Dogs are beggars. Cute beggars. But beggars all the same. As a loving pet parent, you may feel tempted to share your food with your adorable pup. But should you? We’ll list many fruits and vegetables that dogs can and can’t eat. And will point out some other foods that your dog should avoid.
Foods that are Toxic for Dogs
Let’s start with the foods to avoid. As a responsible pet parent, knowing which foods are toxic for dogs is essential. And if in doubt, don’t give it to them. Now dogs can be crafty and get into mischief, so be sure to keep toxic foods out of reach of your dog. Here is a list the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center deems harmful for dogs:
Fruits That Are Toxic for Dogs
Most fruits are actually okay for your dog, but these fruits are an absolute no-no:
- Grapes and Raisins: Unless you want your dog’s kidney to fail, by all means, let them eat grapes and raisins. But if you want to keep your dog’s internal organs in tip-top shape, skip on grapes.
- Cherries: Cherries contain cyanide, which is very toxic for dogs. The cyanide in cherries makes it difficult for your dog’s blood cells to receive enough oxygen, which can lead to breathing difficulty, red gums, and dilated pupils.
- Tomatoes: Green tomatoes contain solanine, which can make your dog very sick. Eating ripe tomatoes may be safer, better not to chance it and keep them out of the garden.
- Avocado: Avocado can cause cardiovascular damage and has been known to cause death in birds and rabbits. Basically, keep your dog off the guac.
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Vegetables that are Toxic for Dogs
- Mushrooms: Wild mushrooms can be very toxic for dogs. So you’ll want to keep your yard or areas near your home clear of wild mushrooms because they can be very poisonous. White mushrooms from the grocery store are okay, but you don’t want your dog to develop a taste for mushrooms.
- Onions, Garlic, and Chives: These can all cause gastrointestinal issues that lead to red blood cell damage and anemia.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to keep the dog out of your garden.
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Other Toxic Foods Your Dog Should Avoid
And while we are listing toxic fruits and vegetables, we might as well round out the list to all other poisonous foods for dogs:
- Alcohol: This shouldn’t be a shock, but you’d be surprised how many people allow their dogs to take a nip. Alcohol causes diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system depression, tremors, blood acidity, coma, and death.
- Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine: These foods contain methylxanthines that cause vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and death. Dark chocolate is more toxic for dogs than milk chocolate. But let’s be clear: both are bad.
- Coconut and Coconut Oil: While these can be ingested in small amounts, they can also make your dog’s stomach upset, create loose stools or diarrhea.
- Macadamia Nuts: These nuts are fairly toxic and can cause depression, weakness, vomiting, tremors, and even hyperthermia. Symptoms can last up to 48 hours.
- Milk and Dairy Products: A dog’s stomach is not equipped to process milk and dairy. They are very lactose intolerant. It causes diarrhea and digestive issues.
- Nuts: While not as toxic and macadamia nuts, your dog should avoid nuts as much as possible because many varieties can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and possible pancreatitis.
- Raw Meat, Eggs, and Bones: These can have bacteria like salmonella or E Coli. And bones are choking hazards.
- Salt and Salty Snacks: Besides thirst and urination, high sodium can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, tremors, and death. So keep them off the salt.
- Xylitol: Xylitol is a common sweetener used in a lot of processed foods, candy, and even toothpaste. It can cause liver failure, seizures, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination.
- Yeast Dough: Yeast dough can mess with your pet’s digestive system causing bloating and pain. It can twist the digestive system and even cause death in some situations. So when baking, keep your dog off the dough.
Call your veterinarian right now if you think your dog has eaten any of these toxic foods.
Fruits and Vegetables that Dogs Can Eat
Now, for the good news: feeding your dog fruits and vegetables can be a very nutritious snack for your dog because the food contains lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
But remember, your dog shouldn’t have more than 10% of their dietary intake each day from snacks. Scraps from the table lead to obesity, even when the food is healthy. That said, these are the best fruits and vegetables that are safe for your dog:
Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Mangoes
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Cucumbers
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potatoes
- Spinach
Should Your Dog Eat Strawberries or Pineapple?
You can feed your dog strawberries and pineapple. Both fruits are high in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. But be careful about feeding them too much because the high fiber content can make them constipated.
The best method for feeding your dog strawberries or pineapple is to cut the fruit into bite-size pieces or mash the fruit for small dogs. This prevents the fruit from becoming a choking hazard.
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Can Dogs Eat Apple Skins?
Yes, apple skins are actually full of lots of nutrients for your dog. Just be careful to cut the apple into small pieces and never feed your dog the core. The core can be a choking hazard.
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