As omnivores, dogs have no real need for fruits or vegetables as part of their diet, but giving dog-safe fruit or vegetables to dogs as a treat or snack is OK. Fresh dog foods often include vegetables and fruits in diets formulated for dogs because they offer a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
A good rule for finding leafy greens that your dog can eat is to stick to those that you would consume. Lettuce, spinach, chard, cabbage and kale are all okay for dogs. Besides being rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron and potassium, leafy greens are also a good source of fiber.
Dogs can eat potatoes as long as they are plainly cooked and offered in moderation. Roasted potatoes, prepared without spices or butter are the best way to let your pet have a taste of a delicious spud. But avoid giving your dog raw or boiled potatoes as they're not safe for dogs to eat as they contain solanine.
Dogs can eat tomatoes in moderation, but only ripe ones. Don't offer your dog tomatoes in large quantities or frequently and make sure to avoid feeding them green tomatoes as they contain substances that can be harmful to them.
There are a few different vegetables our dogs are fine eating (but remember, a little for us is a lot to our dogs so keep treat sizes small!). Any veg you give to your dog should be raw or boiled/steamed with no extra oils, butter or flavourings.
Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for dogs – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your dog's skin and coat.
Steam, Bake, or Boil
Starchy vegetables must be fully cooked before feeding in order for dogs absorb the nutrients and glucose for energy. Various methods can be used to cook starchy vegetables. Baking, boiling, or steaming are three options for cooking starchy vegetables.
Dogs should only eat plain yogurt with no added sugar. Greek yogurt is the best choice for dogs. It has significantly less lactose than regular yogurt. Kefir, yogurt's smooth, drinkable cousin, is also low in lactose and safe for dogs.
Whether it's a dog treat, fruits, berries or anything else that's safe to feed them, do so in moderation. Treats of any kind should account for no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake. The remaining 90 percent should come from their regular food.
Whilst rich in beneficial nutrients, like calcium and proteins, cow's milk is not a healthy option for your pooch at any age. Cow's milk contains a sugar called lactose, which dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digesting. Ingesting cow's milk can therefore cause digestive discomfort and possibly excretion issues.
Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs to eat, provided they don't have any allergies, and it usually does not cause any stomach upset. Feeding your dog bread as a treat now and then won't hurt them, as long as they are also fed a complete and balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
In small amounts, dogs can eat plain pasta—no sauce included. By any means, do not feed your dog an excess of one cup of pasta at a time. Veterinarians recommend that if you feed your dog any pasta at all, feed them only one or two plain, cooked noodles a week. Any more than that could be harmful to his or her health.
Yes, dogs can eat rice. In fact, you may have noticed rice featured as an ingredient in commercial dog foods. However, a rice meal on its own should not be a daily affair – rice should only be part of a varied diet that offers all the nutrients your dog needs.
Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium biscuit, and are very low in sodium and fat.