The Best Veggies for Your Dog (And the Ones You Need to Avoid)

More and more people are discovering the benefits of cooking their dog’s food.  You have more control of what your dog is eating, it eliminates the preservatives and byproducts, and usually it’s also more cost effective.  But now the problem is, making sure that what you’re putting into your dog’s dish is safe for your best friend to digest.

Many people foods are perfectly safe for dogs, some are very unhealthy and downright dangerous, so it’s critical to learn which vegetables dogs can eat. Dogs digest foods differently than humans do, and eating the wrong foods can lead dogs to long-term health problems and, in extreme cases, even death. As omnivores, dogs have no real need for fruits or vegetables as part of their diet, but many dog lovers want to add them to impart their nutrients, which is completely understandable.  After all, fresh dog foods also pre-portion fresh veggies into meals.

The following are the vegetables that are safe to give your pooch, some that are okay in moderation, and the ones that you should keep far out of reach.

Definitely YES

Carrots
Yes, dogs can eat carrots. Carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack that is high in fiber, potassium, and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A. Plus, crunching on this orange veggie is great for your dog’s teeth (and fun). Just make sure you cut them down to size to prevent a choking event.

Celery
Yes, celery is safe for dogs to eat. In addition to vitamins A, B, and C, this crunchy green snack contains the nutrients needed to promote a healthy heart and even fight cancer. As if that wasn’t enough, celery is also known to freshen doggy breath, and is good for teeth and gums. Their high water content make them a great choice if your dog needs to lose some lbs.

Green beans
Yes, dogs can eat green beans. Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned – all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans are full of important vitamins and minerals and they’re also full of fiber and low in calories. The iron in green beans also helps promote the production of red blood cells, and can make your dog feel full with fewer calories, if they need to lose a few pounds. Green beans are best bought fresh or frozen. Opt for low-salt or no-salt products if you’re feeding canned green beans to your dog.

Cucumbers
Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are especially good for overweight dogs, as they hold little to no carbohydrates, fats, or oils and they can even boost energy levels. They’re loaded with vitamins K, C, and B1, as well as potassium, copper, magnesium, and biotin. They also contain phytochemicals that may be able to fight bad breath.

Brussels Sprouts
Yes, dogs can eat Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that are great for humans and dogs, alike. Don’t overfeed them to your dog, however, because they can cause lots of gas. Cabbage is also safe for dogs, but comes with the same gassy warning!

Cauliflower

Yes, dogs can safely eat cauliflower in many preparations, including raw, steamed, roasted, and riced. Cauliflower contains antioxidants to help reduce inflammation, making it a good choice for dogs who suffer from joint pain. They’re also chock full of fiber to promote healthy gut activities.

Peas
Yes, dogs can eat peas. Green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas are all OK for dogs to find in their bowl on occasion. Peas have several vitamins like A, B, C and K, minerals, and are rich in protein and high in fiber. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, but avoid canned peas with added sodium. Their small size and sweetness make them a great training treat!

Sweet Potatoes
Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are super nutrient-dense and offer a huge range of health benefits for both humans and canines. Serve baked, roasted, or pureed. Never feed sweet potatoes raw as they contain a compound called solanine which can be toxic for dogs. High in vitamin A, which helps promote healthy skin and coat and also provides benefits to eyes, muscles, and nerves. Can help add more fiber to your dog’s diet and may be able to offer soothing relief if your furry one is experiencing an upset stomach.

Pumpkin

Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin. Pumpkin for dogs loads them up on fiber, vitamin A and anti-oxidants. There are plenty of pumpkin dog supplements out there, but an easy and inexpensive way to add pumpkin to your dog’s dinner is simply opening a can of plain old pumpkin puree and mixing in a heaping spoonful. This unique ingredient can help alleviate diarrhea and constipation. And it has been known to promote his overall cardiovascular health. And, because of its high fiber and low calorie content, it could help your dog lose a little weight.

Butternut Squash

Yes, dogs can eat Squash.  Like pumpkin, Butternut Squash contains lost of vitamins and minerals like A, C, B6 and more which help your dog’s immune system, vision, and cardiovascular function.

Definitely NOT

Avocado 
No, dogs should not eat avocado. While avocado may be a healthy snack for dog owners, it should not be given to dogs at all. The pit, skin, and leaves of avocados contain persin, a toxin that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The AKC says that while the fleshy inside of the fruit doesn’t have as much persin as the rest of the plant, it is often still too much for dogs to handle.

Asparagus
No, dogs should not eat asparagus. While asparagus isn’t necessarily unsafe for dogs, there’s really no point in giving it to them. It’s too tough to be eaten raw, and by the time you cook it down so it’s soft enough for dogs to eat, asparagus loses the nutrients it contains. If you really want to share a veggie, something more beneficial is probably best.

Wild Mushrooms
No, dogs should avoid mushrooms. Wild mushrooms can be toxic for dogs. While only 50-100 of the 50,000 mushroom species worldwide are known to be toxic, the ones that are poisonous can really hurt your dog or even lead to death. Washed white mushrooms from the supermarket could be OK, but it’s better to be safe than sorry; skip the fungi for Fido all together.

Onions and Garlic
No, dogs should never eat onions. Onions, leeks, and chives are part of a family of plants called Allium that is poisonous to most pets, especially cats. Eating onions can cause your dog’s red blood cells to rupture, and can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea. Poisoning from onions is more serious in Japanese breeds of dogs like Akitas and Shiba Inus, but all dogs are very susceptible to it.

Yes, BUT use with CAUTION

Broccoli
Yes, broccoli is safe for dogs to eat, BUT in very small quantities and is best served as an occasional treat. It is high in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat. However, Broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs. Furthermore, broccoli stalks have been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus.

Spinach
Yes, dogs can eat spinach, BUT it’s not one of the top vegetables you’ll want to be sharing with you pup. Spinach is high in oxalic acid, which blocks the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage. While your dog would probably have to eat a very large amount of spinach to have this problem, it might be best to go with another vegetable.

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