These are the fruits that are safe (and not safe) for your dog.

Many people know the dangers of a dog nibbling on chocolate, certain flowers or other common objects that can be toxic.

But what about fruit? We’ve all dropped a slice of apple or banana on the floor and watched our puppy swallow it before we could catch it. This inevitably leads us to wonder if they will be okay after eating this snack.

We reached out to two experts from two of the nation’s leading veterinary schools – Dr. Sherry Sanderson of the University of Georgia and Dr. Edward Cooper of Ohio State University – to find out which common fruits are safe for dogs. and which ones they should avoid.

Sanderson was quick to point out that the most commonly eaten fruits are suitable for dogs sparingly.

“What concerns me is if pet owners want to feed large amounts of these fruits to their dogs,” she said. “If they get carried away with this, they could disrupt the nutritional balance of a complete and balanced commercial diet.”

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Sanderson recommended that pet owners limit fruit consumption to less than 10 percent of a dog’s daily calorie intake.

The two doctors agreed on which fruits are most dangerous for dogs — noting that grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure — as well as which are safe to eat.

Avocados are also prohibited, as they can cause vomiting. Nobody wants that!

Their only major difference was over the discussion of lemons – well, sort of.

While both experts we interviewed agreed that lemons are generally safe for dogs, Sanderson said she would avoid giving them to a pet “out of kindness.” Meanwhile, Cooper joked that it “can be fun to watch their reaction to bitterness.”

Below is the full list of fruits we asked doctors about, including apples, avocados, bananas, blueberries, cherries, grapes, kiwis, lemons, oranges, peaches, pineapple, raisins, strawberries and watermelon:

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Other foods to avoid

There are other foods that your four-legged friends simply cannot process.

What may seem like a normal snack to us can be seriously detrimental to your pet. Keep your dog happy and healthy by knowing what foods should and should not be part of his diet.

Most veterinarians recommend keeping human food out of reach of your pets. Our bodies just aren’t built the same. For example, the human body has adapted over time to process preservatives and other chemicals in our foods. Dogs have not adapted to these chemicals because they are not found in most dog foods.

MORE: Human Foods Your Cat is Safe to Eat

Just like humans, dogs can also have allergic reactions. It only takes one piece of table to know if your pet has one. Avoid giving your pet leftover food when eating. By establishing this rule in your household, you can eliminate any unknown risks to your pet.

Here are some other foods your dog should never eat.

infographic showing dangerous foods for dogs
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Macadamia nuts

Foods containing macadamia nuts can cause many unpleasant problems for your puppy, such as muscle weakness and vomiting. It only takes six macadamia nuts to make your pup sick, so avoid it!

Onions and Garlic

Eating alliums in any form can cause onion poisoning in your pet. Onion poisoning causes anemia, which may manifest as lethargy, decreased appetite, weakness and fainting, pale gums, and reddish urine.

Raw meat, raw fish and raw eggs

If it’s raw, don’t put it in their paws! Even though wild dogs look cool eating raw meat in movies, it may not be so good for your pet. Raw foods can contain a lot of bacteria that can cause vomiting and other stomach problems in your dog.

English cocker spaniel puppy eating dog food from a ceramic bowl
Adobe

Savory snacks and sweets

Too much salt can make your dog thirsty and even lead to sodium poisoning, while sugar can lead to weight gain, dental problems and even diabetes. When you want to give your dog a treat, stick to commercial treats intended for your puppy.

Xylitol (found in candy, gum, toothpaste and more)

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that allows insulin to be released into the bloodstream, which is not good for most dogs. Too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop significantly, which can lead to seizures, vomiting, and even liver failure.

Yeast Dough and Pantry Items

Raw yeast dough is absolutely prohibited for animals. The dough rises when heated, so it will do the same thing in your dog’s belly. Avoid this unpleasant side effect by keeping any raw paste away from your pet.

Other pantry staples like baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and other spices are also dangerous for dogs, so it’s best to keep Fido out of your food supply.

MORE: 7 Ways to Keep Your Carpets Clean When You Have Pets


These are the fruits that are safe (and not safe) for your dog. originally appeared on Simplemost.com


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