If you find your dog in the vegetable patch or snacking on veggie scraps, should you worry? Can dogs eat all types of vegetables or are there some that shouldn\u2019t be allowed in a dog\u2019s diet? Let\u2019s dig in and find out which vegetables dogs can safely eat.<\/p>\n
There are many vegetables that are not only safe for dogs, but provide nutritional benefits for them as well. Squash (pumpkins), while technically a fruit, are great for dogs to eat since they\u2019re high in fiber and packed full of antioxidants, and are rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber. They are easier for dogs to digest if cooked first, and can make a great addition to your treat rotation. However, dogs shouldn\u2019t be allowed to chew on the stems or eat the seeds of pumpkins (the pumpkin \u201cguts\u201d) because these are hard to digest and can be a choking hazard.<\/p>\n
Kale is another vegetable which is a great source of vitamins and minerals for dogs. However, kale is best given in small quantities because it contains isothiocyanates that can cause an upset digestive system and the production of gas if a dog eats a lot of them.<\/p>\n
Other vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat as a tasty treat include corn that’s removed from the cob and served without seasonings or spices, green beans that are cooked or raw, potatoes that are peeled and cooked without seasonings and sweet potatoes that are peeled and cooked without seasonings.<\/p>\n
Carrots are great low-calorie dog treats. They\u2019re a good source of fiber, and their orange color comes from beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A and is a powerful antioxidant. If your dog pulls up carrots in the garden, it\u2019s OK for them to eat all parts of the carrot, including the leafy green tops and the carrot skin.<\/p>\n
Most dogs can snack on raw (or cooked) broccoli in small amounts, but it\u2019s best if the florets and stalks are cut up into bite-sized pieces. Broccoli is a great source of fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K. On the downside, the broccoli florets contain isothiocyanate compounds, which, as we mentioned above, can upset a dog\u2019s digestive tract.<\/p>\n
Now let us talk about lettuce. It\u2019s not the tastiest food, but if your dog does take a bite of some iceberg lettuce or arugula, that\u2019s not a problem because it\u2019s not toxic. It\u2019s mostly water with a bit of fiber content which helps with hydration, but should still be fed in moderation.<\/p>\n
Packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, spinach is a healthy snack for dogs in moderation. Spinach can be difficult for dogs to digest if eaten raw, and it also contains isothiocyanates, so watch your dog for digestive tract issues if they eat a lot of it. Spinach also contains calcium oxalate, which can cause the formation of kidney or bladder stones in some dogs if they eat large amounts.<\/p>\n
Their pungent flavor means that they\u2019re sometimes in the \u201cyuck\u201d category for humans, but Brussels sprouts are healthy for dogs \u2014 they\u2019re just best eaten in small amounts. Cooking them first will also make them more digestible. Even small amounts can cause some stinky gas issues though, and eating too many can upset a dog\u2019s digestive system thanks to those isothiocyanates.<\/p>\n
If your dog goes searching in the cabbage patch for baby dolls and only turns up cabbages, you\u2019re probably going to find out about it pretty quick. Like the other cruciferous vegetables we\u2019ve mentioned, large amounts of cabbage can cause your dog to produce a large amount of gas. This may be more of a problem for you than your dog, unless your dog is susceptible to bloat<\/a>.<\/p>\n Radishes are another vegetable that has a very particular flavor. If your dog does eat them, make sure it\u2019s only a small amount and that they\u2019re not green. Green radishes can cause an upset stomach. On a side note, horseradish is not a radish \u2014 it belongs to the same family as mustard and wasabi. Horseradish is not toxic to dogs, but it\u2019s recommended that you don\u2019t feed it to your dog because it can upset their digestive system.<\/p>\n While vegetables are usually considered healthy for humans, that\u2019s not always the case for pets. Feeding vegetables to your dog can have serious consequences if they\u2019re the wrong ones, as some vegetables are toxic to dogs.<\/p>\n Just like grapes and raisins, onions are on the \u201cdo not eat\u201d list for dogs, as is any vegetable that is part of the Allium genus, including chives, leeks, garlic, shallots and green onions (also called scallions or spring onions). Vegetables in the Allium genus contain a compound that can damage your dog\u2019s red blood cells and lead to anemia when consumed at toxic doses. It can also cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs. All parts of the onion plant are harmful, including the bulb, leaves and juices, so don\u2019t feed any part of an onion or onion powder to your dog.<\/p>\n If you know or even suspect that your dog has eaten onions, onion powder or any other member of the Allium family, immediately call your veterinarian or an after-hours emergency clinic, or one of the two animal poison control centers in North America:<\/p>\nAre Radishes Safe for Dogs to Eat?<\/h2>\n
Which Vegetables Should Dogs Avoid Eating?<\/h2>\n