Treat Your Dog With These Fruits and Vegetables

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Treat Your Dog With These Fruits and Vegetables

Feeding your dog a diet that includes high-quality, veterinarian-recommended pet food should provide all of the nutrients and calories that your pet needs to stay healthy. Treating, however, can be a fun way to enrich your pet’s life and strengthen the bond you have together. You can treat your pet with high-quality, healthy pet treats purchased from a pet supply store, or you can experiment with some of the fresh fruits and vegetables you have on hand in your kitchen.
Although many of the foods people eat are toxic for pets, some of our favorite fruits and vegetables can actually be used to liven up your pet’s taste buds and used as treats for your dog.

25 Fruits and Veggies That Are Safe for Your Dog to Eat

The following fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to eat. To create extra-special treats, try experimenting by pairing these ingredients with all-natural peanut butter (double-check that yours doesn’t contain any xylitol), and you can try freezing your homemade treats, too!
  • Apples (without the seeds)
  • Bananas
  • Bell peppers (too many could cause indigestion)
  • Blueberries and blackberries
  • Broccoli (too much could upset your pet's stomach)
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cranberries
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Lettuce
  • Mangos (without the pits)
  • Nectarines (without the pits)
  • Peaches (without the pits)
  • Pears
  • Peas
  • Pineapple
  • Potatoes
  • Raspberries (in moderation)
  • Strawberries
  • Spinach (in moderation)
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Watermelon (without the seeds and rind)

Always Treat Safely! 15 Human Foods That Are Toxic to Pets

Many of the foods that humans eat are toxic and dangerous for pets to ingest. When treating your pet, avoid these:
  • Alcohol
  • Allium family (onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, chives, etc.)
  • Avocado
  • Asparagus
  • Caffeine
  • Cherries
  • Chocolate
  • Citrus
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Mushrooms
  • Nuts
  • Plums
  • Tomatoes
  • Xylitol
  • Yeast dough

Nutritional Counseling at Pacific Pet Hospital

When trying out new foods with your pet, always keep a close eye on how their digestive system reacts. Although something might not be toxic for your pet, it doesn’t mean they’ll like eating it or digest it well. Additionally, make sure that the treats you give your pet make up no more than 10% of their daily calory intake to avoid over-feeding, weight gain, and all the health problems that come with obesity.
To learn more about creating a healthy, fun, and balanced diet for your dog, we welcome you to talk with a veterinarian at Pacific Pet Hospital today.