Fruits and Veggies Your Dog Can Eat
Dogs sure do love sneaking a bite or two off of our plates. But when it comes to fruits and veggies, many dog owners are unsure which foods are safe for their hungry hounds to eat. Read on to find out which fruits and veggies are healthy for your dog and which should be avoided!
Fruits to Avoid
Your dog may have a sweet tooth, but some fruits are not safe for our furry friends to consume. Steer clear of cherries, which are toxic for dogs. If your pup accidentally eats a cherry, call your vet or emergency services to make sure you’re taking any necessary next steps. Grapes and raisins, which can unfortunately cause kidney damage, should also be avoided. You should keep your dog away from citrus fruits, such as limes, lemons, and grapefruits, as these can lead to an upset stomach. Keep these fruits out of reach of eager paws!
Safe Fruits for Your Dog
Fruits are known to be full of sugar, so if your dog is overweight, you may want to limit their fruit consumption. Before feeding fruit to them, be sure to wash it and remove any inedible pieces. Otherwise, your pet can enjoy apples, which are high in fiber and vitamins A and C, bananas, which are high in potassium, blueberries, which can prevent cell and tissue damage, pears, which are full of vitamins A and C, and strawberries, which can help strengthen your dog’s immune system. Ask your vet about any other fruits that your pet can eat!
Vegetables to Avoid
You should never feed your dog onions or garlic! These are toxic in all forms and can cause your pooch’s red blood cells to burst. Call emergency services if your dog consumes either. Dogs are often allergic to mushrooms and rhubarb, so you’re better off keeping them away from these foods as well. If your dog doesn’t seem keen on eating a vegetable, don’t force them! For some dogs, vegetables are much less appealing than fruits.
Safe Vegetables for Your Dog
Some vegetables, like broccoli, can be pretty tough for your dog to munch on when raw. If necessary, boil it! You don’t want to damage your pup’s teeth or jaws. Some vegetables that can benefit your dog’s health are broccoli, which is high in fiber and vitamin C, cabbage, which can fight cancer and improve skin health, carrots, which are high in fiber and great for your dog’s teeth, celery, which is packed with antioxidants, green beans, which are an excellent source of protein and iron, and spinach, which contains almost every vitamin and mineral necessary for your dog’s health! As with fruits, you should ask your vet if adding vegetables to your dog’s diet could benefit them.
Knowing which fruits and veggies are safe and which should be avoided can help your dog stay healthy and lively for years to come. Consider supplementing your pup’s diet with some of the fresh fruits and veggies listed above!