What are good fruits and vegetables for dogs

In general, fruits and vegetables are healthy for humans. But not all of them are actually good for our dogs. Of course, dogs love a good human snack, and it’s fun to give them a treat now and then, but it’s critical to know what is good and what is bad for your dog.

We’ll go over which fruit and veggies are good for your dog, the ones that should only be given to them on occasion, and what kinds you need to avoid entirely.

How Much Fruit/Vegetables Should My Dog Eat Each Day?

To start, dogs don’t actually require any fruit or veggies as a part of their diet. If given the right kind of vegetables and fruit, it won’t hurt them as a snack, but it shouldn’t be more than 10% of the daily calories for your dog.

As long as your dog is eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet, then extra fruit and veggies are unnecessary, so it’s best to use them for a treat rather than as a part of your dog’s diet.

9 Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can Safely Eat

Fruit:

1. Apples

• Good for: Vitamins A and C, high fiber, low fat
• Prep: Cut out core and remove seeds before serving

The core and seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, so it’s very important to cut as much of the core out as possible.

• See also: Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs: 9 Uses & Benefits

2. Blueberries

• Good for: Vitamins C and K, low calorie, high fiber, antioxidants
• Prep: Cut larger berries up if you have a small dog

Be sure to wash them thoroughly, and they can be given fresh or frozen.

3. Cucumbers

• Good for: Vitamins C, K, and B1, magnesium, low in carbs, calories, and fat
• Prep: Cut into small bites

Cucumbers are great for overweight dogs as they are super low in calories and contain about 96% water.

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4. Peaches

• Good for: Vitamins A and C, high fiber, antioxidants
• Prep: Remove pit and cut around the pit area

Like some of the other fruits on our list, the pit contains cyanide, so it’s important to remove the pit (which can also be a choking hazard) and cut the flesh out of the pit area as well. Cut them up into chunks, or they can be given frozen as well.

5. Pears

Good for: Vitamins C and K, high fiber, copper

Prep: Remove seeds and core

Cut the pears into bite-sized chunks and be sure to remove the core and seeds (cyanide again).

6. Watermelon

• Good for: Vitamins A, C, and B6, potassium
• Prep: Remove the rind and seeds

Watermelon is an excellent way to hydrate your dog as it’s 92% water! Be sure to remove the rind and all seeds as they can potentially cause intestinal blockage.

Vegetables:

7. Carrots

• Good for: Vitamin A, beta-carotene, high in fiber
• Prep: Cut into bite-size pieces

Carrots are low-calorie, and their crunchiness makes them great for your dog’s teeth.

8. Celery

• Good for: Vitamins A, B, and C, antioxidants
• Prep: Cut into small pieces

Celery is great for doggy breath, but it needs to be cut into small pieces because the strings in the celery can be a choking hazard for small dogs.

9. Green Beans

• Good for: High fiber, low calorie, protein
• Prep: Cut into pieces

Green beans can be served frozen, fresh, or even canned, as long as they don’t contain any salt.

9 Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can Enjoy in Moderation

Fruit:

10. Bananas

Good for: High in potassium, vitamins, fiber, copper

Prep: Peel and cut into small chunks

Bananas are a great snack for a dog, but they do have a high sugar content so bananas should only be given as an occasional treat.

11. Cantaloupe

• Good for: Vitamins A, B, and C, high fiber
• Prep: Remove skin and seeds

Cantaloupe should be cut into small chunks, but it is high in sugar, so avoid feeding it to diabetic or overweight dogs.

12. Cranberries

• Good for: Vitamin C, high fiber, manganese
• Prep: Can be raw, cooked, or dried

Cranberries are great for urinary tract infections. They are very acidic, however, so too much can upset your dog’s stomach.

13. Strawberries

• Good for: Vitamin C, high fiber
• Prep: Remove stem and cut into pieces

Strawberries are tasty, healthy, and can whiten your dog’s teeth, but they are high in sugar.

Vegetables

14. Broccoli

• Good for: Vitamin C, high fiber
• Prep: Give your dog the florets, cooked or raw

Broccoli is super healthy, but too much can be a choking hazard and can cause severe gastric irritation.

15. Brussel Sprouts

• Good for: Vitamins C and K, antioxidants
• Prep: Cooked until soft and cut into small pieces

Be sure the sprouts are small enough to not cause choking, and too much can cause a lot of gas. The same goes for cabbage.

16. Peas

• Good for: Vitamin B, high fiber, potassium
• Prep: Fresh, frozen, steamed, mashed

Don’t give your dog canned peas and only in the pod if it’s also safe for you to eat. Too much can cause stomach upset and gas.

17. Pumpkin

• Good for: Vitamins A, C, and E, high fiber, iron
• Prep: Remove shell and seeds, cooked or canned

Pumpkin is excellent for a dog’s digestive system, but it’s high in calories. Avoid pumpkin pie filling as it will contain sugar.

18. Sweet Potatoes

• Good for: Vitamins A, B6, and C, high fiber, calcium, iron
• Prep: Remove skin and cooked and cut into small pieces

Sweet potatoes are high in carbs, and caution should be used if your dog is overweight or diabetic.

7 Fruits and Vegetables Dogs That Are Toxic for Dogs

Fruit

1. Avocado

• What to avoid: All (pit, flesh, skin, leaves)
• Can cause: Diarrhea, vomiting

Avocados contain persin, a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The flesh doesn’t have as much of the toxin, but it’s still too much for a dog.

2. Cherries

• What to avoid: Seeds, stems, leaves
• Can cause: Cyanide poisoning, difficulty breathing

While the flesh doesn’t contain cyanide, there isn’t enough flesh on the small cherry to risk giving any to your dog.

3. Grapes

• What to avoid: All (seed, flesh)
• Can cause: Kidney failure

No part of the grape is safe, including raisins. A 50-pound dog can suffer from kidney failure by eating 15 ounces of grapes or 2 to 3 ounces of raisins.

4. Tomatoes

• What to avoid: Stems, leaves, unripe tomatoes
• Can cause: Lethargy, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain

The flesh of a ripe tomato is generally safe, but anything green on a tomato contains solanine, which causes tomatine poisoning.

Vegetables

5. Mushrooms

• What to avoid: All
• Can cause: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, death

Not all mushrooms can be toxic for dogs, but as a general rule, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You should prevent your dog from eating any wild mushrooms while out for a walk.

6. Onions

• What to avoid: All
• Can cause: Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain

All onions, including shallots, chives, and leeks, are poisonous to dogs. It can actually cause the red blood cells to rupture, which leads to anemia.

7. Rhubarb

• What to avoid: Leaves and stems
• Can cause: Diarrhea, vomiting, mouth irritation, kidney failure

Rhubarb stalks might cause a small amount of upset stomach, but the leaves are very toxic. They can cause tremors and coma.

Detecting Allergies to a Fruit or Vegetable

If your dog is allergic to any fruits or vegetables, it isn’t all that different from a typical food allergy.

In most cases, the allergy won’t present as stomach upset but will show up on your dog’s skin and in his ears.

The most common signs of a food-related allergy are:

• Frequent ear infections
• Constant scratching of itchy skin
• Lesions on the skin (commonly caused by your dog’s constant scratching)

These allergic reactions can occur at any time in your dog’s life and are diagnosed when all other causes of the allergic reactions have been ruled out.

What Should I Do If My Dog Has Eaten a Toxic Fruit or Vegetable?

If your dog isn’t showing any symptoms and you just suspect he might have eaten something toxic, you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

There’s also the Pet Poison Helpline for the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean and the PDSA Animal Poison Line for the UK.

Your best bet is to call your vet and speak to them over the phone. However, if your dog starts exhibiting worrisome symptoms, take him to your vet or the closest emergency vet clinic immediately.

Be sure to note what your dog has eaten and how much, and of course, remove any food so your dog doesn’t eat more.

Conclusion

For the most part, your dog doesn’t really need fruit and veggies in his diet, but there are some definite advantages. It should always be in moderation, even those that we have listed in our “safe” list.

Do not give your dog any canned fruit, particularly if it’s been packed in syrup. Double-check the ingredients so you can check for any added preservatives, sugar, or salt.

Giving your dog the occasional bite of apple or carrot will be just fine. But talk to your vet before you consider adding any to your dog’s regular diet, particularly if you’re trying to treat any mild health issues. We all want our dogs to live long lives and to stay healthy.

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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