A Fruity Question.

[Andy]

Hi all.  I need a bit of advice.

Bobo and Shadow love apples -- I mean LOVE them.  They also have a taste for other fruit as well, especially peaches and banannas.  I've heard that grapes are risky to feed to pugs -- but I'm not sure what other fruit might be.  

First off, is it ok to feed the guys the stuff I've been giving them?  Secondly, are there any fruits (or for that matter vegetables) that I should stay away from.

All opinions welcome.

[Anna]

Apples are great for dogs.  No problem there.

Stay away from grapes because the skin is toxic for dogs and don't let them eat any onion, very poisonous.  

I think most other fruits and veg are fine though.  My guys love apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, carrots (we have to spell the word around them), broccoli, zuccini, cucumber, sweet potato (cooked only), snow peas, frozen peas (a favourite summer treat), cauliflower, bean sprouts, green pepper, and lots of others.  

We don't give any corn, onion or lettuces (they don't like them).

Hope that helps.  Oh, and be careful about the sizes of the chunks you give if you have a gulper, and some dogs (like Darwin) love the cucumber but find it hard to eat.

[lmcpug]

Let me say that apples are good except the skin, which can catch in their throats and the core, do not give a core to any pug at all!! The seeds are highly poisonous to them. If you peel and give the flesh that is fine.   (sorry Anna

mango, papaya, banana, blueberries, dried apricots, citrus, apple, pear, kiwi, * figs (potassium levels), peach; are some of the fruits that my guys have enjoyed over the years.

Veggies:
zuchini, carrots, lettuce, spinach, yams / sweet potato, pumpkin / squash, peas, beans,
celery, possible *cauliflower, parsnips, *parsley (?), *broccoli (?),  to name a few that the boys get as well.   Mostly in raw form.

Lori and the Senior Pugmen!

[Pam]

Sully loves Watermelon and pinapple, which was discovered by accident too.  I worry that like with children they will eat the fruit and not the veggies.  I give a wee bit as treats so he doesn't get too soft stools.

[dvm2012]

Pugsley lovessss carrots and apples - especially apples.  Bug *will* eat carrots but only if there's nothing tastier.  She'll look at me for a while and then when I walk away, it's almost as if she's like, "Ok ...fine, I guess it's better than nothing".  

Oh and they both love zuchini.  

I didn't know until now that they were allowed to have certain berries.  For some reason, it was stuck in my head that they weren't allowed berries.

[Anna]

Oh yeah, watermelon.  Darwin especially is CRAZY for watermelon.  With it we find the problem isn't so much poo getting soft as him peeing up a storm later from all the water in it and it's kind of a messy treat with him so we end up with sticky floors.

[RockysMom]

I have what is probably an exceptionally stupid question, but need to be sure....
I see that the skin on grapes is toxic to dogs.  What about raisins?  Aren't they just dehydrated grapes?  Can dogs eat those?  Rocky loves them....but I'm not sure now that I should give him any.....

[dvm2012]

I have the same question because I have heard a slew of different things.  Apparently, I think it affects some dogs and some not.

[Anna]

From what I know raisins are bad, for two reasons.  One they are dehydrated grapes so the skin is bad, and Two they are dehydrated fruit and if the dog swallows them whole without chewing they can re-expand in the stomach and cause a blockage - same as with little kids.

As for how bad they are for dogs, I have no idea of the toxicity levels in the skins and if it's different for different dogs.

[lmcpug]

Raisins in themselves are bad for a dog, I believe if memory serves me right it can be dangerous/toxic to the kidneys, however currants which look like raisins, I believe are okay.
This warrants further research though on the currants, as I'm not positive, I just do not feed the boys raisins or currants.  ?!?!?

just my 2 cents

Lori

[RockysMom]

Thanks so much!  I occassionally gave Rocky a raisin or two if I was eating trail mix.........not anymore!!  He does love dried cranberries as much so he'll have to settle for those.

Man....if it wasn't for this forum I swear Rocky would be at the vet constantly!  I really really really appreciate all the expert advice I get here!

[dvm2012]

Thanks so much for the tip!    Now I know not to let my puggies lurk around raisins.