I thought I’d share the delightful fruits and vegetables you can feed them and their benefits. Each comes with a good amount of quality vitamins and minerals that are great for their coat, skin, muscles, eyes, nerves, energy levels, etc. An important side note, always give them fresh, frozen, or cooked, and free of salad dressings, added sugars, and added salts. Never get canned fruits or veggies unless it is pumpkin puree and free of any added ingredients.
Fruits and Veggies
Apples - Apples are an excellent way to deliver Vitamins A, C, and fiber. Be sure to only give them the meat of the fruit, no seeds and definitely not the core.
Bananas - They have a high sugar content, but have potassium, biotin, fiber, and copper. It’s best to give this as a rare treat, maybe before or after a good run.
Blueberries - These are antioxidant rich and filled with fiber. These are a great alternative for training treats due to their low sugar and low calorie content.
Beets - Beets are best served raw, mashed or cut into small chunks. It can turn their urine red, but it’s nothing to worry about as long as it clears within 24 hours. Beets have magnesium, folate, potassium, Vitamin C.
Brussel Sprouts - These are best in small portions lest we give our fur babies gas. They will either like it or turn their noses up at it. The antioxidants and vitamins help with heart health and blood clotting.
Cantaloupe - They are high in water, fiber, and nutrients, but also high in sugar, making these are a great rare treat.
Carrots - Carrots are nutritious and not just for their eyes. The tough fibers of the vegetable are great toothbrushes, saving you some time and trouble. In small bites, these are great for caring for tiny teeth of chihuahuas and yorkies, They are also an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium. Be sure to cut them into small enough pieces so they aren’t a choking hazard.
Cauliflowers - These are full of fiber and also a great low calorie treat. It can be eaten raw, riced, or diced. Broccoli is also a great source of fiber, but like with humans, it is best not to be consumed by those with digestive issues.
Celery - They are great for hydration and another fibrous treat to help brush their teeth. It is a low calorie, crunchy treat that you can fill with unsalted, sugar free peanut butter.
Cranberries - A good treat in small quantities, but only the unsweetened varieties. They are good for preventing urinary tract infections in pill/powdered/tincture form. Wonder Paws is a good brand based in America that uses quality ingredients. It is a tincture that you can add to their food without having to worry about grinding up tablets. Or look for cranberries in your dog food. I’ll have an article on the best dog food brands coming up.
Cucumbers - Not only are cucumbers super hydrating and low in calories, they also fight bad breath.
Green Beans - These are a great source of nutrients - iron, proteins, calcium, Vitamin A, B6, C, K, etc. You can replace some of their dog food with a few unsalted chopped green beans to help with reducing their weight.
Lettuce - Green or red leaf lettuce is fibrous with beta carotenes and a few others. It isn’t particularly nutritious, but it is edible if clean and clear of dressings/salts. Kale, parsley, okra, and leeks however, contain calcium oxalate and isothiocyanate. They create gastric issues, kidney/bladder stones, and overall stomach irritation.
Mango - They are packed with Vitamin A, B6, C, E, potassium, and both carotenes. These make for a great occasional treat, because while it is nutritious, it also has a high sugar content.
Oranges - They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. This fruit is best served without the seeds or the peel, and only in small amounts - as with most treats.
Peaches - Fresh or frozen, this fruit is filled with fiber and Vitamin A. Best for an occasional treat.
Pears - Best served fresh or frozen and free of seeds and the pit. They are high in Vitamin C, K copper, and fiber.
Peas - Peas that are fresh or frozen can replace the regular training treats. They are full of fiber, Vitamin A, B, C, K, and protein, and oh so delicious.
Pineapples - They contain bromelain, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Use the fresh fruit and not canned, because of the added sugars and preservatives most likely in them. Even those canned in their own juices can be suspect. Too much sugar is just as bad for them as it is for us.
Pumpkin - Pumpkins are full of antioxidants that help provide relief for diarrhea and constipation. You can get these in their canned versions, but make sure that pumpkin is the only ingredient.
Raspberries - These are safe in moderation (less than a cup), because they contain trace amounts of xylitol. They contain antioxidants and fiber, manganese, and vitamin C, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
Strawberries - They have fiber and vitamin c, and can whiten your pup’s teeth. It is full of natural sugars so only provide occasionally and only either fresh or frozen.
Sweet Potatoes - These are high vitamin a and fiber. It’s great for their skin/coat, eyes, and muscles. They need to be baked, pureed, or roasted, but never served raw. Regular potatoes cannot be given to them raw or in large amounts.
Watermelons - Watermelons are known for their hydrating properties, but they also have vitamins A, B6, C, and potassium.
Packaged Treats that are all natural and wholesome
Sometimes, the best things come in little packages and these treats are no exception. The list is alphabetical, not preferential. From my research however, I want to give Nature Gnaws a shot. My girls have tried the Full Moon, and the stiff treats didn't suit with one of them. That is not to say it isn't a good product - the ingredients list is fantastic. She's just picky. There are so many products promising they are the best, but I try to find the small companies and the ones with excellent all natural ingredients. Be weary of products made in China or anywhere else outside of the USA. Many of the main brands contain a lot of unhealthy and unneccessary fillers that can contribute to a lot of health issues.
Full Moon Chicken Jerky
This brand may be the best. There are no fillers, preservatives, or glycerin, it's all natural, and also made in the USA. It comes in strips, jerky, or nuggets. The strips are pretty stiff and hard, though, so try the jerky and let me know if they are softer. I believe these can be found at Costco or Walmart, but Amazon has more available options. They have an organic variety as well, here. It has more ingredients, like flaxseeds and brown rice added in. Both of these are fillers, but carry benefits as well - omega 3 fatty acids for one. Sometimes, organic isn't the way to go, but I will let you decide. Surprisingly, there's only a $1 difference in price.
Nature Gnaws Chicken Jerky
Made in USA, ccean neutral packaging, all natural, grain free, and a good dental cleaner, these treats sound great all around. They are tough, so best for those with strong little/big teeth. They also make Turkey Tendon treats, here. Additionally, they have a whole line of products - beef strips, cheese bars, bully sticks, etc, for all dog sizes and needs.
Nudges
My girls go nuts for these all natural chicken jerky treats, because they are soft, chewy, and pure chicken. These are free of preservatives, fillers, and made in America. They can be found cheaper at Walmart than anywhere else. These do contain vegetable glycerin, which is a sugar alcohol and keeps the treats soft and chewy.
I hope this list was helpful. I’m certainly making some changes of my own. More peas, please. This is a pretty comprehensive list, but if you know of any others that I missed, just let me know and I’ll add it. The best thing about this list is that we can get all of the fruits and vegetables for a lot less than what we spend on packaged dog treats. You might even grow some of these in your garden, if you are green thumb inclined. I have better luck with indoor plants, but I’m hoping to try my hand at gardening with a raised bed - grow some peas, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and blackberries.
Until next time!
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