Which Fruits and Vegetables Can You Give a Dog?

In addition to animal proteins, dogs can consume various vegetables. Learn which ones they should avoid, and the benefits and risks of the B.A.R.F. diet.

It is often assumed that a dog is only interested in meat. However, it is an omnivorous animal. That is, it can also eat some vegetables and fruits.

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From the field of veterinary medicine specializing in animal nutrition, it is clarified: they are not 100% omnivorous; rather, dogs are “facultative carnivores.” Not all plants are advisable for dogs to ingest. Some can be eaten as part of a balanced diet. Others, however, can be toxic.

Dogs do not necessarily need to consume vegetables or fruits in their diet, but they can be a good option. Unlike cats, they have a different way of digesting and metabolizing carbohydrates.

Dogs can benefit from the vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients found in vegetables and fruits.

Which Vegetables Can You Give a Dog?

Carrots and Brussels sprouts, among other vegetables, can be part of a dog’s diet. They must be cooked. If you have doubts about what to give them, you should consult a veterinarian (iStock)

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Dogs can eat pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, and spinach. These vegetables can be given to healthy animals. If they have any medical condition, you should first consult a veterinarian specializing in nutrition.

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The vegetables must be well-cooked before the dog eats them, the expert noted. “Dogs are not adapted to digest raw vegetables,” the expert said.

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Can All Dogs Eat Vegetables?

If the dog has any medical condition, its diet should be adapted according to the instructions of a veterinary nutrition specialist (Getty Images)

If the dog is healthy, it can consume these types of cooked vegetables. You can also consult a veterinarian specializing in nutrition to recommend a natural and balanced diet.

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Recommendations can then be tailored to the dog’s specific health conditions. If the dog needs to lose weight or if its urine pH needs to be managed, certain vegetables are recommended and others are not, said Barattero, who is a member of the board of the Argentine Association of Veterinary Nutrition.

Which Fruits Can You Give a Dog?

Blueberries are a fleshy fruit that dogs can eat. Getty /Archive

Dogs can eat peeled and ripe fruits. They should not have seeds, as these contain substances toxic to the animal. Do not give them waste like peels. Here is a list of approved fruits:

• Red apples
• Pears
• Peaches
• Blueberries (often used for dogs with urinary infections)
• Melon
• Mango
• Bananas
• Watermelon (remove the rind and seeds first)

“Some people give their dogs fruit peels as if the dog were a trash can. However, this is not healthy. Some fruits can be eaten with the peel, but under no circumstances is it healthy to give them only the peels,” she stated.

Which Fruits and Vegetables Should You Not Give a Dog?

You should not give nuts and other dried fruits to dogs (iStock)

Grapes, raisins, and currants are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure in some. You should also not give them nuts such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, or chestnuts.

You should not give them onions (or any of their derivatives, such as chives), garlic, or scallions, as these can be harmful: they cause long-term poisoning. They can cause blood problems, as well as diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea if dogs consume them in large quantities.

Store-bought mushrooms may be safe, but wild mushrooms are toxic, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. You should also not give them raw potatoes or avocados.

“Some avocados can be toxic to dogs. That’s why we do not recommend them,” she warned.

Is the B.A.R.F. Diet Recommended for Dogs?

(Getty)

The B.A.R.F. Diet is an acronym in English for “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.” It is the practice of feeding pets a diet consisting of raw foods.

“Like any natural diet (whether cooked or not), the B.A.R.F. diet must be formulated by a veterinarian specializing in nutrition. You should not buy or copy a recipe that is not developed for your dog,” she said.

The B.A.R.F. diet has its benefits and drawbacks. The person caring for the dog must properly manage its diet to avoid harm.

The B.A.R.F. diet involves giving raw food. It can have some benefits, but dogs can also acquire infections from consuming contaminated food (Getty Images)

“Raw meats can transmit diseases to dogs and to the people who handle them. That’s why you should consult your trusted veterinary clinician about its benefits and drawbacks,” the expert said.

She continued: “If you are considering a dietary change, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian specializing in canine nutrition to develop a natural, raw, or cooked diet that is properly formulated for each patient.”

“The B.A.R.F. diet may be contraindicated in some dogs,” Barattero emphasized.

What Percentage of a Dog’s Diet Can Be Fruits and Vegetables?

Dogs also need animal proteins and fats as part of their complete diet, although it can include fruits and vegetables (Credit: Getty)

“Dogs do not need more than 5% of fruits or vegetables in their diets. This comes from understanding that domestic dogs are still carnivores. However, during domestication, today’s dog has moved away from that primitive dog, and its eating habits have changed,” said Juan Manuel Cantet, a professor of animal nutrition at the National University of Entre Ríos.

“It has gone through a process of humanizing its diet, among other changes since it was domesticated,” Cantet commented. “There are studies from the last ten years that state that today’s dog is better adapted to utilizing grains compared to its pre-domestication relatives.”

“It is not bad to offer fruits and vegetables to pets, especially for their fiber and certain vitamin content. But it must be kept in mind that dogs need animal protein and fats as a fundamental part of their complete diet.”

If you have questions related to the well-being of your pets, please email:
DrBorrego@petsvet.com
Dr. Enrique Borrego is the medical director of Animal General Hospital, located at
501 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, Port St Lucie, FL 34953
Phone 772-344-8835 www.petsvet.com

Serving our Treasure Coast community since 1990

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Written by

Federico Rodriguez

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Writes for El Hispano Para Todos, the newspaper of the Latino community of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.

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