What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?

As a dog owner, you might wonder if it’s safe to share your leftover dinner veggies with your pup. While many vegetables are safe and even beneficial to your pet, others are toxic and should be avoided.

Here’s a closer look at which vegetables you can feed your dog, which ones you should skip, and why you might want to consider including vegetables as part of your dog’s diet.

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10 vegetables that dogs can eat

Adding vegetables to your dog’s diet can provide additional vitamins, minerals, and other health benefits.^[1] But before you share human food with your pup, it’s important to understand which vegetables are safe and which ones you should avoid.

Here are 10 safe vegetables to share with your furry friend.

Butternut squash

Butternut squash contains carotenoids, which are found in many yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, as well as leafy greens. Carotenoids have been found to assist with weight loss in dogs, specifically in puppies.

Broccoli

While broccoli is safe for your dog in small amounts, too much can cause an upset tummy. Broccoli includes cancer-fighting benefits as well as vitamin A. But it also has a weak toxin called isothiocyanate, which can cause gastric upset in your dog.^[2]

Carrots

As a great source of fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin A, carrots are good for your dog’s eyes and can help it keep a healthy coat. But due to their high sugar content, you want to limit the amount that you feed your pup.

Celery

Celery has high water content and a ton of nutrients, including fiber, folate, potassium, manganese, and important vitamins A, B, C, and K. Celery is also a low-calorie snack. Before serving celery to your pet, make sure you de-string it.^[3]

Cucumber

Cucumbers provide a nice crunchy, refreshing treat that’s a good source of vitamin C. But because of their tough, waxy skin, it’s a good idea to peel cucumbers before serving them to your pet.

Green beans

Green beans are another safe vegetable to feed your pet. These green veggies can also assist with weight loss in dogs.

Pumpkin

A good source of fiber, pumpkin is also a delicious and healthy treat for your pet. In addition to assisting with weight loss, it can also help your pet if it’s experiencing constipation.

Spinach

With high levels of iron, beta-carotene, calcium, and other vitamins, spinach is a great choice for your pet. To make it more palatable for your dog, you can chop it up.

Sweet potato

Veterinarians recommend sweet potatoes because they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, calcium, and fiber. Sweet potatoes are good for dogs with allergies, and they can also support digestion and your dog’s immune system.

Zucchini

For an additional boost of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, you can add shredded zucchini to your pet’s food.

Vegetables you shouldn’t feed your dog

While there’s a long list of veggies that are safe to share with your dog, you’ll also want to avoid feeding your dog certain vegetables, including:^[4]

• Garlic: Garlic is a member of the genus Allium. Allium plants can cause severe dehydration and anemia (not having enough healthy red blood cells) in dogs. The toxicity of garlic depends on how much is consumed. Initial symptoms can include gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and dehydration.

• Onions: Onions and chives are also part of the genus Allium. Similar to onions, they can cause gastrointestinal irritation and can even lead to red blood cell damage and anemia if a dog consumes them in large amounts.

• Corn on the cob: As long as your dog doesn’t have a corn allergy, it’s generally a safe veggie in small portions. It’s the corn cob that’s the problem. The cob presents a choking risk, and dogs can’t digest it. Eating a corn cob can lead to intestinal blockage, which would require an emergency visit to your vet.

• Raw potatoes: Solanine is a compound found in raw potatoes that is toxic for dogs. Cooking potatoes reduces the amount of solanine and makes them generally safe for dogs.

• Wild mushrooms: If your pup snags a grocery store mushroom from your plate, it likely won’t require a trip to the vet. The problem is the wild mushrooms it might encounter when you’re in your backyard or hiking in the woods. Many wild mushrooms are toxic to animals, and often to humans. When ingested, some wild mushrooms can lead to liver failure and damage to other organs. Signs of mushroom toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, increased or decreased urination, and excessive salivation.^[5] If your pet has any of these symptoms, you’ll need to make a trip to the vet as soon as possible.

Nutritional benefits of feeding your dog vegetables

The phytonutrients that are present in many vegetables and fruits can contribute to a balanced diet and have the potential to benefit your dogs in many ways, including:

• 

  Body weight regulation

  Supplements containing carotenoids, which are found in vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and butternut squash, have been found to reduce fat mass when given to puppies.

• 

  Improved renal function

  Dog diets rich in vegetables — including beet pulp, carrot, dried spinach, and tomato pomace — can improve the renal function of dogs.

• 

  Cognitive health

  A diet containing spinach flakes, tomato pomace, carrots, and other antioxidants can increase cognitive health in dogs.

• 

  Visual health

  Carrots and other vegetables that contain beta-carotene and vitamin A are good for your dog’s vision.

• 

  Digestive health

  Dietary fiber found in many vegetables — including carrots, celery, pumpkin, and sweet potato — can promote healthy digestion.

Can puppies eat vegetables?

You can consult with your vet to see what’s safe for your puppy to eat. If you decide to feed your pup veggies, cut them into smaller pieces to avoid choking hazards.

Start with small quantities, and introduce new vegetables slowly. Cooking and cooling the veggies can also make them easier for your puppy to chew and digest.

How to prepare vegetables for your dog

If you want to incorporate vegetables into your dog’s meals, you have a number of ways to prepare them. If your pet has never tried veggies before, you can start with a small amount and watch for any signs of an allergic reaction. Before you introduce a new food, you can always reach out to your vet with any concerns or questions.

Here are some tips to help you prepare dog-friendly vegetables:

• Wash and chop. Start by washing the vegetables, then chop them into bite-size chunks.

• Serve plain. Avoid serving vegetables that have been cooked with onions and garlic or veggies that are covered in oils, seasoning, or sauce.

• Remove choking hazards. To prevent choking and intestinal blockage, remove any seeds, pits, cores, or thick skins.

• Limit the amount. Serve veggies and other dog treats to your pet in moderation. Ninety percent of your pup’s diet should come from balanced dog food, and 10% can come from veggies and other treats.

• Try different cooking methods. If your dog isn’t into raw carrots or broccoli, you can try cooking or steaming the vegetables to make them easier to chew, especially if you have a senior dog. Just make sure any cooked veggies are cooled before you serve them to avoid burns.

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What to do if your dog eats something toxic

Signs of poisoning in your dog can include lethargy, loss of appetite, and vomiting. If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, follow these steps:

1. If you know what your dog ate, bring it with you or provide the ingredient list.

2. Get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

3. Report how much of the toxic food or substance your dog ingested, if possible.

4. Tell the vet your dog’s weight if you know it.

5. If you can’t get to a vet, call the ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 1 (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1 (855) 764-7881. This service costs money but can provide first-aid tips for your pet.

Vegetables dogs can eat FAQs