We’ve all seen those puppy dog eyes looking up at us while we’re eating. No matter what food we’re enjoying, our dogs want a bite of it. While we know there’s food we definitely shouldn’t feed them — like chocolate — one question might still be unanswered: can dogs eat fruit and vegetables? 

We’re probably all thinking that since fruits and veggies are healthy for us, it’s got to be the same for our pups — right? 

Well, actually, no. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that do have many benefits for our dogs, but some are poisonous to them. 

So, you’re probably wondering, what fruit can dogs eat that’s both safe and beneficial for them? And more importantly, what can’t dogs eat?

What can dogs eat? Dogs are omnivorous — meaning they eat both meat and plants. Fruit and vegetables offer many nutritional benefits for your dog. So, if they enjoy the taste, it’s worth incorporating them into their diet. 

Can dogs taste fruity food? Well, as fruit is naturally sweet, most dogs will probably enjoy eating fruit but you know your pup the best. When giving your pup fruit for the first time, watch if they eat the fruit with excitement (think about an upright tail or a tail wag). Your pup might appear alert, beg for more, or bark or whine for more food.`

The fruits dogs can eat include:

You want the food your dog eats to be beneficial to their health as well as being tasty. Check out our friends over at Dog Food Advisor for advice such as the best fresh dog food and the best natural dog food. 

Now you know what fruits are good for dogs, here are some of the vegetables you might like to feed them.

While all these fruit and vegetables are safe and non-toxic for dogs to eat, they should all be fed in moderation. This is partly due to the high sugar content found in a lot of fruit and the fact that too much could also result in stomach issues such as diarrhea. 

It’s always worth speaking to your vet before feeding your pup any new food as there may be a health reason they shouldn’t eat it. You should also introduce it slowly to ensure that they aren’t allergic to the new food.

Supplementing your dog’s regular diet with fruits and vegetables can greatly benefit your pup. They’re full of disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, so those benefits include:

Boost nutrition — Your dog's dog food has the nutrition they require to grow, play, and thrive, including lean proteins, fat, and carbohydrates. Adding fruits and vegetables to these meals provides several additional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids not always found in processed dog food, and can give them a nutrition boost.

Some dogs, such as large breeds, require additional vitamins to aid in rapid bone growth, and many fruits and vegetables are an excellent way to meet these dietary requirements.

Fights Disease — Fruits and vegetables are filled with antioxidants and vitamins, which helps your dog fight disease. Antioxidants are powerful at fighting abnormal cell growth and the free radicals your dog's body naturally produces, and counteracting the damage these free radicals do to your dog’s healthy cells.

Antioxidants are also known for fighting against cancers and boosting your dog's immunity, so they are less likely to become ill. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your dog’s diet is an easy way to fight disease naturally.

Keeps the Body Hydrated — Fruits and vegetables are naturally filled with water your dog needs. While keeping your dog hydrated is essential for overall health, it is especially beneficial for fighting kidney disease and dysfunction.

Keeping your dog hydrated can also help prevent bladder stones from forming within your dog's bladder, kidney stones from forming within the kidneys, and blockages from occurring from the stones. Always offer your dog clean and fresh water, and supplement their diet with fruits and vegetables for their overall health.

Offers Natural Fiber — Fruits and vegetables contain natural fiber which is better for the body than the processed fiber found in most commercial dog foods. Plant fiber is highly nutritious and also better for your dogs than fiber found in grains.

Soluble fiber that comes from vegetables is digested later in your dog's system, helping to keep your dog regular and fight diseases in your dog's digestive system.

You know what your dog can eat. Now, you need to know what foods are bad for dogs.

If you suspect your dog has eaten food that is poisonous or dangerous to them then they need to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Browse and compare the best pet insurance plans to make sure you are covered. 

Firstly, even if the fruit is safe for them to eat, you must remove the seeds, pits and core. Although the fruit may not be poisonous, the seeds and pits are while the cores including stems and leaves can be choking hazards. 

For the same reason, you should also peel the skin off fruit such as bananas and melon. If it’s a part of the fruit we wouldn’t eat, dogs shouldn’t have this either.

Most can be fed to them either raw or cooked - although some of the tougher vegetables may need to be cooked to soften them and make it easier for your dog to digest.

Then, make sure you wash it thoroughly. This will remove any traces of fertilizer or pesticide.

Once you’ve done this, you want to cut the fruit and vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces.

Here are a few ways you can feed them to your dog:

Do you have a wellness plan for your pooch? It covers routine examinations of your pet which are the ideal time to talk to the vet about what they can and can’t eat.