Even though dogs are carnivores and need ample amounts of meat in their diet, you can give your pooch fruit and veggie treats occasionally. This is because fruits and vegetables are full of beneficial nutrients that will only add to your dog’s diet. Moreover, it can be pretty hard to resist those puppy dog eyes. Also, as you must have learned from experience by now, dogs eat pretty much everything that they find in their path!&

However, some fruits and veggies that are perfectly healthy for you can be dangerous for your dog’s health. This is because dogs digest food differently than humans. This is why you must know which fruits and vegetables are safe and unsafe for your dog to consume.

Here are the veggies and fruits that are safe for dogs to eat:

Fruits That Are Safe For Dogs to Eat

Here are some fruits that dogs eat voraciously and are completely safe for them:

Apples

Apples are an incredible source of vitamins A and C and fiber for dogs. Moreover, they are low in fat and protein, which makes them the ideal snack for senior pooches. Just make sure to remove the core and seeds first. You can also give frozen apples to your dog as a nice icy treat in summers.

Bananas

Bananas are high in vitamins, potassium, fiber, biotin, and copper. However, they are high in sugar, so make sure to give them to your dog in moderation as an occasional treat.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which allow them to prevent cell damage in canines. They’re also packed with beneficial phytochemicals and fiber. Blueberries are the perfect snack to use when teaching your dog to catch treats in the air.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is an exceptional source of fiber and water and is packed with nutrients. However, it has high sugar content, so give it to your pooch in moderation.

Mango

Mangoes are packed with nutrients and are the perfect summer treat for your dogs. However, they are high in sugar, so give them to your dog occasionally after removing the seed.

Pineapple

A few chunks of pineapple are a great treat for your dog as this fruit is rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Just make sure to remove the crown and the prickly exterior.

Raspberries

Raspberries contain antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and manganese, which are all great for dogs. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them a great treat for senior dogs with aging joints. However, they do contain tiny amounts of xylitol and are high in sugar, so make sure to give them to your dog in moderation.

Strawberries

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber. Moreover, they have an enzyme that will help brighten your dog’s teeth. However, they are high in sugar so give them to your pooch as an occasional treat.

Watermelon

Watermelon flesh is safe for your dog. Just remove the seeds and rind before giving this delicious summer fruit to your pooch. Since watermelon has a high water content, it’s an exceptional treat to keep your dog hydrated during the sweltering summer days.

Other fruits that are safe for dogs to eat include oranges, peaches, and pears.

Vegetables That Are Safe For Dogs to Eat

Green Beans

Plain green beans are rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Hence, they are the perfect snack for your pooch. They are also low in calories so feel free to add them to the diet of your chubby fur baby.

Peas

All types of peas are safe to consume for dogs. They have several minerals and vitamins and are also high in fiber and rich in protein. You can feed your canine frozen and fresh peas, just avoid canned ones as they contain high amounts of sodium.

Carrots

This crunchy veggie is an ideal low-calorie snack for your chunky pooch. It’s is high in fiber and vitamin C. The crunchy nature of carrots makes them the perfect treat to strengthen your dog’s teeth.

Celery

This crunchy green snack contains vitamins A, B, and C. It also contains nutrients that fight cancer and promote a healthy heart. Moreover, celery can also freshen your dog’s breath.

Broccoli

Broccoli is high in fiber and vitamin C so you can give it as an occasional treat to your pooch. Giving your friend too much broccoli might cause gastric irritation.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants and nutrients. However, they can cause gas so don’t include too many Brussels Sprouts in your dog’s diet.

Now, let’s take a look at fruits and veggies that are dangerous for dogs to eat:

Unhealthy and Dangerous Fruits for Dogs

Here are some fruits that are dangerous for dogs to eat:

Grapes

Don’t feed grapes and raisins to your dog as they are exceptionally toxic for pooches of all breeds and ages. Grapes can even cause acute kidney failure in dogs.

Avocado&

The flesh, skin, pit, and leaves of avocados contain a toxin called persin, which causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

Cherries

Even though the flesh of cherries is safe to consume for dogs, all the other parts such as the pits, leaves, and stems contain cyanide, which is poisonous and lethal if consumed in large quantities. Moreover, if dogs eat cherry pits, they can get lodged in your dog’s digestive tract and cause blockages in the intestine. So, it’s best to skip this fruit from your dog’s treats.

Tomatoes

You should avoid giving tomatoes to your dogs because the green part of the plant can make them sick. Your pooch might feel nauseous, experience difficulty in breathing, and muscle weakness.

Unhealthy and Dangerous Vegetables for Dogs

Here are some vegetables that are dangerous for dogs to eat:

Mushrooms

Some varieties of wild mushrooms can be quite toxic and cause several health issues in your dog. They can even lead to death in severe cases so don’t feed your pooches mushrooms.

Onions

Don’t ever feed your dogs onions as they are poisonous for canines. If your dogs eat onions, it can cause vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Japanese breeds such as ShibaInus and Akitas are more susceptible to poisoning from onions.

Asparagus

Even though asparagus isn’t unsafe for dogs to eat, it’s kind of pointless to feed to your dog. This is because it’s too tough to be eaten when it is raw and cooking it makes it lose its nutrients.

Spinach

Even though dogs can eat spinach in small amounts, it is high in oxalic acid. When eaten in large amounts, it can cause trouble for the body in absorbing calcium and might even lead to kidney damage.

The Bottom Line

Dogs eat virtually anything that you give them. However, not all foods are good for you pooch. Make sure that you only give your dogs foods that are safe and healthy for them to eat and skip the ones that are unhealthy and potentially dangerous for them to consume. If you want more advice and tips on how to keep your pets healthy and safe, check out our website or visit us in-store to speak with one of our Grange Co-op Pet Experts.