Updated by Amy Granger on Nov 22, 2021
Sitting on your dining table with fruit in your hand, you may wonder whether to share it with your dog or not. It is every home's debate, and every dog owner needs to know what kind of fruits or vegetables are suitable for their beloved furry friend and what is not.
Don't worry! I have made this essay for you. This article will show you what fruits and vegetables are good for your dog and why?
Well, there is a long debate in which some vets are agreed and others are against giving your pets fruits and vegetables. To make the idea clear, I'd like to show you some facts that could hope to change your mind about not giving your pet fruits and vegetables.
Dogs are not pure carnivores or herbivores, as they fall between these two categories. During the evolution process, wolves, dogs and other canines have eaten vegetables for several years. Dogs eat dry foods but need enough water for hydration. Meanwhile, vegetables are an excellent source of water, lettuce, broccoli, and other vegetables have up to 85% water content.
Fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients, vitamins, water, phytonutrients, minerals and antioxidants, and these could bring more health to your dogs. Another element that needs to absorb is Enzymes. Enzymes are essential for the digestion of food. Vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach and asparagus are rich in enzymes that help to boost the digestion process and make enough food for absorption in the body.
Your dog requires a balanced diet comprising of all essential nutrients. At the same time, a balanced diet must have the following basic components.
Energy Components | Non-Energy Components |
---|---|
Carbohydrates | Mineral |
Proteins | Vitamins |
Fats | Dietary fibers |
Water |
Carbohydrates are the primary energy source and the only nutrient that the brain needs for its functioning. At the same time, proteins play their role in building and repairing the body. Fats also play their essential role in the body, providing essential fatty acids.
In addition, a dog's body needs vitamins and minerals to regulate metabolism and maintain growth and development. Dietary fibers exist in vegetables and are the non-digestible element that could help to regulate intestinal functions.
Fruits and vegetables are essential to complete the nutritional components of the diet. Precisely, there is a list of fruits and vegetables in which some are good for dogs, and some are not. First, I will tell you those which are suitable for your furry friend.
Some fruits and vegetables are not suitable for your dogs. Because some poisonous and toxic substances can harm your dog, your dog may suffer from toxicity, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and other problems.
Well, it is not the question of yes or no. Grains are overall good for your dog. Indeed, there are some low-quality grains in the market you should avoid. You should also avoid such grains which are allergic to your dog. Other than that, good quality grains are best for your dog.
Yes, eggs are good for your dog as they are a rich source of proteins and contain vitamin A and linoleic acid. You should avoid giving raw eggs to your dog as it can be harmful because of salmonella. A cooked egg will make it more digestible, and you won't be worried about the lost nutrient contents.
Small amounts of milk are safe. So, you can feed your dog a few tablespoons of milk as a treat. Well, it is not recommended to feed your dog a whole bowl of milk at once, as it can upset the stomach, causing diarrhea and vomiting.
Chocolate is toxic for dogs. Mostly, its toxicity is due to theobromine contents. Therefore, you should not let your dog eat chocolate. There are several problems associated with chocolate poisoning. As a result, it is best to avoid eating it.
Not everything is good, and not everything is terrible. After this long discussion, we have come to this point that some fruits and vegetables are good for your lovely furry friend, and some are not. To conclude this, I must say that fruits and vegetables are good and essential for your dog to complete the nutritional value. But you should avoid poisonous fruits and vegetables and those for which your dog is allergic.