Do Dogs Need Fruit and Vegetables?

LickiMat treat  being prepared with soaked chia seeds in coconut milk, various fruits, honey and peanut butter

The lovely thing about LickiMat® is that pet owners can have fun using doggy and kitty safe human food to make treats. Finding things in your pantry, in your fridge and using leftovers is a great way minimize waste and create exciting new treats for your pets. You may not know what to do with that leftover cauliflower from tonight's dinner, or you are about to toss those steamed sweet potatoes that your kids refused to eat. Maybe you discover that a banana has been sitting a bit too long in the fruit bowl. Well, save all that stuff, because no you have a LickiMat® you'll realise all that will come in handy, and you won't be buying as many treats for your pet. 

Read this article, written by our veterinary adviser, Merliza Cabriles. She';; steer you right on which fruit and veg are safe, and which ones to stay well clear off.

Do Dogs Need Fruit And Vegetables?

Dogs are omnivores, which means their diet is composed of both meat and plant sources. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of nutrients that dogs need on a daily basis. These can be offered chopped or blended to aid in the process of digestion and enhance the utilization of nutrients by the body. Experts recommend that plant material should comprise at least 10-29% of a dog’s diet. Some popular veggies and fruits for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, apples without the pit, dark berries, and broccoli.

Benefits of fruits and vegetables to dogs

l  Add extra bulk to dog food less the calories. This is ideal for dogs that are overweight or obese or those that just love to eat. Vegetables can be mixed into the kibble to make meals more satisfying with few calories.

l  Excellent supplement to a meat-based diet such as BARF. Vegetables make great nutrient-packed fillers for meals. It can significantly lower costs for dog food without compromising the nutritional value of the animal’s dietary intake of the animal.

l  Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals. The phytochemicals in plants offer enormous benefits to dogs. These include the following:

ü  Alkaloids - known to improve heart health and function, possess insect-repellent properties, cough suppression, etc.

ü  Terpenoids - help prevent metabolic disorders, have anti-cancer properties, anti-aging benefits

ü  Polysaccharides - such as lignin, inulin, and pectin promote gut health and function

ü  Flavanols - possess anti-oxidant properties and support blood vessel function and integrity

ü  Anthocyanins- improve heart, immune, and cognitive function; has anti-cancer properties

ü  Curcuminoids - the most popular is turmeric which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties

l  A high-protein diet that combines meat and a variety of vegetables can help add years to a dog’s life and enhance physical fitness.

l  The high fiber content of fruits and vegetables aids in digestion and prevent constipation. Canned pumpkin can be given to dogs that are constipated or have mild diarrhea. Plant fiber is also an excellent prebiotic in dogs. It offers a wide range of benefits including preservation of the gut cell wall in dogs that are ill, as well as reduce diarrhea, and improve gut flora.

l  Chopped fruits and vegetables can be used as healthy treats to provide positive reinforcement in dogs that are under training.

l  Vegetables can also help reduce pancreatic load in dogs being treated for pancreatitis.

More important reasons to feed vegetables for dogs

With virtually no calories, veggies and fruits are excellent substitutes to commercial treats that are high in sugar, fat, and artificial additives (coloring, preservatives, flavor enhances, etc.). When introducing vegetables to your pet’s diet, ease the transition by offering veggies that have been softened by steaming or pureed in a blender.

Some plants are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that make them more nutritious than meat. Just like in humans, dogs are unable to synthesize many vitamins and minerals which can be gained by making plants a part of their daily diet. When prepared correctly (steaming, chopping, puree, etc.), dogs can benefit from regular servings of fruits and veggies.

Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of feeding vegetables to dogs. In one study, “dogs fed leafy green and yellow vegetables at least 3 times a week were 70% – 90% less likely to develop bladder cancer than their cohorts who were not fed vegetables”.

Vegetables help promote alkalinity in the body. Meat-based diets tend to be more acidic which can create a favorable environment that can contribute to inflammation. Enzymes in fruits like pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain) help digest food and support metabolic processes.

Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables that can be given to pet dogs:

Fruits and Vegetables Good For Dogs	Vegetables and Fruits to Avoid
Apples (be sure to remove the seeds and core)	Avocado
Bananas (in moderation because of their high sugar content)	Cherries
Blueberries	Grapes
Cantaloupe (in moderation because of their high sugar content)	Tomatoes
Cranberries	Asparagus
Cucumbers	Mushrooms
Mango (remove the hard pit; in moderation because of their high sugar content)	Onions
Oranges (offer only the flesh minus the peel and seeds)	Grapefruit
Peaches (remove the pit first before serving; avoid canned peaches as they have rich syrups)	Lemons
Pears (remove the pit and seeds first; skip sugar-rich canned pears)	Limes
Pineapple (remove the peel and crown first before serving)	Plums
Raspberries (fine in moderation as they contain small amounts of xylitol)	Chive
Strawberries ((in moderation because of their high sugar content)	Raw potatoes
Watermelon (remove the rind and seeds first)
Broccoli ( in very small quantities because it contains isothiocyanates and the stalks can possibly cause esophageal obstruction)
Brussel sprouts and cabbage (avoid overfeeding as they can cause gassiness)
Carrots
Celery
Green beans (if canned, choose low-salt or no-salt)
Peas
Spinach (in moderation because it is high in oxalic acid)

Peanut Butter, Pumpkin and Rice. Yum!

When served as treats, fruits such as bananas and mango can be spread over the LickiMat to give your pooch more time of licking pleasure. Licking enhances the dog’s sense of taste, thus your pet will enjoy even small amounts of fruit or veggie spread on the e.g. square pocket design of the LickiMat® Playdate.
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Lickimat Disclaimer

These recipes are not a daily balanced diet. They are not designed to replace a dog’s daily meal. Like all dog treats, serve only as part of a healthy balanced diet. Check with your vet first to ensure these food suggestions are suitable for your pet.