Fruits

Rich in pectin fibre and vitamin C, supporting gut health and immunity.

Provides potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre, and its soft texture suits older dogs or those with dental problems.

About 92% water and low in calories, which makes it a useful hydrating treat in hot weather.

Low in calories (about 32 kcal per 100 g) with vitamin C and fibre, and well accepted as a training reward.

Low in calories and a source of anthocyanins and fibre, which makes them handy for training rewards.

Stems, leaves, peels and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils that irritate the gut and, in larger amounts, may depress the nervous system; a small piece of flesh usually causes only mild upset.

Grape and raisin poisoning is reported mainly in dogs; gastrointestinal signs can be followed by acute kidney injury within hours to days. Tartaric acid is the suspected toxin but the mechanism is not fully confirmed, so no 'safe amount' can be given.

About 84% water with dietary fibre and a crisp, sweet texture, making it a handy hydrating treat.

Peach flesh is low risk on its own (though sugary), but the pit contains amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed; pits and leaves are unsafe for both dogs and cats.

A source of vitamin C, manganese and dietary fibre, with juicy low-fat flesh that works as an occasional fruit treat.

Provides vitamin A, vitamin C and fibre, with soft flesh that is easy to feed in small amounts.

A source of vitamin C, dietary fibre and potassium, with soft flesh that is easy to cut into small pieces.

Cherry pits, leaves and twigs contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed; the flesh is sugary but low risk in small amounts.

Plum pits and leaves contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed; the flesh itself is sugary and large amounts can cause stomach upset.

About 90% water and roughly 34 kcal per 100 g, with vitamins A and C, useful as a low-calorie hydrating treat in summer.

The rind and white membranes are tannin-rich and tough to digest, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or a blockage; the small seeds can choke a little pet, and the flesh is sugary and acidic.

Unripe fruit, seeds and stems are rich in tannins, which can clump with stomach contents into a bezoar and block the gut; the sugary flesh can also upset the stomach.

Provides vitamin C, vitamin A from beta-carotene and dietary fibre, with soft juicy flesh that is easy to serve.

Fibre with potassium and calcium at fairly low calories, so it works as an occasional fruit treat.

About 52 kcal per 100 g with fibre and anthocyanins, and their small size makes portioning easy.

A source of dietary fibre and antioxidants in small, low-sugar berries that make a handy fruit treat.

Fresh cranberries offer dietary fibre and vitamin C with almost no fat, so they work as an occasional fruit treat.

The flesh is about 15% fat and a high fat load is a common trigger of pancreatitis in dogs; the pit and skin contain persin and may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Small amounts of coconut products are unlikely to cause serious harm, but the oils in flesh and milk can cause stomach upset, loose stools and diarrhoea, and a large fat load can trigger pancreatitis.

Citric acid in the flesh and limonene in the peel, seeds and essential oil irritate the mouth and gut, and larger amounts may depress the nervous system; a little flesh usually causes only mild upset.

Pomelo is a citrus fruit, and the peel, pith, seeds and essential oil carry citric acid and limonene that irritate the mouth and gut and may depress the nervous system in larger amounts; a little flesh usually causes only mild upset.

Lemon juice and flesh are strongly acidic and irritate the mouth and gut, while the peel and essential oil carry limonene and other irritants that are harsher still; larger amounts may depress the nervous system.

A kumquat is a citrus fruit: **the peel, seeds and essential oils hold limonene and other irritants**, so a large helping can irritate the mouth and gut; a little peeled flesh should cause no more than mild stomach upset.

A little peeled, pitted flesh is usually harmless, but the pit, broken pieces and leaves hold cyanogenic compounds that release cyanide once chewed, and a hard pit can also choke or block the gut; remove it every time and keep the sugary flesh small.

A little apricot flesh is low risk (though sugary), but **the pit and bitter kernels hold amygdalin**, which releases cyanide once chewed, and a hard pit can also choke or block the gut, so remove it every time.

A little peeled, pitted loquat flesh is low risk (it is still fairly sugary), but **the seed and leaves hold cyanogenic compounds** that release cyanide when chewed, and the seed can choke or block the gut, so remove them completely.

Lychee is very high in sugar, so larger amounts readily cause gut upset and loose stools and are a poor choice for overweight or diabetic dogs; the skin is hard to digest and the large hard stone can choke a dog or block the gut.

Ripe mulberries are juicy and supply dietary fibre plus a little vitamin C, with less sugar than many fruits, so they work as an occasional fruit treat.

Passion fruit pulp is strongly acidic and can irritate the mouth and gut, causing drooling, vomiting or loose stools; the rind and seeds are hard to digest and a whole fruit can choke or block the gut, so take only a little pulp with the seeds removed.

Peeled guava flesh is juicy and brings vitamin C and dietary fibre with moderate sugar, so it works as an occasional fruit treat.

Dates are extremely sugary, so even a little can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, and repeated helpings are linked to obesity and pancreatitis; **the hard stone can choke or obstruct the gut, so always pit it**. Diabetic and overweight dogs should avoid dates.

Prunes concentrate sugar and fibre, so a little can loosen the stool or cause diarrhoea, and repeated large helpings risk obesity and pancreatitis; the stone, like other plum stones, holds cyanogenic compounds and can choke or block the gut, so pit it.

Starfruit holds oxalate and a neurotoxin (caramboxin) that healthy animals clear via the kidneys; **pets with kidney disease must never eat it**, as it builds up and causes hiccup-like movements, vomiting and seizures. Healthy dogs get a tiny peeled piece.

Jujubes are very high in sugar, so even a small amount can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, and repeat helpings add obesity and pancreatitis risk; **the stone is hard and pointed and must always be removed**, since swallowing it can choke or block the gut.