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Ultimate Guide of Fruits and Vegetables that Dogs Can and Cannot Eat

Common household foodstuffs can kill your dog. You need to know the fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat!

By Devon ThomasPublished 6 years ago 7 min read
Top Story - May 2018
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I have a rescue pit bull named Xander, so I know a thing or two about the fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat. It's especially a big deal for me because I belong to a community garden and eat a whole food diet. There's no refined sugar in my house, despite the protestations of my son Jarret. I tell him he can eat junk food at his mom's! But even though it might seem like fruits and veggies are okay for Xander because they're all natural, that's actually far from true!

Cannot: Cherries, Peaches, Plums, and Persimmons

Among the fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat, cherries are a big no-no. Cherries, peaches, plums, and persimmons are all off limits for dogs because of the presence of cyanide in these fruits. Yeah, cyanide; the thing that spies use to kill other spies! Your dog's blood cells won't get the O2 they need. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in your dog are red gums, dilated pupils, and labored breathing.

Cannot: Onions, Leeks, Chives, and Garlic

In the realm of fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat, onions, leeks, chives, and garlic fall squarely into the "no" category. Although, I don't even know why someone would consider feeding any of these to their dogs in the first place! Maybe pearl onions because they're bite-sized. I barely want to eat these and they don't make my red blood cells explode, nor do they give me vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or nausea, but they can for your dog.

Cannot: Grapes and Raisins

I love grapes and eat them a lot, often while Xander is watching. But if we're talking about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat, grapes and raisins are 100% "no." They're as bad as the worst wildflowers you shouldn't eat. Grapes are so dangerous to dogs that they can lead to instant kidney failure. Boom! No more Xander. I'm getting choked up just thinking about it.

Cannot: Avocado

Avocado toast may be the butt of a lot of jokes, but feeding it to dogs is no laughing matter. Even if you're imagining a hipster dog talking about the latest Father John Misty record, it's not funny! That's because avocados are full of persin, which makes dogs vomit and have diarrhea. See, not funny! Meanwhile, if avocado toast started giving bougie Brooklynites diarrhea it'd be Pure Comedy. BOOM! I set 'em up and knock 'em down. I'll be here all week at the Bell House, ya'll.

Cannot: Lemons, Limes, Oranges, and Grapefruit

There's a lot of reasons that citrus fruits are a solid "no" when it comes to fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat. The psoralen compounds and the aromatic oils can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. And even though dogs may reject the sour taste, just getting it on their paws and then in their mouths may be enough to cause some serious doggy damage. You'll need to know more than how to get rid of dog urine smell to clean up this mess!

Can (Kind of): Apples

An apple a day keeps the veterinarian away, so long as you take out the seeds and core first since they contain cyanide. Otherwise, apples have plenty of fiber and are low in fat. Plus, they have vitamins A and C, which your dog needs. When we're talking about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat, apples are okay!

Can: Carrots

Carrots: high in fiber, low in calories, crunchy, and high in beta carotene (for the eyes). A solid "can" if we're talking fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

Can: String Beans

Stringbeans contain vitamins and minerals, are high in fiber, and low in calories. I like to vicariously eat dog snacks through Xander, so what I do is mix string beans in with his regular food so his meals are lower in calories—a "yes" when it comes to fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat. Even canned string beans are okay for your dog, so that makes string beans some of the best foods for your car survival guide too.

Can: Strawberries

I love strawberries, and I love sharing with Xander. So, when I have some of these furry little berets for myself I make sure to cut a few in half for my buddy too. They've got a lot of good nutrition, including omega 3 fatty acids. I give him an omega supplement too because that stuff is good for everything!

Can: Celery

A, B, C are vitamins in celery. This is a "can" when we're talking fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat. Celery also fights heart disease, cancer, and bad breath!

Can: Snap Peas

Snap peas are a great treat because they fit so easily into baggies and your own hand. Plus, they're full of nutrients like fiber, vitamins C and K, and even some protein.

Can (Kind of): Sweet Potatoes

You can give your dog cooked sweet potatoes so long as they're not loaded with sugary stuff or salt. In general, avoid giving your dogs sweet foods, which means bananas and strawberries may not be your best bet when we're talking fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat because of their high sugar content, but the occasional banana mixed in with dog food is okay.

Can: Blueberries

Blueberries are a great antioxidant, so if you can sneak a few of these frozen bad boys your dog's way you'll be helping Fido out in the long term. Low in fat, high in fiber, and plenty of vitamin C!

Can: Watermelon (Kind of)

You can sneak some watermelon your dog's way, but not too much since it's high in sugar. Make sure to take out the seeds and rind before serving. This treat is great because it's mostly water, so your dog will appreciate it as much as you do when it's hot out.

Can: Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe? Based on how much Xander likes this melon I think he might elope! With vitamin A, B, and C, cantaloupe is a tasty treat that's also good for the eyes thanks to the presence of beta carotene. But don't go overboard since it's got a decent amount of sugar in it.

Can: Cucumber

I remove the seeds from these bad boys and chop them up into bite sized bits. It's what I put into Xander's food when it's hot and when I want to have him eat a treat I want to eat and I need him to offset some calories for a dog cookie.

Can: Pumpkin

Pumpkin can be eaten canned, although the cooked fresh kind is preferred. Make sure it's not pie filling! Pumpkin is high in nutrients and low calorie. Also, you can eat it yourself too since it's a treat for human and dog alike.

Can: Broccoli (Kind of, Not Really)

Broccoli is good. It's high in fiber and vitamin C. But you also gotta share it in limited amounts because it has isothiocyanates, which upsets doggy tummies. Honestly, I don't give it to Xander unless I'm eating it too and made way too much.

Can: Brussell Sprouts (Not Advised!)

I mean, yes, you can give your dog brussell sprouts, but they're likely to make your dog fart. I don't want dog farts! NO THANK YOU!

Can: Zucchini

Zucchini if you can get your dog to eat zucchini it's a fine treat. Vitamins B and C, and high in fiber. But when was the last time you ate raw zucchini? Exactly.

Can: Raspberries (Kind of)

Raspberries. Low in calories and high in fiber. A great combo! However, they contain xylitol, which is not good for dogs. I never give Xander anything that can be potentially bad for him in any amount even though raspberries can be enjoyed in moderation. But that's just me.

Can: Pineapple (Kind of)

Pineapple is actually so high in fiber that it can only be served to dogs in moderation. That's good because it's also so high in sugar that it should only be served to dogs in moderation. But it's such a tasty treat it's hard not to sneak Xander a few bites every once in a while.

Can: Pears

Pears are so delicious. I love them so much, but I think they're too indulgent for me. So, what I do is share some with Xander and feel better about myself. All you have to do is remove the pit and the seeds. Pears have vitamins c and k, and they're high in fiber.

Can: Spinach

Spinach is as good for dogs and people. But just like people, dogs don't necessarily like spinach. That's too bad because spinach is high in antioxidants and vitamin K.

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About the Creator

Devon Thomas

Long commutes means lots of tunes and podcasts. Daydreamer and people watcher.

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