“Dogs can eat most vegetables, which make them great treats for your pet,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, D.V.M. and head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Vet, a chain of veterinary facilities in the northeast U.S.
Here is a list of vegetables that make safe and healthy treats for your dog:
Beets
Beets, which are packed in nutrients, are often found in commercial dog food. When served in moderation, beets provide benefits to a dog’s coat, skin and digestion. They contain fibre, vitamins, including vitamin C, minerals, potassium, folate and magnesium. If your dog is prone to bladder or kidney stones, however, you should check with your vet before incorporating beets into their diet.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are made up of 92% water and packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, E, B6, potassium and folate. They also make for a fun, crunchy snack that most dogs love. It’s best to remove all the seeds and stems before slowly introducing your pup to bell peppers.
Broccoli
Broccoli is filled with lots of important vitamins including vitamins C and K. It also serves as a crunchy, healthy snack.
“(Broccoli) can help boost your dog’s immune system and increase their bone density,” Dr. Gary Richter, D.V.M., medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, wrote in an email to Forbes Advisor.
Dog owners should be careful on the amount of broccoli they give their dogs as the florets contain a naturally-occurring phytochemical, which can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs.
Carrots
Carrots make an excellent crunchy treat for your dog and act like a dental stick, cleaning and removing food from their teeth. Some vets recommend freezing carrots and giving them to pups for teething pain relief.
“Your pup can enjoy both raw and cooked carrots,” says Richardson. “They are a healthy, low calorie source of fibre and vitamin A that makes for a great snack.”
Celery
Not only is celery a fun, crunchy, healthy snack for your dog, but it does double-duty by helping to freshen up your dog’s breath.
Celery is also great as a treat for dogs that need to lose a few pounds. It’s high in water content, low in fat and cholesterol, and is an excellent source of fibre, vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium and manganese.
Green Beans
“Green beans are an excellent low-calorie vegetable that make a great lean snack to help fill up your dog without overfeeding,” says Richardson.
Green beans are a good source of protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins B6, A, C and K. Beans also make a nutritious alternative to fat-laden doggie biscuits.
Peas
Peas are a good source of protein, fibre, and vitamins A, C, and K, according to Dr. Nicole Savageau, D.V.M., a veterinarian with The Vets, a nationwide mobile veterinary company.
“They are often used as a plant-based protein source in dog foods,” Savageau wrote in an email to Forbes Advisor.
Peas are full of vitamins and minerals and are high in protein and fibre. Fresh or frozen peas are a great addition to your dog’s daily meals, or even as a snack.
Spinach
“Spinach is a great source of iron, fibre, and vitamins A, C and K,” Savageau says.
The leafy green also contains iron, antioxidants, beta-carotene and roughage, which is helpful in stimulating the digestive tract.
Sweet Potatoes
“Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, which can promote healthy skin, fur, and even help with your pup’s nervous system and muscles,” Richter says. They also have lots of potassium and calcium.
Sweet potatoes are low in fat and rich in vitamin A, which is critical in maintaining healthy eyes, muscles, nerves and skin, vitamin C, which supports a dog’s immune system and vitamin B6 that helps regulate blood sugar and supports metabolism.
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