Puppy with watermelon

Given that dogs evolved alongside humans, they are actually considered omnivores, meaning they are capable of digesting and absorbing some nutrients from fruits and vegetables.  

 

Although a 100% vegan diet isn't ideal for dogs, including some fruits and vegetables in their diet can be beneficial. If you've often wondered which fruits and vegetables are safe to give to your dog look no further! We've grouped some of the more popular fruits and vegetables into three categories to make it easy for you to see exactly which fruits and vegetables are safe to give to your dog.

 

Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safe To Give To Your Dog Often

 

A graphic of fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat

 

  • Apples - after removing the core and seeds, apples make a great snack, especially for senior dogs, given that they are high in vitamins A and C, fibre, and are low in protein and fat.
  • Blueberries - Packed with antioxidants and fibre, blueberries are a great alternative to use when teaching your dog to catch treats.
  • Carrots - Carrots make a great snack for dogs as they help to keep your dog's teeth clean while also being full of fibre and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A.
  • Celery - Ideal as a snack to help keep your dog's breath fresh, celery also contains vitamins A, B and C, and helps promote a healthy heart.
  • Cucumbers - Low in fats, oils and carbohydrates but packed with vitamins, cucumbers make a great snack for dogs, especially those dogs that need to watch their weight.
  • Green beans - Plain beans of all kinds are safe for dogs. If buying canned beans, look for the low or no salt options. Beans can be given to your dog raw, chopped or steamed and are full of fibre and vitamins.
  • Oranges - The strong smell of oranges might not appeal to your dog, but if they seem interested, they are a safe treat to give. Just be sure to remove the peel and seeds first. 
  • Pears - Skip the canned pears in sugary syrups in favour of fresh pears cut into bite-sized chunks, minus the pit and seeds. Pears make a great snack as they are loaded with fibre and vitamins.
  • Pineapple - Before feeding your dog pineapple, be sure to remove the outside peel and spiky crown. Bromelains, the enzymes in pineapple that can make your mouth feel tingly or burn, help to break down proteins making them easier for your dog to absorb. 
  • Watermelon - Watermelon is 92% water making it the perfect treat to help keep your dog hydrated on those hot summer days. Be sure to remove the rind and seeds first and why not try making our frozen watermelon pup-sicles.

 

A graphic of a recipe for frozen pupsicles

 

Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safe To Give To Your Dog Sometimes

 

A graphic of fruits and vegetables that are ok for dogs to eat sometimes

 

  • Bananas - While high in vitamins such as potassium and copper, bananas should be given to your dog in moderation because they are high in sugar.
  • Broccoli - Just stick to the florets if you want to feed your dog broccoli, but keep it to a minimum as it can cause gastric irritation in some dogs.
  • Brussels sprouts - Brussels sprouts are fine to give to your dog every now and then, but beware of the gas that often comes with them!
  • Cabbage - Safe to feed your dog in small doses, cabbage can also cause some gassy problems in pooches!
  • Rockmelon - Also high in sugar, rockmelon is safe for dogs and a good source of water and fibre, but should be fed to dogs in moderation, especially dogs that are overweight or have diabetes.
  • Cranberries - Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to give to your dog, if they like the tart flavour that is! Too many cranberries can cause an upset stomach so it is best to keep them to a minimum.
  • Mango - Another fruit that is high in sugar is mangoes. If you do want to share this summer fruit with your dog, be sure to remove to hard pit first and feed in moderation.
  • Peaches - Fresh or frozen peaches are preferable to canned which contain sugary syrups. If giving fresh peaches, be sure to completely cut around the pit before sharing.
  • Raspberries - You should limit your dog to less than one cup of raspberries at a time as they do contain a small amount of xylitol. Raspberries are a good snack for senior dogs because they have anti-inflammatory properties which can help with sore joints.
  • Strawberries - Strawberries are full of fibre and vitamin C, but you should give them to your dog in moderation because of their high sugar content.
  • Peas - All types of peas are safe to feed your dog and they contain high levels of fibre and added protein. Fresh or frozen peas are preferred over canned which often contain added sodium.

 

Fruits and Vegetables That Are NOT Safe To Give To Your Dog

 

A graphic of fruits and vegetables that are NOT safe for dogs to eat

 

  • Asparagus - While asparagus isn't toxic to dogs, it isn't suitable to be given to them raw as it is too tough for them to eat, and by the time you cook it so it is soft enough, it loses all of it's nutrients.
  • Avocado - While you might enjoy the occasional avo on toast, you shouldn't be sharing with your dog. Avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.
  • Cherries - Never give your dog cherries as the plant contains cyanide which is toxic to dogs. Signs of cyanide poisoning include red gums, difficulty breathing and dilated pupils.
  • Chives - Never ever give your dog anything with chives in it as they are from the same family as onions and leeks and can cause severe gastric upset in dogs.
  • Grapes - Fresh and dried grapes (raisins) are extremely toxic to dogs and can lead to acute sudden kidney failure.
  • Tomatoes - You should skip tomatoes when considering fruits to feed to your dog because while the ripe part of the fruit is generally safe, the green, unripe parts contain a toxic substance called solanine.
  • Leeks - Leeks are from the same family of plants as chives and onions and are super toxic to dogs. 
  • Mushrooms - While some mushroom species are safe for dogs, it is best to avoid them altogether. Certain species are so toxic that they can cause permanent damage or even death.
  • Onions - Onions are incredibly toxic to dogs and if ingested can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and can even cause your dog's red blood cells to burst.
  • Rhubarb - While the stems of the rhubarb plant are edible, the leaves are highly toxic to dogs, so it is best to avoid the plant altogether.
  • Spinach - Too much spinach can lead to kidney damage in your dog, so it is best to avoid it altogether.