Dog Experts List Fruits and Veggies Do’s and Don’ts

When we look into the adorable face of our dogs, we just want to reward them with a treat now and then for being good or doing the trick we just taught them. But some of these basic human snacks, like grapes, are very unhealthy and can be dangerous to dogs. While fruits and vegetables are an important staple in the human diet — what is safe to feed our beloved dogs has always been up for speculation. Feeding your dog the wrong fruit or veggie can lead to long-term health problems — and in some cases — death. Which is why it’s a very good thing that the American Kennel Club has compiled a comprehensive list of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ fruits and vegetables for your dog. Here’s a quick breakdown with more explanation below:

Do’s: Apples (without seeds/core), Bananas, Blueberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers, Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon

Don’ts: Asparagus, Avocado, Cherries, Grapes, Mushrooms, Onions, Tomatoes

Some may even surprise you like tomatoes – harmless to us – but to our furry friends, the green parts of the plant contain a toxic substance called solanine. Also Tomatine, a substance found in the stem and leaves of the tomato and related plants, is harmful to dogs in large quantities. Good to know in case Rover decides to raid your tomato garden.

Also on the ‘do not eat’ list for dogs is the grape — or better yet the dried version — the raisin. No matter how pleadingly your dog looks up at you for a juicy grape — resist — as they have been proven to be very toxic for dogs no matter the dog’s breed, sex, or age.

Dr. Katy Nelson, petMD Veterinary expert, cautions that grapes are so toxic that they can lead to acute sudden kidney failure. This includes anything containing grapes like grape juice, raisin-filled cookies, trail mix and even bagels are a life-threatening treat for your dog. It is not proven what in the grape causes this toxic reaction in dogs, but better safe than sorry.

The avocado may be a great food as a heart-healthy fat for humans, but for a dog the pit, skin, leaves and fleshy insides of avocados contain Persin, a toxin that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

Cherries are also a ‘no-no’ because they contain cyanide. This is toxic to dogs and can deplete their oxygen intake. If your dog has diluted pupils, difficulty breathing, and red gums — signs of cyanide poisoning — chances are a cherry was involved, says the American Kennel Club.

Next time you go foraging for wild mushrooms, leave your dog at home. Among the 50,000 mushroom species that are known to be toxic to dogs are hallucinogenic mushrooms, toadstool mushrooms, and false morels. Why anyone would want their dog to hallucinate is speculative, but you better not to give them to your dog.

If you own an Akita or Shiba Inus, onions can be especially harmful to that breed. However onions and dogs do not get along period — they cause your dog’s red blood cells to rupture — as well as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.

The good news is, according to the American Kennel Club, there are many guilt-free fruits and vegetables you can give to your dog that are also beneficial to their diet. In the fruit family, there are many including apples without seeds, which are a great source for vitamins A and C. Bananas contain potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper — all good as a treat — not as a meal. Watermelon sans seeds and rind are great for dehydrated dogs as they contain 92 percent water along with vitamins. Strawberries are a great teeth whitener. They contain an enzyme that will give your dog that great sparkling smile. Also on the good list — oranges, pineapple, peaches, raspberries, mangoes, and blueberries.

Remember how our mothers would force us to eat our vegetables? As a dog mommy, there are certain vegetables that will give our dogs a healthy balance in their diet such as carrots, broccoli, potatoes and sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and celery — with an added plus to freshen bad doggy breath.

The truth is most dogs will eat everything and anything we give them, so educating humans about proper fruits and vegetables from the American Kennel Club is a healthy start.