NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — While summer may be over, the love of the fruit isn’t — that goes for both humans and our furry-legged companions.

But pet owners are curious if their pets can safely and healthily enjoy the same treats.

“Anyone who owns a dog knows you have to be extremely cautious with what food you share with them,” explained Angelo Sorbello, a pet health and wellness expert and CEO of Pet Sprint .
“But not many people know exactly what fruits they can give to their dogs.”

Pet Sprint conducted a study, which showed that tens of thousands of dog owners are not sure if they can give treats in the form of bananas, apples, and raspberries.

Many went to Google for answers, and the data revealed the top five fruits dog owners are asking about. And Sorbello shared his insight into if they are suitable, along with health benefits and risks.

Per month, this is how many times each fruit was searched;

• Bananas: 104,000 times
• Strawberries: 90,000 times
• Apples: 88,000 times
• Blueberries: 73,000 times
• Raspberries: 25,000 times

Bananas are a popular choice, as they’re full of potassium, fiber, and vitamins B6 and C — these can boost the dog’s digestive health and energy levels. However, it should be noted that they’re also high in sugar, so the treat should be given in moderation.

“A few banana slices are good, but too many can lead to weight gain,” Sorbello said. “A large dog can safely eat one half of a banana daily, while smaller dogs shouldn’t eat more than two or three small pieces in a day.”

Strawberries are another popular fruit containing antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C.

“Strawberries can help support a dog’s immune system,” Sorbello said. “However, overindulging in it can lead to digestive issues. Small dogs can safely eat one strawberry a day, while larger dogs can have about four strawberries a day. All must be cut up into small pieces.”

Apples are a great snack with fiber and vitamins A and C, but the seeds and core should be removed before dogs have them since they have small amounts of cyanide.

“Apples are a healthy option for dogs on a weight management regime,” Sorbello noted. “As for the cyanide-containing seeds, a dog would have to eat 85 grams of apple seeds, or 200 apples, for cyanide poisoning to occur.”

Blueberries are a superfood with antioxidants and vitamins C and K, which support cognitive function and overall health.

“It’s best to serve blueberries in moderation to avoid digestive issues,” explained Sorbello. “Depending on the dog’s size, they can eat about eight to 10 blueberries a day.”

As for raspberries, they are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

“They contain trace amounts of xylitol, which is harmful in large quantities and can even be life-threatening,” Sorbello cautioned. “For a medium-sized dog, you’re looking at about five to six raspberries a day, while big dogs can eat a small handful.”

Moderation is very important when it comes to feeding these fruits to dogs.

“Owners should remember not to get too generous with fruit snacks. Moderation is the secret to a healthy treat,” Sorbello concluded.

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