While fruit, like vegetables are not an essential part of the dog’s diet, including some may benefit your dog. As scavengers, dogs naturally eat fruit which has ripened and fallen from the tree.

Ripe fruit contains many value nutrients including water, soluble carbohydrates for energy, fibre, vitamins including anti-oxidants vitamin A and C, minerals, and small amounts of protein and fat. Tropical fruits in particular contain high levels of enzymes and anti-oxidants which have an anti-ageing effect.

According to the cross-linking theory of aging, when cross-linked proteins accumulate in the body they damage tissue and cause degeneration but the enzymes in fruit, counter these effects and reduce tissue degeneration. So adding some fresh fruit may help counter the degenerative effects of ageing in our older dogs.

If you are considering including fruit in your dog’s diet, remember some fruit is not safe for dogs, so please consult your vet or click here for further information about fruit that is safe to feed your dog.