Safe Fruits For Golden Retriever Puppies And Adult Dogs

Updated: October 12th, 2022

Fruits are not only tasty, but they are also full of essential nutrients that can boost your dog’s immune system and overall health. However, not all fruits are safe for dogs to eat, and some are downright dangerous! So, what fruits can golden retrievers eat?

Golden retrievers can eat a variety of different fruits without experiencing any side effects. In fact, my golden is munching a slice of apple right now! Still, while apples are perfectly safe for goldens, other fruits such as grapes, raisins, cherries, and avocados contain toxic substances that can poison your dog!

Keep on reading to learn what fruits are safe for golden retrievers to eat and how to feed them to your pooch.

What Fruits Can Golden Retrievers Eat?

While the best dog foods for golden retriever puppies are complete and balanced, and made to meet your pup’s nutritional needs, adding fruits to their diet can make a nutritious and delicious supplement. Fruits can also be a tasty reward for good behavior and serve as a low-fat and low-calorie treat for overweight and senior dogs.

Whether you’re looking for safe fruits for a golden retriever puppy or the best dog treat for your senior pooch I’ve got you covered! Here are six fruits your golden retriever can eat!

Blueberries

Blueberries are a superfood rich in antioxidants and one of the healthiest fruits you can feed to your golden retriever! These tiny purple berries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals but are at the same time low in fat and calories, which makes them an ideal healthy snack for both young and old golden retrievers.

Blueberries contain high amounts of phytochemicals, naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have numerous health benefits, including the ability to fight certain cancers. Since golden retrievers are at a higher risk of developing cancer, feeding blueberries to your pooch may lower the risk of cancer and increase your dog’s lifespan.

A study has shown that adding antioxidant-rich foods to your dog’s diet can also reduce the effects of cognitive dysfunction, which is great news, especially if you have a senior golden retriever!

Feed fresh or frozen blueberries to your golden retriever as treats. You can freeze and serve blueberries as refreshing treats on hot summer days. Also, you can mash fresh blueberries and serve them with plain yogurt or simply sprinkle them over one of the best dog foods for golden retrievers.

Bananas

Golden retrievers can also eat bananas! When fed in moderation, this tropical fruit is a low-calorie treat for dogs and is also full of essential vitamins and minerals.

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamins C and B6. This yellow fruit is high in fiber, too, which supports good digestion and can be beneficial if your golden retriever is suffering from gastrointestinal problems. Since most canines love to eat bananas, they are an excellent alternative to fatty commercial dog treats.

Remember to only feed peeled bananas to your golden retriever! While the peels aren’t toxic to dogs, they can be hard to digest and may cause an intestinal blockage. Additionally, eating too many bananas can cause a stomach upset in dogs since they are high in sugar. Thus, you should only feed your golden retriever bananas in moderation as an occasional treat.

Besides giving your golden a piece of banana as a treat, you can also mash it and mix it with dog food. Alternatively, for hot summer days, you can freeze a whole banana, peel it, and slice it before serving it to your dog as a refreshing treat.

Apple

Apples are safe for golden retrievers to eat and are an amazing source of antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins C and A. This crunchy fruit is low in calories and full of fiber, which makes it an ideal treat for overweight dogs who are on a diet.

However, since apples contain a lot of sugar, eating a whole apple might be too much for your golden retriever. Eating too many apples can result in a tummy ache and diarrhea, so be sure to only feed them in moderation as a special crunchy treat.

An added bonus of feeding apples to your golden retriever is the act of chewing the apple can help clean your pup’s teeth and freshen their breath.

Keep the seeds away when feeding apples to your golden. Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, a toxin that can be dangerous for your dog when consumed in large amounts. Remove the tough core, seeds, and stem, peel the apple, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces before serving it to your dog.

Cantaloupe

Full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the cantaloupe is safe for golden retrievers to eat in moderation as a tasty treat. Besides being low in calories, this delicious melon has high water content, making it ideal for keeping your dog hydrated on hot summer days.

Cantaloupe is a great source of vitamins A, C, B6, niacin, folate, and potassium, which provide numerous health benefits and are involved in many functions within your dog’s body. This fruit is also an excellent source of fiber, which promotes good digestion and helps regulate your dog’s bowel movements.

However, there are some risks associated with feeding cantaloupe to golden retrievers you need to know about! First of all, cantaloupe rings can cause stomach upset and intestinal blockage, and they are also a choking hazard due to their hard texture. Also, cantaloupe is high in sugar and may not be a good choice for a diabetic dog or a pup on a diet.

If you decide to feed cantaloupe to your golden, remove the rinds and the seeds before cutting the cantaloupe into bite-size pieces and serving it to your pooch.

Strawberries

Strawberries are another tasty fruit you can feed to your golden retriever! Low in calories but full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins C, B1, B6, K, and folic acid, strawberries are a healthy treat for dogs. Feeding strawberries to your golden occasionally may even boost their immune system, slow down the aging process, and help with weight management.

Another great thing about strawberries is they contain malic acid, which acts as a natural teeth whitener and can help keep your pup’s teeth pearly white.

Before serving, wash the strawberries thoroughly and cut them into small pieces to make them easier to digest and prevent choking. You can also freeze strawberries and serve them as a refreshing summer treat or mash and mix them with your pup’s kibble.

Pineapple

Both puppies and adult golden retrievers can eat pineapple as a delicious treat in moderation. If your pooch likes the sweet yet tangy flavor, pineapple can be a great source of essential vitamins and minerals.

Ripe pineapple is full of vitamins C and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate. This tropical fruit is also a great source of minerals including potassium, copper, manganese, iron, and magnesium. All of these nutrients make a pineapple a wonderful snack for your canine companion and a great way to boost their overall health.

When feeding pineapple to your dog, remove the spiky skin and the tough central core, as they can pose a choking hazard and lead to intestinal blockage if swallowed. Also, pineapple is rich in natural sugar, and eating too much of it can cause constipation or diarrhea.

To take full advantage of everything pineapple has to offer to your dog, feed your pup a few bite-sized chunks as an occasional treat.

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FAQs About Fruits For Golden Retrievers

Can we give fruits to golden retrievers?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat various types of fruit. In fact, many fruits have significant health benefits to golden retrievers who eat them on occasion in addition to a diet of high-quality and balanced dog food.

Safe fruits for golden retrievers include:

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Mango
• Blackberries
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Peaches
• Pears
• Oranges

Bear in mind, however, that fruits containing seeds and pits can pose a choking hazard to dogs, and some can also be toxic.

Toxic fruits to golden retrievers include:

• Avocado
• Cherries
• Grapes

What foods are bad for golden retrievers?

There are many types of foods that are unsafe for golden retrievers to eat. The main foods you should never feed to your golden retriever include:

• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Coffee
• Alcoholic drinks
• Walnuts
• Any products containing artificial sweetener xylitol

Which fruit is good for a golden retriever puppy?

Golden retriever puppies can eat the same types of fruit as adult golden retriever dogs. Just be sure to cut all fruits into small, bite-sized pieces before serving to prevent choking.

Safe fruits for golden retriever puppies include:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Pears
• Peaches
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Mango
• Oranges
• Mandarins
• Tangerines
• Pineapple
• Plums

Conclusion

Fresh fruit is an excellent source of a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for your golden retriever’s health and wellbeing. Since all dogs, including golden retrievers, are omnivores, they can digest fruits and reap the health benefits they offer. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when feeding fruits to your golden:

• Remove all seeds, pits, and rinds, as they are a choking hazard
• Wash the fruits thoroughly before serving them to your dog to remove any dirt, debris, and pesticides
• Feed fruits only as treats, meaning they should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake

Do you feed fruits to your golden retriever? What are your dog’s favorite fruits? Tell us and our readers in the comment section below!

 

Check out our Golden Retriever Feeding Chart >>