Health: are fruit and vegetables good for my dog?

Many dogs will happily eat a piece of carrot or a few blueberries if you offer one. And that's fine. Several fruits and vegetables are genuinely safe for dogs and carry real nutritional value. The catch is that some produce that's harmless to humans is toxic to dogs, and the gap between "fine" and "dangerous" isn't always obvious.

Vegetables dogs can eat safely

These are well-documented as safe and offer some nutritional benefit:

• Pumpkin: high in soluble fibre, beta-carotene, and potassium. Often used to help manage loose stools because soluble fibre slows gut transit time. [1]
• Sweet potato: rich in vitamins A, B6, and C. Should be cooked first; raw sweet potato is harder to digest.
• Green peas: a solid source of plant protein, fibre, and vitamins K and B1. Fine fresh, frozen, or cooked. Skip tinned peas with added salt.
• Carrots: low in calories, high in beta-carotene. Raw is fine and the crunch adds some tooth abrasion.
• Green beans: high in fibre, low in calories. One of the most straightforward safe vegetables for dogs.
• Cucumber: mostly water, very low in calories. Useful for dogs on a weight management plan.
• Spinach: contains iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and C. Safe in small amounts. Larger portions are not ideal because spinach is high in oxalic acid, which can interfere with calcium absorption over time. [1]
• Broccoli: safe in small quantities. Large amounts can irritate the gut in some dogs due to naturally occurring isothiocyanates, so treat it as an occasional snack rather than a daily one. [2]

Fruits dogs can eat safely

• Apples: a good source of fibre and vitamin C. Remove the core and seeds before serving — apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are harmful in quantity. [2]
• Blueberries: rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Small enough to serve whole; no preparation needed.
• Banana: high in potassium and vitamin B6. Also high in sugar, so better as an occasional treat than a daily one.
• Watermelon: hydrating, low in calories, and a source of vitamins A, B6, and C. Remove the rind and seeds first.
• Melon (cantaloupe): contains vitamins A and C. The sugar content is higher than most other fruits, so keep portions small.

Produce that is toxic to dogs

These are not borderline cases. Keep them away from your dog:

• Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: contain organosulfur compounds that destroy red blood cells and cause haemolytic anaemia. Even small repeated doses accumulate, and cooked forms are equally toxic. [2]
• Grapes and raisins: linked to acute kidney failure in dogs, with no safe dose established. Any exposure warrants a vet call immediately. [2]
• Avocado: contains persin, a fungicidal toxin. Dogs are less sensitive than birds or horses, but the flesh, skin, pit, and leaves should all be avoided. [2]
• Raw potatoes and green tomatoes: contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid that is toxic to dogs. Fully cooked potatoes without the skin are safe; raw are not. [2]
• Wild mushrooms: a wide range of wild species are toxic to dogs. Cultivated supermarket mushrooms are generally safe, but dogs that forage outdoors can easily ingest a dangerous species. When in doubt, prevent access.

How much is sensible?

Fresh produce should supplement a complete diet, not replace any part of it. A common guideline is that treats and extras combined should account for no more than 10% of daily calorie intake. More risks tipping the overall nutritional balance.

IMBY's dog food already incorporates several of these ingredients in the formulas: pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, blueberries, and green peas are included in both the insect-based and plant-based recipes. If your dog is on IMBY, those additions are already in the daily bowl.