We were pestered by our parents to eat our vegetables ever since we were young children. Whether you enjoy vegetables or not, you are aware of their health benefits. And it turns out, vegetables are good for dogs too.
Vegetables are a great option for between-meal snacks and treats and useful additions to a complete and balanced dog diet because they don’t contain many calories.
Vegetables deliver significant amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
You have come to the right article if you want to add vegetables to homemade dog food, give your dog’s kibble more flavor, or have a healthy snack or treat option.
In general, vegetables are good for dogs. Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives are a few notable exceptions that may be harmful or even toxic to dogs.
However, overall, vegetables are low in calories, high in nutrients, and provide fiber to make dogs feel full between meals. Veterinary nutritionist-approved homemade diets, treats, and between-meal snacks can all be made with vegetables to keep your dog feeling satisfied. Vegetables can also be added as a topper to your dog’s current food.
Vegetables are generally low in fat, but many of them contain protein for our dogs. This makes vegetables a healthy snack or treat option for dogs who are overweight, have pancreatitis now or in the past, or have diabetes. The fiber in vegetables lowers blood sugar levels, supports the growth of good intestinal bacteria, and encourages regular bathroom behavior.
Nevertheless, despite all the benefits of vegetables for dogs, dog owners can overfeed their puppies. Offering too many vegetables to a dog that will consume anything you put in front of them can result in bloat. When a dog has bloat, their stomach can become so swollen with food that it struggles to push it into the intestines and instead causes stomach pain.
Dogs with bloat frequently require medication and fluids at the vet clinic to help them feel better.
Each vegetable can contain varying amounts of vitamins and minerals. The list of vegetables that dogs can eat is provided below, along with some nutritional information for each vegetable.
Dogs can eat asparagus, a vegetable with a stalk-like shape that may not have previously crossed your mind, and it has a lot to offer. Asparagus offers a good amount of antioxidants to help reduce inflammation in your dog’s body and is a good source of many vitamins and minerals needed daily.
The cruciferous vegetable broccoli, which is related to cauliflower and brussels sprouts, is a fantastic one for dogs. Broccoli gives dogs a dose of potassium and manganese as well as being a good source of protein, vitamin K, vitamin C, and folate.
Another benefit of broccoli for dogs is that it contains a number of bioactive substances, such as kaempferol and sulforaphane, which can help the body regulate inflammation.
Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is an omega-3 fatty acid and is found in abundance in Brussels sprouts.
The production of proteins necessary for healthy blood clotting is made possible, in large part, by vitamin K. Dogs can obtain vitamin K from consuming foods containing the vitamin or from having healthy intestinal bacteria do so. A boost in vitamin K from Brussels sprouts may be beneficial for pets who have intestinal diseases or are taking antibiotics and may not have a healthy intestinal bacterial community.
When combined with omega-6 fatty acids in the right proportions, ALA can be used to reduce inflammation in the body.
Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and is converted by your dog’s body into vitamin A, is also a good source of soluble fiber.
In pets who require more glycemic control, soluble fiber can help to reduce blood sugar spikes. Additionally, soluble fiber can nourish the beneficial gut bacteria that aid in healthy food digestion, the production of specific vitamins, and other health benefits.
The immune system, bone and tooth growth, vision maintenance, and skin health are all influenced by vitamin A. An adequate nutritional supply of beta-carotene may benefit your dog’s immune system or treat medical conditions affecting the skin, lungs, or intestinal tract.
For dogs, cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber and B vitamins. There are a number of B vitamins, but they’re all crucial for energy and metabolism. B-vitamins are essential for skin, brain, and blood health.
B-vitamins are water-soluble, so once your dog’s body has the daily amount required, any excess is eliminated in the urine. Dogs with medical conditions or those taking medications that make them urinate more frequently than the average dog may become deficient in B vitamins and could benefit from eating foods high in B vitamins, such as cauliflower.
A member of the carrot family, celery is high in potassium, fiber, and vitamin K. Additionally, it includes a small amount of numerous minerals that dogs require daily as well as a small amount of vitamins A, C, and E.
Potassium is a crucial electrolyte for dogs because it supports healthy cell water balance. Potassium is also critical for the heart to beat properly.
Celery also contains vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, as well as a number of antioxidants that can reduce inflammation. Adding celery to the diet or as a snack may assist prescribed medications and supplements to reduce some of the inflammation in your pet’s case of arthritis, IBD, kidney disease, cancer, or another condition involving inflammation.
Green beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as some B vitamins. They are also a good source of manganese.
Green beans are a fantastic alternative for homemade dog food diets because they are so high in vitamins and minerals. Green beans are a great addition to a homemade diet to help your dog get the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals, though all homemade diets should be evaluated by a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist who is knowledgeable about nutrition to ensure the diet is complete and balanced.
One of the world’s most nutrient-dense foods, kale is related to cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Large amounts of the vitamins A, C, and K are present in kale, along with some B vitamins and healthy doses of calcium, manganese, copper, potassium, and magnesium.
Similar to green beans, kale is a great addition to homemade dog food diets to ensure you are creating a complete and balanced diet because it is so nutrient dense. Once more, make sure a veterinarian has approved your recipe.
Additionally, kale has potent antioxidants that can reduce body inflammation. Utilizing a variety of methods, including supplements, diet, and prescription medications, is the key to combating body inflammation. If your dog is battling an inflammatory condition, kale is a great ingredient to include in their food.
Peas are another excellent vegetable source for dogs. Peas are higher in various B vitamins than other vegetables on this list, in addition to having high levels of vitamins A, C, and K. Peas have more protein per serving than the other vegetables on this list.
Peas will help keep dogs fuller for longer periods of time because they are a good source of fiber and have a higher protein content than other vegetables. For dogs who eat between meals and beg for food, peas are a great vegetable to choose.
Spinach is a vegetable related to beets and quinoa. Spinach is incredibly nutrient-dense and a good source of insoluble fiber, vitamins A, C, K, and B vitamins, particularly folate.
In addition to all the vitamins and minerals it offers, spinach also has a lot of plant compounds that are good for the eyes (like lutein) and that help to reduce inflammation in the body (like quercetin).
A root vegetable called sweet potatoes can offer our canine friends a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Like other colorful vegetables, sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body. They also contribute to a healthy immune system and good vision thanks to the vitamin A called beta-carotene.
Zucchini is another vegetable to consider for dogs. Cooked zucchini offers some protein as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals, despite probably not being the most delicious when consumed raw. Although zucchini doesn’t contain a lot of one or even a few ingredients, it is a great source of vitamins and minerals that can be used as a base for other vegetables.
Additionally, zucchini contains antioxidants that can support other medications and dietary supplements in reducing inflammation in the body of your dog.
Can my dog eat cooked broccoli?
Yes, cooked broccoli is safe for your dog. If you chop the cooked broccoli into small pieces before feeding it, there is a lower risk of choking hazards or intestinal blockages. Additionally, this is the ideal method for including it in your dog’s food bowl in addition to their regular dog food.
Make sure your dog’s portion is free of any additional seasonings, ingredients, or added fats, such as the processed cheese that is frequently added to the family dish. These could upset your dog’s stomach and add extra calories and fat that it doesn’t need.
It’s okay to use frozen broccoli as well, but cut it up before giving it to your dog. When giving fruits or vegetables to your dog, avoid adding any additional ingredients, oils, or seasoning.
What parts of the broccoli plant are safe for my dog to eat?
Consider the florets and the stalks of the broccoli plant separately.
Cooked or raw in small pieces, both are safe to eat. Isothiocyanate, a class of tiny molecules found in all cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and kale, is present in broccoli florets. The Isothiocyanates can irritate your dog’s gastrointestinal system.
Therefore, it’s crucial to properly portion broccoli for your dog. Having too much isothiocyanate in the florets can make you feel sick, bloated, and dizzy. If your dog consumes a lot of broccoli, the upsets may become severe, result in serious health issues, or even result in death.
Given in large pieces, broccoli stalks can be a choking hazard due to their high fibrous content. To avoid this issue, it is best to cut them up or even better to serve them steamed or roasted.
A cat insurance plan should be considered as soon as possible if you have a cat who is prone to “snacksincidences.” By covering eligible vet expenses for digestive illnesses, toxic ingestion, and other conditions, it can assist you in obtaining the best care at a later date.
The Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs
Vegetables shouldn’t be off the menu just because dogs can’t use a vegetable peeler. However, it is true that not all vegetables consumed by humans are suitable for dogs. Indeed, some are toxic or dangerous.
Vegetables also contain nutrients absent in meat. These include:
Check out the Petcube guide to find out which vegetables are healthy for dogs and which to avoid if you want to know what vegetables dogs can eat. **.
Asparagus tops the list of vegetables that are healthy for dogs.
Asparagus spears are the equivalent of a vitamin pill. They contain nutrients like rutin, niacin, and thiamin as well as vitamins B6, C, E, and K. But asparagus’s nutritional benefits don’t end there. It also contains chromium, copper, selenium, and potassium. Asparagus spears are a great substitute for a chew stick as an added bonus.
To prevent choking, you should first cut up the asparagus into small pieces if you decide to feed your dog raw asparagus. However, because raw asparagus is so challenging to digest, if your dog consumes too much of it they may experience stomach discomfort, gas, or diarrhea.
To prevent your dog from experiencing any of these issues, you should first boil the asparagus to make it more tender before chopping it up into small pieces. Additionally, lightly grilled or steamed asparagus is a good alternative to boiling it if you don’t want to. Just be sure to prepare it without adding any salt, spices, or other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog.
A few words of caution. Don’t let your dog eat the asparagus leaves if you grow them. Asparagus leaves should not be consumed because they will upset your stomach. Also, a dog’s pee may smell strange after eating asparagus. Toxins are simply being removed from the system, so there is no need to worry.
Beans are best in moderation. Although they can ferment and cause gas, pinto, black, butter, or red kidney beans are a good source of vegetable protein. Less is more when it comes to beans for your dog if they have a history of having gassy stomachs.
On the plus side, beans are very high in fiber and can aid in constipation relief for your dog. For vegetarian dogs, they are a fantastic source of protein and are also high in folate, potassium, and magnesium. Additionally, beans may lower blood cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of heart problems.
Don’t feed raw beans to your dog because they contain phytohaemagglutinin, which can cause nausea and diarrhea. The toxin in the beans will be destroyed by soaking and cooking them, which will also reduce their fiber content and make them easier on a dog’s stomach. You can purchase cooked beans in cans or frozen, but if you choose to use canned beans, make sure there are no added seasonings like sugar, salt, or spices.
Try adding some diced cooked chicken or turkey or combining beans with other vegetables like potatoes and corn if your dog doesn’t like it plain.
Cooked or raw broccoli is a crunchy treat that can be given to pets. This green treat is rich in fiber and vitamin C. With broccoli stalks, as with all vegetables, keep an eye on the dog and consider “choking hazard” Additionally, the anti-carcinogen isothiocyanates found in broccoli can occasionally aggravate dogs’ stomachs.
Test a small amount on your dog to see if they like it first. One cup of cooked broccoli would be more than enough for an average-sized adult dog, even though it is unclear how much is too much for canines. However, the same amount of raw broccoli would be less than ideal.
Crunching on raw carrots can help keep teeth clean. However, dogs struggle to digest the goodness from raw carrots. Serve carrots lightly steamed to promote digestion so that you can take advantage of all that vitamin A.
Maintaining vision, boosting the immune system, and caring for the skin all benefit from vitamin A.
Many dogs enjoy this tasty and crunchy treat, so save some carrot tops if you grow them in your garden.
Cauliflower looks bland but is surprisingly rich in nutrients. Along with omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, choline, manganese, and phosphorus, it also contains vitamins B, C, and K. The result is that the immune system and red blood cells are strong.
But like raw cabbage, raw cauliflower is difficult to digest, so it’s best to cook it briefly. To provide your dog with a nutritious supplement to their diet, try adding some steamed florets to their dinner.
You can feed more cauliflower at once when it’s cooked because it becomes softer and more palatable than when it’s raw. To prevent the florets from getting stuck in your dog’s throat, just make sure they are bite-sized.
Once more, start out slowly because another vegetable linked to gas is cauliflower.
An excellent low-calorie treat for your dog is a celery stick. Additionally, it will keep their breath fresh.
Celery is high in fiber and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for dogs trying to lose weight. In addition to vitamins A, C, and K, it also contains folate, manganese, and potassium. Celery contains low levels of a natural diuretic. Celery is best fed in moderation as a crunchy treat because excessive feeding could cause your dog to urinate more.
Cut the celery into smaller pieces if you have a small dog because they are more likely to swallow it whole.
Moisture-rich cucumber makes a refreshing snack on a hot day. This is a cunning way to give your pet fluids, and thankfully it’s low calorie as well.
Typically, a half cup of cucumber has only 8 calories, compared to a typical dog biscuit’s 40. Great for a dog on a diet!.
You can either choose to peel a cucumber first to lessen its bitterness or just cut one up into small pieces and feed it that way. You can also add a little water or your dog’s preferred juice (like carrot juice) to the cucumber for flavor.
By the way, check out this entertaining article: Cats vs. Cucumbers: Why Are Cats Afraid of Cucumbers?
These are a great source of vitamin C and beta-carotene. These nutrients boost the immune system, safeguard vision, and act as a natural painkiller for arthritis sufferers.
Give your dog raw, thinly sliced bell pepper as a healthy treat. Additionally, bear in mind that peppers can add some interesting flavors to your dog’s meals when combined with other foods like meat or other vegetables. Bell peppers make a very adaptable snack for your dog because they are generally safe for dogs and work well in both raw and cooked recipes.
Lettuce should honestly be better called ‘crunchy water’. Being 90% water, this vegetable is a good snack for canine weight watchers.
To prevent a choking hazard if your dog bolts their food, chop up the lettuce before feeding.
Learn more about the benefits of the crunchy vegetable lettuce for dogs here: Can Dogs Eat Lettuce?
There are a surprising number of pea varieties, including garden, sugar snap, English, and snow. The good news is that all of them are suitable for dogs and that if you can eat the shell, your dog can, too.
These tasty little morsels are loaded with vitamins (A, B, and K), minerals (magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium), and the potent antioxidant lutein. Peas are one of the best sources of fiber for your dog, aside from that. Fiber is crucial for regulating their digestion and keeping things moving.
Just be careful how many you eat because too many peas can cause diarrhea. Like dogs with kidney issues, pea consumption should be limited. The latter contain purines, which the kidney may find challenging to process.
There is a false belief that dogs cannot eat potatoes. When properly prepared, potatoes make a wholesome dog food. Never feed raw potatoes because they contain the poison solanine. Likewise, fried potato is full of fat and best avoided. Instead, bake or barely boil the potato; do not overdo the butter.
When prepared properly, potatoes provide benefits like vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as necessary minerals and micronutrients. Oh, but if your dog is on the heavier side, watch the calories. Additionally, bear in mind that starchy foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or peas shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
The health benefits of fiber, vitamins, and minerals are all present in pumpkin, which is also delicious.
Lightly cooked pumpkin is easiest for a dog to digest. When given in small doses, it eases constipation or bind-up diarrhea.
The addition of a few tablespoons of fresh, steamed pumpkin to dog food adds moisture without adding excessive calories. If your dog tolerates dairy after it has been incorporated into the food, you can add some warm water or plain yogurt to create a stew-like consistency. A good starting point is one tablespoon per 10 pounds of body weight.
Look carefully at labels to ensure you’re getting 100% pumpkin (it should be the first ingredient), and only feed pureed pumpkin if you’re feeding canned pumpkin. To make canned pumpkin more appealing to your picky eater, combine it with warm water, honey, or, even better, unsweetened apple sauce. Drizzle over kibble.
Pumpkin seeds are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts because they have the same fatty acids as sunflower seeds.
In addition to being a great vegetable for dogs, spinach is also high in iron and a good source of vitamins. Give your dog spinach… but not too much of it.
Oxalic acid, which spinach also contains and which can prevent calcium absorption, This isn’t a problem in moderation, so just remember that.
You can make homemade dog treats out of spinach in addition to simply serving it plain. Check this recipe:
Zucchini gets a green light for dogs. They are fantastic low-calorie, high-fiber foods that also contain vitamins.
If you prefer to feed your dog raw zucchini, make sure to thoroughly wash the squash and cut it into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Dogs can consume cooked zucchini whole, but seasonings should not be added.
Sweet potatoes, like regular potatoes, are one of the vegetables that dogs can only eat when cooked. The most popular recommendations for preparing sweet potatoes for your dog include baking, boiling, steaming, or microwaving; however, avoid adding butter, salt, or any other seasonings.
This results in nutrient-dense food that is easy on the stomach and naturally sweet. Sweet potatoes can be added once daily, or about a half cup, and most dogs can easily digest them. Besides eating it plain, you can use sweet potatoes to make homemade dog treats using the following recipe:
Dogs are different from people. It turns out that some caution is required when adding vegetables to your dog’s diet even though we all know that chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Here’s what to avoid in the vegetable patch.
Beets aren’t toxic, but they do come with complications.
Avoid eating raw beets because they can cause choking and get stuck in the digestive tract. Beets also contain oxalate, a component of some bladder stones. Definitely steer clear of beets if your dog has bladder or kidney issues.
Beets are also acidic in nature. This may aggravate some dogs’ digestive systems, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.
Like their root, beet greens should only be fed in moderation to dogs because they are high in oxalates and nitrates. These two substances combine to result in kidney issues similar to those that eating a lot of beets can cause. Therefore, take it easy on the beet greens and watch out for any signs of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Brussel sprouts are referred to as “little round gas balls” for a reason. These nourishing balls of goodness are known to cause gas production and offensive flatulence.
Sprouts can aid in digestion and relieve constipation in dogs, on the one hand. However, you won’t want to be there when it occurs!
Sprouts must be cooked. Sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which are known to combat free radicals and lower the risk of bowel cancer, are also given extra credit.
Cabbage is another healthy vegetable that is best in moderation. Yes, cabbage is a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, but it also produces a lot of gas. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Additionally, raw cabbage contains thiocyanate, which in high doses can inhibit the thyroid gland and cause hypothyroidism.
Cabbage is beneficial to dogs, but only when handled with respect. The best way to serve cabbage is as a cut-up crunch sprinkled on top of food in small portions.
Corn itself isn’t a baddie. But what is a worry are corn cobs. One that a dog swallows whole blocks the bowel, which could be fatal. Emergency surgery is often needed to remove the obstruction.
When used as a filler in dog foods, corn itself has a bad reputation. Don’t be too harsh on this sunny vegetable, though; sweetcorn kernels do provide energy, fiber, and healthy vitamins.
Although it is not poisonous, eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and has been linked to allergic reactions in some canines. Test your dog’s tolerance for it by giving them a small amount of cooked eggplant.
The good news is that eggplant is a good source of phytonutrients like nasunin and chlorogenic acid. These are known to prevent cancer, heart disease, and nerve issues. Eggplant is also a high-fiber, low-fat food that is abundant in the vitamins B6 and K.
For most dogs, provide small amounts of cooked eggplant as a useful source of nutrition.
Since it is healthy for people but not dogs, garlic is a perplexing vegetable. Garlic is toxic to both dogs and cats. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur in small doses, but the real issues begin with large doses.
Garlic causes red blood cells to burst, leading to anemia. This leads to weakness, loss of energy, and collapse. Large doses on a regular basis are undoubtedly harmful, even though small amounts taken occasionally are unlikely to be harmful.
This healthy vegetable, which is regarded as a superfood for humans, has less clear benefits for dogs. Although kale contains potent anti-cancer compounds, it also contains a lot of oxalates.
It is best for dogs who are prone to bladder stones to stay away from foods high in oxalates, such as kale, broccoli, cabbage, and sprouts. Kale is another vegetable that, when consumed in large amounts, causes flatulence.
Mushrooms are a tale of extremes. Dogs can generally consume store-bought mushrooms as long as they weren’t cooked with onions or garlic. However, some wild mushrooms are extremely toxic and should never be consumed.
Heavy drooling, sickness, diarrhea, lack of coordination, collapse, and death are all signs of mushroom poisoning. If your dog consumes a wild mushroom while out for a walk, attempt to take a photo of the mushroom and then get immediate veterinary help.
The good news is that Vet Chat allows you to send a photo online and engage in an immediate chat with a licensed physician. With this 24-hour veterinarian advice service, you can contact a specialist and get answers to all of your questions about a specific mushroom in just a few clicks.
Radishes are problematic, but not because of their toxic nature, but rather because of their hazardous shape. A dog who eats a whole radish out of greed could develop a serious bowel obstruction.
If you determine that radish’s potassium and vitamin C content is suitable for your dog, be sure to slice it thinly.
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. They contain the toxic substance solanine, which can cause tremors and seizures.
The good news is that tomatoes’ green components, like the stem and leaves, contain solanine. Even though these are a big no-no, it is probably safe to eat the occasional ripe tomato.
Can dogs eat tomatoes? Yes…and no.
FAQ
Can you give dogs raw cauliflower?
Cauliflower is best served to your dog plain and unseasoned. The fibrous vegetable can be boiled, steamed, roasted, mashed, or riced. Cooking it makes it more palatable and less likely to cause choking. Feed your dog small amounts of raw cauliflower because larger amounts may cause digestive issues or gas.
What veggies can dogs eat raw?
- Broccoli – in small amounts, raw or steamed.
- Brussel Sprouts.
- Carrots can be given steamed or boiled, but many dogs prefer them raw.
- Celery.
- Green beans – steamed, boiled or raw.
- Peas include sugar snap peas, garden peas, and mangetout; tinned peas should be avoided.
Are cauliflower and broccoli safe for dogs?
If cooked, finely chopped, and served plain, small pieces of dog-safe vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli, or cauliflower make tasty and nutritious treats for puppies.
Why can’t dogs eat broccoli?
Choking Risk Although broccoli stems are edible, dogs are at a high risk of choking on them. Broccoli stems “have been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus, especially in small dogs,” according to the American Kennel Club. Before giving broccoli to your dog, chop it into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking.