10 Superfood Fruits for Dogs

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.

Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘what fruit can dogs eat?’ – you’re certainly not alone!

With the focus on protein and veggies, fruits for dogs are often a forgotten addition to your pup’s diet. But with the addition of these fruity friends to your dog’s belly, you can help nourish your best friend from the inside out.

From strawberries to bananas, watermelon to apples, we’ve chosen 10 of our favourite superfood fruits for dogs that have excellent health properties, and are completely safe fruits for your dog to eat.

Strawberries

Can dogs eat strawberries? Absolutely! Studies have found strawberries contain anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain associated with the inflammation of muscles and joints.

Since they act like sponges when it comes to pesticides, try to buy organic.

How to serve strawberries to your dog? A small amount of strawberries in a healthy doggie smoothie or frozen dog treat work a treat!

Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi fruit is certainly a healthy and tasty fruit your dog can eat!

High in potassium, fibre and Vitamin C, kiwi fruit is also a great source of select phytonutrients that are believed to help protect against age-related macular degeneration (vision loss) in dogs.

A fresh slice of kiwi fruit with the skin removed makes an easy and tasty treat you and your dog can share!

Banana

The fab thing about bananas is not only are they a fruit your dog can eat, they are an excellent source of potassium, vitamins B-6 and C. Yes, bananas are as beneficial as they are tasty!

To let your dog go bananas, mash up and spoon into a Kong then freeze, or why not make banana ice-cream for your dog? (grab the recipe from our ebook 52 Weeks of Treats)

Cranberries

Rich in antioxidants, cranberries are a fruit your dog can eat that help enhance your dog’s immune system while also protecting your dog from toxins.

A great addition to your dog’s diet, cranberries help prevent UTIs in canines by increasing the acidity of your pup’s urine and slowing bacteria growth.

Cranberries make a fantastic addition to dog treat recipes – adding a pop of flavour to a regular biscuit. Try our Cranberry Hearts Dog Treat Recipe here.

Watermelon

In pet parent circles, especially in the summer, you’re likely to hear the question ‘Can dogs eat watermelon?’ And the answer is a resounding yes!

Just like the name suggests, watermelons are packed with water, making them an ideal option for rehydrating your pup in hot weather.

Watermelon is a wonderful fruit for your dog to eat, and great to serve fresh in bite size pieces. Always be sure to remove both the rind AND the seeds though, as these can be toxic and cause intestinal blockages.

Blueberries

High in vitamin C and fibre, Blueberries are packed with antioxidants known to boost cognitive functions in dogs.

While blueberries are another great fruit dogs can eat, try and go organic where possible as they have a high pesticide reputation.

Either serve fresh as a healthy snack (check out our doggie snack ideas here), or consider making your own Blueberry Pupsicles! ( grab the recipe from our ebook 52 Weeks of Treats)

Pears

A great source of fibre, folic acid and Vitamins C, K, B1 and B2, pears are also considered a ‘hypoallergenic fruit’ – if your dog suffers allergies, pears are a great introduction to fruit as they are less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. For this reason, pear is one of our top picks of fruits dogs can eat!

Pear slices (with the skin on!) make an excellent snack for dogs that love to crunch. Or consider pureeing them and freezing in a Kong for a fun, frozen treat! (Grab our Frozen Pear Puree recipe in our eBook, Frozen.) Always ensure you remove all seeds and pith before serving.

Raspberries

Raspberries provide a good source of dietary fibre and have a low energy density, allowing your pup to enjoy a sweet treat while leaving them fuller for longer.

They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which make them a great addition to the diets of dogs with joint issues.

A great combo with yogurt and carob drops, you can try raspberries for your dog with our Dog Friendly Chocolate Bark recipe!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Raspberries DO contain a small about of Xylitol – which is toxics to dogs – about 400 micrograms per gram of raspberry. Therefore it’s always best to limit any one serving to no more than half a cup.

Apples

Crunch! An apple a day will keep the doctor away, and it may just keep the vet away too!

A healthy source of Vitamin A, C and phytonutrients (just a fancy word for natural chemicals found in plants), not only is apple a perfectly safe and healthy fruit your dog can eat, fresh apple slices can also help clean your dog’s teeth while chewing. Win-win!

Dogs love apple served fresh with the skin on (to keep all those healthy chemicals) – just be always sure to remove any seeds as they are toxic. For a fun way to enjoy try our Edible Apple Kong Tutorial – grab it HERE.

Pineapple

Can dogs eat pineapple? Yes they sure can! A sweet treat for your pup, pineapple also contains an enzyme called Bromelain which helps dogs break down proteins in their food and aids digestion.

A summer favourite, simply chop into small pieces and freeze for a frosty, fruity treat! (Always ensure the prickly outside is completely removed.)

NOW YOU KNOW THE SUPERFOOD FRUITS DOGS CAN EAT, TRY OUR DOG TREAT EBOOK BUNDLE!

For yummy superfood and fruity recipes for your dog, download your our Ebook bundle and get a copy of each of our two eBooks: 52 Weeks of Treats – Simple & Healthy Dog Treat Recipes for Every Season and Frozen: 30 Fresh & Fruity Dog treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love!

With a handy allergies guide, ingredient benefit glossary AND a whole section just for special occasions (Doggie Birthday Cake anyone?) this bundle gives you over 60+ healthy, homemade dog treat recipes.