With rising summer temperatures, fresh fruit is a great ally to help your dog better cope with heat waves. Here are some fruits they can enjoy.

Our dogs, just like us, feel the arrival of the heat: they seek out shade, the coolest spots in the house, and love playing with water in all its forms (beach, pool, hose, and more). There’s also something many pet owners do that acts as a very effective “antidote” to help get through summer better: giving them fresh fruit.

Just as we humans love opening the fridge and grabbing a piece of fruit to snack on and cool down during scorching afternoons, our dogs feel the same way — fruit is more appealing because it hydrates and refreshes them.

That said, we always have to be careful about which fruits we offer our dogs, because as much as they enjoy fruit in summer, not all fruits are safe or good for them.

 

What fruits can a dog eat?

To rule out fruits that dogs should never eat, we can follow a basic general rule: never give them pits or seeds.

Fruit pits and seeds are toxic to dogs. Many pits contain cyanide, which can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Additionally, grapes and raisins are very dangerous, as consuming them can lead to anything from diarrhea to kidney failure.

While fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they should be given in proportion to your dog’s size since they contain a lot of glucose (and are usually contraindicated for diabetic dogs).

 

 

That said, here are 8 perfect fruits to give our dogs during summer:

1.- Watermelon: The queen of summer fruits. Sweet, fresh, and tasty, it’s a favorite for many dogs. Uma, for example, is crazy about watermelon.

2.- Melon: Although it’s harder to digest than watermelon, eating it in moderation and with seeds removed is very enjoyable for dogs.

3.- Apple: A fruit available year-round. Easily digestible and very nutritious.

4.- Strawberry: Yes, I say strawberry in singular because it should be given in moderation. Packed with powerful antioxidants.

5.- Blueberries: Excellent treats that also work wonders for urinary infections.

6.- Banana: One of the favorite fruits for dogs because of its taste, especially when served frozen. Best given in small amounts since it’s not very easy to digest.

7.- Pear: Another fruit you can find all year in your fruit shop. A great ally due to its diuretic properties (high water content) and very nutritious.

8.- Mango: Antioxidant-rich and high in fiber, which supports healthy digestion.

How to give fruit to our dogs?

To quench your dog’s thirst and help them cool down, offer fruit in small pieces. You can also freeze the fruit chunks with water to make ice pops that your dog can lick to refresh themselves. Finally, you can make homemade fruit popsicles.

Making a dog-friendly popsicle is as easy as blending or chopping some of the fruits mentioned above and mixing them with oat milk or yogurt. Your dog will be over the moon!

 

 

What did you think of our fruit suggestions to help keep your dog cool this summer? Which one is your furry friend’s favorite?