Wondering what vegetables can dogs eat that are good for them? Here are 12 good vegetables for your dachshund or other breeds.
We run through some of the best vegetables you can give your dogs and the benefits of doing so.
Can Dogs Eat Leafy Greens?
Most leafy greens such as Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage and Kale are good for dogs, as they contain vitamins A, C and K. In addition, they are rich in calcium, iron, and potassium.
Don’t give your dog too much of these as they contain a lot of fiber and can upset some dogs’ stomachs. Just giving a small portion mixed in with their protein-rich dog food is beneficial.
It is best to have the leafy greens uncooked or you can steam them as well. Steaming and not boiling in water is a great way to cook them. Steaming instead of boiling will preserve the nutrients and flavor.
Can Dogs Eat Carrots?
There was a study by The British Journal of Nutrition, as they found that vitamin A was very important for a dog’s health. It helps support the immune system, and bone growth, and can decrease the possibility of eye infections.
Most dogs like the flavor of carrots, and they are a good crunch treat when they are raw. However, carrots are high in starch and sugar, so you want to give them in moderation. They can cause your dog to gain weight if you give them too many carrots.
They make a good low-calorie healthy snack as they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants.
Just feed your dog a small amount and balance it with their healthy high-protein dog food. serving carrots is the best way to serve them to your dog. Make sure you cut them up and not have too large a piece as they could choke.
Just like dog treats, make sure you don’t feed them more than 3% of your dog’s total calories. I like to cut up a few very small pieces of raw carrots and mix them in with their dog food, as that makes a tasty meal.
Here are the Nutritional Facts About Carrots According to the USDA, listed below is the nutritional count of 1 cup raw, chopped carrots.
- 53 calories
- 1.19 grams of protein
- 12.3 grams of carbohydrates
- 3.58 grams of dietary fiber
- 21400 IU Vitamin A
- 10,600 mcg Beta Carotene
- 410 mg Potassium
- 16.9 mcg Vitamin K
Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Celery is another good vegetable as it contains healthy nutrients.
Again, moderation is key, as you don’t want to put too much celery in your dog’s diet. It should not be a meal replacement.
However, many vets recommend adding celery to the dog’s diet if they are overweight, as celery is about 5% water and has few calories.
Celery has many important nutrients such as vitamin A that will help your dog’s skin and coat.
Another good nutrient is fiber which helps with your dog’s digestive system. Just don’t overdo it, as too much fiber will cause your dog to pass a lot of gas.
Celery also is an anti-inflammatory agent and can help alleviate inflammation in your dog’s joints.
It is best to give your dog raw celery and not cooked.
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
If your dog is overweight, giving them green beans may help, as many vets recommend green beans for an overweight dog.
Green beans are a low-calorie, high-fiber treat. They make a good filler mixed in with their dog food that won’t add a lot of calories.
My dachshund loves green beans, and I will put a small amount of them in his dog food.
Green beans contain vitamins A, C & K. They also contain fiber and manganese.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a good treat. They contain Vitamins A, B5, B6, and C. They are also high in fiber, potassium, and manganese.
The best way to serve sweet potatoes is either boiling, baking, or steaming, and do not add any seasoning.
Can Dogs Eat Squash?
Squash is good for dogs as long as you don’t give them seeds or skin. A lot of dogs like the taste of squash and if your dog has a case of diarrhoea, squash helps with that.
You can also steam the squash which is a good way to give to your dog. You should limit the amount you give them.
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Broccoli is another good source of nutrients, which has vitamins C, vitamin K, and potassium. Broccoli helps improve bone density and is high in fiber as well.
Only give small quantities of broccoli as it can cause an upset stomach in some dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts?
Brussel sprouts contain fiber and other nutrients and are okay to feed your dog.
However, make sure you only feed them a very small amount, as brussel sprouts can give a dog gas. So that might not be pleasant for you as well.
Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower?
Cauliflower is okay to feed your dog as it has vitamins and antioxidants. It helps support inflammation as well.
However, just like brussel sprouts, it has fiber and if you give too much of it to your dog, they might get an upset stomach and a lot of gas.
You can give cauliflower raw or cooked without the stems or leaves. Some dogs like the taste, but others may not.
What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
All of the above vegetables are safe for your dog to eat, but they should all be limited to small quantities as most of their meal should come from their dog food.
Also, always make sure you break them up into small bite-size pieces so they don’t choke on them.
Plus, if you have never given your dog vegetables before, just go slow with the amount you give them. You want to make sure it agrees with them.
Can Dogs Eats Legumes?
Not recommended! There has been recent news about legumes, like kidney beans, pinto beans, lentils, and peas, and whether these are safe for dogs to eat.
The FDA update reports that there are canine dilated cardiopulmonary (DCM) dogs eating dog foods that contain legumes on the ingredients list.
If your dog food has a high amount of legumes or potatoes in their diet, you should probably change their dog food. Also, you might not want to give your dog legumes.
However, in the previous paragraph earlier on this page, green beans were good to give to a dog. Since they are not classified as a bean they don’t have the limitations as legumes.
Fruits & Vegetables That Are HARMFUL and You Should NEVER Give To Your Dog
1. Grapes and raisins
Just a small amount of grapes and raisins can give your dog kidney damage so they are a vegetable your dog can’t eat.
2. Onions, Garlic, Chives
Again, these can give your dog kidney damage and can harm a dog’s blood cells.
3. Any fruits with seeds such as cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots
These seeds contain cyanide that is harmful to your dog. Plus, the seeds are harmful to your dog’s small intestine.
4. Rhubarbs
Rhubarbs are not good for your dog’s digestive tract, nervous system, and kidneys. It can also reduce their calcium level, causing renal problems.
Warning: if your dog somehow ate any of these, contact your vet immediately.
