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Pet ownership in the U.S. increased to 70% of households in 2020, and pet food spending increased 11%, according to APPA’s new pet owner survey.

Want to give your dog only healthy treats and food? It can be difficult to know what’s good and what’s bad when the ingredient labels for dog treats are filled with words you can’t even pronounce! 

So it makes sense to feed them what you know is free of preservatives and artificial additives. What might this be? The very thing in your kitchen that you feed yourself: vegetables!

Veggies are great for dogs! They’re low in calories, rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes. But not all veggies are good for dogs. And a lot of veggies may be good for them but dog’s don’t particularly like them. The first thing is the prep.

How to prepare vegetables for dogs?

Make sure to chop the veggies into small pieces so your dog doesn’t choke. 

Additionally, you can try methods like: 

• Blanching- submerging vegetable in boiling hot then very cold water to remove dirt
• Steaming- submerging vegetables in boiling water to completely cook them through
• Pureeing- blending veggies to get a raw puree that is easier for dogs to digest
• Freezing- freezing cooked veggies or putting pureed veggies into ice cube trays and then freezing for saving time and effort 

What vegetables can dogs eat?

It’s important to note while veggies are super healthy for dogs they should still be given in moderation. Too many vegetables can cause an increase in alkalinity causing kidney issues. 

1. Carrots

All you have to do is peel and chop these and your dog will eat ‘em up. Or don’t do that even! Give them baby carrots instead. They’re a great source of vitamin A, biotin, and beta carotene. 

2. Cucumber

Your dogs will love cucumbers just as much as you do! Cut them in half lengthwise, slice off the seeds and then wash them. These are rich in antioxidants giving your dog anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes make long-lasting treats and are safe for dogs to have. Great for digestion and they’re also rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese. 

4. Celery

Dogs love super crunchy things and celery is one of them! It’s also a great source of vitamin A, B, C, calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, and phosphorus. 

5. Green Beans

Green beans are high in fiber and low in calories making them a filling snack for doggies. They are full of important vitamins, minerals, iron, and calcium. Remember to wash them thoroughly!

6. Broccoli

Broccoli improves bone density and heart health but it should only be given in moderation to avoid stomach upset. 

7. Pumpkin

Pumpkins are rich in vitamin A, C, beta carotene, potassium, calcium, zinc, fiber, magnesium. It’s great for dogs so much so that it even helps ease mild constipation!

8. Sugar snap peas

These make tasty, nutrient-rich treats for your dog that are easy to digest. All you need to do is wash them and they are ready! They’re rich in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and K. 

9. Beets

Beets are safe for dogs and a healthy source of vitamin C, fiber, manganese, and potassium. They improve the digestive and immune system and lead to healthy coats and skin. 

10. Zucchini

Zucchini is a safe and tasty treat to give your dog. However, to only give in moderation.

That’s 10 kinds of vegetables dogs can eat safely! 

As for what vegetables can’t dogs eat? 

Keep onions, garlic, chives, avocado, rhubarb, and even kale (bad in excess) away from your dogs. 

That’s our blog! Hope you found it helpful! Still looking for treats you can trust for the health of your dog? We have just the selection for you! The Dog Bakery treats free from any additives, preservatives, and colors that could possibly harm your dogs. Happy shopping!

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