What fruit and vegetables can dogs eat?

Although most people think of dogs as meat-eating carnivores, they are actually omnivorous[2]. Scavengers by nature, they will supplement their diet by eating things like cereals, fruits and vegetables. These provide additional vitamins and fibre, as well as making excellent low-calorie treats if you are watching your pet’s waistline.  

Any fruit and vegetable you offer your dog should only ever make up around 10% of their daily diet, so moderation is key here. Additionally, before introducing a new food to your pet, you should start by giving them a small amount to ensure they have no adverse reactions before giving any more. 

If you are keen to try your dog with some new tasty low-fat snacks, it is important to know which fruits and vegetables are safe.  

The safe list 

What fruits can dogs eat? 

1. Apples 

Apples are high in vitamins A and C and are a crunchy treat for dogs. They are best served with the pips/seeds removed, as these contain cyanide, which could cause problems if eaten in very large quantities. It’s also important you don’t allow your dog to eat rotten fallen apples as these can contain high levels of ethanol (alcohol), which is obviously bad for your dog[10].  

2. Bananas 

Many dogs enjoy the texture of bananas, but they are quite filling and high in sugar, so should only be given occasionally. They are a good source of potassium, fibre and vitamin B6. Remove the skin and stick to ripe bananas, because as with us, green ones are less palatable and harder to digest. 

3. Blueberries 

Blueberries are high in antioxidants[8] and low in calories. They make a great snack item, but take care with smaller breeds of dog, for which they could be a choking hazard. 

4. Cantaloupe and watermelon 

Dogs often enjoy the refreshing taste of melon, and all varieties are fine for them to eat, including cantaloupe and watermelon. You should remove the seeds and hard-to-digest rind before serving.  

5. Nectarines, peaches and mangoes 

The flesh of stone fruit, including nectarines, peaches and mangoes, is perfectly safe to eat. However, you should make sure your dog doesn’t swallow the stone, so remove this before serving. The stone is a source of cyanide and it could cause a serious intestinal blockage if consumed[6]. 

6. Pears 

Pears are high in copper, vitamin K, vitamin C and fibre, and are safe for dogs to eat. You should try to remove the stem, core and seeds before serving to make them more digestible.  

7. Pineapple 

This exotic fruit is safe, but is best given fresh. Canned pineapple will contain high amounts of sugar due to the syrup or juice. Remove the tough core and skin of the fruit before serving.  

8. Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries 

These nutritious berries don’t need much in the way of preparation. They contain vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E, and are also rich in minerals. The antioxidants in raspberries are also thought to help with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, allergies and cancer[3]. 

What vegetables can dogs eat? 

1. Broccoli 

Many dogs enjoy the fibrous texture of broccoli, and it is safe to give to them in small amounts either cooked or raw. This vegetable is high in fibre, vitamin C and vitamin K, but large volumes could cause tummy troubles. 

2. Butternut squash 

The flesh of butternut squash can be fed to dogs and is best served cooked. Just make sure that the seeds and skin have been removed. It contains a good source of vitamin A as well as being rich in carotenoids, which are good for eyesight. 

3. Carrots 

Carrots can be served both raw and cooked, and many dogs enjoy their taste. Carrots contain a variety of vitamins and minerals including beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A by the body)[1], vitamin K and potassium.  

4. Cooked potatoes 

Cooked potatoes can be safely fed to dogs if they are served plain with no seasonings. Stick to baked or boiled potatoes rather than deep-fried chips or fries, and only give them as an occasional treat. Raw potatoes, on the other hand, should not be given to dogs. 

5. Cucumber 

Cucumbers are predominantly made of water, containing only small amounts of vitamins and minerals. They are non-toxic and both the skin and flesh are fine to eat. 

6. Peas and green beans 

All varieties of peas and green beans are safe for dogs to eat (including garden peas, petit pois and sugar snaps). Stick to fresh or frozen rather than canned, which may contain added salt. Peas are high in protein and an antioxidant called lutein, which is good for the heart, skin and eyes. 

7. Pumpkin 

Raw pumpkin can be quite hard to digest, so offer your dog cooked or even canned pumpkin (if it isn’t seasoned). Pumpkin flesh contains fibre and vitamins A, C and E, as well as lycopene and potassium. Pumpkin seeds are safe if they have been cleaned and cooked without seasoning. 

8. Sweet potato 

Sweet potato is safe to serve cooked and is a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. If fed raw it can be hard to digest and could cause an obstruction. As a starchy carbohydrate, care needs to be taken to not inadvertently cause weight gain, so only give occasionally.  

The unsafe list  

What vegetables are toxic to dogs? 

What fruits can dogs not eat? 

1. Avocado 

While the flesh of the avocado is not toxic, it contains high levels of fat, which could trigger episodes of pancreatitis in susceptible dogs, as well as weight gain. The stone is undigestible, and its large size means it will not usually pass through your dog’s digestive tract if accidentally swallowed. 

2. Chilli peppers 

While chilli peppers are not toxic to dogs, they contain capsaicin, something that causes stomach irritation. This could lead to vomiting and diarrhoea. Avoid feeding these to your dog or giving them any spicy leftovers that contain them.  

3. Chives and garlic 

Both garlic and chives are members of the allium family, which also contains leeks, spring onions, shallots and onions. These plants are all toxic to dogs and need to be avoided. They can cause haemolytic anaemia – a condition that affects the red blood cells, causing them to become damaged[4]. These broken red blood cells are no longer able to carry oxygen around the body leading to weakness, an elevated heart rate, pale gums and collapse. 

4. Corn-on-the-cob 

While sweetcorn is not toxic to dogs, problems can arise if your dog gets hold of a corn-on-the-cob. If they swallow it whole or eat a large chunk, it may cause a bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery to remove it. Don’t risk giving your dog one of these, and make sure they don’t help themselves at BBQs or other events. 

5. Grapefruit 

Grapefruit flesh itself is not toxic to dogs, but it is highly acidic, which may cause tummy upsets. The peel, seeds and plant can also cause issues if accidentally eaten, such as long-term gastrointestinal problems, as well as possibly photosensitive dermatitis.  

6. Grapes and raisins/sultanas/currants 

When asked ‘what fruit is most toxic to dogs?’ the answer is easy – grapes and their various dried forms. Grapes and raisins cause potentially fatal kidney failure in some dogs[7]. The exact mechanism of toxicity is unclear, so we can’t accurately predict exactly how many grapes will cause a problem in each individual dog. It is better not to take the risk and avoid giving grapes and raisins to your dog at all. If your pet accidentally ingests them (or a product containing them), you must ring your vet as soon as possible.  

7. Kale and spinach 

Kale and spinach contain compounds that can be harmful to dogs, including calcium oxalate and isothiocyanates. Calcium oxalate can cause issues such as kidney and bladder stones, and isothiocyanates can cause digestive irritation. Thallium poisoning is also a rare possibility when eating kale due to the amounts of this heavy metal within the plant. While small quantities may be okay, too much of these vegetables can be risky, so stick to safer alternatives.  

8. Lemons and limes 

Dogs will usually avoid lemons and limes because of their strong citrus flavour. The flesh is non-toxic, but large quantities could irritate the stomach and intestines. The skin of the fruit, its seeds and the tree on which it grows contain toxic compounds, including a phototoxic chemical called psoralens. Some owners ask ‘can dogs have oranges?’ and the answer is yes, but, as with lemons and limes, dogs tend not to enjoy the strong citrus flavour. 

9. Onions and shallots 

Onions, shallots and spring onions are toxic to dogs and must be avoided. Like chives and garlic, they are members of the allium family, which can cause dangerous haemolytic anaemia[4]. The onions cause oxidative damage to dogs’ red blood cells, causing them to become fragile and burst. Symptoms can take a few days to develop, so even if your dog seems okay immediately after eating onions, you should still take them to a vet. Toxicity occurs in both raw and cooked onions, so be vigilant not to give your dog any leftovers that could contain them. 

10. Raw potatoes 

Uncooked potatoes contain solanine, which is a glycoalkaloid poison[5]. Potatoes that are green or sprouted contain particularly high amounts of solanine. Giving your dog raw potatoes or potato peelings could cause a slow heart rate, digestive upset (vomiting and diarrhoea) and possible vision problems. However, cooked, unseasoned potatoes are safe to feed dogs as an occasional treat.

Final thoughts and safety considerations 

As with all things in life, moderation is important. Even fruit and vegetables that are considered safe for our pets could cause tummy trouble if given in large volumes. It is, therefore, best to feed them as occasional treats rather than offering them in bulk.  

If your dog is on a good-quality, complete commercial diet, they will get all the nutrition they need. Therefore, giving additional vegetables and fruit is not necessary from a nutritional perspective, though a little boost is not necessarily bad. Just bear in mind that many of the nutrients that humans rely on from plants, such as vitamin C, are not actually required by our dogs[9]. 

Our list of suggested fruits and vegetables may not be to every dog’s taste, so don’t be surprised if your dog is not keen on all of them. Some dogs may love raspberries, whereas others hate them – like us, they’re individuals with their own tastes and preferences. 

If your dog has any dietary sensitivities/allergies or a health condition like diabetes, you should always talk to your vet before making any diet changes. Additional snacks could cause problems in some pets, so check before feeding them. 

And finally, if your dog has accidentally eaten any of the toxic fruit or vegetables on our list, you should call your vet immediately in case urgent treatment is required. Even if your pet seems fine initially, it is best to check, as some signs of toxicity take a while to develop and can be trickier to deal with. 

FAQs 

How much fruit can a dog eat daily? 

You should ensure that fruit makes up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Too much fruit could cause nutritional imbalances and stomach upsets, so only serve it in moderation.  

What fruit is suitable for a dog’s stomach? 

Each dog is different, so start by offering your pet a small amount of your chosen safe fruit to check for any adverse reactions. If your pet tolerates this, you can slowly increase the amount you give them (as long as it makes up no more than 10% of their daily diet). Safe fruits to try include melon, blueberries, bananas and pears.  

What fruit and veg can hurt my dog? 

A key fruit to avoid is grapes, which can cause kidney failure in some individuals. Toxic vegetables include raw potatoes, chives, onions, shallots, leeks and garlic. Kale, chilli peppers and whole corn-on-the-cobs can also cause problems for dogs and should be avoided. 

What human food can dogs eat? 

If you want to give your dog human food as a treat, make sure you stick to healthy, low-calorie items. These include strips of lean cooked meat (such as chicken or turkey), non-toxic fruit or vegetables, cooked egg or plain popcorn. 

What are the top five vegetables for dogs? 

The five vegetables that many dogs enjoy best are carrots, cooked potatoes, cooked sweet potatoes, peas and broccoli. However, not all dogs are the same, and some will enjoy these, whereas others won’t. Just remember that starchy vegetables such as potatoes will add additional calories to your pet’s diet.