Fruits contain many nutrients that are useful to dogs. For example, most berries are high in antioxidants which can help dogs build a robust immune system, and melons help maintain vision health.
While plain fruits are enough for your furry friend, why not make the fruits a little tastier and more interesting for both of you?
Here, I will introduce 4 different ways that you can prepare fruit treats for your dog.
Ice Cubes with Fruits
This method is suitable for dogs who do not like to drink water, ensuring that your dog drinks some water for every treat it eats.
Things you will need:
Knife
Ice cube trays or molds
Water
Fruits
How to prepare:
Use the knife to cut the selected fruit into small, bite-sized chunks.
Put 1-3 pieces of fruit into each ice cube/mold partition (depending on the size of the partition).
Add water until about 3/4 of each partition is filled.
Freeze for at least 3 hours.
Remove from tray/mold and serve to your dog.
Recommended serving size in one day: 3-4 ice cubes
Frozen Blended Fruits
This method is suitable for dogs who had some or most of their teeth removed as they can eat the treat by continuous licking.
Things you will need:
High water content fruits: Bananas, peaches, watermelons, etc.
Water
Blender
Ice cube trays or molds
How to prepare:
Put the fruits (one type or a combination) into the blender.
For every cup of fruits, put about 1/3 to 1/4 cup of water.
Blend until you get a puree.
Pour the blend into the ice cube tray/molds.
Freeze for approximately 3 hours.
Remove from tray/mold and serve to your dog.
Recommended serving size in one day: 2-3 ice cubes
Roasted Fruits
This method is suitable for picky dogs who like to have strong-tasting foods as roasting makes the fruits taste sweeter.
Things you will need:
Bigger fruits: Apples, pears, strawberries, etc.
Oven
Parchment paper
How to prepare:
Cut the fruits into half/quarters/one-eighth (depending on the size of the fruit used).
Place the cut side on the parchment
Roast the fruits in a preheated oven at approximately 400°F for about 10-25 minutes (depending on the size of the fruits).
Place to cool before feeding your dog.
Recommended serving size in one day: 1-2 pieces of fruit
Gummy Fruits
All dogs can consume gummy fruits.
Things you will need:
Xylitol-free gelatin*
Fruits
Juicer (to make fruit juice)
Saucepan
Molds
Knife (optional)
*Important: Dogs cannot consume artificial xylitol, so check the ingredients in the gelatin packet before use.
How to prepare:
Get fruit juice from the fruits using the juicer.
Pour the fruit juice and the xylitol-free gelatin into a saucepan and heat it on low-medium heat until the gelatin is fully dissolved. For how much gelatin to use, refer to the package.
Remove from heat and pour into molds.
Leave to cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
When the gummies have solidified, remove them by using the knife to separate the gummy from the mold gently. Alternatively, pushing the bottom of the mold or knocking the mold at about 45° against a surface.
Recommended serving size in one day: 1-2 jellies
Precautions to Take Note
Dogs can be allergic to certain fruits, so monitor your dog after you feed it fruits. If it shows any signs of discomfort or illness, bring it to the local veterinarian immediately.
When selecting fruits to make the treats, remember to screen for unripe, over-ripe, and moldy fruits. The nutritional content of these fruits is different from ripe fruits and can make your dog sick.
If there are removable seeds and skins, a rule of thumb is to remove them. For example, apple and watermelon seeds can cause digestive issues in dogs.
Jia Le has owned dogs for over 15 years. She hopes to share her experiences with fellow dog owners on Simply Family Dog so that family dogs can get the best care they deserve.
Article by: Lim Jia Le May 23, 2021