As you might have discovered if you read our article on whether or not it is safe to feed your dog a vegan diet, the way dogs evolved alongside humans means that they are actually considered omnivores, meaning that they can digest and absorb some nutrients from fruits and vegetables. While a 100% vegan diet isn't ideal for dogs, the inclusion of some fruits and vegetables in their diet can be beneficial for their health. 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 Frequently
- 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, and 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, helps 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.
Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safe To Give To Your Dog 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 your dog every now and then, but beware of the gas that often comes with them! - Cabbage
Safe to feed dogs in small doses, cabbage can also cause some gassy problems in pooches! - 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 the hard pit first and feed in moderation. - 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. - Rockmelon
Also high in sugar, rockmelon is safe for dogs and is a good source of water and fibre, but should be fed to dogs in moderation, especially dogs that are overweight or have diabetes. - 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. - Peaches
Fresh or frozen peaches are preferable to canned ones which contain sugary syrups. If giving fresh peaches, be sure to completely cut around the pit before sharing. - 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 peas which can often contain added sodium.
Fruits and Vegetables That Are NOT Safe To Give To Your Dog
- 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 its nutrients. - Avocado
While you might enjoy the occasional avo on toast, you shouldn't be sharing it 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. - 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 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. - Tomatoes
You should skip tomatoes when considering fruits to feed your dog because while the ripe part of the fruit is generally safe, the green, unripe parts can contain a toxic substance called solanine.