As pet parents, we all want to make sure our dogs live long, happy, and healthy lives. That includes providing them with treats that aren’t just tasty, but also packed with nutrition. Fortunately, nature provides a variety of fruits that are not only safe for dogs to eat but also offer a range of health benefits. Adding fresh fruits to your dog’s diet can enhance their nutrition, offering essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, most dogs love the sweet, juicy taste!
In this blog, we’ll go over ten fruits that dogs love, explain their health benefits, and share how you can supplement your dog's diet with Pawful, a 100% plant-based vitamin that includes fruits and veggies dogs need to thrive.
1. Blueberries
Small but mighty, blueberries are a favorite among dogs. These bite-sized fruits are packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. Blueberries are also rich in fiber and Vitamin C, promoting digestive health and immune support. Because of their low calorie count, they make an excellent training treat for dogs without the worry of weight gain.
How to Feed: Feed fresh, whole blueberries as a snack or freeze them for a crunchy, cooling treat on a hot day.
Pawful Bonus: Blueberries are a key ingredient in our Pawful dog vitamins, giving your pup an extra antioxidant boost every day.
2. Apples
Crisp, refreshing apples are a classic favorite for both humans and dogs. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also full of vitamins A and C, which support healthy skin and coat. Apples also contain fiber, which helps with digestion. Just make sure to remove the seeds and core, as these can be harmful to dogs.
How to Feed: Slice the apple into bite-sized pieces and serve fresh. Apples can also be mixed into your dog’s meals for added crunch.
Pawful Bonus: Apples are part of Pawful’s plant-based formula, ensuring your dog gets the goodness of this fruit with every serving.
3. Bananas
Bananas are a natural energy booster and a favorite among many dogs for their sweet taste and soft texture. Rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C, bananas help maintain muscle function, nerve health, and promote a healthy immune system. Bananas also have fiber to aid digestion, making them a great occasional treat.
How to Feed: Mash up bananas and mix them into your dog’s food, or freeze slices for a cold, sweet snack.
Pawful Bonus: While Pawful doesn't contain bananas, its plant-based formula provides the essential nutrients found in bananas to support your dog's health.
4. Strawberries
Sweet, juicy strawberries are a great treat for dogs, packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. These berries help boost the immune system and contribute to healthy skin and fur. Strawberries also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth naturally as they chew, promoting good oral health.
How to Feed: Serve strawberries fresh and sliced, or mash them and add to your dog’s meals. Be sure to remove the stem and leaves, as they can be hard to digest.
Pawful Bonus: Strawberries are included in Pawful’s vitamin blend, giving your dog a daily dose of this powerful, nutrient-packed fruit.
5. Watermelon
Watermelon is a refreshing, hydrating treat that most dogs adore. Made up of 92% water, it’s perfect for keeping your dog hydrated on hot days. Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C, which support immune function and skin health. It’s low in calories and packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
How to Feed: Remove the rind and seeds before feeding, then slice or cube the watermelon. Serve as a fresh snack or mix it into your dog’s meals.
Pawful Bonus: Watermelon isn’t in the Pawful formula, but Pawful’s veggie and fruit blend offers similar hydration and vitamin benefits for your pup.
6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin isn’t just for fall! Dogs love the mildly sweet taste of pumpkin, and it offers many health benefits. Pumpkin is rich in fiber, which can help regulate digestion and soothe upset stomachs. It’s also full of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body, promoting eye health. Pumpkins are also great for maintaining a healthy weight, as they’re low in calories but very filling.
How to Feed: Serve plain, cooked pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) or offer canned pumpkin as a mix-in with your dog’s regular food.
Pawful Bonus: Pawful’s vitamins contain pumpkin to support your dog’s digestive and immune health.
7. Mango
Dogs love the sweet, tropical flavor of mangoes. These fruits are rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E, all of which contribute to healthy skin, coat, and immune function. Mangoes also contain dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health. Just be sure to remove the pit, as it contains cyanide and can pose a choking hazard.
How to Feed: Peel the mango, remove the pit, and serve small, bite-sized pieces to your dog.
Pawful Bonus: Mango’s immune-boosting nutrients are part of the Pawful formula, helping to keep your dog healthy and strong.
8. Pineapple
Pineapple is a tropical fruit that most dogs love for its sweet and tangy taste. Rich in vitamin C, thiamin, and B6, pineapple can boost your dog’s immune system and support metabolic function. Pineapple also contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and can help break down proteins, improving nutrient absorption.
How to Feed: Peel and core the pineapple, then cut into small chunks for your dog to enjoy as a fresh treat.
Pawful Bonus: Pineapple’s benefits are replicated in Pawful’s plant-based vitamins, which contain enzymes and nutrients to aid digestion.
9. Peaches
Peaches are another sweet treat that many dogs love. They’re rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are essential for skin and coat health. Peaches also have a moderate fiber content, which aids digestion. However, it’s important to remove the pit, as it contains cyanide and can be harmful if ingested.
How to Feed: Serve fresh, ripe peaches after removing the pit and slicing them into bite-sized pieces.
Pawful Bonus: While peaches aren’t in Pawful’s formula, your dog’s vitamin intake from Pawful offers similar skin and coat benefits through its plant-based nutrition.
10. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a refreshing, hydrating fruit that’s low in calories but high in essential vitamins. Rich in vitamins A and C, cantaloupe supports healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. The fruit’s high water content also helps keep your dog hydrated, especially on warm days.
How to Feed: Remove the rind and seeds, then cut cantaloupe into small, manageable pieces for your dog.
Pawful Bonus: Cantaloupe-like hydration and vitamin support are core features of Pawful’s plant-based dog vitamins.
Why Choose Pawful for Your Dog’s Health
While it’s fun to offer your dog fresh fruits as treats, it’s not always convenient to have a variety on hand every day. That’s where Pawful, our whole food, plant-based vitamin supplement, comes in!
Pawful contains a blend of natural fruits and veggies—including several on this list—so your dog can benefit from essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without any extra effort from you. Each vitamin is carefully formulated to support your dog’s overall health, boost immunity, improve digestion, and keep their skin and coat looking great.
With Pawful, you can feel confident that your dog is getting the benefits of plant-based nutrition, including the powerful vitamins and antioxidants found in the fruits they love. Plus, Pawful is peanut butter flavored, making it a delicious daily treat your dog will look forward to.
Conclusion
Adding fruits to your dog’s diet is an excellent way to boost their health while giving them a tasty snack they’ll enjoy. The ten fruits we’ve covered are not only delicious but packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that support everything from immune health to digestion and shiny coats. However, to make sure your dog is getting a balanced intake of nutrients, incorporating a supplement like Pawful ensures they’re covered, even when fresh fruits aren’t available.
Pawful is designed with your dog’s best interests at heart, delivering the best of plant-based nutrition in a convenient, tasty format. Your dog deserves the best, and with Pawful, you can give it to them.
Try Pawful today—for the love of paws!