10 Healthy Vegetables and Fruits for Dogs

If you own a dog, it becomes essential that you take care of its diet and nutrition. Adding fruits and vegetables to your dog’s diet provides much-needed nutrition. However, feeding your dog all kinds of fruits and vegetables may not be a great idea because some can be dangerous for your fur buddy. Read this post to find out which are some of the healthy choices in fruits and vegetables for your doggie!

Benefits of Giving Fruits and Vegetables to Dogs

So, why should you consider giving fruits and vegetables to your dogs? Well, because they offer certain health benefits to your dog, such as:

• Added fibre and plant enzymes to improve digestion
• More nourishment to speed up healing from an ailment
• Excellent source of water, especially if your dog does not drink much water
• Provides vitamins and minerals for your pooch’s overall health and well-being

10 Best Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs

If you have been thinking about adding fruits and veggies to your canine’s diet or if you are wondering which vegetables and fruits are beneficial for dogs, here are some of our recommendations that you can consider:

1. Carrots

Juicy and crunchy red carrots are good for your dog. Apart from being loaded with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, carrots are good for your dog’s eye health and immune system. This crunchy vegetable is also great for your dog’s teeth and gums and to keep anxiety at bay.

2. Green Beans

Green beans are good for your dog’s digestive system because they contain ample amounts of dietary fibre and omega-3 acids. So, it is not only good for regularising bowel movements but also beneficial in aiding weight loss and maintaining good heart health.

3. Watermelons

Watermelons are loaded with lycopene, which is an essential antioxidant, and the best option if you are on a lookout for food rich in lycopene for your pooch. Apart from lycopene, this yummy fruit helps your dog get Vitamin A, B6, and C and thiamine too.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries hold many health benefits for your pooch. They are crammed with resveratrol and other cancer-fighting properties that are great for your dog’s health. Blueberries also contain tannins, which are great in keeping UTI or urinary tract infections in dogs at bay.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are power-packed with many vital vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B6, C, and E and iron, calcium, folate, copper, potassium, thiamine, and others. This is one of the tastiest veggies that you can add to your dog’s diet.

6. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are great for your dog’s health. If your pooch suffers from constipation or diarrhoea, giving pureed pumpkin may actually prove to be helpful. Pumpkins are loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin A, and fibre, and all these components help in alleviating the symptoms of digestive issues like diarrhoea and constipation.

7. Muskmelons

Muskmelons contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, potassium and niacin, which make them great for your canine’s eyesight. Also, substantial amounts of beta-carotene and Vitamin A help in preventing cellular damage, thus reducing the chances of cancer.

8. Apples

Most dogs like the sweet flavour of this yummy fruit. Apart from tasting good, apples are great for your canine’s health as well. Apples contain Vitamin A and antioxidants that do wonders for your dog’s overall health.

9. Broccoli Stalks

Broccoli stalks are great for your dog’s health, as they help in building better immunity and aid in reducing inflammation that may be caused due to arthritis. You can give your dog broccoli stalks to chew on, as they help in maintaining good dental health and hygiene. However, make sure not to feed them broccoli florets as they tend to cause excessive gas and may upset digestion.

10. Bananas

Most dogs like to relish the sweet taste of this tropical fruit. However, make sure you peel bananas before offering them to your pooch. Bananas contain potassium, dietary fibre, magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and various other nutrients that are good for maintaining good digestive health of your pooch.

5 Fruits and Veggies that You Should Avoid Giving Your Dog

While some vegetables offer great benefits for your dog, there are others that should be strictly avoided. Vegetable and fruits such as:

• Cherries should be avoided because they contain cyanide that can be toxic for your pooch.

• Avocados can cause diarrhoea or vomiting in dogs because they contain a compound called persin, which can be toxic for your canine.

• Grapes can cause kidney failure and other complications, and hence should be avoided.

• Onions can be poisonous and should be kept at bay.

• Raw tomatoes should be avoided as they contain solanine that can be toxic for your fur buddy.

Tips for Feeding Vegetables and Fruits to Your Dog

Here are some tips for feeding fruits and veggies to your dog:

• Feed in their original form, if your dog relishes the taste
• Cook with other grains
• Make a puree and mix with dog food

FAQs

Still have a couple of more questions in your mind? If yes, here are some FAQs or frequently asked questions that we will answer:

1. Which Vegetables Are Good for Dogs with Allergies?

If you are wondering what vegetables can I feed my dog with allergies, you can give carrots, squash, green beans and other such veggies to your dog. However, allergies can be of different sorts, so it becomes necessary that you make changes to your dog’s diet in accordance with your vet’s suggestions.

2. Which Vegetables and Fruits Are Best for Diabetic Dogs?

If your dog is diabetic it is important that you try and keep its blood sugar levels under check. Therefore, you should include dog vegetable treats, fruit treats or meals according to their sugar content. You can give carrots, pumpkin, snap peas and other such kinds of veggies and fruits to your dog.

Make changes in your dog’s diet to let it enjoy the benefits of fruits and vegetables. Consult your vet before making any dietary changes, because as discussed above, not all fruits and vegetables are good for your pooch.

Also Read :

Foods That Are Bad for Dogs
Essential Dog Care Tips to Keep Your Pet Happy
Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes