At A Glance
Not all veggies are safe for pooches, as some may be toxic to dogs (like onions and garlic). Thankfully, there’s also a long list of vegetables that you can feed your dog.
Last Updated on: Sep 11, 2023
We all know vegetables pack a nutritious punch that is beneficial for us humans-but can our dogs benefit from them, too? The answer is yes, vegetables are good for dogs, as long as you’re giving your them the right ones.
“Adding a few bites of fresh veggies on top of your pet’s meals is a powerful way to supercharge their food, so it has a more profound impact on your pet’s health”, shares Dr. Karen Becker.
There are many dog-safe vegetables that your dog can enjoy, and can supplement a balanced diet. Vegetables make for low-calorie, crunchy treats with important vitamins and minerals that your dogs can enjoy as treats. They can also be boiled and added to their regular food.
A lot of commercial dog foods also use vegetables in their kibbles. The most common vegetables found in dog food are carrots, corn, sweet potato, peas, brussel sprouts, beets, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Experts recommend adding vegetables to comprise up to 10% of your dog’s diet. The rest should still be specially-formulated dog food, or fresh food that has been approved by a veterinary nutritionist.
This is to avoid any nutritional imbalances that may arise from feeding your dog an improper diet, such as feeding vegetables alone without meat or other protein source. Anything in excess can be harmful to your dog’s health, and may cause a host of health problems instead.
Additionally, you’ll want to go easy on vegetables with too much fiber. While vegetables are an excellent source of fiber that can help dogs feel full, too much fiber can also lead to gastric irritation in some dogs.
So, for example, if you tried feeding your dog raw carrots as a treat but find that they aren’t digested well (i.e., seeing pieces of it in your dog’s stool) you might want to try chopping it more finely or boiling it next time to improve digestion.
In addition to frequent bowel movements, some signs that you may have fed your dog too much vegetable are:
Also, if your dog has any health conditions or is supposed to follow a special diet, always consult your veterinarian first. Your vet is the best person to ask for recommendations, such as the best veggies for dogs with kidney disease, or the best veggies for dogs with allergies.
“Vegetables are good for you, and your dogs should eat vegetables too! The secret to getting your dogs to eat vegetables involves just a couple tools. The first one is a food processor…the second one is gravy!” – Barking Good Chef Matt Degen
Here are some of the best veggies you can feed your dog:
Beets are very nutritious, and can be beneficial to your dog’s skin, coat, and digestive health. Beets are a common ingredient in commercial dog food because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They contain a lot of Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, and Folate, making them a great addition to your dog’s diet.
Dogs can eat beets raw or cooked, as long as they’ve been washed, peeled, and chopped into bite-sized pieces. Beets are not on the list of best canned veggies for dogs, though, as canned beets typically have a lot of added salt and other ingredients.
Beets can turn your dog’s urine pink or red after eating, but don’t be alarmed, as this red vegetable is perfectly safe to consume.
Bell peppers are a hit-or-miss in dogs, but they’re actually one of the best raw veggies for dogs! My dog hates them, but I’ve seen a lot of dog snack on them like they’re a proper dog treat.
Dogs love them because they’re crunchy, nutritious, and consists of 92% water. Bell peppers contain Vitamins A, B6, E, Folate, and Potassium. To offer your dog bell peppers, make sure all the stems and seeds have been removed, and the peppers have been sliced into smaller pieces.
Broccoli is another healthy green veggie that dogs can eat. Filled with Vitamins C and K, broccoli boosts your dog’s immune system and improves bone health. Because broccoli is low in fat, it’s also one of the best veggies you can feed your dog for weight loss, in case it needs to shed a few extra pounds.
Don’t give too much broccoli, though, as the florets contain a compound called isothiocyanates, which in excess can cause gastric irritation in some dogs. Broccoli is also among the best frozen veggies for dogs, as they are typically sold in larger packs without any seasoning. You can feed them raw and out of the bag for a cool treat on a hot day, or cook fresh broccoli and add it to their meal.
Brussels sprouts are another veggie you can try offering your dog, although they may either love them or hate them. If your dog happens to like brussels sprouts, only offer it moderately, as it’s a cruciferous vegetable that can cause gas pain.
Brussels sprouts are one of the best cooked veggies for dogs, as they are fibrous, chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants, and has high levels of Vitamin K that can help with heart health and blood clotting.
Carrots are great as a treat that can double as a dental cleaner, especially when given raw and crunchy. They can also be frozen to provide teething puppies pain relief.
Carrots are low in calories, making them an excellent source of potassium, Vitamin A, beta carotene, and fiber. Carrots can be cooked and added to dog food as well. When preparing carrots, make sure to wash, peel, and slice into smaller pieces for easier consumption.
Another cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower can be fed to your dog raw, steamed, roasted, or boiled. Cauliflower is low in calories and high in fiber, making it one of the best high-fiber veggies for senior dogs with joint pain and need a bit of help losing weight.
Its high fiber content also promotes gut health, as long as you’re only offering the right amount.
Celery makes it to the list as one of the best green veggies for dogs, because it’s both nutritious and acts as a breath freshener. And if you’re a dog owner, you know how nasty your furbaby’s breath can get if it’s missed a day or two of toothbrushing!
Celery is also one of the best veggies for senior dogs and overweight dogs looking to lose a few pounds, as it is low in fat and cholesterol. However, it is rich in fiber, Vitamin A, C, K, potassium, folate, manganese, and water.
You can serve it sliced and raw, or topped with a bit of dog-safe peanut butter. As always, offer in moderation to maximize its health benefits for your pooch.
Cucumbers are mostly water, but they’re extremely nutritious despite being low in fat, calories, and sugar. Cucumber also has phytochemicals, which can help fight bad breath and tooth decay.
To offer cucumbers, peel and slice into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of choking. For an added crunch and cooling effect on a summer day, freeze cucumber chunks and add them to your dog’s water for a refreshing drink your dog will love.
Green beans are naturally sweet and crunchy, making them appealing to dogs. They are also rich in iron, calcium, protein, and vitamins to keep your dog healthy. Green beans, whether canned or frozen, can be used to replace 10% of your dog’s kibble if you’re trying to put it on a diet.
The iron in green beans can especially help improve the production of red blood cells, making it an ideal snack for dogs with anemia, or dogs that are recovering from a parasitic infection or surgery.
Last but not the least, we have lettuce, a great source of fiber, vitamins, and beta carotene. So yes, you can share your salad with your dog, as long as you don’t give them a piece with lots of dressing!
It’s best to tear the lettuce into small pieces if you find that your dog enjoys it, to reduce the risk of choking. Lettuce isn’t too high in nutrients, but it can be a great high-fiber snack especially if your dog is constipated.
Easy-to-digest veggies like carrots and potatoes are great for dogs with an upset stomach. If your dog is having tummy troubles, boil carrots or potatoes and mash them before adding to your dog’s kibble.
You can also add probiotic powders to give your dog’s gut an extra boost. Stay away from veggies with too much fiber, like leafy greens, or cruciferous vegetables if your dog has gastric issues.
Your dog can eat a variety of vegetables daily, as long as they don’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet. Try offering your dog beets, broccoli, carrots, and green beans, and keep them in a rotation for nutritional variety.
Don’t feed your dog just one vegetable daily, as this may cause unintended health problems along the way. When in doubt, always consult your vet.
If I have to pick one, I’d probably say beets. They’re a superfood that offer a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are safe to feed raw or cooked. Carrots would be close second for me, as they’re great for your dog’s teeth and is very easy to incorporate into your dog’s diet.
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
