10 Best Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs (Plus, What Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid)

Source: The Native Pet

While dog food provides the foundation of their nutrition, these natural treats offer extra benefits like boosting immunity and potentially reducing the risk of certain diseases.

However, not all fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs. Here, in this blog, we'll explore 10 nutritious options your dog will love, plus the fruits and veggies you should absolutely avoid to keep your furry friend safe and happy. 

But, before we explore these fruits and veggies, let’s have a look at why is it important to give them to your dogs!

Why Should I Give Fruits And Vegetables to Dogs?

Veggies and fruits are great for dogs due to the fiber, enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, and phytonutrients not found in meat. These elements are great for your dog’s digestion and health.  Green leafy veggies are especially good for giving your dog healthy skin and coat. 

Studies suggest fruits and vegetables can offer the same benefits to dogs as they do to humans, and can help prevent cancer, cardiovascular problems, autoimmune diseases, metabolic issues, and more.

Quantities will depend on the dog, his breed, and certain health concerns. You should start with small amounts and experiment with different types of fruits and veggies to see which ones your dog enjoys the most. Also, it’s important to keep track of allergies and potential imbalances in their body.

10 Best Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs

Determining the best fruits and vegetables for dogs isn’t an easy task, considering how much good stuff is in the market, but we’ve done it for all loving fur parents out there. 

Here are the 10 best fruits and vegetables that you can give to your dog: 

1. Sweet Potato

One of the best vegetables for dogs is sweet potatoes. They are good for dogs due to their nutrient richness, which includes vitamins A, C, and B6. Sweet potatoes also have dietary fiber, which we all know helps in digestion. They are also low in fat, which makes them an option for pups taking a bit of a diet. Moreover, this amazing veggie also contains anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for pets suffering from arthritis or other inflammation problems. Sweet potato is also very easy to prepare, you can easily boil, bake, or mash, mix it into dog food, or serve it as a treat. 

2. Carrot

When it comes to vegetables that are good for dogs, the richness of carrots cannot be understated. Carrots are packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber, which help strengthen their bodies. It’s also low in calories, making it a good option for pets needing weight control. Chewing carrots is also a good way to improve your dog’s dental health, as it can help clean up tartar and plaque from their teeth. 

3. Blueberry

Source: Loving Pets

Blueberries are not only delicious, they’re quite healthy, too! They are an efficient source of vitamin C, K, and fiber, which helps build up your fur friend’s immune system. They’re also filled with antioxidants, which is something that helps with reducing aging and fighting diseases. These fruits are also high in water content, making them the quintessential summer treat. There have also been some studies that point to the benefit of this fruit in improving cognition. If you want your pup to learn more tricks or improve their mental health, try this!

4. Cantaloupe

Source: The Spruce Pets

Another healthy fruit for dogs is cantaloupe. It is great for dogs because they contain nutrients and water. This can be a refreshing way to add nutrients to your dog’s diet. Their natural sweetness is also good to entice even the pickiest of eaters. But remember to remove the seeds as they could choke on them. You should also remove the rind as it’s not easy to digest for their stomachs.

5. Green Beans

Source: PetMD

Green beans are very popular for having a high fiber content, which can improve satiety among our furry friends (aside from its help with their bowel movements). If you don’t know what it is, satiety refers to the feeling of being full, which can be helpful for pets in need of weight control. Green beans also have some extra nutrients you can’t easily find in other vegetables, like vitamin K, calcium, and folate. It’s also low in both calorie and fat content.  These beans are also easy to serve and can be cooked or served as a raw diet. Simply cut them into tiny pieces for an even easier consumption. 

6. Spinach

Spinach, filled with vitamins A, C, and K, iron, calcium, and folate, is a super healthy veggie for dogs. It’s also very easy to find in markets. Spinach also has antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which can protect cells from harm. But, remember that spinach has oxalates, which may cause kidney stone formation in the kidneys. Due to this, it’s best to cook it first before you serve it to your dog. Also, if eaten in too much quantity, spinach can give your pup digestive problems because of its fiber content. 

7. Watermelon

Source: Alpha Paw

Are you looking for an even better source of water for your pups? Then, you should absolutely try watermelon for your little darlings. It has over 90% of water, which makes for a very cool bite for those warmer days. This is also can be a quite nutritious snack, containing a healthy dose of vitamins A, B6, and C and some additional lycopene. The texture of watermelon is also sure to be enjoyable for your pup to chew on. But, again you should ensure that the seeds are removed and cut into bite-sized pieces before serving. 

8. Bananas

If you want digestion to be a breeze for your dog, adding bananas to their diet might be a nice idea. It also comes with easily digestible carbohydrates, so your pet will have a more energetic day. Banana also contains vitamins C, B6, and potassium, which are particularly helpful for proper muscle and nerve functioning. You can also easily serve it and its natural sweetness will make it a popular snack for your pup. 

9. Apples

Apples are some of the healthiest and tastiest fruits you could get for your pets. Similarly to others on the list, it’s rich in vitamins A, and C, and fiber, which they could benefit greatly from. It’s also low in sodium while being high in water content, which makes it great for consumption. Still, there are some precautions you should take when serving this to your dog, including removing its core, stem, and seeds. These include cyanide, which is very harmful to your dogs. It's also high in sugar, so you must serve it in small amounts. 

10. Pumpkin

Source: Vetnique Labs

Pumpkin is another good source of fiber, which is very helpful for dogs suffering from diarrhea or constipation. Soluble fiber present in pumpkin can help firm up loose stools, whereas insoluble fiber can add some bulk to their poop, both of which help with their bowel movements. But, you need to keep in mind that this is not a treatment and that carrying your pet to a vet is still necessary when they suffer from such complications. You can easily get a canned pumpkin from the market and serve it like that or you can also cook a fresh one and mash it. 

What Fruits and Vegetables are bad for dogs?

While there are fruits and vegetables which are undoubtedly beneficial for dogs, sometimes when we think we are giving them a treat, we can actually cause them harm. Below are the 10 most common fruits and vegetables that you really shouldn’t be feeding to your dog. 

1. Grapes and raisins

The first fruits on the list are grapes and raisins which you should definitely avoid giving your dog. This little fruit may seem like a harmless sweet treat, but a small amount could cause irreversible kidney damage and failure quite quickly depending on the size of the dog that ingests them. 

2. Avocados

Many debate whether avocados are safe for dogs or not, but as a general rule, it’s best to avoid giving any part of this fruit to your pup. The stone and skin of avocados are the most harmful and although some people give small amounts of the flesh to their dog mixed up in their food, to be on the safe side we would recommend steering clear completely. Avocados have a toxin called Persin in levels that are harmless to us but can cause breathing problems, sickness, and diarrhea to your pet.

3. Mushrooms

While normal mushrooms that we use in cooking should be fine, wild mushrooms can be very poisonous not only to us but also to your dog. Giving mushrooms to your dog can lead to many health-related problems depending on the mushroom you’re giving, however, in general, it can include diarrhea, vomiting, and restlessness. If you notice your dog has eaten wild mushrooms, it's best to get them to the vet. 

4. Pips, seeds and stones

Tempting as it is to throw your dog an apple core or similar, the pips, seeds, and stones from many fruits contain a small amount of cyanide that can be extremely harmful to your dog. Notably, fruits like cherries, plums, peaches, etc need to be avoided.

5. Nuts

You need to keep in mind that dogs don’t digest nuts in the same way as we do and many types are poisonous to them, especially Macadamia nuts.  Nuts that aren’t poisonous are still hard to digest and can cause other problems to your pet’s well-being. That’s why it is best to always keep nuts out of the reach. Especially bas are walnuts, pecan nuts, and macadamia nuts. 

6. Unripe tomatoes

While ripe red tomatoes are ok for your dog, the tomato plants and unripe tomatoes are harmful. Unripe tomatoes contain a chemical called ‘tomatine’ which can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and digestive tract. So make sure that your furry friend can’t access them. 

7. Onions and garlic

Although in small quantities, garlic can be good for your dog, if they eat too much garlic onions, or chives it can also be harmful and can destroy your dog’s red blood cells. It doesn’t matter if it's raw, cooked, or dried, it’s best to avoid feeding these to your dog. 

8. Broccoli

Another veggie that comes with several health benefits for us, is not true for our dogs. Broccoli contains chemicals that can severely irritate their stomach and can be very dangerous, particularly in certain breeds.

9. Rhubarb

Another one of our commonly home-grown fruits which can be toxic to dogs is rhubarb. Especially their leaves can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and digestive tract. So don’t let your dog get stuck into your rhubarb crumble. 

10. Potatoes

You may be surprised to know that raw potatoes are one of the most dangerous vegetables to dogs as they contain a toxin called Solanine which can cause a variety of complaints including diarrhea, vomiting, and confusion. Although, cooking potatoes does reduce this, boiling them does not. Also, we often cook potatoes with lots of salt and fats which in themselves are bad for your dog so it is best to avoid giving your dog any sort of potato.