How much fruit can a dog eat a day?

A typical adult pet dog of 10 kg eats around 500 to 650 calories a day, depending on activity. A 25 kg (55 lb) dog eats roughly 1,000 to 1,300. Take 10 percent of that figure and you have the treat budget for the whole day, fruit included.

The food calculator on this site can give you a more personal estimate.

Very active working dogs, pregnant or nursing females and growing puppies need more calories overall, but the 10 percent guide for treats still applies to their larger total.

Half a medium banana. About 90 blueberries, which is more than most dogs need. Half a medium apple. Roughly 160 g (just over a cup) of watermelon cubes. Three to four large strawberries come to only around 15 calories, which is why berries make good low-calorie rewards.

Fruit contains natural sugar and fiber. Large amounts can cause diarrhea, gas or vomiting, and regular excess adds to weight gain. Complete dog foods already contain the vitamins and minerals your dog needs, so fruit is for enjoyment and variety rather than nutrition.

If your dog also gets training treats, dental chews or chews on the same day, those count toward the same 10 percent. Many owners find it simplest to swap some biscuits for fruit rather than add fruit on top. Dogs that are overweight or diabetic need a plan agreed with their vet.