Are you looking for a way to make your dog’s diet more colorful and healthier? Adding vegetables to your dog’s feeding schedule will definitely do the trick! But, what veggies are healthy for your dog? If you are not sure which vegetables to put on the “dog’s grocery list”, we’re here to help. 

So, take your pen and paper because today we are focusing on the good stuff – vegetables that are safe for your dog to eat.

From a vet’s point of view, vegetables do wonders for your dog’s digestive system. They contain fiber and antioxidants that help your dog’s stomach do its job – to properly digest food.

Besides establishing proper digestion, vegetables help your dog’s immune system to fight different diseases. Having said that, veggies have antibacterial properties, and some are known to help fight various types of canine cancer! 

But, we must be careful what vegetables we feed our dogs because not all of them contain dog-friendly compounds. In fact, some vegetables are highly toxic for dogs and may do more damage than good.

To be on the safe side, here are some of the healthiest veggies that your dog should eat!

Healthy Veggies For Your Dog

The majority of dog lovers make the mistake of thinking that dogs are explicitly carnivores. So mostly, they feed their dogs basic kibble, canned food, and/or raw meat. While there is nothing wrong with feeding your dog high-quality dog food and raw meat, you ought to admit that it gets pretty boring and bland. 

Regardless of the breed, as a species, all dogs are omnivores and their diet should consist of many more ingredients than meat. 

So, even if you are feeding a dog such as Cane Corso a raw diet, you still need to include some good ol’ vegetables! 

Carrots 

You know what they say, “carrots make your vision better”. Well, carrots are believed to improve your dog’s vision too! Many people think that this is a myth, but research shows beta-carotene found in carrots plays a great role in keeping your dog’s eyes healthy. In fact, beta-carotene stimulates a dog’s immune system when consumed through veggies such as carrots.

Besides eye health, vitamin A found in carrots is great for your dog’s skin that leads to a healthier looking coat as well! 

Oh, not to mention how dogs adore carrots! It is probably because the shape and consistency of a carrot reminds our dogs of chewing toys. 

Raw, cooked, or blended – carrots are fun to eat for both dogs and humans! 

Spinach

Step aside Popeye, your can of spinach belongs to the dog now! 

Spinach can be added to your dog’s food either blended, cooked, or raw. You can also give it spinach to your dog as a quick snack. A single serving of raw spinach contains a lot of nutrients and vitamins that are great for your dog’s overall health. 

For example, vitamin c, iron, and magnesium are just a few compounds found in spinach that make your dog’s immune system stronger! 

Sweet Potato

Cook ‘em before you serve ‘em!

Generally speaking, potatoes are not all that good for dogs. But, cooked or pureed, sweet potatoes make a very healthy snack for your Fido! 

When compared to white potatoes, sweet potatoes are higher in nutrients that are important for your dog’s health – one of them being vitamin B6 that helps with hormone regulation and nervous system function.

However, it is important to know that sweet potatoes are high in fiber and should not be given to dogs as full meals. Also, raw sweet potatoes will cause stomach problems in the majority of dogs.

Beets 

Some dogs like them, some despise them, but there is no denying that beets make a powerful addition to their diet! 

Beets are packed with vitamins C and B9, as well as minerals like manganese and potassium that make your dog’s skin and coat shine bright!

Just like with other veggies, beets should not be served as an everyday meal for your dog. Your dog should munch on a few raw beets once or twice a week. Make sure to cut beets into smaller pieces before serving them to your dog!   

Butternut Squash 

While dogs can eat all sorts of squash types, butternut squash seems to have the perfect balance of nutrients that boost your dog’s health. 

Butternut squash provides the dog’s body with a healthy amount of calcium, iron, potassium, and sodium. Alongside these important micronutrients, butternut squash contains vitamins C and B6 that, working together with minerals, help strengthen your dog’s immune system.

You can feed your dog raw or cooked squash without seeds in it. Make sure to leave little to no seeds as they can be toxic for your dog. 

Green Beans 

Green colored foods such as green beans are super healthy for dogs because of their high vitamin (A, K, C, B6) and low carb content.

They are fun to eat and most dog owners use raw green beans in positive reinforcement training. Yes, dogs love them that much! 

Green beans are wonder-veggies that help your dog’s wound heal faster, aid in reproductive health, and help remove free radicals from cells due to their high antioxidants content. 

Conclusion

These are the top six healthy vegetables that we have chosen because of their great effects on dog’s health. 

Other healthy veggies that we should incorporate in our canine’s diets include: 

  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Kale 
  • Peas

You may prefer your veggies well seasoned, but you should avoid giving seasoned veggies to your dog. That’s one way to make healthy veggies unhealthy. 

It’s good to keep in mind that too much of anything is bad for your dog – and this means that giving your dog too many veggies can have adverse effects on its health.

Before making any changes in your dog’s diet, make sure to consult a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist who will provide you with more useful information on dog-friendly veggies.