Vegetables dogs can and can't eat

Vegetables can often be given as a supplement to your dog's usual food or as a healthier substitute for dog treats. 

That said, some types of fruit and vegetables are not suitable for dogs as they can upset their digestive systems. So it’s always worth checking whether it’s safe before you pop a veggie treat in your dog’s bowl.

So, what vegetables can and can't dogs eat? Let's find out...

Another way to take care of your furry friend is to make sure they have peace-of-mind dog insurance.

The short answer is yes, they can! Both raw and cooked. But only in small amounts.

Broccoli contains isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs. So only feed it as a maximum of 10% of your dog’s daily food intake to avoid this issue.

What to bear in mind when feeding your dog broccoli

Some dogs react more sensitively to broccoli than others. Start by giving them just a tiny bit, and then you can increase the amount slowly.

And only feed broccoli as an extra to your dog’s regular food. Nutritionists recommend these extras should only take up 10% of your dog’s daily calorie needs anyway*, so feed sparingly. If the broccoli your dog eats accounts for 25% of their daily intake, this amount would be considered toxic.

Whether you give your dog broccoli, cooked or raw, only feed it without seasoning as salt is poisonous to dogs. You should avoid cooking it in oil too.

The best way to prepare broccoli for your dog is to boil or steam it. This will soften its texture, making it easier for your dog to chew and digest.

Make sure you cut the broccoli into small pieces for smaller dogs to avoid it becoming a choking hazard.

*Please note that the 10% rule is just a rule of thumb. All dogs are different, and some may be more sensitive to certain foods than others. If you think a certain food is upsetting your dog’s stomach, the safest thing to do is to cut that food out of their diet.

Broccoli recipes for dogs

Fancy yourself as a bit of a dog chef? Here are some dog-friendly broccoli recipes for your four-legged friend:

• Broccoli stems & chicken pucks For dogs by Dog Child
• Broccoli & banana dog treats by OlverIndulgence
• Homemade turkey & vegetable dog food at allrecipes
• Barking beef, broccoli & rice stir fry at TrustedHousesitters

Yes, you can feed pumpkin to dogs. In fact, it has various health benefits too when given in moderation.

Nutritional benefits of pumpkin

Pumpkins, and their seeds, are absolute nutritional powerhouses, containing:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B9 (folate)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
• Pumpkin seed oil
• Soluble and insoluble fibre
• Water
• Cucurbitin

The vitamins and some of the minerals and compounds are antioxidants, boosting your dogs’ immune system and protecting against diseases, such as some cancers.

Vitamin A, Zinc, omega fatty acids, and water are good for your dogs’ eyes, skin and coat - reducing dandruff and flaky skin; helping them with hydration; and assisting with bowel movements if mild constipation is an issue. Omega 3 & 6 also contribute to maintaining the health of joints, heart and brain chemicals.

Magnesium helps relax muscles in the airways, alleviating respiratory problems triggered by allergic reactions.

Pumpkin seed fibre contains cucurbitin, an amino acid which inhibits the lifecycle of some parasites in the digestive system.  And pumpkin seed oil promotes urinary tract health.

Fibre in pumpkins

The fibre in pumpkins and their seeds may help with digestive problems such as mild constipation – by introducing bulk to stools and, contrarily, with mild diarrhoea by absorbing some of the liquid.

The anti-inflammatory properties can also alleviate the pain and irritation from blocked anal glands. High fibre and water content makes pumpkin a useful inclusion in a weight-loss diet.  Although too much fibre can have negative effects too, such as bloating, wind and diarrhoea.

It is a good idea to check with a vet before using pumpkin to treat conditions such as mild diarrhoea and constipation, in case there are underlying causes of the problems which require medical intervention.

In puppies, care should be taken as too much fibre can prevent the absorption of nutrients and protein, as well as, conversely, causing constipation.

How should I feed pumpkin to my dog?

Whilst the flesh and seeds have many health benefits, avoid giving your dog the rind - it is tougher and less digestible, and could be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage.  

Cooked pumpkin is more digestible than raw; and tinned, pureed pumpkin is a convenient alternative, if there are no additives. Definitely avoid pumpkin pie filling as the other ingredients, such as spices, fat, salt and sugar could make your dog very unwell.

Cooked pumpkin seeds make a healthy and tasty treat, as long as you are careful with small dogs who could choke on them. The shells can also be hard to digest and sharp, so people often grind the cooked seeds down and sprinkle the powder on their dogs’ food.

As a guide, feed no more than 1tsp of pureed pumpkin, or 1 ground pumpkin seed for every 10lbs of bodyweight. Viewing pumpkins as a treat, vets and nutritionists always recommend treats should amount to no more than 10% of your dogs’ daily food intake.  

The answer is yes! But only corn kernels and not an ear of whole corn on the cob. Dogs, like humans, tend to enjoy this popular vegetable. It contains plenty of protein, fibre, and good fats — also, vitamin C and micronutrients, which are essential to your dog’s health.

Do not give your dog corn on the cob

Dogs’ digestive systems cannot process the outer ear of corn on the cob or the actual cob itself. If swallowed whole or in large pieces, it can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. Every year we handle claims where a dog needs to have a corn cob removed: it is very dangerous as a blockage, and can also be a choking hazard. Don’t risk problems by feeding your dog whole corn on the cob.

What about tinned sweetcorn?

Avoid feeding your dog tinned sweetcorn as it tends to contain salt and sugar, both of which are no good for your dog. Stick to frozen or fresh, cooked corn kernels.

How much sweetcorn can I give my dog?

Nutritionists recommend that any extras you feed your dog should only make up 10% of their diet. A balanced, specifically designed dog food should make up the central part of their calorie intake. With that in mind, keep sweetcorn kernels as a treat! Don’t be alarmed if you see whole kernels in their poo. Just like humans, dogs can’t fully break down sweetcorn.

In summary, dogs can eat sweetcorn but only fresh or frozen kernels and only as a treat!

Yes, they can! Cucumbers are a safe and healthy treat for your dog or puppy.

Health benefits for dogs eating cucumbers

Cucumbers are virtually fat-free and have very low sugar and salt levels. This crunchy salad item has hardly any calories, so it’s the perfect treat for any dogs watching their waistlines. 

Cucumbers are made up of 96% water, so they are a hydrating treat and great on a hot day. They contain plenty of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the well-being of your dog:

• Vitamin K, C, B1, B5, and B6
• Molybdenum
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Biotin

It’s worth mentioning that your dog should get all the nutrients they need from a good quality, complete dog food. Any extras you choose to feed your dog, such as cucumber, should only be regarded as a treat! Vets recommend that treats make up just 10% of your dog’s diet, with the remaining 90% coming from their regular food. 

How much cucumber can my dog eat?

There are no hard and fast rules, but it’s best not to give your dog too much cucumber as it could upset their digestive systems. Feeding a whole cucumber is not advised! Keep it to small amounts, and make sure you chop it into tiny pieces so it doesn’t become a choking hazard. 

What about feeding cucumbers to puppies? 

If your little puppy enjoys the juicy, crunchy texture of cucumber, you can be safe in the knowledge that it is fine to give them a little. As with any new food, introduce it slowly to their diet to avoid upsetting their stomach. Cut the cucumber into tiny pieces to prevent your puppy from choking.

The answer is yes! Carrots are a healthy and crunchy snack that most dogs seem to enjoy. 

Health benefits for puppies eating carrots

Carrots contain plenty of Vitamin A, Biotin and Vitamin K, all needed to help keep your puppy healthy. They also have lots of other vitamins in smaller amounts, plus fibre. 

Vitamin A will help your puppy’s vision, and Vitamin K is essential for growing strong and healthy bones. 

Clean teeth

Another top benefit of sharing carrot chunks with your puppy is, they help to keep their teeth clean! 

The crunchiness helps to scrape plaque and food particles from teeth in the same way apples do. Carrots also activate your puppy’s gums to produce saliva. Puppy saliva is alkaline, which helps keep the acidic bacteria causing cavities at bay. 

Puppy teething

Carrots also have another benefit when they are fed to puppies. They make great teething aids! Cut them into tiny chunks so they are not a choking hazard and pop them in the freezer for a few hours. Your puppy will appreciate the soothing effect frozen carrot chunks can have on their sore gums and teeth. 

How many carrots can my puppy eat?

When it comes to feeding your puppy, most people know to provide high quality, complete food appropriate for their age. This should make up 90% of their diet. Giving them treats is perfectly okay, but they should only make up the remaining 10% of their nutritional requirement.  

Did you know dogs are omnivores? This means they can digest meat as well as fruit and vegetables, just like us humans!

Watch the sugar

Although carrots are a very healthy choice for puppies, make sure you only give them small amounts. They contain a lot of sugar. Even though it is naturally occurring, too much sugar is not suitable for puppies or dogs.

If your dog is watching their waistline or has any kind of insulin sensitivity, keep them away from carrots. If you are unsure whether your puppy or dog can have carrots, check with your vet.

More vegetables your dog can and can't eat

What should I feed a dog on a diet?

If your dog needs to lose weight, vegetables can be given to supplement their complete food. Fibre-rich vegetables such as grated carrots and white cabbage can increase a portion and give a feeling of satiety.

It’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about suitable complete food options for weight loss.

Start slow

Keep in mind that some vegetables can cause gas in the stomach. Start by giving a small amount at first, gradually increasing when you see that the dog's stomach can handle it.

Try your hand and pay attention to how your dog reacts. Consider shredding the vegetables or chopping them to a smaller size so your dog can’t get them stuck in their throat.

Find out what to do if an object gets stuck inside your dog’s throat.

Is a vegetarian diet suitable for dogs?

Dogs are carnivores by nature, and don’t need to eat vegetables like us humans. Completely replacing meat-based feed requires a great deal of knowledge on the part of the dog owner. Among other things, it’s important to ensure the content of high-quality protein sources from, for example, eggs or soy in the right balance.

For those who want to give their dog a meat-free feed, there are complete vegetarian feeds available to buy. Before such a feed change takes place, you should check with your vet. The most important thing to bear in mind is that all dogs need a complete food which covers their nutritional needs.

Other useful guides and advice for dog owners about what your dog can and cannot eat:

• What substances are toxic to dogs?
• Can dogs eat chocolate? The reason why chocolate is highly toxic for dogs
• Can dogs eat nuts and which are poisonous?
• Can dogs eat grapes? The reason why grapes are toxic for dogs

More foods:

• Can dogs eat tomatoes?
• Can dogs eat strawberries?
• Can dogs eat pineapple?
• Can dogs eat oranges?
• Can dogs eat apples? 
• Can dogs eat bananas?
• Can dogs eat eggs?
• Can dogs eat blueberries?
• Can dogs eat cheese?