We sometimes want to spoil our dogs by giving them part of our food, vegetables, or snacks.
We believe that since we eat it and it is good for us, it must be suitable for our dogs then, right?
Well, that is not entirely right. Although most of the foods we eat are pretty safe for dogs, some of them can be unhealthy and possibly very dangerous for our pets.
That is why it is essential to learn which Vegetables Can Dogs Eat.
Remember that dogs have a different digestive system than humans, so if they eat something wrong for them, that can lead to some serious health issues in the future.
What Do Dogs Eat?
Dogs are carnivores. They eat meat and do not need vegetables in their regular diet, but it is all right to give them veggies occasionally.
Moderation is the key, and you should not push giving them something if you see that that the dog does not like it.
Dogs metabolize food in a different way than humans, so they may experience problems with specific types of vegetables.
However, a good thing to know is that some vegetables can help your dogs to slow down the gobbling of food.
By adding veggies to the diet, your dog receives bigger meals and gets enough calories to feel full.
Many dog nutritionists say that it is good to mix meat and vegetables to have a healthy and happy dog.
Today you can find many different types of dog foods in pet stores, which are made of by mixing meat, grains, and vegetables.
They include all the necessary ingredients to keep your dog healthy.
However, you can also get some canned foods or fresh vegetables to add to your dog`s diet. But first, you must learn and know which products are safe to give to your dog.
Are Vegetables Good For Overweight Dogs
If your dog is struggling with extra weight, you should consider giving him fresh vegetables to shed some pounds.
For example, you can give him some green beans instead of his standard dog food.
Start with some small portions, and then you can gradually increase them.
This will help your dog as it will take fewer calories, but the dog would still feel full and satisfied.
However, before you put your dog on a new diet, you should talk with your veterinarian and ask for advice.
Keep in mind that sudden changes may upset the dog`s stomach.
The veterinarian will give you proper advice regarding how you can mix the food with veggies, so the transition towards a new diet will go smoothly.
Types of Vegetables That Are Good For Dog
- Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beets are all good to give to your dog.
All of these contain high amounts of sugar, so it will make him feel full and satisfied. However, go easy on the portions.
Keep in mind that most commercial dog foods contain root vegetables, so it might be a lot to give them everything at once.
- Leafy green vegetables are also safe to give to your dog.
The same leafy green veggies that we eat are good for your dog as well.
These are spinach, cabbage, lettuce, kale, and chard. All of them contain a good share of vital vitamins and minerals and are very rich in fiber.
Another thing to know is that, for your dog to receive as many nutrients as possible, give him uncooked veggies.
Of course, you can bake them or steam them, but they are the best source of nutrients when given raw.
Although these leafy green vegetables are generally safe for your dog, their stomach can get upset if you give them a more significant amount at once.
When you start their new diet, add veggies slowly for their stomach to accept it and get used to it.
- Asparagus and celery are a couple of other vegetables that are good for your dog.
At first, your dog will likely refuse to taste them, but with a little training, you can teach them to eat them.
They may be reluctant to eat them because some dogs find it hard to grind them in their mouths, while others just do not like the taste.
In any case, they are safe and healthy vegetables for dogs.
It would help if you cut these vegetables in very small pieces and mix them with other food, or steam them to become softer and easier to swallow.
- Cucumber, Broccoli, Corn, Brussel sprouts, and Cauliflower are all safe to give to your dog, but again, keep the quantities small.
Regarding corn, always take the cob off before giving it to your dog. The cob is not dangerous to eat, but it may cause your dog to choke.
In any case, go slow, give small portions, and observe your dog while it eats. This is especially important if you are just starting with a new diet.
- Bean sprouts, peas, lentil, and kidney beans, as well as all other beans in the legumes group, are safe to feed your dog with.
It is best to mix small portions of these with some other types of food so your dog will accept them more easily.
Also, green beans are one of the most used types of vegetables that are given to dogs because they are easy to digest and tasty.
Always keep these in your fridge and have them ready for your dog.
- Squashed veggies are good for your dog.
For example, pumpkin squash is the perfect food if your dog has diarrhea.
Most dogs enjoy eating squash as it is soft and easy to swallow.
If you have a garden you can use something else you have, it does not have to be a pumpkin.
Cut it up, steam it and give your dog the squash but focus on the meat of the squash and remove the skin or seeds because these can make your dog avoid eating it.
Types of Vegetables That Are NOT Good For Your Dog
- Onions, garlic, shallots, chives, and leeks are types of vegetables to avoid giving to your dog.
These can be very toxic if given in larger amounts. Some problems they can cause include stomach ache, intestinal pain, diarrhea, anemia, and nausea.
Therefore, avoid these. Also, regular mushrooms from store safe, but wild mushrooms are not and can poison your dog.
It is hard to tell the difference between the two, so it is best to avoid giving your dog any type of mushrooms.
Can Dogs Be Vegetarians?
Remember that the primary food for dogs is meat. That means that it is hard to put them on a strict vegetarian regime.
It is not impossible, and it can be done, but it will require very long planning and preparation before it is done.
All puppies and dogs need a balanced diet to get all the nutrients that they need.
Many of the vegetarian diets we know are simply not enough for dogs and do not supply them with all the necessary nutrients required to function properly.
If you want your dog to be a vegetarian and never eat meat, then the best thing is to consult your veterinarian for advice.
The vet will point you the ways about what types of food you should give to your dog, so it will consume the right nutrients that it needs.
How to Feed Your Dog Vegetables
- Use veggies as rewards when you play games with your dog. That way, your dog will learn that veggies are good, and it will be more open to consuming them next time when you put them in their bowl.
- When cooking, put some unused veggie trimmings aside to give them to your dog. You can also mix these with meat or something else.
- Make a mixture of chicken broth, water, and vegetables. When your dog is hungry and thirsty, he will enjoy this mix, especially on warm and sunny days.
- Stock up on different types of frozen bag vegetables. You can use these to blend them and to always have a meal prepared for your dog.
- If your dog refuses vegetables, then the good idea is to chop the veggies to very little pieces or make them puree to mix it with his regular food. He will not even notice that they are vegetables and will eat them quickly.
Additional Ways to Get Your Dog Eat Vegetables
- Cut carrots in small pieces and put it on your dog`s regular meal.
Carrots are a fantastic source of many nutrients, including the very important beta-carotene.
Most dogs enjoy eating carrots, and if you see that your dog likes them too, try mashing a cooked carrot into his meal.
You can also dry it and make it like chips to give your dog a reward treat.
- Buy a pureed pumpkin and mix a couple of tablespoons with their dinner.
Over time, when your dog starts to get used to the taste, increase the portion of pureed pumpkin, and decrease the portion of the standard dog food.
This will help your dog lose some extra weight, but at the same time, it will keep him feel full and satisfied.
Remember that the pumpkin puree contains high amounts of fiber and low fat, which satisfies hunger quickly.
In addition to that, pumpkin has lots of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, K, carotenoids, and zinc.
- Mix cooked turnip with your dog`s regular food. Turnips contain folate, calcium, and are very low on calories.
They are a healthy treat for dogs; they satisfy the dog`s hunger and help lose weight. You can mash them or serve them baked or raw.
- Chop broccoli and add it to their food. Broccoli is great in any form, either cooked or raw and even frozen.
Just chop it in little pieces and put it on top of the dog`s meal. Most dogs eat them with no problem.
Broccoli is a great source of iron, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, and many other important nutrients.
Summary about What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat
There are plenty of vegetables out there that your dog can eat without any problems. Some are safe to eat, while others can be potentially harmful.
Now you have a clearer picture of what is safe and what is not.
The best way to start is to mix small portions of vegetables with regular food and then move on from there.
Even if dogs do not like veggies at first, you should not worry. As with many other things, it takes some training and patience before you teach your dog.
Dogs are curious by nature, and they are likely to taste the vegetables at some point.
They may look disinterested at first, but when they get hungry, they will try it.
Be observant and pay attention to your dog. See what it likes and give them more of that.
You cannot force anything, and if you do, your dog will never want to try any type of vegetable.
Teaching puppies to new habits and eating vegetables is easier than teaching adult dogs.
Adult dogs can sometimes be very stubborn, especially when used to something, but they can be trained to eat vegetables.
It will just require more time than training younger pups.
Although it is in a dog`s nature to eat meat, you can still successfully make them love vegetables.
This is especially true for smaller dog breeds used to live inside a house or apartment.
Larger dogs that are kept outside can dig up a bone or find meat somewhere, so it is harder to keep them on a strict vegetarian diet.
Remember that regardless of what type of vegetables you plan to give your dog, it is important to start slowly.
Add foods gradually into their diet and monitor them to see whether they will show any discomfort or an allergic reaction.
Even if the food is labeled as completely safe, you still need to remember to feed your dog moderate amounts.
This prevents not only weight gain but also some more serious negative side effects.
Another thing to know is that all dogs are very different. What is good for one dog does not necessarily mean that it will be good for another.
One dog may have higher toleration of specific foods, but another can experience negative effects if it eats that same food.
In any case, it can be nice to give your dog a veggie treat from time to time. Just make sure you are giving them types of veggies that are not toxic for them.
When it comes to portion sizes, and what ratio should be used, always consult your veterinarian.
They will be able to give you the best advice so you will know exactly how much vegetables you should give to your dog.
Never feed your dog any type of vegetable before consulting a veterinarian in case your dog has some of the following problems – weight problem, diabetes, food sensitivity, kidney or liver disease, or some other major health concern.
Hopefully, you will find this information useful when thinking about switching or mixing your dog`s diet.
Vegetables are healthy and good for all, but not all types are good for dogs.
This is because of their digestive system, which is different from ours. We all want our dogs to live a long life and be happy in our homes, so we must be careful when giving them any type of food.
Avoid guessing which vegetable is good and which is not, because that way you may unintentionally harm your dog.
Not all vegetables that are good for use are good for the dog. The only person that can give you proper advice about that is your veterinarian.
Find a local veterinarian that you can reach easily at any time you need them.
This information about What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat should serve as a general guide about what to give to your dog and what is best to avoid.
Moderation is always the key, so go slowly and observe your dog`s eating habits.
If everything goes well, then you can proceed to give him what you give them usually.
Learn as much as possible about different types of vegetables, and what good or bad they can bring to your dog.
Good to know is that most vegetables are safe, so you should not have any problems.
However, always be alert, consult your vet to avoid potential issues, and keep peace of mind.
Use the tips, advice, and information for your dog`s benefit and enjoy seeing him happy for many years to come.
