A hot summer day is not a good time for a dog to perform physical activity. They can overdo it and suffer from physical exhaustion.
But your dog needs to be active! It is more than essential to find the appropriate activities and balance between physical and mental work so that your pet stays healthy.
One idea is to feed your dog with fruits and vegetables, especially on a hot summer day. Fruits and also vegetables are healthy for a dog, and they are all low in fat.
Why Should You Add Fruits to Your Dog’s Diet?
Dogs love food just as much as we do, so it’s only natural to want to see them happy and satisfied. When you’re cooking for your dog, just like you would for your family, it’s important to include various nutritious ingredients.
Try adding fruits to your dog’s diet, especially in summer when there’s so much variety available. Not only are fruits a great way to liven up your dog’s diet, but they are also a wonderful way to keep your dog cool during the summer months.
When does it all start? In the mid-1800s, when people started to feed their dog’s different food, fruits became a part of their diet.
You should know about fruit because it provides vitamins and nutrients like zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. However, some fruits are best avoided because of their sugar content.
Many people do not know this, but one or two pieces of fruit a day can be extremely beneficial to your dog’s health. Not only can fruits be used to put together a delicious and healthy meal, but they can also be used as a healthy treat.
Important Fruit Feeding Reminders
Dogs are carnivores and need meat-based protein in their diet. However, many fruits provide nutrients and dietary fiber that are beneficial to dogs. Here are some tips for you to remember when feeding fruits to your fur friend:
- If you want to feed fruits to your dog, remember to choose fruits that are low in sugar and high in fiber.
- When adding fruits to your dog’s diet, you have to feed your dog healthy fruit and not junk food fruit.
- When choosing what fruits to feed your dog, it’s important to know that dogs can have some same health issues that people do, such as allergies, so you want to pick a fruit or two good for your dog’s health.
- While a dog can eat a lot of fruit, do not give your dog a lot of fruit. Giving your dog too much fruit can make them ill.
- Fruits for dogs should be introduced gradually to avoid digestive upset.
- When preparing fruits for your dog, make sure you never give him the pits or seeds because they contain an oil poisonous to him.
- Some fruits are toxic to dogs, so read the labels and avoid the ones that have been sprayed with pesticides.
Most of us want our dogs to be healthy and happy, and just like us, they need a variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs fully. Fruit is a great way to do this.
Not only does it give them a dose of vitamins and minerals they might not otherwise get, but it also helps with their digestion and keeps them hydrated.
Also, adding fruits to your dog’s diet also helps reduce his craving for meat. However, you should still be careful of what types of food you give them, as they have different nutritional needs from us.
Best Fruits Perfect for The Summer Heat
Dogs and fruit have one thing in common: they both are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are the key to longevity, and they also support the immune system.
The result? A happy, healthy dog. But what fruits can you add to your dog’s diet to boost his health and vitality? Here are some fruits that are safe to offer your dog:
1. Strawberries
Did you know that strawberries can be a healthy and delicious treat for your dog, too? This is because strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K.
These vitamins help promote a healthy immune system. And as we all know, a healthy immune system is essential for preventing disease and illness.
2. Apples
Apples do not contain any toxic elements and are great to offer your dog in small amounts. They contain vital antioxidants and fiber. Apples are also low on the glycemic index, which means they won’t cause a spike in blood sugar.
3. Cantaloupe
The cantaloupe is a sweet melon, and like all melons, it is a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Still, cantaloupe is unique in that it is also an excellent source of vitamin A and the nutrient beta-cryptoxanthin.
This is important because vitamin A helps dogs with their vision, and beta-cryptoxanthin is a precursor to vitamin A. So, by adding cantaloupe to your dog’s diet, you can help maintain his vision, help ward off the development of dry eye and even protect him against cancer.
4. Peaches
Peaches are a very nutritious fruit and can be used in many recipes. Peaches are considered a good source of fiber and an excellent source of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause inflammation, slow healing, and even lead to cancer.
Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants that can protect us from cancer, reduce cholesterol, and prevent asthma.
5. Watermelon
Dogs do love watermelon. They love the taste of it, and they love to chew on it. It is a summer fruit, the harvest of which is in July and August. It is composed of about 92% water, so it has a lot of health benefits.
It is the best fruit for dogs because of its high water, which helps keep your dog’s skin and coat hydrated. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and B-6. It is also a good source of potassium and manganese. It also contains lycopene.
6. Cranberries
This red, tart berry is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and beta-carotene that your dog can benefit from in many ways. Cranberries are great for dogs with bladder or kidney stones, and they help with joint pain.
In most cases, cranberries should be given right off the vine, or they can be placed in a food processor to get the juice out. They will be much less tart if you do this.
7. Mangoes
Mangoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and photochemical. It can also help with digestion, immunity, detoxification, eye health, heart health, and even cancer prevention.
It offers antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and is even considered anti-carcinogenic. Mangoes and other fruits can benefit dogs with diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer. This fruit also helps clean the teeth of your pet!
8. Pineapple
Pineapple is a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C protects your dog’s cells from free radical damage, supports the immune system, and repairs damaged cells.
9. Raspberries
Dogs love raspberries! But should you feed your dog with raspberries? There are many benefits of raspberries for dogs: they improve your dog’s skin and coat, they strengthen the immune system, they have anti-aging properties, and they clean teeth and keep the gums healthy.
10. Oranges
Almost every kind of fruit you can imagine has some health benefit, but why should you feed your dog with oranges in particular?
Oranges are a dense source of vitamin C, essential for a healthy immune system, proper absorption of iron, and collagen production.
Not only that, but the vitamin C content in oranges can help to reduce oxidative stress, which is the leading cause of age-related disease.
11. Pears
Did you know that pears can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet? Pears are low in fat and calories but are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
It can promote heart health and also can help prevent cancer. Also, this fruit is great for a healthy digestive system.
12. Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and fiber and a great vitamin C source. They also help to keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy.
Why should you add this food to your dog’s diet? They are full of antioxidants that can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and even memory loss.
13. Banana
It is sweet, tastes good, and is also a source of potassium. Some dogs will turn their nose up to a banana, but most will eat them with gusto.
You can feed it raw, but it is better to cook it lightly to help prevent any problems from occurring. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6, fiber, potassium, and a good source of vitamin C.
Fruits are a great addition to any dog’s diet. There are very few fruits that are toxic to dogs, and many provide healthy nutrients.
However, you should always check with your veterinarian before adding any fruits or vegetables to your dog’s diet.
