Can Shih Tzus eat fruit? This is a question that many Shih Tzu owners have. The answer is yes, Shih Tzus can eat fruit. However, there are some things you need to know before feeding your Shih Tzu fruit.
As the same goes with feeding your Shih Tzus vegetables, while some are perfectly safe to eat, some are not and can be even toxic.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of feeding your Shih Tzu fruit and some of the best fruits to feed them and which ones you need to stay away from.
The benefits of feeding your Shih Tzu fruit are numerous. Fruit is a great source of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for your Shih Tzu’s health.
Fruit is also a great way to help keep your Shih Tzu hydrated, especially during the summer months.
Fruit is a great way to give your Shih Tzu a healthy tasty treat!
Some of the best fruits to feed your Shih Tzu are apples, bananas, blueberries, and watermelons. These fruits are all packed with nutrients that your Shih Tzu needs.
They are also all low in calories, so you don’t have to worry about your Shih Tzu gaining weight if you give them a couple of slices of fruit each day.
When it comes to how much fruit you should feed your Shih Tzu, a good rule of thumb is to give them no more than 10% of their daily calories from fruit.
So, if your Shih Tzu eats 1000 calories per day, you should only give them 100 calories from fruit.
As for when you should give your Shih Tzu fruit, the best time is usually after a meal. This way, they will have something to tide them over until their next meal.
However, you can also give them fruit as a snack or anytime you think they might be hungry.
Ok, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what fruits you can safely feed your Shih Tzu and which fruits you need to avoid.
Fruits Your Shih Tzu Can Eat:
- Apples
Apples are filled with antioxidants and fiber, both of which are great for your Shih Tzu’s health. Always remove the core of the apple before giving to your Shih Tzu.
The seeds contain a small amount of cyanide which is toxic. Also don’t overfeed as too much apple could lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
A good serving size would be about half an apple cut into slices.
- Bananas
Bananas are another great fruit for your Shih Tzu. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Rich in Vitamin C, B6, magnesium, and potassium, bananas provide plenty of health benefits for dogs including, healthy nerves and muscles, and heart health.
- Blueberries
Blueberries are considered a superfood and are full of antioxidants, which are great for your Shih Tzu’s health. You can give your Shih Tzu a handful of blueberries as a treat or mix them into their food.
Frozen blueberries make an easy treat to use when house or basic commands training. Puppies and dogs are eager to please when the rewards are extra delicious.
The fact that it is also a healthy alternative to standard training treats is a bonus too!
- Watermelons
Watermelons are a great summer treat for your Shih Tzu. They are filled with water, which will help keep your Shih Tzu hydrated. This fruit is rich in vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as potassium, magnesium and iron.
Keep an eye out for the seeds. While the seeds are not toxic for dogs, they may swallow them whole and cause blockage so don’t let your pup eat them.
Dogs can eat seedless watermelon or, if you’re feeding them a seeded one, make sure to remove the black seeds.
In warmer months, consider freezing some chunks of watermelon for your pup. They’ll stay hydrated and love the cool treat!
- Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is another great fruit for your Shih Tzu. Cantaloupes are beneficial for dogs because they contain vitamins A, B, and C; fiber; magnesium; thiamine; niacin; folic acid; beta-carotene; and potassium.
Vitamin A helps dogs maintain healthy vision by supporting the retina and cornea while also contributing to healthy bones and teeth development.
- Peaches
Peaches are another great fruit for your Shih Tzu as they provide fiber and vitamin A. Just be sure your Shih Tzu does not get a hold of the pit.
As with other pitted fruits like apricots, mangos and cherries, the pits contain cyanide which are poisonous to your Shih Tzu.
- Pears
Pears are another great fruit you can share with your Shih Tzu. Pears make a delicious and healthy treat for dogs, and Shih Tzus can eat them in moderation.
Pears are full of valuable nutrients like fiber, folic acid, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, copper and pectin. They also contain vitamins C and B6 as well as a small amount of magnesium.
Fiber is an important part of a dog’s diet; however too much fiber can lead to constipation.
If you want to feed your Shih Tzu fresh pear, core and peel it first.
- Mango
Mango is a nice tropical fruit option for your Shih Tzu. This fruit is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E, as well as potassium, beta-carotene, and alpha carotene. These nutrients are excellent for boosting immunity and maintaining healthy vision.
Some honorable mentions you can add to the list are, Oranges, Pineapple, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Raspberry and Strawberry.
Fruits Your Shih Tzu Can’t Eat:
- Grapes and Raisins
Don’t ever feed your dog grapes or raisins. Grapes and raisins are extremely toxic and can cause kidney failure to your Shih Tzu. If you suspect your Shih Tzu has eaten grapes or raisins, call your vet immediately.
- Cherries
Dogs cannot digest cherries properly, as just one cherry can cause stomach issues like diarrhea.
- Grapefruit
Grapefruit is another fruit you do not want your Shih Tzu to eat. It can cause stomach upset such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- Avocado
The avocado’s leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain Persin, which is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Even a small amount of avocado can be harmful to your Shih Tzu.
- Lemons and Limes
Dogs don’t enjoy the taste of sour citrus fruits like lemons and limes. More importantly the psoralen compounds and aromatic oils in lemons are toxic to dogs and can cause an upset stomach.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Shih Tzus can eat fruit as part of a healthy diet. However, there are some fruits that Shih Tzus should not eat due to the risk of toxicity. Remember when introducing new foods to your pup, do so slowly so you can see how well they tolerate it.
Always supervise when feeding your Shih Tzu fruit and consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about what you are feeding them.
So, the next time you’re cutting up fruit for a snack, don’t forget to give your Shih Tzu a little taste!
They’ll love it and it’s good for them too.
