What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

Not all fruits are safe for dogs to eat despite the health benefits they may have. Here is a list of fruits dogs should either stay away from or can enjoy as long as it's fed in moderation.

Fruits	Is it toxic?	Is it safe?	What to know
Banana	No	Yes	The natural sugar found in bananas may cause stomach upsets so make sure dogs are only given bananas in moderation
Apple	No	Yes	The flesh of the apple can make a healthy snack for dogs
Mandarin orange	No	Yes	The natural sugar and the acidic property of Mandarin oranges may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs
Mulberry	No	Yes	Most dogs can eat fresh mulberries in small amounts as long as it's in moderation
Persimmon	No	Yes	Persimmon is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts as long as the seeds are discarded
Apricot	No	Yes	The flesh of ripe apricots is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts
Grapefruit	No	No	Dogs may suffer from mild gastrointestinal problems due to the acidic content of grapefruit
Dragon fruit	No	Yes	Dragon fruits can make good natural treats for dogs as long as they are given in small pieces
Honeydew melon	No	Yes	Honeydew melons can make healthy treats for dogs as long as it's given in moderation
Nectarine	No	Yes	The natural sugar and the acidic property of nectarines may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs
Fig	No	Yes	Figs should be fed to dogs in limited amounts due to the high amount of natural sugar
Plum	No	Yes	Dogs can eat a small amount of plum (excluding the seed) as long as it's in moderation
Coconut	No	Yes	Avoid giving dogs too much coconut as the flesh and milk contains oils that may cause issues like stomach upsets and loose stools
Cherry	No	Yes	Most dogs can eat the flesh of fresh cherries in small amounts
Raspberry	No	Yes	Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat as long as it's in moderation
Peach	No	Yes	The flesh of fresh peaches are fine for most dogs to eat as long as it's in small amounts
Pear	No	Yes	The flesh of fresh pears are fine for most dogs to eat as a treat
Mango	No	Yes	Discard the mango pit and skin as both may cause blockage in the dog's digestive tract
Avocado	No	Yes	Most dogs should be okay with eating a small amount of ripe avocado flesh
Orange	No	Yes	The natural sugar and the acidic property of oranges may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs
Pineapple	No	Yes	A small amount pineapples (flesh only) can make a healthy snack for dogs
Blackberry	No	Yes	Blackberries can make good natural treats for dogs but should only be given in small amounts
Blueberry	No	Yes	Blueberries can make good natural treats for dogs but should only be given in small amounts
Watermelon	No	Yes	Make sure the watermelon rinds and seeds are discarded first
Strawberry	No	Yes	Strawberries are fine for most dogs as long as you don't also give them leaves and stems
Date	No	Yes	Only give dates in small amounts as they contain a lot of natural sugar
Lemon	Yes	No	Dogs shouldn't eat lemons as they contain compounds like psoralens and essential oils such as limonene, both of which may cause gastrointestinal upsets
Grapes	Yes	No	Dogs shouldn't eat grapes as the toxicity mechanism of grapes is known to cause serious health issues for dogs
Lime	Yes	No	Dogs shouldn't eat lime as they contain compounds like psoralens and essential oils such as limonene, both of which may cause gastrointestinal upsets

General Fruit Feeding Tips for Dogs

Here are some rules to consider to help you determine what fruit is or isn't safe for dogs to eat in moderation.

The 10% rule

Fruits shouldn't be considered a staple in the dog's diet. Instead, they should be considered a supplement or a healthy treat. Make sure that fruits, as nutritious as some are, don't account for more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake.

Introducing new food

Dogs can also suffer from allergies or other reactions when they are introduced to something they haven't ate before. Please be aware of this before feeding any new fruits to your dog. Fruit allergy is a thing and may result in various symptoms such as skin itching and vomiting.

Offer small pieces

Some fruits have textures that aren't quick to digest. It's important to prepare the fruits beforehand and cut them into smaller pieces so that it's easier for the dog to chew and swallow. This is especially important for puppies or dogs of smaller breeds.

Dogs with health conditions

If your dog suffers from any chronic health conditions then it's strongly recommended you check with the vet before you let the dog eat any fruit-based treats. The consumption of certain fruits can exacerbate health issues. For example, it's not recommended for dogs suffering from pancreatitis to eat too many fruits that have a high amount of natural sugar.

Be Careful with the Fruit Seed

Quite a few fruits have flesh that's safe for dogs to eat when ripe. The same, however, can't be said for the seed or pit. Certain fruit seeds may contain cyanide compounds that are toxic to dogs. Ingesting seeds also increase the risk of choking so it's important to discard them before you let your dog eat any fruits.

Avoiding the Dirty Dozen

Some fruits are known for being exposed to a higher concentration of pesticide than others. This may include strawberries, nectarines, and apples. We would avoid feeding your dog any of these fruits unless they are truly organic.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets Sick from eating Fruits

Not all situations require a visit to the emergency vet, especially if the dog only ate a tiny amount of "unsafe" fruit. That said, if you are ever in doubt then please call the vet immediately. Symptoms don't always pop up immediately so any delay can make your dog even more sick.

As an alternative choice, you could also call the pet poison hotline and they may offer you the appropriate next steps based on the dog's situation and the amount of "toxic" fruits he consumed. If you find out early enough then the situation could be resolved by inducing vomiting in dogs (before the fruit content gets digested).