Many vegetables are safe for dogs to eat. In fact, they make delicious, healthy treats! But before you feed your dog vegetables, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
In general, you should always wash veggies thoroughly before feeding them to your dog. You’ll also want to remove any stems, leaves, seeds, cores, or pits, and cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Taking these steps helps prevent choking or an intestinal blockage, and keeps your veggie-loving pup safe.
Some vegetables are also toxic to dogs, and can cause serious health problems if consumed. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about veggies for dogs, including: what vegetables are good for dogs, which ones are toxic, and serving suggestions for feeding your dog these nutritious treats.
What Veggies Can Dogs Eat?
There are many delicious, vitamin-packed veggies dogs can eat. Here are our favorites:
Pumpkin
We’re side-stepping the debate over whether pumpkins are technically fruits or vegetables, because pumpkin is hands-down one of our favorite superfoods for dogs. We love it so much that we use it in many of our products here at Jinx, including all of our kibble recipes, our Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon Homemades wet food, our Salmon & Pumpkin Topper, and our Chicken & Pumpkin Topper.
But why are we so keen on these orange gourds? It’s because pumpkin is packed with vitamins and health benefits for your pup. Pumpkin is also high in fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion and regular poops. It also contains pepita oil, which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid known as linoleic acid. This particular fatty acid is shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, especially for your dog's skin.
Besides feeding your dog treats or dog food that contains pumpkin, you can also give your pup plain cooked or canned pumpkin. Obviously, canned pumpkin is much more convenient — just be sure to buy plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which contains sugar and spices that can be harmful to your dog.
Introduce pumpkin into your pup’s diet by mixing one to two tablespoons of it in with their regular food. Because pumpkin is so fiber-rich, a little bit goes a long way (oh, and don't be alarmed if your dog's stool turns a bit orange — this is totally normal).
Broccoli
Broccoli is high in antioxidants, which help fight cell damage in the body. It’s also a good source of plant protein, and loaded with vitamins. Broccoli contains vitamin C for immunity support, vitamin K to aid in blood clotting, magnesium to support heart and bone health, and potassium (a primary electrolyte for dogs), among other vitamins and minerals. For these reasons, it’s one of our favorite veggies for dogs.
Like pumpkin, broccoli is high in fiber — which is essential for your dog’s digestive health. However, it’s best served in small amounts and in moderation — overdoing it can cause your little buddy to get gassy.
Peas
Peas are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins A, C, and K, making them one of the best vegetables for dogs. Peas are often used as a plant-based protein source in dog foods, but fresh or frozen peas also make a great snack or mix-in for your dog’s regular food. As with all of the vegetables on this list, be sure to feed your dog plain, cooked peas — avoid adding salt or any other seasonings, which can be harmful to dogs.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another one of our favorite vegetables for dogs. We use them in many of our recipes here at Jinx, including all of our kibble varieties, as well as our Paté wet dog food, and our Beef & Sweet Potato Topper.
Sweet potatoes are a superfood for dogs that are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re a great source of vitamin A (beta carotene) — which promotes healthy skin and fur, and supports your pup's eye health, nervous system, and muscles. They’re also high in potassium and calcium — plus vitamin C for immune system support. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin B6 to support your pup's nervous system function and heart health, and promote the growth of red blood cells, among other benefits. Basically, they’re a nutritional powerhouse for your pup, and easy to incorporate into their diet.
Besides feeding your pup food or treats that contain sweet potatoes, you can also give them plain, cooked sweet potato as a snack or meal topper. Just cut it into bite-sized cubes or mash it, and top off their regular food for a tasty and nutritious treat.
Read our full blog on can dogs eat sweet potatoes
Celery
Celery is high in fiber and low in calories, making it an excellent vegetable for dogs who may need to lose a few pounds. It also has a high water content, and is hydrating on a hot day.
Besides these benefits, celery also contains vitamins A, B, C, and K — plus folate, potassium, and manganese. And, it has a satisfying crunch that pups love. Just be sure to de-string celery before feeding it to your dog to avoid a choking hazard or intestinal blockage.
Green Beans
Green beans contain vitamins A, B6, C, and K — along with protein, iron, calcium, and fiber. They’re low in calories but help your dog feel full, and — added bonus! — have a subtly sweet flavor that dogs love. As mentioned throughout this article, you’ll want to feed your dog plain green beans without salt or seasonings to avoid any potentially harmful ingredients.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is low in calories and makes for a healthy, dog-friendly treat. It’s also rich in nutrients, from vitamins C and K, to calcium, potassium, and folate. Cauliflower is high in fiber that’s essential for healthy digestion — just beware, this veggie can cause your dog to get extra gassy, so it’s best served in moderation.
Lettuce
Can dogs eat greens? The answer is yes. Romaine, arugula, and iceberg lettuce are all safe (and healthy!) vegetables dogs can eat. Kale, on the other hand, can be harmful if given in large amounts. The main benefits of lettuce for dogs are that it’s low in calories, full of fiber, and 90% water — great for keeping your pup hydrated.
Carrots
Like pumpkins and sweet potatoes, carrots contain beta carotene, a nutrient found in orange-hued fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene can help boost immune health, support eye health, and improve your dog's skin and coat.
Carrots also have lots of fiber, which, as we know, is good for your pup’s digestive tract. Raw carrots make a healthy, low-calorie snack, and chewing on raw carrots is beneficial for your dog's teeth and gums.
As with any fruit or vegetable for dogs, be sure to cut carrots into bite-sized pieces before feeding them to your pup (this makes them easier to digest, and less of a choking hazard). If your dog doesn't care for raw carrots, you can try steaming or boiling them, or pureeing them and mixing them in with your dog’s food.
You can also feed your dog food that contains carrots as an ingredient, like our Jinx Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Kibble, Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Kibble, or delicious Homemades wet food.
Bell Peppers
Any color of bell pepper is safe and healthy for your dog to eat. These veggies can help support your pup’s skin, coat, and eyes with vitamins A (beta carotene), B6, E, and C. They also contain lutein, which is a carotenoid that supports eye health.
Zucchini
Raw or steamed zucchini is a safe and nutritious vegetable for dogs — as long as it’s served plain, and in bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Zucchini is low in calories, fat, and cholesterol — and full of fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins A, C, B6, and K. Try giving your dog a few pieces for a healthy snack.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and K. Serve them to your dog steamed or boiled, but do so in moderation — too many brussels sprouts can lead to your little buddy getting gassy, an upset stomach, or diarrhea.
Cabbage
Cabbage is full of antioxidants and fiber to support your dog’s digestive system. It’s also a source of plant protein, and contains folate, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, and vitamins A, B6, C, and K. There’s no denying that cabbage is a nutrient powerhouse, however — just a heads up — it may cause increased flatulence.
Beets
When served in moderation, beets can provide benefits to your dog's coat, skin, and digestive health. They contain fiber, as well as vitamin C, potassium, folate, and magnesium.
However, beets also contain oxalates, which can contribute to bladder stone formation in dogs. If your pup is prone to bladder or kidney stones, consult with your vet before incorporating beets into their diet.
What Vegetables Are Toxic for Dogs?
Now that you know which veggies dogs can eat, let’s talk about toxic vegetables for dogs. If your pup eats any of the veggies on the following list (or if these veggies are an ingredient in any human foods that your dog gets their paws on), call your vet right away.
Onions, Garlic, Chives, and Shallots
Vegetables in the Allium family are toxic for dogs and can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia, organ failure, and even death.
Vegetables in the Allium family include:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chives
- Shallots
If your dog consumes any of these vegetables, contact your vet immediately. While symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, trouble breathing, and seizures may take a few days to present themselves, early treatment is key to treating Allium poisoning.
Mushrooms
While some mushrooms might be safer for your pup than others, it’s generally a good idea to avoid feeding any mushrooms to your dog. Some mushrooms can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea for dogs, while others may be toxic.
For example, some mushrooms that might be found in your yard or along a hiking trail can cause liver failure, kidney disease, lethargy, seizures, and even death. Since many different varieties of mushrooms look similar to each other, wild mushrooms can be especially dangerous. Play it safe, and avoid giving your pup mushrooms altogether.
Vegetables That Pose a Choking Hazard
Throughout this article, we’ve mentioned that you should remove any seeds, pits, stems, and leaves from veggies, and cut them into bite-sized pieces before feeding them to your dog. This is super important because it can help prevent a choking incident or intestinal blockage for your pup. Fibrous vegetables like celery and cauliflower can be hard for dogs to chew, and call for extra caution. Always feed your pup vegetables in small pieces, and monitor them while they’re eating.
What Vegetables Cause Gas in Dogs?
Some veggies are more likely to make dogs gassy than others. While these dog-friendly vegetables are packed with health benefits, just note that they may come with increased flatulence:
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
The high fiber content — along with the sugar from these veggies that remains undigested in your dog's gut — can cause bacteria to ferment, which is what contributes to increased bloating and/or gas.
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs to Eat
When it comes to preparing vegetables for dogs, you’ve got options. While preparation methods vary depending on the type of vegetable, here are some general guidelines for how to prepare vegetables as a snack for your pup.
Raw
Raw vegetables make a delicious, healthy treat for your pup. They’re also convenient for you, since they require very little prep time. Just note that before feeding your dog raw veggies, you should always thoroughly wash them to remove any dirt, pesticides, and bacteria.
Steamed
Steaming is a great way to prepare vegetables for dogs, because it’s fast, easy, and preserves nutrients. Steamed vegetables are cooked just long enough to heat them up — so they’re slightly softer than raw veggies, but still have a crisp texture that pups love.
Here are a few pro tips for steaming veggies for dogs:
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly before steaming them.
- Chop them into uniform, bite-sized pieces for consistency in cooking time.
- After steaming veggies, be sure to let them cool so that your pup doesn’t burn their mouth.
Boiled
If your dog is missing teeth or has a sensitive mouth, boiled vegetables may be a good option for them. Boiled veggies are softer than raw or steamed vegetables — making them easier for your pup to chew.
All of the same tips for steaming vegetables listed above also apply to boiling vegetables. Because boiling involves a higher temperature and submerging the vegetables in water, preparing veggies this way makes them somewhat less nutrient dense.
Pureed
Some dogs prefer the applesauce-like texture of pureed vegetables. You can mash washed and cooked vegetables, or throw them in a blender. Pureed vegetables make great meal toppers for your dog, as you can easily mix them in with your pup’s regular food.
Frozen
Frozen vegetables make a refreshing summer treat for dogs. You can either buy plain, packaged frozen veggies, or cook fresh veggies and then freeze them.
Can Puppies Eat Vegetables?
Puppies have specific nutritional requirements to support their growth and development. Making sure that your puppy gets the nutrients they need from the start can set them up for healthy, happy adult doghood.
Without the right balance of nutrients, puppies can develop malformed bones, anemia, poor growth, skin problems, and even heart disease, according to the Cummings School Of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Boston.
So, while veggies are fine as an occasional treat for your puppy, you should avoid making them a main part of your puppy's diet. Rather, feed your little buddy a food that’s expertly formulated for puppies’ specific nutritional needs, like Jinx Cage-Free Chicken Puppy Food.
Key Takeaways: What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
Raw, steamed, boiled, or pureed — many vegetables make tasty, nutrient-packed treats for your pup. Just be sure to avoid veggies that are toxic to dogs — like onions, garlic, shallots, chives, and mushrooms.
Always thoroughly wash vegetables and remove any seeds, pits, stems, or leaves before feeding them to your pup. You’ll also want to cut the veggies into bite-sized pieces, or mash or puree them to reduce your dog’s risk of choking or getting an intestinal blockage.
While filled with health benefits for your dog, vegetables are best served in moderation. Their high fiber content can cause your pup to get gas or an upset stomach if they eat too much, so keep portion sizes small.
If you’re worried about getting the prep and portions just right, you can also feed your pup a dog food that contains real vegetables, like Jinx kibble or wet food. Our recipes contain vitamin-rich superfoods like sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, and more to support your dog’s optimal health and well-being — plus premium proteins and zero fillers.
Now that you know everything you need to know about what veggies dogs can eat, be sure to check out our guide to which fruits dogs and puppies can eat.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.
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