Fruit & Veg | The Good & The Bad When It Comes To dogs

Adding fruit & veg to your dogs diet has some great benefits to their health, and it’s always good to give as a snack or treat with their dinner. That said not every piece of fruit & vegetable is good for your dog. We’ve created a list of the good and the bad to help you navigate what you should and shouldn’t feed your dog and why.

 The Good:

 Carrots:

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium & fibre, as well as being low in fat and low calorie. Being high in fibre, this veggie will help bulk out any loose stool your dog may be having, and works as a great probiotic. The best part about carrots is you can chuck them into the freezer in the summer, and make a longer lasting chew that helps cool your dog down!

 Peas:

Peas are packed with Vitamins A, K & C, are high in iron and fibre - great for supporting overall health and well-being. Peas are also perfect for keeping your dogs skin, heart & eyes healthy as they contain the antioxidant lutein. Next time you’re cooking, throw a couple in your dogs direction and make a game out of catching them. Too many peas can cause wind, so bare that in mind before you go feeding them the whole pack!

 Cucumber & Celery:

These two veggies are probably my favourite to give as treats! In small quantities celery contains vitamin A which helps support healthy skin and coat, as well as being high in fibre which will help aid your dogs digestion.

Both celery and cucumber are brilliant treats to give to your dog - especially in the summer! Both veggies have a 95% water content which will help keep them hydrated. When that warm weather stops by, if you’re concerned about controlling your dogs temperature levels, giving them one of these treats to enjoy, and have comfort in the fact that they are nice and cool!

 Strawberries & Blueberries:

Strawberries are a very low-calorie fruit for dogs. Rich in omega-3 ftty acids, strawberries are perfect for keeping your dogs skin healthy and their coat healthy. This fruit is a great source of vitamin C, which is great for reducing inflammation as well as being high in fibre to help id digestion.

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants which play an important role in protecting your dog’s blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. They can also help maintain brain function and improve memory. Research has indicated that eating blueberries may reduce muscle soreness and damage that occurs after engaging in strenuous exercise and activity. So for those of you who love to run with your dog, blueberries are the best reward when you get home!

 Bananas:

Bananas are also high in magnesium, which can help promote bone growth and help produce proteins and better absorb vitamins. While also being high in fibre, this fruit is a great treat to give if you dog is have gastrointestinal problems.

Bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs and a great source of potassium. Next time you’re enjoying your banana in the morning, throw a piece in your dog’s direction!

 Apples:

If your dog suffers from bad breath and poor dental hygiene, apples contain malic acid which aids in keeping their mouth fresh and clean! Apples are also great a great source of vitamin A & C as well as being high in fibre. As well as reducing inflammation, they can also aid digestion. Don’t forget to remove the core! 

 The Bad:

 Garlic, Onion & Chives:

Garlic contains compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates which are toxic to animals if ingested. The ingestion of garlic will cause damage to red blood cells. Onions are particularly toxic to dogs whether they are dried, raw or cooked! They can cause intense gastrointestinal pain and red blood cell damage. Chives are also a herb too avoid, as yet again either cooked or raw can be very dangerous to dogs. If ingested they are broken down into extremely reactive oxidants which can cause a lot of poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, abdomen pain, rapid heartbeat and collapse.

 Chocolate:

Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine which is extremely toxic to our dog and can cause kidney failure. Dark chocolate contains the highest volume of this stimulant so should be avoided the most! Ingesting chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and heart problems.

 Avocado:

Avocado skin has a high fat content and can lead to gastrointestinal problems as well as pancreatitis. Avocados are calorie-dense, and consuming one can lead to rapid weight gain. They also contain person, which can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and heart congestion.

 Sweetener:

Ingesting sweetener can cause your dogs blood sugar to drop to an extremely low level as well as the potential to cause liver damage. Symptoms for sweetener poising include vomiting, seizures and loss of coordination.

 Grapes & Raisins:

The toxicity in grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage. Eating these fruits can cause sudden kidney failure and in some cases death. The toxic substance in both doesn’t allow dogs to metabolise tannins, flavonoids and monosaccharides which are all compounds found in plants and fruits.