DOGS are omnivores, so can digest meat, fruits and vegetables.

But some fruits are safer than others, and a few are dangerous for your four-legged friend.

Is it safe for dogs to eat strawberries?

Yes, strawberries are very safe for your dog to eat.

Strawberries can boost canine immunity with their high concentrations of vitamin C, potassium and manganese. Plus most dogs really enjoy eating them!

Potassium is great for good muscle and nerve function, and natural potassium found in food like strawberries is thought to be more beneficial than the artificial version found in some complete dog foods.

Manganese is important for the ability of your dog to obtain energy from proteins and carbohydrates in its diet.

Strawberries can be frozen to make tasty cooling treats in the summer that your dog will love.

As well as being safe and nutritious, strawberries are also beneficial for their teeth as they contain a tooth whitening enzyme.

How many strawberries can I give my dog?

Strawberries contain sugar, and canine diabetes is a common condition, so sweet treats should be limited.

Snacks like fruit, even really healthy strawberries, should make up no more than ten per cent of your dog’s calorific intake.

This means how many strawberries you can give your dog depends on how large your dog is, what else they are eating, and how many walks they go on.

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What fruits can dogs eat?

Dogs can eat other soft fruits similar to strawberries, such as blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. But limit raspberries the most in this category.

In fact, blackberries are a rare source of vitamin K and superfood blueberries are very safe to feed to your pooch.

Cranberries are safe for your dog too. These are usually found in their dried form and have sugar added, so beware. And too many can upset your dog’s stomach.

A juicy apple or pear is safe too and may add a crunchy texture to your dog’s platter.

It is safe to feed bananas to your dog, and they are very nutritious, but feed them in moderation because they are high in calories.

Likewise, dogs can eat oranges, which have a lot of vitamin C, but you shouldn’t give them the peel. And remember, oranges are high in sugar.

It is safe for your dog to eat melons, but not the rind or pips, plus melons are very sugary too.

In general, don’t let your dog eat fruit pips or stones.

Dogs can eat tomatoes, whether or not you agree that they are a fruit, but only a few.

Tomatoes contain a substance called solanine, which is not particularly good for dogs, so don’t give too many.

Solanine is found in high concentrations in the leaves and stems of tomato plants, and in green tomatoes, so avoid feeding these to your dog.

In general, stoned fruits are safe so yes to peaches, nectarines and mangoes, but don’t let pooch eat the stones.

Nectarines in particular provide good concentrations of beta carotene and vitamin A – great for skin, teeth and bones – and they contain potassium and fibre.

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Cherries and plums, on the other hand, are a no-no for your dog, although the fleshy part of a cherry is probably safe.

Grapes and raisins are dangerous for dogs and need to be avoided as they can cause kidney damage to dogs which has a toxic response to them.

If your dog has eaten grapes or raisins and shows any of these symptoms: seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea, tiredness or weakness, you need to seek help from a vet.

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