What Fruits can Huskies Eat? (without dying)

When I think of Huskies I think of snow and fish. Definitely not fruit. But I saw a man playing with a Husky until both of them were out of breath and laughing (both, believe me). Then they flopped down for a rest, and he took out two bananas. Peeled them and gave one to the dog. What?  Banana?  That’s a fruit – a tropical one at that! Surely Huskies won’t eat it? Think again. He wolfed it down and then stared at the man with those FEED ME, I’M STARVING eyes. That scene set me thinking, what fruits can Huskies eat?

So, what fruits can Huskies eat?

Huskies can eat all the fruits that other dogs can eat. There are fruits that they can not eat including many berries, except blueberries and strawberries. It is better to avoid canned fruit and dried fruit as they contain too much sugar. Stone fruits must be pitted. Do not feed the dog fruit skins which you would not eat yourself like banana and pineapple.

Dogs, including Huskies, can eat almost all of the fruits that humans can, with a few very important exceptions. The list below explains some more.

List of fruits a Husky can eat

• Apples – but not the seeds. They provide vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber.
• Bananas – but not the peel. They’re high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. 
• Blueberries – high in antioxidants.
• Cantaloupe – a source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins B6, A, and C.
• Cranberries – they have antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals.
• Mangoes – are fat-, sodium-, and cholesterol-free as well as a source of Vitamins A, B6, C, and E.
• Oranges – but not the peel. They are high in potassium, folate, thiamine, and vitamin C while being low in sodium. 
• Papayas – potassium, magnesium, folate, calcium, Vitamins K, C, E,  and A.
• Peaches – always remove the pit. It contains Vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber.
• Pears – have calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A. Pears may reduce the risk of stroke in people so perhaps also in dogs, but no sure evidence so far. Pears are high in sugar so do not feed too much.
• Pineapples – definitely not the peel. In addition to high amounts of vitamin C, it has an enzyme called bromelain, that fights inflammation and is antibacterial in the gastrointestinal system.
• Raspberries – in moderation. They are high in fiber, manganese, and vitamin C. Due to their anti-inflammatory properties they are especially good for senior dogs because they help aging joints.
• Strawberries – a source of vitamin C, potassium, and manganese.
• Watermelon – but not the seeds or the rind. It has Vitamin A, B6, and C. It is high in lycopene, the antioxidant that is present in red fruits and vegetables.

Should I give my Husky fruit?

Whether you feed your Husky fruit is entirely your own decision. There is no reason why you should not, except in the case where fruits are toxic to dogs.

These fruits should never be given to Huskies (or any other dogs):

1. Avacado

All of the components of avos (pit, skin, flesh, leaves) contain a toxin called persin, that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Although it seems that your dog has to eat quite a lot to show the side effects, there is a record of dogs dying of congestive heart failure presumably because of eating too much avo. 

The most dangerous part of the avocado is actually the pip because dogs tend to swallow the thing whole and that causes obstruction in their gut. The only way out is to remove the pip surgically.  Persin can also cause pancreatitis in some dogs if they are sensitive to this toxin. Don’t find out the hard way.

2. Cherries

They do not contain cyanide, it’s more complicated than that.

Fruits that belong to the genus Prunus, like cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, and nectarines contain cyanogenic glycosides. This compound is only changed into hydrogen cyanide (note, not cyanide) when it is released by maceration of some kind (grinding, chewing, crushing, wilting, freezing, digestion).

If your Husky eats too much of these fruits it can develop gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or general abdominal discomfort.

Actual cyanide poisoning from eating plants is very rare. The signs are dilated pupils, hyperventilation, labored breathing, weakness, tremors, hypotension, and collapse.

Cherries are considered more dangerous than the other Prunus fruits because they are small and it is likely that your dog will ingest the pip, where the cyanogenic glycoside called amygdalin that is converted into the hydrogen cyanide is located.

Pips from the other, larger fruits you can remove much easier. The stems and leaves are also a big no-no, so if you have a cherry tree in your yard, take care.

3. Grapefruit, lemons, and limes

These three citrus – both the fruit and the trees – are off-limits to your Husky. If you can manage to clean grapefruit so that you only have the flesh, no skin, you can give some of that to your Husky, but less rather than more.

The essential oils in the citrus, particularly the ones called linalool and limonene, have insecticidal properties. 

Citrus oil poisoning is more likely to occur when you use shampoos, flea sprays, dips, and other stuff than from eating.

However, these are the main symptoms:

• Drooling
• Weakness
• Depression
• Trembling
• Hypothermia

Another ingredient in citrus called psoralen may also induce phototoxicity (extreme light sensitivity) in dogs.

4. Grapes and dried grapes

Dried grapes are raisins, sultanas, and currants. These fruits, even in Christmas cakes, granola, and so on, can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Not in all dogs, and the minimum amount that needs to be eaten to cause the problem is uncertain.

But again, do you really want to find out when it is too late? 

There is no antidote for grape poisoning. Vomiting after eating the grapes is the most common sign that poisoning has occurred. It can take from 8 to 24 hours and you will see the grapes (or raisins, etc.) in the vomit.

Some fruits are safer than you think

• Figs. The plant that is poisonous to your Husky is the Weeping Fig, also known as the Benjamin Fig or India Rubber Plant. Not the fig that you use to make fig jam (Ficus carica). Or eat with honey and Brie. That one is fine as long as you do not let the white latex sap come into contact with the dog’s mouth or eyes. Or yours, for that matter. The leaves and roots are the most dangerous. 
• Dates. Those dark brown sticky things you see in the shop are dried dates. Although, in some countries outside the Middle East it has become possible to buy fresh dates. Fresh or dried, they are very high in sugar (70 – 80%) and so you must avoid giving too many dates to your Husky. But they are high in vitamin B6 and there are at least 15 minerals in dates! Date pips must be removed to prevent choking. 
• Blueberries. In one study sled dogs that were fed blueberries had a greater total amount of antioxidants present in their blood plasma immediately after exercise than others who did not have any of the fruit. This is possibly a way to protect them against muscle damage during exercise. Or, as they put it: “This suggests that dogs fed blueberries while exercising as compared to dogs fed a control diet while exercising, may be better protected against oxidative damage.” (On this site we are careful not to put our own interpretations into the mouths of the academics!).

Related Questions