Here are some of the best fall fruits & veggies that are safe for us to eat and are a low-calorie, healthy treat option:
- Apples are a crunchy snack and us dogs love them . . . we can hear the sound of the knife cutting through a crisp apple from across the house and we come running. Just make certain to remove the core and the seeds as they contain a chemical that is poisonous to dogs.
- Pears are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
- Pumpkin . . . make sure it is fresh, cooked, or canned plain pumpkin . . . not the pie filling which has tons of sugar. Pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A, iron and potassium and is also high in fiber so it helps with all kinds of digestive issues including constipation, loose stools, etc.
- Spinach is not just a great source of iron. It also is a strong anti-inflammatory agent and provides cardiovascular support.
- Squash . . . Winter squash is one of the richest sources of plant based anti-inflammatory nutrients such as omega 3s and beta-carotene, which are important for a strong immune system.
- Sweet Potatoes are a tasty source of E, A, B6 & C. They also contain calcium, copper, iron, folate, potassium and thiamine.
- Asparagus is not just a super food for humans . . . it is super for dogs as well . . . loaded with vitamins K, A, B1 & 2, C, E, iron, copper, manganese and potassium. Veggies are always best for dogs when slightly cooked.
- Blueberries are just a super food in general and here is how they can benefit your pooch: They have anti-cancer and heart disease properties. They also help support the urinary tract and protect again infection. Don’t be alarmed at our poop though . . . it will look dark purple! My mom mashes the blueberries and adds them to our dinner . . . making them more absorbable.
- Broccoli has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy agents and is healthy for dogs. However, it should be blanched or cooked slightly to avoid giving us gas.
- Brussel Sprouts are good for us . . . but cooked please because they can cause gas. They are loaded with vitamins A, B1, B6, G & K and minerals manganese, folate & potassium.
- Cantaloupe is a great source of so many vitamins and minerals including
- vitamins B-6 and C, fiber, folate, niacin and potassium. It is loaded with vitamin A and beta carotene supporting the cells and immune system.
- Carrots are just good . . . raw or cooked, they make a satisfying treat and are full of nutrients. Carrots were actually first grown, dating back 5,000 years ago, as a medicine and not a food. They are packed with beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A.
- Green Beans are a super-power vegetable providing omeg-3, and vitamins, A, C, K and a great source of beta carotene, calcium, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, manganese, niacin, potassium, riboflavin and thiamin. My mom includes green bean puree for us with every meal! We also love a frozen green bean as a treat.
- Watermelon is fun and a very tasty treat providing a great source of lycopene, thiamin and vitamins A, B6 & C.
OK . . . here are some things to remember.
- A dog’s digestive tract is so fast . . . only 5% the length of yours and much faster than yours, so to get the most benefit and best absorption from these veggies, puree them and add them to our food. . . or just give them to us cooked or sliced and raw if given as a treat.
- Give these nutritious foods in small amounts as overloading on them can create an unbalanced diet. Use them as fun and low-calorie treats or a moderate amount added to our meals, for low-calorie and nutrient rich volume for us “big eaters”.
- Don’t feed the following foods to us . . . these can be very toxic and even deadly: grapes, raisins, avocado, tomato, mushrooms, onions, garlic, xylitol, yeast dough, chocolate, and macadamia nuts. Remember that fruits with a pit like plums, peaches, and cherries can be hazardous as the pits can be toxic and a choking hazard . . . always remove the pits.