Occasionally rewarding your dog with a tasty treat is a good thought until it's not filled with fillers and high calories! As with humans, your pet's body requires nutritional food that is loaded with minerals and vitamins. However, fortunately, you don’t have to go anywhere further just take a look at your refrigerator and pick the vegetable dogs can eat

The idea of ​​serving vegetables is not just healthy but also far better than those high-calorie treats, even if they are being served at intervals of every other day. In essence, vegetables are good for dogs as low-fat foods, as well as helping dogs who are on a weight loss journey.

Note: While vegetables comprise enzymes, fiber, antioxidants, minerals and other minerals, not all veggies are safe for a dog's digestive system. Some can be downright harmful, affecting overall health. Saying this means, the dog should be fed vegetables in moderate amounts, after all they are not an essential part of their diet.

To help you out with the dilemma of choosing which vegetables to serve your furry friend, we have compiled a list of dog-friendly veggies. Let’s get started!

Image Source: Pixabay

Vegetables are good for dogs: A complete list!

Mentioned below are dog friendly vegetables that will be healthy and safe treats for your furry friend.

1.     Green Beans

This is a perfect lean snack to make your dog feel full without overfeeding. Also thanks to its low-calorie profile. It would be perfect palatable pick for dogs who love sweetness. Cherry on the top, green beans contain various nutrients, including calcium, iron, protein, and vitamins C, A, K, and B6, making it the healthiest choice among all vegetables. If your furry companion is overweight, simply replace some of your pet's treats with unsalted green beans (frozen or canned). As a great substitute for fat-laden pet biscuits, green beans are top-notch healthy veggies for dogs.

Health benefit:

• Green beans are a great source of iron that boosts the production of red blood cells throughout your pet’s body.

2.     Broccoli

 If your dog isn't a picky eater, adding broccoli to its diet is something interesting yet healthier. Honestly, broccoli would be a favorite snack of your dog. Plus, it's quick and easy to serve. How!! You can serve it raw form, cooked with or without spices, or simply put some frozen ones in the dog's bowl. Not only a healthy and crunchy treat, Broccoli is bagged with a host of vital vitamins like C and K.

Health benefit:

 Incorporating broccoli into dog diet helps elevate their bone density, as well as increase their immune system.

Caution:

 Pay attention to the isothiocyanates found in this green vegetable, as it can cause gastric irritation (mild to severe) in some puppies when served in excessive amounts.

3.     Carrot

 Everyone from puppies to dogs loves carrots because they are crunchy and sweet. They are great companions when it comes to chewing. Carrots also act as dental sticks, removing and cleaning stuck-on food from the pet's teeth. Did you know: Freezing carrots is an indeed worthy for relieving puppy teething pain? One of the safe vegetables for dogs, carrots is a rich source of Vitamin A and fiber.

Tip: Whatever carrots you choose, frozen or cooked, be sure to serve them in small, uniform sizes or make a smoothie out of them to ease digestion.

4.     Peas

 If you wish to have a plant-based protein source in green veggies, peas are a worthy option. Even though peas are one of the legumes, they should be served in limited quantities. They have an excellent nutritional profile, including fiber, protein, and vitamins A, C, and K. Frozen or fresh peas that come straight from the refrigerator are perfect veggies to meet your dog's meal or snack needs.

Note:  Don't choose canned versions since they may come with added preservatives or sodium.

5.     Cucumber

 This dog-friendly vegetable definitely pulls the weight of pets with a lot of water content, increasing the nutritional value at their mealtime. For those who live with their pets in humid, hot climates, adding cucumber to a dog's diet instantly fulfills hydration needs, as well as provides refreshment on a scorching day.

How to serve?

 Feed cucumbers to your dog in small pieces or slices to prevent the potential risk of choking.

6.     Beets

 Often seen in commercial dog food, beets are packed with a sort of nutrients. These include Vitamins (Vitamin C), fiber, minerals, folate, potassium, and magnesium. By serving moderate amounts of beets to your four-legged dog, you will be able to benefit their digestion, coat, and skin.

How to serve?

 Whether raw or cooked, be sure to wash beets thoroughly and peel the raw beets before serving them to your dog. You can also serve them in small pieces or mashed form.

Caution:

Avoid canned variations, unless you search for a manufacturer without any added salt or further ingredients, though. If your little furry friend is vulnerable to kidney or bladder stones, you are advised to consult your veterinarian before adding beets to their food. Note that beets may turn your pet's urine red for 1 to 2 hours after eating, though it is one of the safe vegetables for dogs.

7.     Cauliflower

This green vegetable is low in calories, which is why excellent choice for pets seeking a low-calorie food for a weight loss program. Cauliflower is yet another good option for dogs who have joint pain.

Serving tip:

For dogs, cauliflower can be served in many ways- roasted, raw, riced, and steamed.

8.     Bell Peppers

Combining nutrients like vitamins E, A, B6, folate potassium, and water (92%), bell peppers can be a crunchy, fun snack that your dog will definitely love. All you need to do is remove all the stalks and seeds before gradually feeding the bell peppers to your pet.

All vegetables are good for dogs except the following:

Avoid serving the given vegetable variations known for being harmful to dogs:

• Leeks
• Garlic
• Onions
• Mushrooms (wild-picked)
• Kale
• Raw Potatoes

Recommended Veg Products For Dogs: Goofy Tails Veggie Delights Fresh Dog Food, seaweed Veg active dental treats for dogs

To conclude!

Understanding dog health issues, you should do proper research to ensure that any vegetable is dog-friendly before introducing it to your pet.