Foods that Are Safe and Unsafe for Your Dog to Eat

As raw diets for dogs have become more and more popular, more dog owners have started to give their dog raw food, including fruits and vegetables. Raw and even cooked fruits and vegetables are great for dogs. They provide them with extra minerals and vitamins, and can be a quick meal, a snack, or even a treat. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to keep your dog healthy.

Dogs can eat fruits and vegetables. Depending on your dog, he may enjoy fruits and vegetables, or he may hate them altogether. Sometimes a dog will like a certain type of fruit or vegetable, but not the next. Dogs can be picky at times, so it's important that you test certain types of foods that your dog may or may not enjoy. You can do this by taking fruits and vegetables that you have around your home, and giving a small piece to your dog.

Generally, dogs can eat raspberries, blueberries, bananas, pears, mangos, pineapples, apricots, peaches, and strawberries, as well as many other types of fruit. You will want to stay away from citrus fruits as they may upset your dog's stomach. As for vegetables, you can give your dog carrots, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, cucumber, beets, zucchini, and the list goes on. It's important that you figure out what foods your dog likes best.

However, there are also some fruits and vegetables that you will want to avoid at all costs. When it comes to fruit, you don't want to give your dog grapes, raisins, and citrus fruits like oranges. Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. You will want to avoid giving your dog raw onions as they can also be toxic. It's also important to never give your dog seeds or pits from fruit.

When you figure out which fruits and vegetables your dog likes, you can easily incorporate them into his food, give them as snacks, or use little pieces of it as a treat. This can work well if you are training your dog, or if you just want to reward him for doing something good. The good thing about fruits and vegetables is that they are healthy. Of course, everything should be given to your dog in moderation, so don't overload! If you do give your dog too many fruits or vegetables, it may change the pH levels in his stomach.

Are Fruits Beneficial For Your Dog?

Technically, from a health standpoint, your dog doesn't really need to eat fruits. Even if you feed your dog a RAW diet, fruits make up a very small amount of what you feed your dog. Vegetables are added to a RAW diet, but even then, they must be pureed or processed so your dog can digest them. Your dog may enjoy eating fruits and vegetables but he's a carnivore and his digestive system doesn't digest fruits and vegetables very well. You can still give him fruits and vegetables in small amounts if he likes them.

Which Fruits Are Okay To Give Your Dog?

There are lots of fruits that dogs like and which you can safely give your dog to eat, especially as treats. Apples and bananas, for example, are often big favorites with dogs. Most berries are also safe for your dog to eat, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and the like. You can also safely give your dog melons such as cantaloupe and watermelon.

If you give your dog apples, pears, peaches, plums, or cherries, be sure to remove the seeds or pits. The fruit itself is safe for your dog but the seeds and pits are not. They contain minute amounts of cyanide which could be poisonous to your dog (or to you).

Many people ask if avocados are safe for dogs. The answer is yes, the fruit is safe. However, do not give your dog the pit. It is also unsafe for your dog. Some dog foods contain avocado and it is very good for your dog's skin and coat.

Whether it's a fruit or a vegetable, you can give your dog tomatoes, though there is some suggestion that they may be bad for dogs that have arthritis.

Which Fruits Are Unsafe For Dogs?

You should not give your dog grapes or raisins. They have been associated with acute renal failure in some dogs. You should not give your dog currants for the same reason.

Although they are not a fruit, you should not give your dog Macadamia nuts. They can be toxic to dogs.

Do not give your dog mushrooms. Some of them contain toxins which can cause shock to your dog, or even death.

Do not give your dog persimmons. The seeds can cause intestinal problems.

Certain types of raw fish have been found to be extremely unsafe for dogs. They contain a microorganism that affects and kills dogs, but not humans or other animals. Salmon in particular is a danger but other types of fish carry the bacteria as well. DO NOT feed your dog raw fish!

While dogs can eat some of the same foods that we do, there are many they should not eat. Some common foods you may have around your house could kill your dog in the right amount.

Some foods dogs should not eat

If your dog has ingested any of these foods, get veterinary help immediately!

Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill a dog

Onions: Onions destroy red blood cells and can cause anemia.

Chocolate: Chocolate can cause seizures, coma and death. Baker's chocolate is the most dangerous. A dog can consume milk chocolate and appear to be fine because it is not as concentrated, but it is still dangerous.

Coffee, Coffee grounds, tea and tea bags: Drinks/foods containing caffeine cause many of the same symptoms chocolate causes

Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, muscle tremor and paralysis.

Animal fat and fried foods: Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.

Bones: Bones can splinter and damage a dog's internal organs.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias. Tomatoe plants and the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe.

Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart

Nutmeg: Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and death

Apples, Cherries, Peaches and similar fruit: The seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans. Unlike humans, dogs do not know to stop eating at the core/pit and easily ingest them.

Raw eggs: Raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning in dogs. Dogs have a shorter digestive tract than humans and are not as likely to suffer from food poisoning, but it is still possible.

Salt: Excessive salt intake can cause kidney problems.

Food that most dogs can eat:

Some "human" foods are good for dogs. Most of these are healthier than the boxed treats you buy in the grocery store. . This is just a small list of examples of foods dogs can eat, not a list of every food they should eat. Dogs won't necessarily get all the nutrients they need if they eat these foods exclusively, so check with your veterinarian if you are interested in feeding your dog a home cooked diet.

Any food that causes stomach upsets or digestive problems in your dogs should be avoided. Like people, some dogs cannot tolerate certain foods even if they are considered "safe".

Meats:

Meats should be boneless and its best if the skin is removed

• Skinless, boneless chicken breast
• Skinless, boneless turkey breast
• Boneless fish
• Beef Liver
• Chicken Livers

Vegetables:

Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than humans and cannot digest most vegetables whole or in large chunks. It's best to put them through a food processor before giving them to your dog.

• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• Yams
• Red and green bell peppers

Grains:

Grains should not be given in large amounts or make up a large part of a dog's diet, but these foods are generally safe in small amounts.

• Rice
• Bread
• Oats

Dairy products

Use caution with dairy products as they are high in fat and can cause pancreatitis, gas and diarrhea. Usually, nonfat plain yogurt is safe in small amounts.

If you are in doubt about a particular fruit, vegetable or other food you want to give your dog, it's best to ask your vet or check a good source to find out if it's safe to give to your dog. Most fruits are safe to give your dog, but it's best to be safe.