6 Summer Fruits Your Dog Will Absolutely Love This Season

Fruits are an excellent source of nutrition for your pet in summers. Not only do they provide hydration, but they are also loaded with micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and lots of fiber that keeps constipation troubles of your pooch at bay. Dogs need something nutritious and refreshing to beat the heat, and fruits are the best combination out there.

Are all fruits good for my pet dog?

No! There are some fruits your dog must steer clear of. While some fruits may be high on sugar content, others may pose a choking hazard with the amount and size of seeds they have. Further, your pet may be allergic to a particular fruit. So you need to be very careful while picking the fruits for their summer bowl!
 

Here are 6 Summer Fruits that Dogs absolutely LOVE:

Nothing is quite as refreshing as a watermelon. It’s an excellent treat for your pet as it is high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories and contains loads of water. Watermelon can be given to your dog by chopping it up in small slices and removing the seeds. The latter is essential because dogs aren’t able to digest the seeds, and this often results in an upset stomach. Watermelon is blessed with the goodness of beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin A and C. Not only does it cools your pet, but also strengthens their immune system. Just make sure to keep the quantity in moderation.
 

Strawberries are the wonder fruit for canines. They contain iron, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in just the right amounts for your dog. Loaded with the goodness of Vitamin C and folic acid, strawberries ensure that your pet stays hydrated and his tummy stays out of trouble. The X-Factor about strawberries is that they are rich in antioxidants. Researchers have pointed out that they have anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties. What’s more? They are low on calories and don’t weigh your dog down. All you need to remember is not to overdo them.
 

One major benefit that muskmelon has, is the amount of water content it contains. Excellent for keeping your pet hydrated, Muskmelon or Kharbuja, is also rich in potassium, which helps regulate your pet’s blood pressure. It also contains Vitamin A and beta-carotene which helps improve eyesight and reduces the chances of your pet suffering from cataract. Just keep in mind that you need to give this in limited portions with the seeds taken out so that your pet doesn’t undergo any bowel issues.
 

While they form an excellent way to keep the summer blues at bay, Apples need to be given with utmost carefulness. This is because the cyanide present in the seeds of an apple is fatal for pets. So remember to cut it up in very small portions so that your dog doesn’t choke on them, and to discard the seeds altogether. Apples are 85% water, and they hardly contain any fat; so they never really add to your pet’s body weight. They are high in vitamin C too. Thus, care must be taken to only give these in small portions and less frequently.
 

Papayas are excellent probiotics. They are known for treating bloating, flatulence and indigestion. Papayas are one of the safest fruits you can give to your pet. Apart from containing lots of fiber, papayas are rich in vitamin A, C, E and K. They contain magnesium and calcium which is very important for bone and hair growth in dogs. For seniors, it can prevent heart disease and atherosclerosis, and strengthen their immune system. Remove the seeds (or better still – grind them; they’re non-toxic and a superfood themselves) and give it to your pet in small portions only.
 

Dogs are known to LOVE bananas! This tasty and hydrating fruit is a great summer choice as it is not only rich in moisture, vitamin K, phosphorus and folic acid, but also contains enzymes that help dogs with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); meaning, if your dog is constipated, bananas are a SURE thing! Also rich in potassium, bananas are good for your pet, but only if given in moderation. This is because bananas contain high levels of sugar, and a lot of calories, which are not safe for your dog. Just make sure that you always peel the banana, and slice it up in very small pieces so that any choking hazard is eliminated.
 

Can I give any other fruits to my pet?

Of course, you can! But make sure you look them up to check if they are safe for your pet. While selecting which fruits to give to your dog, keep the following things in mind:

1. Sugar Content: Some fruits may contain a LOT of sugar. Fruits like mangoes, lychees, and cherries contain an unusually high amount of sugar. One needs to make sure that such fruits are not given to pets. A high amount of sugar can lead to diabetes in pets. For other fruits with moderate to low sugar content, the quantity of fruit must be kept low.
2. Seeds: Seeds are potential choking hazards. They need to be taken out before you feed the fruits to your pet. Some seeds may contain toxins that could lead to accidental poisoning of your pet.
3. High Fiber: Fiber is essentially good for your dog, as it keeps him away from constipation troubles. But too much roughage may lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Allergic Reactions: Some pets may be allergic to a particular fruit. Food allergies are common in dogs. So before you start preparing the fruit bowl, make sure if your pet’s belly is up for the task!

Fruits are undoubtedly the best gift of nature. However, when it’s about our pets, we must exercise some caution. Fruits form a part of a balanced diet, which forms the basis of good nutrition for your pet. You can surely add fruits to your pet’s diet, but solely relying on fruits is never enough.
 
Pets need proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and micronutrients, all in requisite amounts, and, from different sources. To ensure wholesome goodness, you must make sure that your pet gets real food, unprocessed food. Give your pet the gift of REAL food, give him DawgieBowl. Start your plan now!

What are your darling’s favorite fruits? Tell us in the comments below!