WHAT VEGETABLES CAN DOGS EAT?

We know vegetables are super healthy. They contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. People consider vegetables to be essential to our good health. Many people want their dogs to have these health benefits too, so they include vegetables in their dog's diet. But are vegetables good for dogs, and if so what vegetables can dogs eat? 


What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?  Vegetables safe for dogs to eat. Pet safe vegetables for dogs. Vegetables good for dogs. Healthy vegetables for dogs
My dog loves carrots!


ARE VEGETABLES GOOD FOR DOGS?


According to the AKC (American Kennel Club) Wolves, the ancestors of all dogs, were Carnivores (meat eaters). But as dogs became domesticated their digestion and metabolism developed into domestic dogs being classified more as Omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal based food. Humans are Omnivores as well. 

For overall dog health, most Veterinarians seem to agree that a well balanced, nutritionally complete diet for dogs should contain both high quality meat and plant based foods.

I have always shared fresh vegetables with my dogs, especially the vegetables dogs love most like carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes! I add these to their food, and give them as treats.

I play a lot of games with Icy, like puzzle games and Find the Treat. I don't want her to have too many rich or high calorie treats, so I often mix in raw carrots with dog treats for our games.  

I also like to mix steamed sweet potato and carrots with some salmon in the blender and add that to her regular dog food. It gives her the added health benefits of vegetables as well as the healthy Omegas found in salmon.

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What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?  Vegetables that are good for dogs. Heathy vegetables dogs can eat
Vegetables Dogs Can Eat


This list of vegetables are all safe for dogs to eat. They can safely be given raw or lightly steamed except, as indicated, for pumpkin and sweet potato. The important thing is that the vegetables can be fresh, frozen, or canned, but shouldn't have any salt or seasonings added.

HEALTHY VEGETABLES DOGS CAN EAT


Broccoli
 Carrots
✵ Green beans
✵ Peas
✵ Sweet Potatoes (cooked not raw)
✵ Spinach
✵ Kale
✵ Pumpkin (cooked or canned not raw and canned should be pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
✵ Cucumber
✵ Celery - cut into small pieces since it's stringy 
✵ Zucchini

As they say, all good things in moderation. Vegetables should enhance a dog's meal or be given as a treat, they should not be used as a meal replacement.  

You don't need to load your dog's food bowl with veggies to give her the health benefits of vegetables. Just add small amounts of vegetables to their food or offer them as a treat or snack to get the health benefits of vegetables for dogs.  

I add about 1/4 cup of vegetables to my dog's regular food each day.  The vegetables she likes best are carrots, broccoli, green beans, and sweet potatoes.  I rotate the addition of these vegetables to her food or give them to her as treats.

I try to always use fresh produce, but frozen veggies are good too.  I feed my dog most veggies raw, except for pumpkin and sweet potato. Pumpkin should be cooked or canned (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling), and sweet potato should be cooked, not raw.

Note: Your dog's Veterinarian knows your pet best, so always consult your dog's Vet before making changes to their diet. 

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Do you give your dog vegetables? Tell us about it in the comments, we always Love hearing from you!








7 comments:

Kamira Gayle said...

Vegetables aren't necessarily the first thing our pets (or humans) think about however I like that dogs have a decent variety of options. I must say I love sweet potatoes myself! I've heard of pet parents with old pets rave about how a little bit of veggies in their pet's bowl does wonders for them and helping live a long life. I don't know the science behind it officially, but I believe it. Thanks for sharing.

Tail Wag Wisdom said...

My dog, Henry LOVES vegetables! Most of the time he'd prefer a carrot over any other kind of "cookie" treat. Of course, he always reminds me he gets pumpkin daily too. I haven't tried giving him cucumber or zucchini. I'll have to give those a whirl. I should probably plant a "Henry garden" as much as he loves veggies. Great article on what vegetables are safe for dogs! I love the photo of Icy focused on the carrot. Precious!

LaylasWoof said...

Layla gets veggies, I make sure she gets in her food daily as they are so good for them, their digestive system plus so much more, it is a must. Great post and list

Beth said...

My dogs love vegetables and fruits! Whenever I want to give them something new (to them) I check to make sure it is non toxic to dogs.

DawgBlogger said...

Vegetables, or fresh foods in general, are wonderful. On thought on raw vegetables I'd have, though, is that the dog digestive system cannot deal with that because of the cellular wall. I know when my dogs eat some, such as carrots, it comes out the way it went it. It's fine when used as a chew, but very little nutritional benefit. As well as beta carotene needs fats to absorb. I believe vegetables are best lightly cooked or blended to disrupt the cellular walls.

Anonymous said...

I am glad there is a range of vegetables dogs can safely eat, becuase they seem to love everything! I know they insist on putting veggies in cat food and it is such a waste - we need a dog to eat them all for us! Maybe kids need a doggy gene too so they will eat their vegetables MOL!!

Marjorie at Dash Kitten

FiveSibesMom said...

Always great content, Cathy! I always gave carrots, frozen green beans, and pumpkin to my FiveSibes. And I also added pureed sweet potato and green beans to their food. :-). Sharing this post! Hugs to Icy!

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