Many fruits and vegetables can be healthy occasional treats for dogs, such as carrots, pumpkin, cucumber, apples, blueberries, etc. They can provide fibre, water and some vitamins and minerals, while often being lower in calories than processed treats. However, they should complement, not replace, a balanced, protein-first dog diet.
Why does this matter?
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Fruits and vegetables can be a simple way to add variety to your dog's treats without adding too many calories. Good options include carrots, green beans, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli, celery and plain cooked pumpkin. Safe fruits include apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and pineapple.
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However, preparation matters. Fruits with seeds, pits, stems, cores or tough peels should be prepared appropriately, and vegetables should ideally be served plain, without salt, butter, spices or sauces.
What do vets generally agree on?
Fruits and vegetables are best treated as occasional extras, not as a substitute for nutritionally complete dog food. Treats and other extras should generally make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake, with the remaining calories coming from a complete and balanced diet.
For everyday nutrition, a complete and balanced food such as BLEP dog food should form the foundation of your dog's diet. Fruits and vegetables can then be used as small treats or occasional additions.
When to be careful?
Some fruits and vegetables should never be offered to dogs. These include:
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Grapes and raisins: can cause serious kidney injury.
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Onions, garlic, leeks and chives: can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia.
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Macadamia nuts: can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and other signs of toxicity.
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Avocado: can cause gastrointestinal problems, and the pit can cause an obstruction.
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Unripe tomatoes and tomato plants: can be harmful in sufficient quantities.
Introduce any new food gradually and in a small quantity. Too much of even a safe fruit or vegetable can cause digestive upset, particularly in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
If your dog eats a potentially toxic food, contact a veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms. Toxicity can depend on the food, quantity eaten and the individual dog.
