When we think of giving our dogs treats, we don’t always think about giving them fruits and vegetables. However, some of these foods are actually wonderful snacks to give your dog.

Just like humans, dogs need to get many different vitamins and minerals in their diet to be healthy. That is why their foods often contain vegetables in a high amount alongside protein, fats, and other important components which you can read about here.

What fruits and veggies are great to give your dog, and how can you feed them these delicious foods? Learn more about how to incorporate these things into your dog’s regular diet in today’s complete guide.

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

#1 Sugar Snap Peas

The first vegetable to consider feeding your dog are sugar snap peas. These peas are incredibly rich in nutrients which makes them great for you and for your favorite four-legged friends. Sugar snap peas have good levels of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Basically, they contain a ton of minerals and vitamins that your pet can benefit from.

#2 Carrots

Carrots are a good choice for dogs because they are a low-calorie snack that is high in fiber, beta carotene, and vitamin A. Additionally, the crunchiness of the carrots helps to strengthen and clean your dog’s teeth while they munch on their veggie snack. As carrots are high in fibre, they are also great for dogs with constipation. 

Since carrots have a high carbohydrate count, make sure to feed this treat in moderation.

#3 Bananas

Bananas are easily one of the best fruits that you can use while training and exercising your dog, but be warned: not all dogs enjoy this snack! When a dog does like bananas, however, they’ll be highly motivated by them.

If you find that using pieces of bananas is too messy for your liking, freeze the banana pieces after dicing them up. This will give you a small treat that is easy to hold and feed to your dog. Bananas contain high levels of fiber, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C.

Photo by Alex Gruber on Unsplash

#4 Fresh Pineapple Chunks

Pineapples might seem like a strange treat to give your dog, but these can actually be a fantastic source of many vitamins and minerals for your pup. Some of what’s found inside 

can even help to prevent serious injuries, such as ACL injuries. This is thanks to bromelain, which helps dogs to absorb other proteins they get from their diet. This strengthens their body, joints, and muscles.

When feeding your dog pineapple, be sure to only feed fresh pineapple chunks that have all of the skin, core, and seeds removed. 

#5 Sweet Potatoes

One of the best vegetables to make treats out of are sweet potatoes. These starchy veggies are great for long-lasting treats that your dog will love, and they have many great vitamins inside that will help support your dog’s health. It’s also a stable ingredient in many grain-free foods on the market for dogs.

It’s easy to turn sweet potatoes into treats using a food dehydrator or by boiling them before creating tasty little snacks.

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash

#6 Cucumbers

If your dog is overweight or tends to eat too much, you might be looking for a treat alternative that won’t cause them to put on pounds. Enter the cucumber.

Cucumbers don’t have a strong flavor, so many dogs will enjoy them just for the crunchy refreshment. Additionally, the vegetable itself is chock full of vitamins B1, C, and K as well as a number of other important minerals like magnesium.

Since cucumbers don’t contain many sugars or carbs, you can feed your dog cucumber treats without worrying about the addition to their diet.

#7 Plain Pumpkin

Dog owners have often found that their dog’s absolute favorite snack is plain pumpkin. This treat is often a part of homemade diets for dogs, and that’s because pumpkin is packed with beneficial nutrients.

Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling as this contains too much sugar) is a very easy way to give your dog this treat. You can even cook fresh pumpkin if you have it available. Pumpkin is a great fiber source, and it also provides your dog with beta carotene.

#8 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe might confuse your dog at first, but many dogs really love the taste once they try it. This fruit is particularly high in vitamins, but it is also a great source of potassium. Your dog needs to get a good amount of all of these things in their diet, so it’s an easy way to boost their nutrient profile.

When feeding cantaloupe to your dog, make sure that you remove the seeds and the rind before they try it.

Photo by Joe Caione on Unsplash

Remember: All Good Things In Moderation!

When preparing to feed your dog anything (including fruits and veggies), it is important to remember that you want to feed these things in moderation. Just like any food, giving your dog too much of some fruits and vegetables could cause issues. Things like too much sugar or fiber might not sit well, so be sure that you are fully aware of what an appropriate portion size is.

If you still aren’t sure, consider talking with your vet or a veterinary dietician about the best plan for your dog’s diet.