January 08, 2021

Top 10 Fruits You Can Share With Your Chihuahua

We all know that dogs are sensitive to some types of food, such as chocolate, grapes, and onions. Which brings the question – what CAN my Chihuahua eat? Your pup’s diet doesn’t have to be as restrictive as you think.

To make things easier, we’ve gathered a list of the best, most common fruits you can safely share with your Chi. If you want to replace store-bought treats with natural, healthy snacks – our list is a great start!

Healthiest Fruits Your Chi Can Munch On

• Apples

The first on our list is the ever-popular apple. Yes, your pooch can eat apples without any issues. In fact, they are very healthy for your egg roll, as they are a great source of vitamins A and C. Additionally, they are high in fiber – keeping your pup’s tummy regular and healthy.

Not to mention that apples are, usually, very cheap and easy to come across. Make sure you always have some apples lying around, your pooch will be very thankful!

However, keep in mind that apple seeds contain cyanide. If you choose to make apples your pup’s new favorite treat, make sure to throw out the core first.

 

• Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the best treats you can give to a Chihuahua. They are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and are packed with vitamin C.  On top of that, they are very low in fat – allowing you to easily manage your Chi’s weight.

The only downside to blueberries is their tendency to stain everything they touch. As a result, we recommend treating your Chi to a blueberry when you are outside or away from the furniture.

 

• Bananas

Bananas are a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, copper, and many vitamins. Consequently, they are safe for consumption. Keep in mind that this is true for the banana itself, not the peels – which your pup shouldn’t eat.

However, it’s important to know that bananas are high in sugar content, more so than other fruits on our list.  Therefore, we don’t recommend feeding your Chi bananas on a daily basis. If you choose to treat your pooch once in a while, make sure you don’t go overboard.

 

• Watermelon

Watermelons are a great, healthy food for your dog! Not only are they high in potassium and magnesium, but they are also packed with vitamins, specifically vitamins A, B6, and C. As a result, they are a great boost for your Chi’s immune system.

Additionally, as you already know, watermelons are mostly water. With that in mind, they are great for keeping your cinnamon bun cool and hydrated during those scorching summer months. 

However, make sure to remove all the seeds from the watermelon before you feed it to your Chi, as dogs can’t eat the seeds, nor the rind.

 

• Pineapple

You may be surprised to learn that pineapple is safe for dogs given its tartness, but it’s true! In fact, pineapple is amazingly healthy for Chis, as it’s a great source of fiber, vitamins, riboflavin, iron, potassium, and manganese, among others. In other words, it’s like a superfood for your pup’s immune system!

However, as with most fruits, steer clear of the skin and core, as it’s not dog-friendly. Additionally, it’s important to note that the aforementioned benefits are true for fresh pineapple – canned or preserved may come with additives that are toxic for pups, such as Xylitol.

 

• Strawberries

Another delicious,  yet healthy treats you can feed your pup are strawberries. In moderation, they are completely safe for consumption. Strawberries boast a high amount of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C – making them the ideal treat for your Chi’s overall health.

 

• Oranges

Don’t worry, oranges are completely safe for consumption and your Chi will love them! Oranges follow the same pattern of other fruits we’ve mentioned by being a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Additionally, they also should be eaten without the seeds and peels.

 

• Kiwis

Once again, kiwis are safe to eat – only if you remove the seeds and skin beforehand. As your pup is very tiny, it’s important to remove all potentially toxic parts of the fruit. Once you’ve done that, your pooch is free to munch on this healthy, high-fiber fruit!

 

• Mangos

While mangos themselves are completely safe for your doggie to eat, keep in mind that this is not true for the fruit’s pit – as it contains cyanide. Not to mention that mango pits are a serious choking hazard for your pooch. As a result, make sure to toss the pit away before you reward your Chi with this delicious fruit!

 

• Peaches

Just like mangos, peaches are a great snack to share with your little gremlin – if you take the proper precautions. As you may already know, the pits contain cyanide while also posing a choking hazard.  In other words, you need to remove the pits, stems, and leaves before you treat your pup.

Once you’ve done that, your pup can go nuts on peaches! However, make sure to only feed fresh peaches, not canned on preserved ones. Just like pineapples, they may contain additives that aren’t safe for your dog. 

Fruits You Should Avoid Giving To Your Chihuahua

Now that we’ve discussed the top 10 fruits you can share with your Chi, it’s important to note that there are some fruits (and food in general) your pooch CAN’T eat. Here are the biggest offenders:

 

• Raspberries

You may think that raspberries, like blueberries, are a healthy and safe treat for your pooch. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Raspberries contain a tiny amount of Xylitol, which – as we know – is highly toxic to dogs.

While larger dogs can eat a raspberry here and there – Chihuahuas are too small to safely consume any of it. It’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid treating your dog with raspberries.

 

• Avocado

All parts of the avocado contain a toxin called persin. While it’s most concentrated in the fruit’s leaves, skin, and pit – it can also be found in the flesh as well. In order to be completely safe, it’s best that you don’t feed your Chi avocado.

 

• Grapes

We’ve already discussed the dangers of grape consumption in dogs but it never hurts to repeat – grapes (and raisins, for that matter) are extremely toxic. While experts still aren’t sure what is the cause, grapes are known to be highly poisonous for your Chihuahua. 

If you ever find your pup eating grapes, call a vet immediately.

 

• Cherries

Technically, the flesh of cherry is safe for consumption. However, it’s known that cherry pits contain cyanide, as well as its leaves and skin. Not to mention that the small pits are a choking hazard for your Chi.

In other words, feeding your little egg roll cherries is a lot of work and can potentially be highly dangerous. Remember, your dog is very small and even the smallest amounts of toxins can cause serious side-effects. As a result, it’s best that you don’t keep cherries around your pooch.

 

RECOMMENDED:

If you are curious (and we think you definitely should be) to find out which food, plants and substances can be dangerous and potentially toxic to your Chihuahua, you can read our detailed blog post here!

 

Moderation is key!

Let’s not forget the importance of a varied, balanced diet for your Chi’s health. While all of the fruits we’ve mentioned are safe for consumption, there are some things that need to be pointed out.

First, Chihuahuas are known for their tendency to get hypoglycemic. While carbs (sugar) are a very important aspect of a healthy diet – eating too much of it can lead your Chi to various health issues. As a result, it’s crucial that you don’t feed a Chihuahua fruit too much, or too often.

Secondly, most of the foods on our list are high in fiber. Now, fiber is very healthy and a vital aspect of your dog’s health. However, eating too much of it can lead to some digestive issues in your tiny pooch. For that reason and the relatively high sugar content, we recommend using fruits as a healthy once in a while treat – not as an everyday meal.