As dog owners, we want to ensure that our four-legged friend receives a balanced diet that promotes their health and well-being. In addition to high-quality dog food, there are also many healthy types of fruit and vegetables that are suitable for dogs and enjoy eating. Just like us humans, dogs also need a variety of organic foods and nutrients for their balanced diet. Vegetables are a particularly great thing: they are rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and phytonutrients that are not found in meat. It's important to feed your dog a variety of vegetables because each variety offers its own set of nutrients. In our latest blog post we present a “Fruit and Vegetables for Dogs List”. We'll show you which healthy treats you can integrate into your dog's diet and how they can promote health and vitality. Read on now and discover our recommendations for a balanced dog diet!
Can dogs eat fruits and vegetables?
Short answer: It depends on the fruits and vegetables. In fact, fruits and vegetables can be an important addition to a dog's diet because they contain many nutrients that are important for your dog's health and well-being. However, you should make sure that you only give your dog fruits and vegetables that are suitable for dogs and in moderate quantities, as some varieties can be intolerable or even poisonous to dogs. Here are some general tips for feeding your dog fruits and vegetables:
- When adding new foods such as vegetables or fruit to your dog's bowl, you should always watch them closely and be careful. Fresh vegetables (even the safe ones) can cause stomach upset and diarrhea if consumed in large quantities by your dog.
- For example, if you grow vegetables or fruits in your garden, certain ingredients may be dangerous even if the finished product is safe. It is safest if you keep your garden fenced in or inaccessible to your four-legged friends.
- Dogs' digestive tracts are very different than humans, so eating the wrong vegetables can cause long-term problems for your dog.
Below you will find out which vegetables and fruits dogs can eat and which they cannot.
Types of Vegetables Dogs Can Eat
If you're thinking about a fruit and vegetable list for dogs, you're probably wondering: Which vegetables can my dog eat? Next time you're at the grocery store, choose between these 10 vegetables for your family and dog:
1. Kale
Benefits: Kale contains essential vitamins such as K, A and iron, which promote bone health, vision and the immune system, as well as fetal development and energy metabolism.
2. Spinach
Benefits: Spinach contains potassium, magnesium and vitamins B6, B9 and E. It is also high in carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron and calcium. Spinach is rich in water and extremely low in calories, so it can also support a diet.
3. Carrots
Benefits: Carrots contain, for example, vitamin A (beta-carotene), biotin, vitamin K, potassium and vitamin B6. The high proportion of nutrients and vitamins makes the carrot an all-rounder and is also a practical treat.
4. Green beans
Benefits: Green beans contain many important vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and vitamins B6, A, C and K. Green beans are also low in calories and high in fiber, which promotes satiety.
5. Broccoli
Benefits: Broccoli contains a variety of vitamins including vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, which improve bone density, disease fighting and heart health in dogs.
6. Beetroot
Benefits: Beetroot provides vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, manganese and potassium. These nutrients help your dog's digestion and immune system and support healthy skin and coat.
7. Celery
Benefits: Celery contains many vitamins, including antioxidants A and C, which help keep your dog young and healthy.
8. Cucumber
Benefits: Cucumbers contain high levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory properties for your dog.
9. Yams/Sweet Potatoes
Benefits: Sweet potatoes are good for digestive health because they contain a lot of fiber. They contain vitamin B6, vitamin C and manganese and are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene.
10. Butternut squash
Benefits: Butternut squash contains many vitamins and minerals such as A, C, B6 and more that support your dog's immune system, vision and cardiovascular function.
Types of fruit that dogs can eat
There are some fruits that dogs are allowed to eat as long as they are fed in appropriate amounts and do not cause any intolerable reactions. Some fruits that are suitable for dogs are:
- Apples (without seeds and stalks)
- Bananas
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Watermelon (without seeds and peel)
- Mango (without peel and core)
- Pineapple (without peel and core)
- Pears (without core)
- Peaches (without pit)
- Oranges (without peel and seeds)
- Kiwi (without peel)
However, it is important to note that some dogs may be more sensitive to certain types of fruit than others. It is therefore best to test new fruits in small quantities and watch for signs of intolerance or allergic reactions.
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
The way you prepare the vegetables is just as important as the vegetables themselves - cut them small enough so that your dog can't swallow them. For optimal effect, you can puree the vegetables - see below.
Vegetables make a great snack or treat as long as your dog has no trouble digesting them. Here are some simple preparation methods:
Blanch
Quickly dipping vegetables into scalding hot then ice cold water, also known as blanching, is an excellent way to prepare vegetables. Blanching removes dirt from the surface of the vegetable and preserves the vitamins and flavor. Blanching is also a healthy alternative for humans as no cooking oil is required.
Steaming
Steam is an excellent way to cook vegetables that don't require submerging them in boiling water. Steaming cooks the vegetables while preserving their vibrant color, flavor, and nutritional content.
Puree
Vegetables can be pureed into a raw puree for maximum benefit and digestibility. Some vegetables, like celery and spinach, don't need to be cooked before pureeing. Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes should be blanched or steamed so they can be pureed. Pureeing the vegetables breaks down the cell walls of the plant material, making it easier for dogs to digest and the vitamins can be utilized much better.
Freeze
Cooking vegetables in bulk and storing them in the freezer is a great way to save time and effort. After pureeing the veggies, place them in an ice cube tray and just use one cube per meal if you're in a rush! This is not only easy, but also healthy.
How to Prepare Fruit for Dogs
Fruit also offers us different ways to prepare it, depending on the type of fruit and your dog's preferences. You can find some ways to prepare fruit for your dog here:
Sliced fruit
The easiest way to prepare fruit for dogs is to cut it into small pieces and feed it as healthy treats. It is important to ensure that all pits, seeds and stems are removed before feeding the fruit to the dog as these can often contain toxic substances.
Frozen fruit
Some dogs like frozen fruit as a refreshing treat, especially on hot days. To do this, cut the fruit into small pieces and freeze it for a few hours before offering it to the dog as a snack.
Pureed fruit
Pureed fruit can be used very well as an addition to dog food to enhance it. However, only use small amounts to ensure your dog doesn't eat too much fruit, as larger quantities can cause digestive problems.
Please note that some fruits can be poisonous to dogs. Before feeding your dog fruit, you should make sure it is safe for dogs, feeding it in moderation also helps limit any possible risk.
Tips for feeding your dog fruits and vegetables
Only give your dog fruit and vegetables at regular intervals and in small quantities; they should only make up a small part of your dog's diet, the main part is still provided by the dog food.
- Pay attention to the sugar content: Fruit contains a lot of sugar, so keep the amounts small.
- High in fiber: Fiber is a good thing; Most fruits and vegetables also contain a lot of fiber, but too much can cause diarrhea or vomiting.
- Watch out for reactions: Always keep an eye on your dog when you add a new ingredient to his food, as an intolerance could occur.
Fruits and vegetables as treats in your dog's diet
Many pet owners give their dogs fruits and vegetables as treats, some of which may have additional nutritional value:
- Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which keep dogs' skin and coat healthy. They are also low in fat and are a good source of fiber, so please don't forget to remove the core or seeds before feeding.
- Carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes and bananas contain many important vitamins and potassium, which is good for the dog's muscles, nerves and kidneys. Their fiber also helps the dog with good digestion.
- Oranges are a good source of vitamin C. Small dogs can eat up to a third of a whole orange, while a large four-legged friend can easily eat a whole orange. Before feeding, make sure you peel them and remove the seeds.
While it's okay to give your dog these healthy foods, be careful about how much you give him. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake.
Fruits and vegetables that dogs are not allowed to eat
Cherries
No, dogs should not eat pitted cherries. Aside from the fleshy part around the pits, cherries contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs. Cyanide disrupts cellular oxygen transport, meaning your dog's blood cells don't get enough oxygen. If your dog accidentally eats cherries, look out for symptoms such as dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and red gums, as these may be signs of cyanide poisoning.
grapes
No, dogs should never eat grapes. Grapes and raisins (dried grapes) have been shown to be very toxic to dogs, regardless of the breed, gender or age of the dog. In fact, grapes are so poisonous that they can cause acute kidney failure. Always be wary of this dangerous fruit for dogs.
tomatoes
Dogs should definitely avoid tomatoes. While the ripe fruits of the tomato plant are generally considered safe for dogs, the green parts of the plant contain a toxic substance called solanine. Although a dog would have to eat a large amount of the tomato plant to become sick, it is better to avoid tomatoes altogether to be on the safe side.
asparagus
Dogs should also not eat asparagus. While asparagus isn't necessarily harmful to dogs, there's really no point in feeding it. Its texture is too hard to eat raw, and if you cook it to make it soft enough for your dog, the asparagus loses its nutrients. There are other vegetables that are certainly more useful for him.
Mushrooms
Dogs should definitely avoid mushrooms. Wild mushrooms can be poisonous for dogs - just like they are for us humans. Although only 50-100 of the 50,000 species of mushrooms worldwide are known to be harmful, the poisonous ones can harm your dog's health or even cause death. Washed white mushrooms from the supermarket can be fine, but it's better to be safe than sorry: leave the mushrooms out altogether.
Onions
Dogs should also never eat onions. Onions, leeks and chives belong to a family of plants called Allium, which are poisonous to most pets, especially cats. Eating onions can cause your dog's red blood cells to rupture. They can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea. Onion poisoning is even more serious in Japanese dog breeds such as Akitas and Shiba Inus. In general, however, all dogs are susceptible to it.
Conclusion and recommendation
In summary, fruits and vegetables can be an important addition to a dog's diet as they contain many nutrients that are important for dogs' health and well-being. However, you should always make sure that you only give your dog fruits and vegetables that are suitable for dogs and that the quantity should be right. Note that some fruits and vegetables can be intolerant or even poisonous to dogs.
Before feeding your dog fruits and vegetables, you should find out about the safe and harmless varieties and make sure they are prepared in a form suitable for dogs. If you are unsure whether your dog can tolerate certain fruits or vegetables, you can discuss this with your veterinarian first.
Overall, a balanced diet of high-quality dog food, supplemented with occasional fruit and vegetable snacks, can contribute to your dog's health and well-being.
