Are vegetables good for dogs? Even though dogs are primarily carnivores, vegetables will add some necessary nutrients to their diet.
When feeding vegetables to dogs, be sure and keep their portion sizes small. It is a good idea to talk to your vet about how much regular food you should be giving your dog if you have decided to give vegetables to your dog. You should also make sure that your dog doesn’t eat too quickly and choke on the vegetables you are giving him.
Less is more when it comes to vegetables. They can cause gas in your dog. Should you be giving your dog a vegetable for the first time, give him just a small piece and observe his reaction. Dogs do enjoy eating vegetables but they don’t get as many nutrients out of eating them as humans do. Breaking vegetables down in pureed form is a good idea.
Let’s take a look at some vegetables that are good for dogs, and those which must be avoided.
Greens
Highly nutritious to both humans and dogs, dark green vegetables are a great source of vitamin C, folic acid, beta carotene and calcium. There are other members of the cabbage family which are also very nutritious for your dog. Spinach is one of these. It gives your dog calcium, potassium and a variety of other antioxidants. Peas and green beans are usually enjoyed by dogs. You can leave the green beans frozen so that they enjoy crunchiness and chewing while cooling them off.
You can feed your dog asparagus. Begin by removing the fibrous ends from the spears. Toss them with olive oil and grill a minute on all sides. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and give your dog a few.
If you want to feed your dog cucumbers, peel them, cut them in half and remove the seeds. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Put them into boiling water for about 5 minutes and strain them.
Colorful Vegetables
Some vegetables that are rich in color are also loved by dogs. Carrots are a flavorful vegetable that provide beta-carotene and other valuable nutrients. However, because they are high in sugar, you should feed them sparingly. Remove the ends of the carrots and wash them thoroughly. Cook bite-sized pieces in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Sweet potatoes are also enjoyed by dogs, and some commercially-made treats use it as a main ingredient. You can make your dog mashed sweet potatoes by boiling peeled, washed and quartered sweet potatoes in a large pot and simmering for about 20 minutes. Let them cool and then mash them with a potato masher.
Feeding bell peppers to your dog gives them beta-carotene and fiber, as well as additional antioxidants and nutrients.
Vegetables to Avoid
You should be aware that giving your dog veggies is not as easy as giving him what you would eat yourself. Eating some particular fruits and vegetables can cause illness or even death. Fruits and vegetables you should never give to your dog include
- avocados
- tomatoes
- garlic
- onions
- grapes
- raisins
- fruit seeds
- pits