What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs Eat? Find Your Answer Here

what fruits and vegetables can dogs eat

Although dogs are meat-eaters and require large amounts of flesh in their daily diet, they also enjoy occasional vegetables and fruit treats. However, not all fruits and vegetables will give your dog the necessary nutrients. So what fruits and vegetables can dogs eat? This article looks at some of the best fruits and vegetables for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Fruits and Vegetables?

Can Dogs Eat Fruits and Vegetables

If you are used to purchasing your dog’s food from the local shops, it’s important to think about other types of foods that might interest your pooch. These could be simple treats that add nutritional value to your dog’s diet. Fortunately, most of these treats are readily available in your cupboard and fridge.

Gone are the days when people thought that dogs can only eat meat. Like other animals and humans, dogs need a variety of nutrients to stay healthy and strong. Unfortunately, meat can only supply them with a few of these nutrients. That’s why they should occasionally be treated with fruits and vegetables.

However, this doesn’t mean that fruits and vegetables should be part of your dog’s daily diet. As long as, your dog is eating a balanced diet that’s appropriate for its age, then you shouldn’t give it fruits and vegs every day. But instead of giving your dog the commercial treats from the local pet shop, you should stick to the occasional fruits and vegetables.

Commercial treats like chocolate and foods with sweeteners can be dangerous to your dog. Even if they are not deadly, they have a lot of additives and can be fattening. So, fruits and vegetables are the only healthy option.

What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?

Fruits and Vegetables

Many varieties of fruits and vegetables are suitable for your dog, but always remember to seek advice from a professional veterinarian. Also, keep in mind the fact a little for you is a lot for your dog. So keep the treats small.

Again, only give your dog raw, steamed, or boiled vegetables without additional oils, butter, or flavors. Here are some of the most suitable fruits and vegetables for your dog.

1. Apples

Apples

Apples are a great treat for dogs. However, only give your dog the flesh of the apple, but not the core or seeds because they can be dangerous to your puppy. Apple seeds contain some toxins that can cause gut problems if taken regularly. Also, don’t replace your dog’s food with apples because they are not supposed to be eaten by your dog every day.

Vets advise you to, occasionally, give your dog a piece of an apple alongside its normal well-balanced dog diet. If you are considering changing your dog’s diet, talk to your veterinarian before you do so. They will advise you on the best diets for dogs and the right amounts.

2. Bananas

Bananas

Ripe bananas are also very good for dogs when taken in moderation. Therefore, you shouldn’t give your pooch large amounts of bananas because they contain sugar and fiber contents that may at times cause stomach upsets in dogs.

You can even use bananas as treats to train your dog certain tricks. The good thing about bananas is that they are high in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries

Strawberries can be enjoyed by both humans and animals. Dogs love them because of their sweet taste and fiber content. Strawberries are also very high in vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. They are also to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B1, B6, C, and K.

These nutrients are good for improving your dog’s immune system. They also help to whiten your dog’s teeth. To treat your dog with strawberries, just remove the top and slice it in half. Wash it thoroughly and let your puppy enjoy it.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries

Blueberries are completely harmless for dogs to eat. However, sometimes they can be quite messy, but you can freeze them to make them a bit crunchy. Since they are small, blueberries are a perfect training treat for dogs.

Furthermore, they are high in fiber and vitamin C, but very low in fat. So, if you are concerned about your dog’s excess weight, blueberries are a healthy option. However, they can easily stain your interior décor and clothes. So, they should only be used for outdoor dog training.

5. Oranges

Oranges

Contrary to what many people believe, dogs love oranges. However, the oranges have to be peeled and in small pieces. Eaten in moderation, oranges are a great source of vitamin C for your dogs and help to improve the digestive system of your dog.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are another great snack for dogs. However, make sure your dog stays away from tomato leaves and stems. Also, the tomato fruit should be completely ripe. Green, unripe tomatoes as well as the stems and leaves have a substance known as solanine, which can be harmful to your dogs if consumed in large amounts.

7. Cucumbers

Cucumbers

Eaten in moderation, cucumbers can be a great snack for dogs. Other than being tasty, cucumbers are rich in fiber and water, which helps to keep dogs cool in summer.

8. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are great treats for dogs. They are packed with essential nutrients and low in calories and fat. Also referred to as sweet melons, cantaloupes are great fruits with large amounts of water and fiber. Therefore, they will help to improve the digestive system of your dog.

However, cantaloupes are high in sugar, and therefore should be eaten in moderation. Therefore, don’t feed your dog with cantaloupes every day because they make it overweight and expose it to the risk of diabetes.

9. Cranberries

Cranberries

Cranberries are another safe snack for dogs, especially when they are dried. However, they should be given in small quantities. Also, you don’t have to force your dog to eat them if it doesn’t want them. Too many cranberries can cause stomach upset in dogs.

10. Mango

Mango

Dogs love mangoes. These sweet summer treats are packed with a variety of nutrients including vitamins A, B6, C, and E. they are also loaded with potassium, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene. Make sure to remove the hard pit from the fruit before you give it to your dog to avoid choking.

Also, mangoes are high in sugar, and therefore they should be given in moderation to avoid excess weight and diabetes.

11. Peaches

Peaches

Peaches are safe treats for dogs. Just give them in small amounts of sliced fresh or frozen peaches. This fruit is a great source of fiber and vitamin A. Therefore, it can help your dog to fight infections.

However, it’s important to mention that peaches’ pits contain a small amount of cyanide. So, remember to remove the pit before you give it to your dog. Avoid canned peaches because they have sugary syrups.

12. Carrots

Carrots

Carrots are great vegetables for dogs. They are low in calories and high in fiber and beta-carotene. Also, the crunching on carrots is good for strengthening your dog’s teeth.

13. Broccoli

Broccoli

Although broccoli is a safe vegetable for dogs, it should be given occasionally and in small amounts, because it contains isothiocyanates that cause severe gastric irritation in dogs. It has also been found to obstruct the esophagus. However, broccoli is very high in fiber and vitamin C. Also, it is low in fat and calories.

14. Spinach

Spinach

Although spinach is not one of the best vegetables for dogs, it makes a good treat once in a while. However, you should give it in moderation because it is known to contain oxalic acid, which inhibits the body’s ability to absorb calcium. This can lead to kidney failure.

15. Green Beans

Green Beans

It is safe to feed your dogs with green beans. However, they best served while chopped, steamed, canned, or even raw. Also, make sure the green beans are given plain. They contain various vitamins and other essential minerals and low in calories.

16. Cabbages

Cabbages

Not only are they safe for dogs to eat, but they can be prepared in a variety of ways. Whether they are offered alone as a green treat, sliced up and served with their kibble, or even seared and filled with other pet-friendly fixings, dogs will always enjoy cabbage treats.

Why Dogs Should Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Why Dogs Should Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Although they might not seem too important, dogs too need fruits and vegetables once in a while. There are many benefits of treating your dog with fruits and vegetables occasionally.

  • Alkalizing Dog’s Body

Just like humans, dogs too suffer from acidity. Therefore, you need to give you’re a diet that balances its alkalinity and acidity. Certain organs in the body of a dog work better in an alkaline environment, including the liver, gallbladder, hormones, kidneys, pancreas, among others. Too much acidity in your dog’s gut can lead to inflammation.

  • Essential Nutrients

Vegetables and fruits are loaded with essential nutrients that will help to boost your dog’s health. Although your dog must eat enough flesh to get all the amino acids it needs, you should balance its diet with fruits and vegetables because they will provide it with the necessary phytonutrients that can’t be found in meat.

  • Fiber and Water

Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and water that are essential for your dog’s digestive system. Furthermore, some of the enzymes found in vegetables and fruits survive the acid in your dog’s stomach and pass into the intestines where they become great anti-aging, pro-health, and anti-degeneration.

In Summary

Even as you look for the best dog food in your local pet shop, it is important to know some of the best fruits and vegetables that your dog can eat. With the above list, you should have no problem figure out what fruits and vegetables can dogs eat and be able to balance your dog’s diet for better health and delight.

Gretchen Walker
Gretchen is a homemaker by day and writer by night. She takes a keen interest in life as it unfolds around her and spends her free time observing people go about their everyday affairs.