Can dogs eat vegetables? Yes, dogs can eat vegetables. Dogs can eat celery, and carrots are especially good for dogs. Dogs can eat broccoli, too, but you may want to limit the quantity. Dogs can even eat cabbage. Frankly, the number of dog safe vegetables may surprise you!
Dogs love veggies, and most dogs have their favorite vegetables! But there are some things you should know about feeding your dog vegetables.
Are Carrots Good for Dogs?
Any dog safe and dog friendly vegetable list should start off with carrots. Carrots are healthy and great for chewing for teething puppies (when do puppies stop teething?) and teenage chewers. Plenty of vitamin A and fiber in this veggie! Plus, most dogs seem to truly love carrots, whether fed raw for chewing or cooked and added to their food or as a treat.
Dogs and Broccoli
The cruciferous vegetables are good within reason, meaning in small amounts and always cooked. These include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. These vegetables have plenty of fiber but can be irritating to a dog’s gastrointestinal tract (especially raw) and may contribute to some bladder problems. Dogs who are prone to flatulence get a jump start from these vegetables, so beware!
Dogs Can Eat Celery
Celery is an excellent vegetable for dogs. My friend’s Corgi loves celery as much as any other treat. Celery has plenty of vitamins A, B, and C. Best of all, from the dog’s viewpoint, celery is crunchy fun for your dog.
Pumpkin for Dogs
Pumpkin, especially canned plain pumpkin, is a hit with many dogs and their owners. With lots of fiber, some canned pumpkin added to your dog’s diet can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Make sure it is “plain” and not the “ready for pie” version. The pie version has seasonings, spices, and may contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs.
Dogs Love Green Beans
Green beans are another favorite of many dogs and owners too. Green beans are also good for adding fiber to your dog’s food and making him feel full while you diet off any extra pounds. Many dogs consider a couple of frozen green beans the best treat ever.
Squash for Your Dog
Many dogs like to raid squash from your garden including zucchini, acorn, delicata, and spaghetti squash. While they can nosh on it raw, squash is best for your dogs if it’s cooked. Again, don’t add seasonings, spices, or butter.
Corn for Dogs
Many dogs enjoy corn, but you must feed it off the cob and preferably. No need to add butter and salt for your dog.
Vegetable Soup for Dogs
My dogs love soup in the winter. I start with ground beef or turkey and add celery, carrots, cut squash, and often some broccoli or cauliflower. I add low-sodium bouillon or just plain water. No seasonings. This is not a balanced diet, of course, but I use it as a topper for their regular diet. (You can make your own bone broth, too.)
A word of caution: It’s a big no to onions, and that includes chives, leeks, and shallots. These can all cause anemia in dogs and be toxic in large amounts.
Research is ongoing on the role of plant-based ingredients in dog nutrition, but there’s no question that vegetables as treats gets a big puppy “thumbs up.”
