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Is your pup is a picky eater when it comes to vegetables? Are you struggling to find a way to get your pooch to enjoy the healthy greens? You’re not alone.
Many dogs will love to hoover up any food in sight but will turn their noses up if they see any veggies. So, how can you encourage your dog to eat them? In this article, we will discuss what the dog friendly vegetables are and how to include them in your pup's diet.
Before adding veggies to your dog’s diet, you need to know which vegetables they can safely consume. Here are some safe veg your pup can enjoy:
Broccoli (in small amounts!)
Cauliflower
Carrots (many dogs enjoy them raw, but they can be boiled or steamed)
Green Beans
Celery
Asparagus
Pumpkin
Sweet Potato (plain, boiled, or steamed but not raw)
Spinach
Brussel Sprouts
Peas (but avoid tinned peas)
Zucchini
Cucumber
Sweetcorn (freshly cooked with nothing added, and not on the cob)
While they are dog friendly vegetables, remember only treat your dog to them in small quantities. They should also be raw, or boiled/steamed and include no extra oils, butters, or flavourings
Vegetables are beneficial to your dog's diet for many reasons. First and foremost, they provide essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health and well-being. Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and fibre, which can support a dog's immune system and digestion.
Veggies can also help manage a dog's weight by adding bulk to their diet without extra calories. When prepared properly and given in moderation, vegetables make a tasty and nutritious treat or supplement to a dog's regular diet, contributing to their overall health and vitality. For a full list of dog friendly vegetables benefits, see below!
Veggies help your pooch feel fuller for longer
They contribute to a shiny coat
Improved oral hygiene
Boosted immune system
Healthy gut
Always consult with a veterinarian before adding to your dog’s diet. Just to ensure that the veggies you choose are safe and suitable for your individual dog's needs.
Now that you know the vegetables that are safe for your dog to eat. Including all the benefits they provide, it’s time to learn how to add them to your pup’s diet!
You can offer most veggies to your dog raw. Dogs with a limited diet may get stomach discomfort if they eat too many vegetables because of their high fibre content. Start with a little and wait a day to see how your dog reacts before giving more.
One study revealed that “In order to have a positive effect, vegetables have to be fed to dogs at least three times per week” (Dawson & Lounsbury, 2005). With that in mind, here are 3 ways to make sure your dog is getting enough of those positive dog friendly vegetables!
Use as a food topping: Whether your dog typically has kibble, wet food, or home-cooked, topping their food with dog friendly veggies will help with digestion and add a lot of wholesome goodness to their meal. We recommend the Dog Food Toppers by Maxbone for a delicious veggie treat!
As a treat: Chopped up carrots, kale, or broccoli stems can be used as healthy, low-calorie treat for your pup
In a dog snack: There are many dog food brands out there that incorporate vegetables into their snacks. For example, Denzel’s dog treats are a fantastic way to sneak some fruit and veg into your dog’s diet!
Now, if your dog is a fussy eater and isn’t one to eat veggies that are just handed out to them, then there are some sneakier ways to add dog friendly vegetables to their diet!
A great way to get your pup to enjoy their veggies is through a blended smoothie. Simply throw those dog friendly vegetables into a blender, pour in your dog’s favourite hydrator like goat milk, bone broth, or even plain Greek yoghurt. Then blend to create a tasty dog-friendly smoothie perfection!
A thick smoothie is also great to be used as a Lick Mat spread or Toppl filler with extra little dog treats.
If you don’t fancy making one yourself, Furr Boost is an excellent alternative. Available in a range of tasty vegetable flavours, Furr Boost contains a great range of nutrients to help support your dog’s healthy diet and wellbeing.
If you add some peanut butter (or better yet, the dog friendly Poochbutter!) to vegetables, it will make them appear much more appealing to your dog! The peanut butter will add a better smell and flavour to the dog friendly vegetables.
You may be wondering, what is Poochbutter?
Poochbutter is a dog-safe peanut butter that is high in vitamins B6 & E, niacin, protein, and healthy fats. It’s also made without salt, sugar, palm oil, and is Xylitol free (Xylitol is harmful to pups and must be avoided at all cost!)
Once your pup starts to get used to the texture of the vegetables you can slowly start to put less peanut butter on them over time, until they are comfortable eating veggies on their own.
Even though this one will require more effort on your part. Similar to peanut butter, adding chicken broth to the vegetables can make them smell and taste more appealing to your dog. They won’t be able to resist those dog friendly veggies anymore once they get a smell of that tasty chicken!
At WOOOF, we know how crucial it is for your furry pal to have a healthy and balanced diet filled with wholesome goodness! That’s why all the dog food and treats we provide are full of the best natural ingredients, including fresh veggies for your pup to enjoy.
See below for some of our best picks!