A varied human diet should include plenty of vegetables, but what about your dog? Are there vegetables your dog can eat?
The answer is yes--absolutely! A dog’s diet should have a healthy balance of fiber, minerals, antioxidants, and more. Much of this good stuff is found in vegetables. But which veggies are good for dogs?
Contrary to popular belief, dogs can’t eat the same things humans eat. Vegetables that we love to season our food with such as onion and garlic can be terrible for your pup’s digestive system. In fact, some of the vegetables listed in the second section of this article can have you sitting on the couch with your dog while he releases almost lethal doses of doggie farts. Not cool. Here are the best [and worst] vegetables for dogs.
The Best Vegetables for Dogs
Dogs can eat plenty of vegetables, such as:
- Brussel sprouts. Brussels sprouts make a healthy snack for your pet, as they are full of nutrients and antioxidants. A word of warning--they’re safe for dogs, but overfeeding may cause gas.
- Carrots. There are plenty of reasons to give your dog carrots, like the fact that this low-calorie vegetable is also high in fiber and beta carotene. Carrots are also good for a dog’s teeth, and many dogs love crunching on them, too. This is a high-carb snack, so give your pet carrots in moderation.
- Green beans. Plain green beans are great to feed your dog, especially if your pet needs to lose some pounds. This veggie has plenty of essential vitamins and minerals, lots of fiber to help with bowel movements, and heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. Just remember to skip the salted versions if you choose canned green beans.
- Sweet potatoes. If you’re looking for a tasty treat to help your dog’s digestive health, sweet potatoes are fantastic. They have lots of fiber and plenty of antioxidants beta carotene, along with vitamins B6, C, and manganese.
- Sugar snap peas. Many pet owners put sugar snap peas in their dog’s bowl from time to time to take advantage of their health benefits. Peas have plenty of vitamins and minerals, like manganese and potassium, and they’re protein-rich. They’re also a great source of fiber.
- Cucumber. Cucumber is perfect to ensure a nutritious source of vitamin K. It’s also low in calories, full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, and it’s refreshing. Remove the seeds and cut the cucumber into bite-sized pieces before giving it to your dog.
Vegetables That Are Not Safe for Dogs
Some vegetables are better left for human consumption. Here are a few foods to avoid giving your dog.
- Asparagus. Though not harmful per se, your dog should not eat asparagus. To make it soft enough for your dog to consume it, you have to cook it, which eliminates the nutrients in the vegetable. Any of the vegetables listed above make a better choice.
- Mushrooms. Wild mushrooms can be deadly to dogs, so they should be avoided--even the varieties you find in the supermarket.
- Onions. Allium plants, such as onions, leeks, and chives, are toxic to dogs and can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Japanese breeds such as Akitas and Shiba Inus suffer these effects more seriously, but all breeds are susceptible.
- Garlic. Both onions and garlic as previously stated belong to the allium family. These cause gastrointestinal irritation which is in the best-case scenario, doggie farts. This irritation can lead to red blood cell damage.
Vegetables while Training your Dog
We here at Pogi’s love to provide our audience with helpful tools to ensure your pup leads a happy and healthy lifestyle. This is why we insist that these healthy habits start from the early stages of training your pup.
We offer training pads that help with the early stages of pup development but these won’t be as helpful if you’ve fed your pup foods that will upset their stomach. Help yourself and your dog by providing him with the best vegetables and we will help with our recycled-content poop bags and thick, hypoallergenic wipes.
Additional Information
Here at Pogis, we’re going to be updating our blog periodically with fresh, original content. This content will help steer you in the right direction as far as not just training your dog, but also leading a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Be sure to follow us on our social channels and stay tuned, we’re launching our brand new website soon!
Supplementing vegetables in your dog’s diet is a fantastic way to improve their health. Just remember, if you have any concerns about what vegetable dogs can eat, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. There are at-home remedies that can help such as the best food to prevent gas. But in the end, every pup is different and only your vet can fully tell you what to do.
