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Fruits

Estimated reading time: 3 min

The addition of fruit provides essential nutrients, beneficial antioxidants, soluble and insoluble fiber to a raw diet for dogs. Fruit, specifically berries, prove useful to fight against free radicals and prevent oxidation. It is recommended to provide 2-5% fruit in raw BARF model diets.

Fruit provide a variety of nutrients and benefits to raw diets for dogs.

Antioxidants

Fruits are rich in antioxidants to fight against free radicals.

Glucose

Adding fruit to a dogs diet is a source of glucose for energy.

Fiber

Fruit provide a source of soluble and insoluble fiber which is beneficial for gut health.

Although dogs do not require fruit for essential nutrients, adding them into raw diets proves beneficial.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are naturalΒ chemical compounds created by plants to protect themselves from the sun’s ultraviolet light and oxidation. These nutrients are not considered essential nutrients for optimal health. However, antioxidant help fight against free radicals and prevent oxidation to promote optimal health.

vegetables

Feed the Rainbow

Fruit deeply pigmented in vibrant colors contain beneficial antioxidants. The five shades of the rainbow provide a specific type of phytonutrient within each color group.

Red

The bright and vibrant red hue of many fruit is due to lycopene and anthocyanins. Both are powerful carotenoids known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits against free radicals. Options include strawberries, watermelon, and goji berries.

Orange & Yellow

Beta-carotene is another widely studied carotenoid found in yellow and orange pigmented vegetables. Beta-carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A as the body must convert it to retinol, it’s usable form in the body. However, dogs have a very low conversion rate and cats are unable to convert beta-carotene to retinol. Options include persimmons, apricots, and papaya.

Green

Green fruits are rich in lutein, isothiocyanates, and isoflavones which includes kaempferol and quercetin. Kaempferol is an antioxidant shown to protect the body against cancer-promoting free radicals and quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid also shown to protect the body against free radicals. Options include kiwi and honeydew melon.

Blue & Purple

Blue and purple produce are rich in phytonutrients, including anthocyanins and resveratrol, and have been studied extensively for their anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. Anthocyanins act as a powerful antioxidant protecting cells from damage. Many red and pink vegetables are also rich in anthocyanins; but the darker the blue/purple hue, the higher the phytochemical concentration. Options include blueberries, blackberries, and figs.

White

White and brown produce may not be deeply pigmented in vibrant colors as other vegetables, but they still have phytonutrients. Options include apples, dragon fruit, and lychee.

Fruit Recommendations

Berries are the recommended fruit to feed to dogs because they are highly nutritious. They are high in antioxidants, nutrients, and fiber.

blueberries

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the most common varieties and can be found in local grocery stores both fresh and frozen. They exert a protective effect on LDL and protect the cells from oxidation. StudiesΒ show blueberries have anti-carcinogenic properties.

Blueberries Nutritional Data

Macronutrients
The amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs are based on 1oz (28g).

Moisture 84.2%
Protein 0.74%
Fat 0.33%
Carbohydrate 14.5%

Data Source

Top Nutrients
The top four nutrients are based on 1oz (28g) of raw blueberries.

Manganese Β 0.09 mg
Vitamin B6 Β 0.02 mg
Vitamin B3 Β 0.12 mg
Folic Acid Β 2 mcg

Data Source

blackberries

Blackberries

Blackberries are very similar to blueberries but are less common in grocery stores and may only be sold when in season. Wild blackberries are three to five times higher in polyphenols (antioxidants) in comparison to farm grown blackberries!

Blackberries Nutritional Data

Macronutrients
The amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs are based on 1oz (28g).

Moisture 88.2%
Protein 1.4%
Fat 0.5%
Carbohydrate 9.61%

Data Source

Top Nutrients
The top four nutrients are based on 1oz (28g) of raw blackberries.

Manganese Β 0.183 mg
Folic Acid Β 7 mcg
Vitamin E Β 0.33 mg
Vitamin B3 Β 0.18 mg

Data Source

cranberries

Cranberries

Cranberries are another berry safe to add into a dogs raw diet but are typically sold only in the fall when they are in season. Cranberries are very high in vitamin C and may help prevent urinary tract infections.

Cranberries Nutritional Data

Macronutrients
The amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs are based on 1oz (28g).

Moisture 87.3%
Protein 0.46%
Fat 0.13%
Carbohydrate 11.9%

Data Source

Top Nutrients
The top four nutrients are based on 1oz (28g) of raw cranberries.

Manganese Β 0.07 mg
Vitamin E Β 0.37 mg
Vitamin B6 Β 0.02 mg
Vitamin B5 Β 0.08 mg

Data Source

strawberries

Strawberries

Strawberries, fresh and frozen, are often available year around in local grocery stores. Strawberries are jam packed with vitamin C and provides more vitamin C than an orange!

Strawberries Nutritional Data

Macronutrients
The amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs are based on 1oz (28g).

Moisture 91.0%
Protein 0.67%
Fat 0.3%
Carbohydrate 7.68%

Data Source

Top Nutrients
The top four nutrients are based on 1oz (28g) of raw strawberries.

Folic Acid Β 7 mcg
Manganese Β 0.11 mg
Vitamin B6 Β 0.02 mg
Vitamin B3 Β 0.11 mg

Data Source

Preparation Methods

Although carnivores do not have the essential tools to properly breakdown and digest plant matter in comparison to omnivores, fruit do not have any specific preparation methods. Fruits, specifically berries, are high in water and are easily digested when fed as is.Β 

CLOSING COMMENTS

The BARF model diet includes a 2%-5% ratio for the inclusion of fruit in a dog’s raw diet. Fruits, particularly berries, are a whole food that provides beneficial antioxidants which fight against free radicals, prevents oxidation, and promotes optimal health.