What fruits should dogs never eat?

Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas are the ones to avoid completely — they have been linked to kidney failure in dogs and there is no known safe amount. Avocado is also generally left off the menu because of its fat content and the choking risk from the stone.

Can dogs eat dried fruit?

Some dried fruit is a genuine risk rather than just a treat to limit. Raisins, sultanas and currants carry the same danger dried as fresh, often in a more concentrated form, so they should be kept well away from dogs, including in cakes and cereal bars.

My dog ate a grape — what should I do?

Ring your vet straight away rather than waiting to see if your dog seems unwell. The reaction to grapes and raisins is not predictable from the size of the dog or the number eaten, so it is treated as an emergency regardless of the amount involved.

Is fruit a healthy treat for dogs?

In small amounts, yes — most fruit is lower in fat than many shop treats and dogs often enjoy the taste and texture. It should still be an occasional extra rather than a regular part of the diet, since a dog's complete food is already balanced for what they need.

Can puppies eat fruit?

Once weaned and settled onto solid food, most puppies can have a small piece of a safe fruit such as apple or banana. Start with less than you would give an adult dog, since a puppy's stomach is more easily upset, and introduce anything new gradually.

Can dogs eat fruit?

Yes, dogs can eat most fruit, and a small piece makes a perfectly good treat. The important part is knowing which fruits are fine, which need preparing first to remove a hazard, and which — grapes, raisins and a handful of others — are genuinely dangerous and should never be given, whatever the amount.

Fruit that is fine in small amounts

Apple, banana, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and pear are all safe for most dogs as an occasional treat, once seeds, pips, stones and tough skins are dealt with. Blueberries are one of the lower-sugar options and small enough that most adult dogs can eat one whole without any preparation at all.

Orange and other citrus can be given in small amounts too, with the peel and pith removed — the fruit itself is not toxic, but the oils in the peel and the bitterness of the pith upset a dog's stomach more readily than the flesh does. The common thread across all of these is quantity: a couple of pieces, not a bowlful, and not every day.

Fruit that needs preparing first

Stone fruits — cherries, plums, peaches and apricots — have a stone at the centre that contains a compound which releases cyanide when broken down, and the stone itself is also a choking and blockage risk. The flesh around it is not the problem; remove the stone completely before giving your dog any.

Apple and pear both need their core and pips removed for the same reason, in smaller amounts. None of this makes the fruit dangerous on its own — it means fruit with a stone or pip needs five minutes of preparation that a berry does not.

Fruit to avoid altogether

Grapes and raisins are the one genuinely serious risk on this list. They have been linked to kidney failure in dogs, the reaction does not depend on the size of the dog or the amount eaten in any way that can be predicted, and there is no known safe quantity. Currants and sultanas carry the same risk and should be treated the same way — including in foods like fruit cake and hot cross buns.

Avocado is usually left off the safe list too. It is high in fat, which does a dog's stomach no favours in any quantity, and the large stone at the centre is a serious choking and blockage hazard. There is little upside to offering it, so it is easier to leave out altogether.

How much, and what to watch for

A couple of small pieces, a few times a week, is plenty for most adult dogs, and less again for small breeds and puppies. Introduce any fruit your dog has not had before with a single piece and see how they get on, rather than starting with a handful.

Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, or a dog who seems off their food after trying something new. That is usually the sugar or fibre content rather than anything toxic, but if your dog gets into a bowl of grapes, raisins, or a large amount of anything unfamiliar, ring your vet straight away rather than waiting to see whether they show signs.

Make treat time better

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats

Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.

From£12.99

Fast UK delivery

Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats

A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.

£14.99

Dog Multivitamin Soft Chews

Daily chicken-flavour soft chews packed with multivitamins to support your dog's all-round health, digestion and vitality. Heart-shaped and tasty, they make routine supplementing easy and enjoyable.

£14.99

Fast UK delivery

Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats 500ml

A 100% natural daily supplement rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 from high-quality Scottish salmon — supports skin, coat, joints, and brain health.

£13.99

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Common questions

What fruits should dogs never eat?: Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas are the ones to avoid completely — they have been linked to kidney failure in dogs and there is no known safe amount. Avocado is also generally left off the menu because of its fat content and the choking risk from the stone.
Can dogs eat dried fruit?: Some dried fruit is a genuine risk rather than just a treat to limit. Raisins, sultanas and currants carry the same danger dried as fresh, often in a more concentrated form, so they should be kept well away from dogs, including in cakes and cereal bars.
My dog ate a grape — what should I do?: Ring your vet straight away rather than waiting to see if your dog seems unwell. The reaction to grapes and raisins is not predictable from the size of the dog or the number eaten, so it is treated as an emergency regardless of the amount involved.
Is fruit a healthy treat for dogs?: In small amounts, yes — most fruit is lower in fat than many shop treats and dogs often enjoy the taste and texture. It should still be an occasional extra rather than a regular part of the diet, since a dog's complete food is already balanced for what they need.
Can puppies eat fruit?: Once weaned and settled onto solid food, most puppies can have a small piece of a safe fruit such as apple or banana. Start with less than you would give an adult dog, since a puppy's stomach is more easily upset, and introduce anything new gradually.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.