What Are The Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can't Eat?

As a pet parent, you want to make sure your dog is happy and healthy. A well-balanced diet of proteins, vitamins, fruits, and vegetables is essential for longevity and general wellness. 

But you often wonder which fruits and vegetables are good for them versus which ones can cause problems. 

Just as with humans, there are some fruits and vegetables that dogs tolerate better than others. While they are omnivores, there are still some fruits and veggies that can cause digestive problems and even serious health issues.

Want to know what fruits and vegetables are good for dogs and which ones to avoid? Keep reading for the complete list. 

What Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe for Dogs?

Some select fruits and vegetables provide benefits to dogs, including healthy fibre, vitamins, probiotic qualities, healthy coats, and more. 

If you want to introduce more fruits or vegetables into your dog’s diet, consider these options:

• Apples: An excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fibre, these are fun and easy treats for dogs. Be sure to wash them thoroughly and chop them into small bites, so they’re not a choking hazard. Never offer the stem, core, and seeds, since these contain toxic cyanide.
• Bananas: They're high in fibre, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. They may get slimy, so this could be an outdoor treat, or you can freeze them first.  Because of their high sugar content, they should be given as a treat and not part of your pet’s primary diet.
• Blackberries: Contain vitamins A, C, E, and K. Be sure to cut them into smaller pieces and consider giving them to your pet outside, as they can stain carpets and clothes.
• Blueberries: These can be messy on their own, so you may want to give them when you're outside. Also, try freezing them to make a nice, cool treat on a hot day. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, fibre, and Vitamin C, making them an ideal treat.
• Broccoli: This should be given in small quantities as an occasional treat. The florets can isothiocyanates, which can cause mild - potentially toxic gastric irritation; the stalks can cause obstruction to the gastrointestinal tract. Broccoli is rich in antioxidants, calcium, niacin, potassium, and zinc.
• Brussels sprouts: You may not like them, but your dog might! Just make sure they're unseasoned and steamed well. They contain vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and K.  Use in moderation because they can produce a lot of gas in your dog, which is not harmful but can be embarrassing or hilariously smelly.
• Cantaloupe: You'll want to remove the seeds and rind before you feed cantaloupe to your pet, but it contains vitamins A, B, and C. It is high in sugar, so share in moderation.  Cut it into bite-sized pieces and mix it in with their food or use it as a training treat.
• Carrots: High in fibre and a great source of vitamin A and beta carotene. They're easy to clean, peel, and chop into little disks to make the treats go further. You can also get baby carrots, which are already cleaned and peeled. 
• Celery: It's high in fibre, vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, and manganese, so it's great for dogs.  Celery is also known to freshen dogs’ breath.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers are a rich source of fibre and water to aid digestion, not to mention all its vitamins. Be sure to wash and peel the cucumber first.
• Green beans: An excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, plus fibre and manganese. Just remember to cut the ends and make bite-sized pieces, as they can be a choking hazard. If using canned green beans, be sure to use low-salt or no-salt products.
• Mangos: High in fibre, vitamins A, B6, C, and E. Remove the pit first - this contains toxic cyanide and can be a choking hazard or create an obstruction.  Since it is high in sugar, use it in moderation.
• Pears: Cut the pears into bite-sized pieces and remove the seeds first, as they contain traces of cyanide. Pears contain copper, fibre, and vitamins C and K.
• Peas: These are an excellent way for dogs to get more proteins and carbohydrates as part of their regular meals. Dogs can also enjoy them as treats.
• Pineapple: Dogs can benefit from pineapple as the fruit contains vitamins A, B6, C, folate, magnesium, and phosphate. It contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps dogs digest proteins. Remove the leaves, thorns, and rind first.
• Pumpkin: Unlike the other fruits and veggies on this list, pumpkin is better for your pets when cooked or canned, not raw. It has beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, fibre, and vitamins A and C. Plus, it can help alleviate mild digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation.  Be sure not to feed pumpkin pie mix.
• Raspberries: The AKC says raspberries are especially good for senior animals, as they have anti-inflammatory properties, which are great for aging joints.  However, they can contain a small amount of xylitol, so don’t overdo it with this fruit.
• Spinach: Contains vitamins A, B, C, and K, as well as antioxidants, beta-carotene, and iron. However, spinach has oxalic acid, which reduces the body's ability to absorb calcium and can cause kidney damage. Your pets can have some spinach, but not a large amount.
• Strawberries: Strawberries contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B1, B6, C, and K. Just remove the top and rinse them thoroughly.
• Sugar snaps: They're high in fibre, protein, folate, manganese, potassium, and minerals, as well as vitamins C and K.
• Sweet potatoes: These veggies take a little preparation as you may want to boil them or put them in a food dehydrator. They're high in vitamins A, B5, B6, and C, plus manganese and potassium.
• Seedless watermelon: This is a great way to get your pets to hydrate, as well as supplement their potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C intake. If you can’t get seedless watermelon, remove any seeds before feeding them to your pet.
• Winter squash: Just like pumpkin, winter squash can help regulate a dog’s digestive tract and relieve constipation or diarrhea. Make sure to feed it in moderation, cook it beforehand, and skip the sugar, maple syrup, or salt.
• Zucchini: It's already popular in many commercial dog foods, and it's high in magnesium, manganese, and potassium, so let your pets have cooked zucchini.

What Fruits and Vegetables Should My Dog Avoid?

Knowing what’s not safe for your dog is just as important as knowing what is safe. Here are the fruits and vegetables to absolutely avoid:

• Seeds, stems, and pits: In all cases of fruits and vegetables, make sure you don't give your pet any seeds, stems, pits, or rinds. 
• Avocados: The skin and pit of avocados contain a toxin called persin, which can be poisonous in large amounts, and it can also cause diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.
• Cherries: Cherry pits contain cyanide, so never give pets whole cherries. Plus, the pits can become lodged in their intestines. Cyanide prevents oxygenation to the cells, so signs of cyanide toxicity can include salivation, difficulty breathing, bright red gums, convulsions, and paralysis.
• Onions/garlic: As plants in the allium family, they contain disulfides and thiosulphates, which can be deadly to dogs (and cats). These chemicals cause damage to the red blood cells, causing anemia.  They can also cause gastrointestinal upset — vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. This also goes for leeks, chives, scallions, and shallots.
• Green tomatoes: Unripe tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine, two toxins harmful to animals. Any unripe tomato or green part of a tomato can contain these toxins. Red tomatoes are OK for pets to eat.
• Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins are proven to be very toxic no matter the age or size of your dog.  They can quickly cause acute renal failure, as well as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. If your pet has ingested a grape or raisin, you will need to take them to your veterinarian immediately.
• Lemons, limes, and oranges: The seeds, peel, leaves, and stem of citrus fruits contain oils that can be toxic — they can cause diarrhea, vomiting, digestive irritation, and even central nervous system depression.
• Rhubarb: The stems of a rhubarb plant are safe to eat, but the leaves are toxic.
• If your pet has a history of bladder stones, or is a predisposed breed (Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Fries, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier), make sure to avoid fruits and vegetables that are high in oxalates.  These include spinach, raspberries, strawberries, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, green beans, and rhubarb.

More Advice Regarding Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs

To help your pet stay healthy by consuming fruits and vegetables, it’s important to remember the following tips:

• You should make sure that fruits and vegetables do not make up more than 10% of your pet's daily nutrition; doing more than this can unbalance their main diet.
• Before adding these to your pet’s diet, you should always consult with your veterinarian, as every pet is different and has different health needs.
• Some can be eaten raw and others may need to be cored, peeled, or chopped before offering to your pet.
• Remember not to feed vegetables that have been prepared with any seasoning, especially onions and garlic, which can be toxic.
• Fruits and vegetables are a great option to use for training treats, rather than buying treats from the store. This is especially true if weight loss is your goal!

Can I Put My Dog on a Vegetarian Diet?

In 2019, the president of Quebec's Order of Veterinarians told the CBC that dogs are not suited for a vegetarian diet. Their digestive systems aren't as adapted to a solely plant-based diet. Dogs are omnivores, which means they can eat plant-based food, but they still need a source of protein, such as milk and eggs.

Be Mindful When Feeding Pets Fruits and Vegetables

We believe good nutrition is vital to your fur baby’s health and well-being, as are regular veterinary visits and pet insurance. At Furkin Pet Insurance, we provide the tools and support you need to recover from unanticipated veterinary costs and allow you to confidently choose the best care for your pet. For more information, contact our customer care specialists today!