Fruits That a Shih Tzu Can (and should) Eat

Overview

Fruit is beneficial for a Shih Tzu's diet, offering vitamins, antioxidants, low calories, and fiber. It can also encourage picky eaters to eat their meals. Unlike high-sugar foods, fruit contains fructose, which doesn't impact insulin levels or contribute to weight gain. However, it's crucial to know which fruits are safe and nutritious for a Shih Tzu, their portion sizes, and serving suggestions. This section will detail safe fruits, their nutritional value, and fruits to avoid.

List of Fruits a Shih Tzu Can Eat:

All of the fruits a Shih Tzu can safely eat are: Apples (no core, no seeds), apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, guava, kiwis (in small amounts), mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas (without seeds), peaches (no core), pears, pineapples, plums (flesh only, no pits), raspberries, starfruit (in small amounts), strawberries, and watermelon (seedless).

Shih Tzu dog with fruit on picnic blanket

List of Fruits a Shih Tzu Cannot Eat:

All of the fruits a Shih Tzu cannot safely eat are: Avocados, cherries (technically the flesh is safe, but cherries are so small, it is recommended to not feed them), currants, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, persimmons (seeds and pits), raisins and tomatoes (green parts and plant).

Look below for details on feeding fruits to a Shih Tzu.

Details of Feeding Apple Slices to a Shih Tzu:

Can a Shih Tzu eat apples? Yes.

What to know: This very popular fruit has gotten a bad rep in regard to feeding it to our canine family members and it's really too bad because this is a super healthy treat when fed correctly. It's really due to an overly cautious approach that seems to have been exaggerated over time. Apple seeds contain amygdlin, which is a form of poison (cyanide) and for this reason, owners are warned to never let a dog eat the core of an apple. But the flesh of apples is very nutritious.

Nutrition & Health Benefits: Apples, rich in Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, fiber, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, are excellent for resisting infections and maintaining connective tissue. They can reduce pancreatic cancer risk by over 20% and promote dental health through their hard texture and saliva stimulation, which lowers mouth bacteria. Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples are particularly beneficial for Shih Tzus. However, dogs with kidney issues should avoid apples due to their calcium and phosphorus content.

Serving Size & Feeding Tips: Half an apple, sliced, is a suitable serving size for a Shih Tzu, providing roughly 47 calories and containing no fat, cholesterol, or sodium. If not used immediately, the remaining half can be refrigerated for a few hours. Serving it twice daily, like at breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner, is often convenient.

Details of Feeding Banana Slices to a Shih Tzu:

Can a Shih Tzu eat bananas? Absolutely.

Nutrition & Health benefits: Bananas are a super good choice for canines as an addition to meals or for snacks. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin B-6, magnesium, and potassium. Potassium plays an important role in many areas of the body including proper functioning of the kidneys, nerves, muscle control, and heart. It should be noted that any dog that has kidney disease should not eat a large amount of foods containing potassium.

Bananas are also great for a Shih Tzu because they can help prevent bladder infections, boost the immune system, and can help with proper bone formation in young puppies. They are also very low in sodium (as are many fruits) and high in antioxidants which not only prevent some types of cancers but also can aid in making a Shih Tzu's coat silky and shiny.

Serving size & feeding tips: A good serving size is 1/3 of a banana and this has approximately 35 calories. You can mash this and stir it into kibble, which is a good trick for getting a finicky Shih Tzu to eat his meals or serve this as slices that are given as a snack. To keep the rest of the banana from turning brown before you give more to your puppy or dog, it can help to peel back only the amount that you will be giving to your Shih Tzu.

Details of Feeding Blueberries to a Shih Tzu:

Can a Shih Tzu eat blueberries? Definitely.

What to know & health benefits: Feeding your Shih Tzu blueberries is highly beneficial as they are a superfood rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants combat 'free radicals' in the body, which can cause cellular damage and diseases. Regular consumption of blueberries can help prevent cancer, skin and heart diseases, cataracts, and Cognitive Canine Dysfunction. Blueberries also offer vital nutrients like vitamin K, B-6, manganese (for bone and cartilage strength), vitamin C, and fiber.

Serving size & feeding tips: There are so many ways to feed blueberries to a Shih Tzu… you can mix some into meals or give some as a snack. Try folding a few blueberries and/or raspberries into a 1/2 cup of whole white yogurt for a super healthy, low-calorie snack.

Frozen blueberries work tremendously well as rewards for training (house training, commands, heeling, etc.) since they are easy to dispense and puppies and dog learn better when the rewards given during training are something extra special and delicious.

When training for heeling or commands when you'll need to give a treat for each correct action, one frozen blueberry at a time works well. When mixing into meals or as part of a mid-day snack, a good serving size is 1/4 to 1/3 cup, which has 21 and 28 calories, respectively.

Details of Feeding Cantaloupe to a Shih Tzu:

Can a Shih Tzu eat cantaloupe? Yes.

What to Know & Health Benefits: Cantaloupe is a nutritious fruit for dogs, offering vitamins A, B, and C, fiber, magnesium, thiamine, niacin, folic acid, beta-carotene, and potassium, along with being low in calories. Vitamin A in cantaloupe supports vision, bone, and dental health. However, since cantaloupes grow on the ground, their rinds may harbor listeria and salmonella. Ensure to rinse and clean the rind thoroughly before feeding it to your Shih Tzu. Store cantaloupe in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh for up to a week.

Serving size: Small slices can be given as a snack and many Shih Tzu will also appreciate some bite sized pieces mixed into kibble. A good serving amount is 1/3 cup diced, which has only 18 calories.

Details of Feeding Kiwi to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give Kiwi fruit to a Shih Tzu? Absolutely.

What to Know & Health Benefits: Kiwi is rich in vitamin C (28 mg per half cup), an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and can help combat diseases, including cancer. It also contains fiber and potassium. Raw kiwi aids digestion due to actinidain. However, excessive consumption can cause loose stools and upset stomach, partly due to its small edible seeds. While larger breeds may eat kiwi with the peel, it's recommended to peel it for your Shih Tzu to avoid the tiny quills. Dried kiwi, free of additives, is also safe in small amounts.

Serving size: While you can give kiwi to a Shih Tzu, do not give large amounts and be sure to peel them. A good serving is 1/2 of a kiwi which has only 20 calories. This is a good fruit to mix into main meals, along with other fruits to give dinner a boost of nutrients.

Details of Feeding Mango to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give mango to a Shih Tzu? Definitely.

What to know & health benefits: This orange colored tropical fruit is in the same family (Drupes) as coconuts, dates, and olives. It is packed with vitamin A, B6, C, and E, along with potassium, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene (good for immune system function and vision). Some of the well-known benefits of mango include decreased risk of colon cancer, and bone, skin and hair health. When given in proper serving sizes, it is also good for digestion. As with many other fruits, the pits are toxic and should be carefully disposed of when preparing this for your Shih Tzu.

Most Shih Tzu really love this as a snack since they find it to be tasty; a few cool pieces given on a hot summer day can be a super healthy treat.

Serving size & feeding tips: If you will be feeding some mango to your Shih Tzu as a snack or mixing into his dinner, a good serving size is about 1/3 cup, which has approximately 33 calories.

Details of Feeding Orange Slices to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give orange slices to a Shih Tzu? Yes, in moderation.

What to Know: Oranges, a popular citrus fruit and a pomelo-mandarin hybrid, account for 70% of citrus production, with most grown in Florida, California, and Brazil. While oranges are enjoyed seasonally by many, you may wonder if they're safe for your Shih Tzu. Fortunately, Shih Tzu puppies and dogs can eat a few orange slices, which are rich in vitamin C, and also contain B6, potassium, and magnesium. However, due to their high fructose content, overfeeding oranges to dogs can lead to stomach upset and vomiting.

Serving size: A good serving size is 1 orange segment for a puppy under the age of 1 year old and 2 segments for adult Shih Tzu. Each piece contains roughly 8 calories.

Details of Feeding Pears to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give pear slices to a Shih Tzu? Absolutely.

What to know & nutrition: These are a sweet treat for dogs and Shih Tzu can eat pear slices in moderate qualities. This fruit contains fiber, folic acid, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, copper and pectin. These also have vitamin C, B6 and a bit of magnesium. They do contain fiber which dogs need; however too much fiber can actually cause constipation.

Serving size & feeding tips: An important element to keep in mind regarding feeding pears to a Shih Tzu is to avoid giving pear slices or cubes that come pre-packed in syrup since these will have very high levels of sugar, and can have preservatives and even coloring. If you are going to give some fresh pear to your Shih Tzu, be sure to core it and peel it. A good serving size is 1 to 2 slices for a puppy and 3 slices for an adult.

Details of Feeding Pumpkin to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give pumpkin to a Shih Tzu? Definitely.

What to Know: Pumpkin can be beneficial for a Shih Tzu experiencing diarrhea, constipation, or flatulence. If your dog has an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea, withhold food for 24 hours while ensuring hydration, using a Pedialyte and water mixture if needed. Contact a vet if symptoms persist or are severe after 24 hours. If symptoms subside, offering pureed canned pumpkin (not pie filling) can be helpful.

Serving size & feeding tips: Offering a teaspoon to a Shih Tzu puppy and a tablespoon to an adult, 1 to 3 times per day can help the digestive system. As solid food is reintroduced, a mixture of a few spoons of pumpkin along with plain white rice, a dab of whole white yogurt (for probiotics), and minced white chicken meat can offer nutrition while being gentle on the stomach.

Details of Feeding Raspberries to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give raspberries to a Shih Tzu? Yes.

What to know & nutrients: This is a very healthy fruit to give to a Shih Tzu. These are packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory elements, along with fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Raspberries also have vitamin B6 and magnesium. This amazing fruit has been shown to lower the risk of breast, cervical, colon, esophageal, and prostate cancers in both animals and humans. Studies have found that fully ripe organic raspberries have the most antioxidant qualities.

Serving size: These can be sprinkled on top of food, mixed into meals, or given as a snack by themselves or with other fruits. When adding raspberries to dinners, a good amount is 4 to 5 raspberries for Shih Tzu puppies and 5 to 6 for adults. These are a super low-calorie food, with only 1 calorie per berry.

Details of Feeding Strawberries to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give strawberries to a Shih Tzu? Absolutely.

What to know & nutrients: These are a safe, healthy snack for puppies and dogs, when given in moderation. Strawberries have a good amount of vitamin C and also contain some manganese which is important for healthy bone structure.

If you live in an area where wild strawberries grow and your Shih Tzu has nibbled on some, you should know that wild strawberries are technically safe for dogs to eat; though, if these were growing where woodland animals have frequented, this could be a potential danger if the dog was not vaccinated for leptospirosis (which is often a voluntary inoculation).

Serving size: When giving strawberries to your Shih Tzu, a good serving size for a puppy is 1 or 2 small pieces and adults can eat 4 or 5, either given one at a time as a treat or reward or cut and mixed into a meal.

Details of Feeding Watermelon to a Shih Tzu:

Can you give watermelon to a Shih Tzu? Most definitely.

What to know & nutrients: The name of this fruit is quite fitting, since a watermelon is 90% water. The remaining 10% consists of fiber and sugar. You'll be happy to know that a Shih Tzu can eat watermelon and this can be a great treat on a hot summer's day that can help keep a dog hydrated.

There are several vitamins in this fruit including A, B6 and C. It also has potassium, magnesium and even a bit of iron. You won't want your dog to eat the seeds; they are edible however most dogs will swallow these whole and technically a good amount could potentially cause blockage.

You'll want to offer seedless watermelon (the tiny white seeds in those are just fine for dogs) or pluck out the black ones from seeded melons. In the summer, offering frozen watermelon pieces to your dog is a great way to keep him/her hydrated and to offer a nice, cooling treat.

Serving size: As with any food, you'll want to limit the amount that you give to your Shih Tzu , since many dogs are capable of eating a huge amount of this sweet fruit. A good serving size is 1/3 cup of small pieces for puppies under 1 year old and 1/2 cup for adults. If your Shih Tzu is dehydrated, you can offer a bit more, up to 1 cup diced. It is really low in calories, with only 46 calories in each cup.

More Details on Fruits a Shih Tzu Should Not Eat:

There are many fruits that are super healthy for a Shih Tzu and can be great additions to meals to replace higher calorie ingredients or given as snacks. However, there are some fruits that are dangerous for dogs to eat. This includes:

Grapes: While it is well-known that grapes are toxic to canines; oddly, the exact substance that causes the toxicity is not yet understood. Nevertheless, even a couple of grapes can make a Shih Tzu sick that will require emergency veterinary treatment and eating a large amount can be deadly via acute kidney failure.

The toxicity of grapes for canines is 32 grams per 1/2 pound of body weight. A typical seedless grape weighs 5 grams. This means that roughly 12 grapes for each 1 lb. of body weight is considered fatal. However, even at lower doses, a dog can have serious health problems.

Signs include vomiting (this can happen up to 24 hours later), loss of appetite, weakness, inability to pass urine, and abdominal pain. If your Shih Tzu eats grapes by accident, call the vet ASAP. You will most likely be instructed to induce vomiting by giving your puppy or dog hydrogen peroxide (1 ml per pound of body weight) and then will need to bring him to the vet right away for treatment.

Raisins and prunes: Raisins are toxic for the same reason as grapes, so just a couple can be deadly. Prunes themselves are not toxic (though the pits are); however, prunes can cause digestive upset.

Cherries: Cherry pits are very poisonous for dogs. Just one cherry pit may cause diarrhea and digestive issues; though several can be fatal for this toy breed. The flesh is technically safe to eat, but it is tight against the pit and with this tiny fruit, a dog will most often eat the whole thing, which means they will be ingesting the actinidain, the toxic element inside the pit.

Signs of poisoning from cherries include dilated pupils, trouble breathing, increased heart rate and/or bright red gums. Without treatment, a dog can go into shock and can die. Even with treatment, prognosis will depend on how many were eaten and how much time passes until the puppy or dog is brought to the vet.

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