Dogs are some of the most lovable and adorable companions anyone can have. And, if you’re here, you probably have a dog that you absolutely love. But, feeling this love on your own probably isn’t satisfying to your furry friend. You’ll have to express it to them in a way that their doggy mind can understand.
You can play and cuddle with them, and even talk to them, and they’ll surely feel how much you adore them. One other way you can express how fond you are of them is to give them treats. However, no matter how tempting it is to provide them with as many treats as you want, it’s important to consider their health effects.
As you may know, some foods, such as onions, are entirely toxic to dogs. Some can be fed to them in small amounts, while others are completely safe and healthy. So, it’s essential to know which ones your dogs can snack on and which you should keep away from them. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your dog safe and healthy, and this encompasses doing your research!
There are many kinds of treats meant for dogs, and it’s easy to find these goodies in pet stores. But, simply buying these ready-made treats isn’t always the best or healthiest choice as some brands can be terrible for your pet. Thus, doing your research about each product and its ingredients is necessary to ensure that you’re not causing any harm to them.
Why Not Go The Natural Way?
To make things easier for you and your dog, it’d be best look into natural treats that you can prepare for them. This way, you can handpick the ingredients that you know are safe for your fur baby. As a dog owner, you know exactly what your dog enjoys, as well as any food allergies they might have. Therefore, this is the best way to make sure that the snacks you provide your dog are 100% healthy and safe.
One of the easiest choices for snacks are fresh fruits. Now, it’s essential to note that some fruits are entirely safe for your dogs, while some are completely toxic. You’ll also need to consider the portion sizes you serve your dog and how you prepare them
For a quick guide, here are some of the fruits that you can give to your dog, as well as their benefits and how you can prepare them:
- Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits that are also great for dogs. They’re full of fiber, vitamin C, and enzymes. And, if you don’t know it yet, enzymes are effective in whitening their teeth.
Now, vitamin C isn’t really needed by dogs since they can produce it on their own. However, it can be especially beneficial if your dog has a vitamin C deficiency. And, even if they don’t need it, it doesn’t hurt to give them an extra dose. To know more about how strawberries can benefit dogs, this is a great post to read. Nonetheless, it would be best if you feed strawberries to your dog in moderation because they’re pretty sugary.
To prepare the strawberries, make sure that you wash them thoroughly and slice them into smaller chunks. This way, your pet can safely swallow them and avoid choking. And, the smaller sizes will make it easier for them to digest the strawberries. During hot weather, you can also freeze the strawberries for a cool and refreshing snack!
- Pineapples
Another great fruit that dogs can eat is pineapples. It’s not a secret that pineapples are a great source of fiber and vitamin C. This is why people enjoy this fruit, especially if they have digestive problems. Dogs can also benefit from pineapples in the same way. They’re full of enzymes, folates, and antioxidants, which can allow your dog to be energized, strong, and healthy. Additionally, pineapples help dogs from eating their own poop because these make their feces taste terrible to them.
When serving pineapples to your dog, you’ll need to peel them. Dogs should never ingest the skin and the core of pineapples.
- Apples
One of the most common fruits you can find in the supermarket is apples. They’re easy to get a hold of, especially if you’re out of dog treats
Just like strawberries and pineapples, apples contain dietary fibers and vitamin C. They also have vitamin A, which is excellent for your dog’s skin, fur, muscles, and nerves. And, if your dog needs a bit of a teeth clean-up giving them some apples can also do the trick. You’ll also be thankful that they freshen up your dog’s breath!
Remember to always wash apples thoroughly, especially if your dog enjoys them unpeeled. Remove the core, stem, and seeds, and always cut them down into smaller sizes.
- Bananas
Bananas are great treats, especially when you’re traveling with your dog. You don’t need to use a knife to peel and break them into smaller sizes. Furthermore, they’re tasty, as well a low in calories and sodium. They’re high in fiber, potassium, biotin, copper, and vitamins. Fiber helps with their digestion, especially if your dog is always having trouble with constipation or diarrhea. Vitamin C is also a great antioxidant that helps your dog’s immune system.
As mentioned, bananas are easy to prepare for your dog. You can freeze them for a cool treat, or mash them up and add them to other foods for more variety.
Conclusion
There are different kinds of fruits that you can feed your dog, but some should be given in moderation. As an important note, you should never feed your dog grapefruit, cherries, grapes, limes, plums, and lemons. Furthermore, fruits should never replace the main meals; they’re just meant to be snacks or treats.
It’s also essential to give your dog some variety with the fruits you feed them so they can have various nutritional benefits. Finally, be sure to wash the fruits and prepare them correctly to keep them safe for your adorable dogs.
