogs and pineapples are the perfect matches. They love pineapples as a treat, and since they are rich with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, it is the perfect snack for a healthy metabolism.
Pineapples also contain bromelain, which is an enzyme that makes it easier for dogs to absorb proteins.
Raspberries are often considered one of the best dogs treats since they are low in sugar, and high in vitamin C, manganese, and fiber, but they contain small amounts of xylitol, which is why they should be limited to one cup at a time.
There is nothing better than enjoying a refrigerated watermelon on a hot summer day. The same is with dogs. Watermelons are rich in B6, vitamin C, A, and potassium, and since it is 92 percent water, it is a great way to keep your dog hydrated on a hot day.
However, make sure you remove the rind and all the seeds since they can cause intestinal blockage, but otherwise, watermelon is a safe treat for dogs.
All of these fruits are not only safe but also beneficial for your dog’s health. Since they should be only given as a snack, make sure you switch things up and include all of them just because different fruits come with different health benefits for your dog.
Either way, make sure you do a bit of research and limit the amount of fruit you give your dog since most of them are packed with sugar. But if you use them in moderation, they can be a very handy and healthy treat for your dog.