We all know the importance of vegetables in human life, but have you ever thought of feeding veggies to your dogs? Most pet owners are highly tempted to share the morsel of their table food with their pup, but is it safe to give vegetables to dogs? If yes, what vegetables can dogs eat will be the question on their minds.
While it entirely depends on the type of vegetable, some of these vegetables are safe and beneficial, while others can be hard to digest. If your concern is your dog’s safety in terms of serving vegetables, you’ve come to the right place. Our ultimate Pet Life Expert’s guide to help you make an informed decision regarding your dog’s diet and nutrition. You’ll find a detailed list of all the vegetables dogs can eat safely or are harmful to them.
What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
Although we will discuss why dogs can or can’t eat vegetables.
1. Celery
You might wonder if dogs can eat celery, so yes! Celery is a cultivated plant rich in vitamin A, vitamins B, C, and K, potassium, and manganese. All these nutrients collectively help you improve your pet’s vision. This is a low-calorie vegetable that dogs love due to its crunchy texture. Although it’s a natural breath freshener for dogs, be careful of the amount you serve them. That’s because it’s a natural diuretic, so consumption in a large amount can make your dog urinate more frequently.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most valuable vegetables, and it contains different vitamins like A, C, E, and K, as well as fiber. The central plus point is that it contains no fat. When you serve broccoli, ensure chopping the stalks into tiny pieces so they can be easily lodged in your pet’s throat. Another point to be noted is that broccoli florets contain isothiocyanate, a toxic ingredient found in cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. These veggies can cause stomachaches in some dogs.
3. Cabbage
There comes another veggie that consists of valuable vitamins like vitamins C, B1, B6, and K. Additionally, they have phytonutrients, which are highly beneficial to improving your pup’s overall health. But what’s considerate about cabbage is the amount that could be fed to your furry friend. While a small amount is okay, large consumption can make your pet gassy, lead to hypothyroidism, and suppress the thyroid gland in dogs.
4. Carrots
Carrots come in those veggies, which are low in calories and rich in vitamins B, E, C, D, and K and dietary fibers. Raw carrots are the most helpful thing in keeping your dog’s teeth clean and also improve digestion. But when it comes to dogs, chewing them raw can be difficult for them, so it is better to serve them steamed.
5. Asparagus
When pet parents ask, what vegetables can dogs eat? Asparagus is one of those veggies enriched with vitamins like B6, C, E, and K, thiamin, and niacin. It also contains minerals like chromium, selenium, potassium, and copper. This veggie is considered a great alternative to chew sticks that can be fed after steaming or grilling for easier swallowing to dogs.
6. Zucchini
Among the list of what vegetables can dogs eat, zucchini is another choice. Let’s discuss another veggie high in vitamins and minerals, improving your dog’s strength, kidneys, and heart. Zucchini is also rich in fiber and low in calories. When you serve it to your dog, it is advised to steam it so it can be easier for dogs to swallow them. This veggie significantly softens the skin of your pups.
7. Cauliflower
When you are looking for a veggie that contains all the essential nutrients like manganese and phosphorus, vitamins B, C, and K, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids, cauliflower is your choice. It provides extraordinary strength to your dog’s immune system. However, it is safe only in small amounts. You can serve it either lightly cooked or steamed for easier digestion.
8. Beans
Pinto, black, and red kidneys are the most efficient yet best sources of energy and plant essential nutrients like folate, magnesium, and potassium. In addition, you can get butter beans that are extensively known for proteins. Ensure you give them a moderate amount, as it can create gas in your pups. Aside from that, green beans are great for dogs because they contain rich nutrients. Also, it can be served steamed, raw, or even canned, as long as you are sure they’re plain.
9. Spinach
If you wonder what other vegetables dogs can eat, know that dogs can eat spinach because they are a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, iron, and magnesium. This leafy green is highly efficient in avoiding inflammation, heart disease, and cancer because of all these nutrients. On the other hand, spinach should only be consumed in moderation since it contains oxalic acid, a substance that prevents the body from absorbing calcium and can harm the kidneys.
10. Potatoes
Eating potatoes is one of the dogs’ most valuable and nutritious foods, as long as they are not raw. Make sure the potatoes you serve to your dog are steamed, baked, and boiled, and all are served plain. However, when you ask, what vegetables can dogs eat, it is strongly advised not to give them raw or fried because they are high in fat.
11. Pumpkin
Vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber abound in pumpkin. It also helps with digestion, tastes good, and has few calories. Pumpkins that have been lightly cooked are more manageable for dogs to digest and can aid constipated dogs when given in tiny amounts. Dogs can safely eat it as long as canned pumpkin is free of sugar and other ingredients. Dogs can also be fed pumpkin seeds, but only if they are plain, without any oil, butter, or salt.
12. Beets
Vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium, and dietary fiber are abundant in beets. Beets can block your dog’s digestive tract and pose a significant choking threat, so avoid giving them raw beets. However, dogs prone to bladder stones should avoid cooked beets because they contain oxalate. In addition to being acidic, these vivid red vegetables can irritate some dogs’ stomachs and cause vomiting or diarrhea.
13. Cucumbers
Vitamins B1, C, and K, biotin, copper, potassium, and magnesium are all abundant in cucumbers. They are excellent food for dogs who are overweight because they are deficient in calories. Cucumbers are the ideal cool snack on a hot summer day because they are 96% water.
14. Peppers
Vitamin C, three times more abundant in peppers than in oranges, works with beta-carotene to protect the eyes, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation naturally. To soften the outer skin of peppers, heating them is the finest way to serve them. Make sure to chop them into little pieces if you serve them raw. Remember to double-check whether you are giving your pet spicy peppers.
15. Peas
Dogs can eat garden peas, sugar snap, English, and snow. These little green balls are high in fiber, protein, lutein, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and K. Serving them in excess can result in diarrhea, so be careful. Dogs with kidney problems should not eat peas because they contain purines, which the kidneys may find hard to absorb.
16. Sweet Potatoes
When a question comes; what vegetables can dogs eat, sweet potatoes are another choice to settle for. Yams and sweet potatoes are high in fiber and vitamins B6 and C. They also contain beta-carotene, like carrots, which is good for the skin and eyes. Like conventional potatoes, these orange vegetables are best served cooked (baked or boiled) and without spice.
17. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are excellent for strengthening bones and increasing immunity because they are a rich source of vitamins C and K. Additionally, they have anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Although they can help constipation and digestion, Brussels sprouts can produce gas and flatulence in dogs. Before giving the sprouts to your pet, make sure they are cooked.
18. Lettuce
Lastly, for your concern of, what vegetables can dogs eat, one of the best veggies is lettuce, which can be fed to your pup. Like cucumbers, lettuce has a high-water content (90%) and is an ideal food for overweight dogs. To prevent choking hazards, make sure to slice the lettuce before feeding.
What Vegetables Are Bad for Dogs?
Now, we are going to discuss what vegetables are bad for dogs.
1. Onions
When pet owners want to know; what vegetables can dogs eat or what not, onions and chives, which belong to the allium plant family, are poisonous to dogs. Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog has consumed onions and you see symptoms such as dark yellow urine, poor energy, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
2. Garlic
Like onions, this foul-smelling vegetable is suitable for people but poisonous to dogs. Small doses of garlic can produce vomiting and diarrhea, but larger doses can rupture red blood cells and cause anemia. This results in weakness, collapse, and energy loss.
3. Mushrooms
As long as they are served simply and in moderation, supermarket-bought mushrooms are usually safe for dogs. However, dogs should never be given wild mushrooms, as some are pretty dangerous. Diarrhea, profuse drooling, impaired coordination, collapse, and death are symptoms of mushroom poisoning. Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if your dog consumes a wild mushroom.
4. Corn
Dogs can safely eat corn, but it does not provide them with much nourishment. Like when it comes to what vegetables can dogs eat, give your dog small amounts of corn if you choose to feed it. Corn cobs can create a potentially fatal intestinal blockage if consumed, so never give them to your pet.
5. Tomatoes
Because they belong to the nightshade family, tomatoes contain solanine, a poison that can cause tremors and seizures. Dogs can safely eat ripe tomatoes, but the plant’s stems, leaves, and green produce have greater levels of solanine. Therefore, exercise extreme caution if you have a vegetable garden that your dog can explore.
6. Radishes
Although they are not harmful to dogs, radishes can be dangerous due to their form. Your pet may develop severe bowel blockage if they swallow whole radish. Therefore, thinly slice the radishes before feeding them to your pet.
7. Eggplant
Another nightshade connected to allergy responses in certain dogs is eggplant. Start with some cooked eggplant to find out if your dog can handle this vegetable. When pet parents recall for what vegetables can dogs eat, eggplant is not recommended at all.
To End Up
Digestibility is the most crucial consideration when determining whether dogs can consume vegetables. Many vegetables are safe for dogs to drink, while some can negatively impact a dog’s health. You can rely on the tips to give your dog vegetables that are good for their health to know what vegetables can dogs eat what’s not good for dogs.
