Quick List: Vegetables Dogs Can Eat
- Peas
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Celery
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cooked Potatoes (White and Sweet)
Quick List: Vegetables Dogs Should Avoid
- Tomatoes (Especially Unripened)
- Corn on the Cob
- Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onion, Leeks, Shallots)
- Mushrooms
- Rhubarb
If you’re looking to introduce vegetables into your dog’s diet, it is important to make sure that you not only pick those that enhance nutrition, but that you choose ones that don't make them sick at the same time. Knowing which vegetables are safe and nutritious for your dog will help guide you as to which to include as part of a balanced diet. Let’s review all you need to know about the best veggies for your dog and how to prepare them safely.
Vegetables Dogs Can Eat
Peas
A great addition to your dog’s diet, peas are rich in vitamins A, B, C and K. They offer a great source of fiber and protein, whether you are adding them intentionally or not. They make a great snack and they’re also low in calories, which is perfect for your dog if they are on a diet. You can feed them cooked or raw, but it’s a better idea to avoid canned peas entirely as they usually come with added salt or seasonings.
Carrots
Another great veggie is carrots. Dogs will benefit from these as a healthy, crunchy snack packed with the right vitamins. Low in calories, carrots are great for dogs with strong teeth and older dogs can still benefit from them when cooked soft. These are great for their high vitamin A content and that supports their eye health and immune function. It’s worth noting that carrots are excellent for cleaning your dog’s teeth and promoting dental health, too, especially raw ones.
Green Beans
High in fiber, green beans are a great treat for dogs and even the canned beans make for a good option if you’re low on funds. Always keep an eye out for low sodium options with low amounts of seasonings, too. You can serve these raw, steamed or boiled, so they’re great as part of their meals or as a snack.
Celery
Another crunchy treat option is celery. As it's 95% water, your dogs will stay hydrated with celery as part of their diet. Celery is rich in vitamins A, C and K and they’re packed with potassium and folate. If you want your dog to stay hydrated in hot weather, offering celery is a great idea.
Brussels Sprouts
Rich in vitamin C and K, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, brussels sprouts are not just for Christmas. The one worry with these is that brussels sprouts can cause gas, so it’s a good idea to introduce them very slowly to observe how your dog reacts. They’re great for digestive health and you can steam or boil them for best results to make them easy to digest and chew.
Potatoes (Both White and Sweet)
Potatoes are great for everyone, including your dog. They’re a good source of carbohydrates but you shouldn't ever feed your dog raw potatoes of any kind. Sweet potatoes are a particularly good option for dogs and you can bake, boil or steam potatoes and serve them in smaller portions for easy chewing. Be aware of giving too many white potatoes, however, as they have a high starch content. Everything in moderation!
Vegetables Dogs Should Not Eat
Tomatoes (Especially Unripened)
Ripe tomatoes can cause some gastrointestinal upset given they are acidic. Unripened tomatoes and any green parts of tomatoes contain solanine, and this is toxic to your dog. If your dog does consume any unripened tomatoes or parts of a tomato plant, contact the vet as soon as you can. Ideally you shouldn't give any tomatoes to your dog, even the ripe ones.
Corn on the Cob
As tasty as they are, corn on the cob presents a huge choking hazard for dogs. The corn isn't nutritionally valuable enough to waste it on a pet either, so it’s not like they’ll be missing out. Corn kernels can be fed to your dog in small amounts if that’s what you have but it’s never something that should be a regular part of their diet. Always take the cob away from your dog so they don't end up with an intestinal blockage or choking.
Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onion, Leeks, Shallots)
As much as you add garlic to your diet, you shouldn't add them to your dog’s food. Even in small amounts, these can be harmful so avoiding giving your dog these ingredients in their food is important. Allium poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and abdominal pain.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be a potential toxin for dogs as wild ones are often poisonous and store bought don't have any nutritional value for them. Some toxins in mushrooms can cause serious health issues in your dog, including kidney damage and liver failure.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is one fruit (well, veggie really) you don't want your dog to have due to their ability to cause kidney stones and longer term damage. The leaves contain oxalates and these can lead to severe health issues. Symptoms include drooling, lethargy and changes in urine colour.
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
Raw Vegetables
So many of the list of friendly veggies we gave you can be consumed raw. This makes it very easy to share some salad or give the dog some veggies while you meal prep. Always be careful of choking hazards, however.
Raw veggies are easy to prepare and they give your dog extra nutrients and fiber. Make sure that you cut them into smaller and more manageable pieces, though, as you want to minimize the choking risk.
Cooked Vegetables
If you want to make it easy for your dog to consume veggies, cook them first. Cooked vegetables can make it easier for your dog to chew, especially those with sensitive teeth or gum issues. Pureeing, steaming or baking vegetables and mixing them into meat are all great methods to get them into their diet. Just remember to avoid adding any seasonings of salt, fats or oils.
These can be harmful to your dog and you can avoid these easily. Any vegetables that are cooked are also less likely to cause any upset digestively, and that will be easy for your dog's comfort. Steamed or boiled potatoes are easier to swallow down and they're best given as a treat.
Benefits and Considerations
Adding Variety
Vegetables give your dog the chance to have a bit more variety to his diet. Trying new vegetables can be a great experience for them, and even though they may spit out the ones that don't taste as good to them, you can learn which ones they like the most. Offering more nutrients to your talk is a great reason to go ahead and add more vegetables to their diet.
Balanced Diet
Vegetables can be a healthy addition to a dog's diet, but they should never replace the primary components of it. Dogs require a diet that is up to 70% protein for healthy skin, coat, muscles and bones. Vegetables should be an occasional treat and not a staple. You cannot have a vegetarian dog.
Moderation is Key
Keep it limited if you can, because too much of a good thing is never a good idea. Always monitor how much and how often you give your dog vegetables because balance is crucial to improve their health and not hinder it.
Introducing Vegetables to Your Dog’s Diet
When you introduce new vegetables to your dog's diet, always start slowly and observe their reaction before giving more. Some dogs can develop allergies or may have sensitivity to new vegetables. If you notice any adverse reactions, you should always consult a vet to ask about those before giving more. Always introduce small amounts and gradually increase the portion if they are tolerant. Mixing in the new veggies with their regular food could help to get used to taste and textures as well.
Summary of Safe and Unsafe Vegetables for Dogs
Safe Vegetables:
- Peas: High in vitamins and fiber, low in calories.
- Carrots: Packed with vitamins, great for dental health.
- Green Beans: High in fiber and vitamins, low in calories.
- Celery: Hydrating, may freshen breath.
- Brussels Sprouts: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, may cause gas.
- Cooked Potatoes: Good source of carbohydrates, never feed raw.
Unsafe Vegetables:
- Tomatoes (Especially Unripened): Contains toxic solanine.
- Corn on the Cob: Choking hazard, low nutritional value.
- Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onion, Leeks, Shallots): Highly toxic, can cause anemia.
- Mushrooms: Potentially poisonous, low nutritional value.
- Rhubarb: Causes severe health issues, particularly the leaves.
How to Prepare Vegetables:
- Raw: Cut into small pieces, supervise while eating.
- Cooked: Steam, bake, or puree without added fats or seasonings.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your dog enjoys the benefits of a varied diet while staying safe and healthy. Your dog is going to have a better looking coat and healthier bones when you are rigorous about his health and wellbeing. Happy feeding!