What Fruits Can German Shepherds Eat?

Last Updated on March 27, 2023 by Amanda P. Brown

German shepherds can consume fruits. Even it’s an important source to fulfill their essential nutrition. You can add apples, apricot, mango, strawberry, pineapple, kiwi, etc. But there are also some toxic fruits, such as avocados, grapes, etc.

So It is important to know What fruits can German Shepherds eat?How much, what fruits are safe and what unsafe?” while making a diet. 

However, this article will guide you through feeding fruits to your Shepherd safely, convenient fruits including the nutrition, quantity, and benefits chart in detail. 

What Fruits Can German Shepherds Eat?

The below options are safe for your pet shepherd. You can place them in their diet and routinely and circularly feed them these fruits.

27 Safe Fruit Options for German Shepherds

1. Apricot
2. Apple
3. Blueberries
4. Banana
5. Blackberries
6. Blood orange
7. Cranberries
8. Coconut
9. Canary Melons
10. Dates
11. Raspberries
12. Kiwi
13. Lychee
14. Lemon
15. Lime 
16. Grapefruit
17. Melon
18. Strawberries
19. Mango
20. Nectarines, 
21. Plums,
22. Peaches
23. Persimmons
24. Oranges 
25. Mandarins (Clementines, Satsumas & Tangerines)
26. Olives 
27. Watermelon

Let’s know these exclusive 27 options details with nutrition, appropriate quantity and health benefits. 

1. Apricot

Apricot is a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamins C and A. Its fleshy fruit is safe for your German Shepherd. But do not feed its pits, seeds, leaves, or stems to your dog because it contains cyanide which may be harmful to your German Shepherd if consumed in excess. 

Apricots are also high in fiber, which can cause stomach upset in your dog if consumed in large quantities. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Apricot	Beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, protein, vitamins A and C.	1 slice (Give your German Shepherd no more than half an apricot when they are small and a whole one when they are large.)	Vitamins A and C: Boosts dog’s immunity and keeps coat, eyes, and skin healthy. Potassium:  It optimizes the function of the dog’s limbs and prevents muscle cramping and pain. Beta-carotene: Reduces the risk of dog cataracts.

2. Apple

Apple is a good source of calcium and vitamin A and C. Most German Shepherds love the crunchy texture and sweet taste of apples. You can cut apples into small pieces and feed them to your dog. But don’t feed them apple seeds and peels because they are a source of cyanide, and an overdose of cyanide can kill your dog.  

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Apple	Calcium, fiber, vitamins A and C.	1-2 slices	Calcium, Vitamin A, and C: They maintain healthy tissues and bones in dogs. Fiber: Helps in digestion. Apple’s crunchy texture: Helps keep dog’s teeth clean and breath fresh.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are an excellent fruit for your German Shepherd. They have fewer calories and contain less sugar compared to many other fruits. You can serve this mineral and antioxidant-rich great treat to your dog. It will care for your dog’s teeth healthy. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Blueberries	Fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C and K.	2-3 berries	It supports the immune system, prevents tissue and cell damage, is anti-inflammatory, reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease, and prevents diarrhea and vomiting.

4. Banana

Bananas are a brilliant healthy treat for a German shepherd as an occasional treat. If bananas are served in moderation, they are safe for your dog. Bananas contain a lot of sugar, which is bad for your dog. Moreover, make sure your dog doesn’t eat bananas with peels. Otherwise, it can face digestion or choking.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Banana	Potassium, biotin, vitamins, minerals, fiber.	1-2 pieces	It helps keep dogs healthy and fit and supports heart and kidney function.

5. Blackberries

Blackberries’ juicy and sweet taste is ideal for sharing with German Shepherds. Also, you can feed frozen blackberries to your dog, which may be a welcome treat in hot weather to help your German Shepherd cool down. 

However, it would be best to feed them in moderation because they contain xylitol, and over-taken can be toxic to your dog. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Blackberries	Vitamin A, B, C, E, K, omega-3, fiber, and antioxidants.	2-3 berries	It helps keep your dog healthy, prevent cell damage, support immune system function, and improve coat and skin health.

6. Blood Orange

Blood oranges are a special treat for your Shepherd, rich in antioxidants. You can remove the peel and seeds and feed the juice directly into your dog’s mouth. 

But don’t feed more than 2 wedges because they contain a lot of sugar, which can cause diabetes in your dog. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Blood orange	Vitamin A, C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.	1-2 slices	It helps heal disease, maintain good immune function, and improve gut health in your dog.

7. Cranberries

You can give cranberries to your German Shepherd raw, dried, or cooked. But avoid giving your dog cranberry juice because they are high in sugar. Which can cause your dog to have an upset stomach; also, the sugar of it isn’t good for the dog’s teeth.  

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Cranberries	Vitamins C, E, and K1, copper, calcium, manganese, and fiber.	1 dessert spoon	It improves bladder health, supports a healthy immune system, and helps regulate heart, liver, blood pressure, and eyes.

8. Coconut

Your German shepherd will benefit from eating coconuts. Coconut meat, without the shell, can be given in moderation to a dog who likes it.

Moreover, you can also feed them sprinkle a small portion, perhaps a pinch, of pure coconut powder on your dog’s food, vegetables, or fruit.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Coconut	Manganese, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, fiber, antioxidants.	1 slice	It helps prevent viruses, reduce inflammation, maintain healthy skin or coat, strengthen bones, remove unwanted poisons, and control inflammation.

9. Canary Melons

Canary melons are perfect for German Shepherds as a summer treat. Just remove the skin and seeds and serve your German Shepherd to eat them in small bite-sized pieces or wedges. You can also freeze them and later serve them as a cold treat. On hot summer days, these are a great fresh treat for your dog to cool down.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Canary Melons	Vitamin A, C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, fiber, iron, zinc, and omega 3 & 6.	Moderate amount in bite sizes.	It helps keep your dog cool, regulate the digestive system, reduce inflammation, protect cells, and strengthen the immune system.

10. Dates

Dates are a good snack and a great energy source for German Shepherds. They are cholesterol-free and low in fat. You can feed your German Shepherd by removing the seeds from the dates.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Dates	Vitamin A, C, and several B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and fiber.	Half	It helps your dog gain faster energy, boost immunity, improve digestion, and keep the heart and immune system healthy.

11. Raspberries

Intense sweet-tart flavor fruit Raspberries are the most common summer fruits. They’re safe enough to give to your German Shepherd as a treat. They’re low in calories and sugar and comprise essential nutrients.

Before serving, ensure the amount is appropriate. As it contains xylitol, too much given can harm your dog. However, you can offer freeze-cold raspberries to your dog in hot weather. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Raspberries	Vitamin A, C, B6, manganese, calcium, thiamine, fiber, zinc, and riboflavin.	2-3 berries	It improves the digestive system, fights obesity, boosts immunity and iron absorption, and helps reduce arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

12. Kiwi

Eating kiwi fruit flesh is safe for your Shepherd but in small amounts. You need to feed your dog without its skin and seeds because they have cyanide which can harm your dog. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Kiwi	Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and vitamin E.	1 slice	It helps support your dog’s digestive health, heart health, and immunity system.

13. Lychee

You can occasionally give your German Shepherd a small amount of lychee flesh. But before you offer it to your pet, you need to remove its skin and seeds because it is toxic to your dog and can cause suffocation.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Lychee	Vitamins, minerals, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, fiber.	a small piece	Vitamins and minerals: Supports the dog’s overall health. Vitamin C: Increases immunity system. Iron: Prevents anemia. Magnesium: Helps develop muscles. Fiber: Helps in digestion.

14. Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit

Your German Shepherds can safely consume the flesh of limes, lemons, and grapefruits. You can feed them in moderation by removing the pith (white part), peel, and seeds because they contain high citric acid that can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit	Vitamin C, antioxidant	A lick for trying.	Vitamin C: Benefits the immunological system, cardiovascular system, skin, and skeletal system, among others. Antioxidant: Protects cells from harm.

15. Melon

Especially on hot summer days, melon can be an excellent treat for German Shepherds. They have high water content and low-calorie count. Remove the pulp and seeds before feeding it to your German Shepherd. Cut it up into manageable-sized pieces and give it to your dog occasionally.

However, don’t offer melon with seeds and skin, as shepherds cannot digest seeds and peels.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Melon	Vitamins, potassium, fiber, antioxidants.	1 slice	It increases the function of healthy cells and reduces arthritis and cancer chances.

 16. Strawberries

A great source of fiber and vitamin C is Strawberries. Without worry, you can serve strawberries to your German Shepherds. 

During the summer, your Shepherd will love these freeze, cool, and hydrated strawberries. They include a lot of healthy nutrients and are low in sugar. Thus, your dog will get many incredible health benefits from it.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
strawberries	Vitamin C, enzyme, manganese, potassium, vitamin B9, fiber, and antioxidants.	Half of a big berry	It strengthens immunity, controls weight, keeps teeth beautiful and white, and helps slow down the aging procedure.

17. Mango

Mangoes are a great sweet summer fruit and refreshing snack for German Shepherds. You can cut them into bite-sized wedges with the pits and peels removed and give them to your dog. Moreover, you need to feed these sweet fruit cuts in moderation and avoid overfeeding them. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Mango	Vitamin A, C, E, B6, fiber, potassium, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene.	1-2 slices	Boost the immunity system, improve digestive health, prevent diabetes, and support heart and eye health.

18. Nectarines, Plums, Peaches, and Persimmons

Nectarines, plums, peaches, and persimmons can be given to your German Shepherd. These fruits are pretty sugary, so you need to give them to your dog in moderation, as excess sugar is bad for your dog’s health. Remove the seeds and pits from these fruits and give them to eat. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Nectarines, Plums, Peaches, and Persimmons	Beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, and K, potassium, magnesium, iron, antioxidant, and fiber.	2-3 bite-size pieces.	It helps reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, improve gut health, aid digestion, and maintain healthy teeth, skin, and bones.

19. Oranges and Mandarins (Clementines, Satsumas & Tangerines)

Mandarins and oranges are common fruits. Mandarins have different variations, such as clementines, satsumas, and tangerines. Your German Shepherd may eat these fruits without worry.

But due to their high sugar and acidity content, you need to give them a minimum amount. Remove their seeds, peels, and piths before serving, as they contain toxic compounds harmful to your dog. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Oranges and Mandarins (Clementines, Satsumas & Tangerines)	Vitamin A, B, C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.	1 Bite-size portion	It improves the immune system, removes toxins, and protects cells from damage, boosts immunity, and helps fight anemia.

20. Olives 

Olives are one of the safest fruit for your German Shepherd. You just need to ensure it’s feeding with the appropriate amount. 

You can feed olives to your dog by removing the pit, as olive pits contain toxic compounds that can crack your dog’s teeth and harm their health.

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Olives	Vitamins, minerals, natural fats, fiber, and monounsaturated fatty acids.	1-2 olives	It keeps the eyes and immune system healthy, boosts immunity, and helps lower cholesterol and inflammation levels.

21. Watermelon

Watermelon is an excellent source of water. This fruit contains 92% water, which helps keep your German Shepherd hydrated. 

Cut them into cubes and freeze them for use in the warmer months. Before serving, scatter the watermelon rind and seeds, as these seeds and peels can cause intestinal obstruction or choking in your dog. 

Fruit	Nutrition	Quantity	Health Benefit
Watermelon	Vitamin A, B6, and C, fiber, protein, and potassium.	1 slice	It helps to keep hydrated and maintain nerve function and healthy muscles.

Read More: Healthy Vegetables for German Shepherd

What Fruits Can German Shepherds Not Eat?

Below are some fruits that German Shepherds cannot eat:

• Raisins
• Tomato 
• Grapes
• Unripe tomato
• Rhubarb
• Stone fruit like (plums, cherries, and peaches)

Read More:

• What Can German Shepherds Not Eat?
• What Foods Are German Shepherds Allergic to?

Final Verdict

This post has offered you 27 incredible fruit options considering this question “What fruits can German Shepherds eat?” From this, you may know about safe fruits, the appropriate amount for your dog, and what nutrition and benefits it can get from them.

However, add these fruits as a good treat to your Shepherd’s diet but consider the appropriate amount and safe way. 

Although the fruits are safe, check for any difficulty in their digestion after eating. If your dog accidentally eats too much of the fruit’s seeds, it can cause such problems. The best decision is to get it to a vet quickly.

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