Many fruits and vegetables can make excellent, healthy treats for your dog. They’re full of vitamins and minerals, and they cost less and are healthier than processed dog treats.
Some human foods are toxic to dogs, so make sure you know what should be avoided. But dogs eat fruits and vegetables to supplement their diet even in the wild, and your dog can do the same.
It’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before you change your dog’s diet. Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM recommends that you only give your dog five percent fruit in their diet either an hour before or three hours after a protein meal, and vegetables should make up about 25 percent of your dog’s diet.
The following fruits and veggies top the list of healthiest treats you can share with your dog.
What other healthy fruits and veggies do you feed your dog? Which are your pup’s favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
Healthiest Fruits And Vegetables You Can Share With Your Dog
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Sweet Potatoes
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Never serve sweet potatoes to your dog raw. Peel them and cook them as normal, and they'll make for a nice, healthy treat for pups.
Sweet potatoes are good for the heart, easy to digest, and have more nutrients than regular potatoes. They're also known to help lower blood pressure.
Sweet potatoes provide nutrients like fiber, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, B-vitamins, calcium, iron, and potassium.
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Green Beans
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Green beans make for a superpower vegetable that's packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. They're a low calorie snack that can help your pup feel full and lose weight.
Some dog parents swear green beans also help keep teeth clean.
Just make sure you avoid any salt or seasoning.
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Carrots
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Carrots can be great for your dog, but some pups might have trouble with carrots and digestion. Try feeding your pup small carrot chunks, and if you notice it coming out undigested in your dog's stool, stay clear of them.
If your dog can digest carrots, they have tremendous health benefits. They're low in calories and high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Carrots are great for skin health and vision, and the crunching helps your dog's teeth and gums stay clean and strong.
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Apples
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Do not feed your dog an apple with the core or seeds. These are choking hazards. Try giving your dog some nice, crisp apple slices -- in moderation, as they do contain sugar.
Apples are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. They're low in protein and fat, which is good for senior dogs especially, and they can help clean residue on teeth.
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Cantaloupe
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Before you feed your dog cantaloupe, remove any seeds and the rind.
Cantaloupe has lots of beta carotene, which reduces the risk of cancer and prevents cell damage. They also contain vitamin A, B-6, and C, as well as fiber and potassium.
Cantaloupe helps with dogs' vision, as well.
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Pumpkin
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Pureed pumpkin is amazing for dogs' digestive tracts. It's low in calories and high in vitamin A, beta carotene, fiber, potassium, and calcium.
Pumpkin is often recommended by vets to help reduce constipation or diarrhea, and it also promotes cardiovascular health.
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Blueberries
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Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that protect the body from cell damage and heart disease. They also contain nutrients that help prevent urinary tract infections.
Blueberries have fiber and vitamin C, and since they're small, you don't need to cut them up before serving.
They're a quick, easy, healthy treat, and you can try freezing to make them extra refreshing.
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Watermelon
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Watermelon is another fruit that you must remove the seeds and rind from before you serve it to your dog.
Watermelon is 92 percent water, which is great for staying hydrated, especially on hot summer days.
It's also great for your dog's skin and has plenty of nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamins A, B-6, and C.
