Can dogs eat corn? What about popcorn?
While the kernels of ripe corn are okay for dogs, the cob itself is a bit more dangerous. Ingested by a dog, even small pieces of corn cob can tear at and cause damage to the walls of a dog’s digestive tract. As for popcorn, take common-sense precautions. Plain and unadorned — that is to say, air popped, with neither salt nor butter — popcorn can be a nice treat for a dog. Bottom line: served in an appropriate manner, both corn and popcorn are safe for dogs to eat.
Broccoli is another staple to consider when questioning, “What vegetables can dogs eat?” In very small amounts, the head of broccoli should not present any issues for your dog, but only in very small amounts. Received wisdom across multiple sources suggests that if it accounts for no more than five to 10 percent of a dog’s daily food intake, broccoli is all right for dogs. More than that and you can have a dog with a severely upset stomach. Therefore, broccoli is another yes and no affair; use your best judgement.
As with tomatoes, the leaves, stems and unripened fruit of potato plants contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs. Even ripe, a potato is not a good idea for dog nutrition. Peeled, and then cooked or mashed, on the other hand, your dog may enjoy a bit of potato. Observe the same caution you would with popcorn, and make sure there’s no salt or butter present. The same — no additives — goes for sweet potatoes, even though they are fundamentally different plants.
Eaten by dogs, onions cause red blood cells to break down, a condition called hemolytic anemia. The breakdown of red blood cells means that the dog gets less oxygen. The more concentrated the onion, the more quickly it works. Read More: So, Your Dog Ate Onions – Here’s What to Know
Can dogs eat garlic? Your dog should avoid garlic as well for the same reason. If you’re like me and enjoy onion in your guacamole, it’s even more a reason to keep that avocado dip you find delicious well away from your dog. The answer here is definitely no.
Asparagus is another household veggie that crops up when thinking, “What vegetables can dogs eat?” Well, as long as the amount is small and reasonable, asparagus presents no problems for dogs.
Green beans, in moderation, are fine for dogs. Raw or cooked, as long as you avoid salt and other additives, your dog may enjoy some green beans.
If you dog has a taste for peas, then by all means, let them have a few! When it comes to, “What vegetables can dogs eat?” this one is a yes.
In 1816, Richard Lawrence wrote that “parsnips, carrots, cabbages, and, indeed all vegetable matter, will feed dogs sufficiently well for the purposes of their existence.” Fortunately, we know better now to steer our dogs clear of avocado and onion, as well as to keep them from many unripened vegetable plants in the garden.
Tell us: What kinds of vegetables do your dogs seem to enjoy? Have you ever offered a carrot stick to your dog, only to be met with a blank stare? Let us know about your dog’s experiences with veggies in the comments!
Thumbnail: Photography by Helen Hotson / Shutterstock.
Clubs Offering:
Dogs often want to eat whatever humans eat, no matter what it is. Whether it’s chocolate, avocados, or a juicy steak, your pup likely wants to eat everything—but that doesn’t mean they should.
So what about tomatoes? Well, it depends.
The answer is yes and no. Dogs can eat tomatoes but only in small amounts. Ripe tomatoes are considered nontoxic to dogs and can be fed in moderation as an occasional snack.
While it’s considered safe for dogs to eat red, ripe tomatoes, the plants themselves are part of the nightshade family of vegetables (which also include potatoes, bell peppers, and blueberries). There are toxins in tomato plants that can harm your dog.
Solanine and its cousin tomatine are toxins found mostly in the green parts of the tomato plant. That means that your dog should never ingest the leaves and stems of tomato plants and should avoid young, green tomatoes. Ingesting an unripe (green) tomato or any of the green parts of the tomato can lead to symptoms of tomatine poisoning.
Since tomatoes contain trace amounts of toxins, ingesting a large amount of them can lead to something known as tomatine poisoning, otherwise known as tomato poisoning. That said, the likelihood of dogs consuming a large enough amount of the tomato plant to cause series injury is incredibly slim. But for small breeds and puppies, a smaller amount of tomato can cause poisoning due to their small size, so it’s important to be vigilant.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are generally considered a safe food to feed dogs, plus they “are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants,” Arndt says.
However, “anything given in excess or to a dog with a very sensitive tummy can cause upset,” Arndt says. So, start off with very small bites to see how your dog reacts.
Oranges are generally safe for dogs to eat and provide valuable vitamin C. But its important to introduce citrus fruits slowly, as citric acid can cause minor stomach upset.
Most importantly, avoid giving your dog orange peels, which may be extra hard on their digestion.
A few bite-sized chunks of fresh pineapple can be a good, nutrient-rich snack for dogs — it contains plenty of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium.
However, you should avoid giving your dog canned pineapple because the syrup is very high in sugar, which can irritate your dogs digestive tract.
Broccoli can be a healthy snack for dogs, as its high in essential nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. Both raw and cooked broccoli are safe for dogs to eat, as long as you dont add any seasoning.
However, it may be best to check with your veterinarian before adding broccoli as a regular staple in your dogs diet, as it contains isothiocyanates, compounds that can cause upset stomach in some dogs.
Carrots are a good low-calorie option for dogs — theyre low in sugar and offer vitamin A, fiber, and potassium.
You can serve carrots raw or cooked, but you should always cut carrots into bite-size pieces to make sure your dog doesnt choke.
Cucumbers are safe to eat and are especially good for dogs on a diet, as they have very little calories.
Cucumbers also provide nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and magnesium for your dog.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein for your dog. For a lower fat option that still packs a good amount of protein, you can give your dog just the egg whites, Arndt says.
However, you should always cook eggs first. “Raw eggs should not be fed to your dog due to the risk of contamination of salmonella, this can make your dog and whole family sick,” Arndt says.
Mangos are safe for your dog to eat and they contain valuable nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C and E. But mangos are very high in sugar, so this should only be used as an occasional treat for your pup.
You should also remove the pit before giving mango to your dog to avoid the risk of choking.
Shrimp can be a great option for dogs on a diet, as they may be lower in calories and fat than other meat-based treats. Theyre also rich in vitamin B12, vitamin B3, and phosphorus.
However, shrimp are relatively high in cholesterol, so they should always be given in limited amounts. For medium-sized dogs, one or two shrimp is a good serving size, while small dogs should start with half a shrimp. Giving dogs shrimp occasionally is fine, but if you want to offer them regularly, check with your vet to determine a healthy amount.
Its also important to always cook shrimp to avoid harmful bacteria and peel off all shells to avoid causing obstructions in your dogs intestines.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? All You Need to Know!
Can dogs eat tomatoes? The short answer is yes, dogs can eat tomatoes, but there are some big exceptions and things you should know before you give them to your dog.
It’s important to note that tomatoes are in the nightshade family, and parts of them contain substances that are toxic in high amounts. Poisoning from overeating tomatoes is rare in dogs, but it can happen, especially if dogs get into gardens with unripened tomatoes, which are more dangerous.
In general, plain, ripe tomatoes that are free of stems and leaves are safe for dogs to eat, but you should always consult your veterinarian before sharing human foods with your dog.