Fresh vegetables have been shown to be extremely helpful in providing an optimal diet for your dog. Veggies are rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and phyto-nutrients not found in meat.
In this guide, we explore what vegetables are good for dogs and why
12 Vegetables That Are Good for Dogs
Here is a list of 12 vegetables that are good for dogs, along with detail on the nutrients and vitamins found in each.
- Beets
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Celery
- Green beans
- Peas
- Pumpkin
- Spinach
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
1. Beets
Unpeeled beets are good for dogs in small portions. They promote a healthy skin and coat and boost the immune and digestive systems. Beets also contain vital nutrients, such as:
- Fiber-Folate
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
2. Bell Peppers
If you’re looking for vegetables for dogs full of vitamins, chop up some bell peppers and incorporate them into your pup’s diet. Bell peppers of all colors contain more vitamin C than oranges. They’re also filled with:
- Beta-Carotene
- Lutein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin E
Bell peppers boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve the health of a dog’s eyes, skin, and coat.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli can help improve your dog's immune system and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
This leafy veggie can add these nutrients to your dog’s meals:- Iron- Fiber- Calcium- Vitamin C- Vitamin K
4. Cabbage
Cabbage is another fibrous vegetable for dogs that’s full of the vitamins and minerals needed for canine health, including:
- Calcium
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Protein
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
Feeding cabbage in moderation assists with digestion, improves skin health, and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer.
5. Carrots
Dogs love munching on carrots, and luckily for you, doing so improves the health of their teeth. When they chew the hard veggie, it creates a scraping motion that can remove plaque. Carrots also contain:
- Biotin
- Fiber-Potassium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin K
6. Celery
Offering celery is a great way to get more fluids into your dog because of its high water content. The vegetable also improves heart health and has cancer-fighting properties.
Celery carries essential nutrients such as:
- Folate
- Potassium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
7. Green Beans
Green beans are one of the most beloved vegetables for dogs because of their natural sweetness. Even better, they’re low in calories and filled with vitamins and minerals like:
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Iron
- Manganese
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
8. Peas
When serving peas, you can cook them or offer them semi-frozen as a special treat. They’re an excellent source of:
- Copper
- Fiber
- Folic acid
- Iron
- Manganese
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
9. Squash
Squash can help support a healthy immune system and improve your dog’s overall healty.. They also contain:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
10. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a tasty vegetable for your pooch that can treat diarrhea or constipation. It helps with skin and coat health and contains the following nutrients:
- Antioxidants
- Fiber
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
11. Spinach
Spinach may not seem like the most appealing vegetable on this list, but it’s jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that improve brain and immune function. Spinach, in moderation, it can enhance a dog’s vision and assist with new cell growth.
Spinach offers :
- Beta-Carotene
- Calcium
- Folic acid
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
12. Sweet Potatoes
Dogs love the natural flavor of sweet potatoes, and consuming them is also healthy. They help improve the health of the skin, coat, eyes, muscles, and nerves. These orange or white veggies are filled with:
- Beta-Carotene
- Fiber
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
It is best to boil sweet potatoes before serving them to your dog.
Vegetables to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
Of course, not all veggies are good for your canine companion. Steer clear of these vegetables in a dog’s diet:
- Non-ripe tomatoes
- Onions
6 Different Dr. Harvey’s Veggie Dog Food Options
At Dr. Harvey’s, we understand what vegetables are good for dogs and incorporate them into the food products offered. You can choose from different veggie dog food mixes to get what your companion needs in their diet.
Garden Veggies - Whole-Grain
This food mix has beef or chicken as its first ingredient, along with two types of organic grains, three fruits, and seven veggies. The vegetable mix includes broccoli, green beans, carrots, and pumpkin. This all-natural product contains no preservatives or additives.
Garden Veggies - Grain-Free
Grain-Free Garden Veggies features the same tasty and healthy ingredients outlined above, but it’s free from any grains. This food blend is an excellent alternative for dogs that need a grain-free diet.
Veg-to-Bowl
Another grain-free food mix, Veg-to-Bowl, gives pet parents control over how to serve balanced meals to their dog. With nine different vegetables for dogs (including potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, broccoli, peas, celery, and beets), all you have to do is add water, fresh protein, and oil, and the meal is complete.
I always wanted to give Shanky the best nutrition possible, but I didn’t know how. He’s incredibly picky! With Veg-to-Bowl, he can’t wait to eat! I change his protein every week. At 10, everyone thinks he’s a puppy! His eyes are clear, his breath is good and even better—he literally NEVER smells, and he used to smell constantly.—Rachel and Shanky
Veg-to-Bowl Fine Ground
This alternative version of Veg-to-Bowl is perfect for small or toy dogs, picky eaters, dogs experiencing tummy troubles, or older dogs that need softer meals. Its contents are the same as the traditional Veg-to-Bowl blend, but the fine ground mix will make dinner easy for you and your dog.
Chadwick LOVES Dr. Harvey’s Fine Ground Veg-to-Bowl! Chadwick is 11 years old, a two-time cancer survivor, and has had some kidney issues. His kidney issues were quickly rectified with Dr. Harvey’s.— Kristen H. Zachariev and Chadwick
Paradigm
If you’re looking for a low-carb, low-glycemic meal, look no further than Paradigm. This “green” dog food mix supplies the additional nutrients a dog needs but can’t get from meat alone.
With green beans, broccoli, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, pumpkin, celery, and healing herbs, this meal is the perfect blend of healthy and delicious. Add your source of protein and oil, and this veggie dog food is ready within minutes!
I’m a big believer in a low glycemic diet for dogs, especially dogs with inflammatory issues, and I was a bit overwhelmed thinking about how I was going to create a balanced cooked diet since I certainly wasn’t going to feed Remington kibble. Paradigm is perfect! I am so pleased that all I have to worry about is the protein. —Lisé J. Polard and Remington
Raw Vibrance
If you’re attempting a raw diet for your companion but feel a little nervous about where to start, try Raw Vibrance. It’s a grain-free, holistic blend of 24 whole foods. The veggies in this mix are broccoli, green beans, celery, cabbage, carrots, spinach, and beets.
All you have to do is add hot water, oil, and a protein source, and the meal is complete. Raw Vibrance takes all the stress out of preparing raw diet meals.
The vet said whatever I fed them was simply amazing because he had never seen such healthy Danes before. My Atticus has definitely benefited from the Raw Vibrance; it has completely transformed him into a healthy Great Dane. No one thought he had a chance because he was so sick, but now he is like a whole new dog!—Michelle Meek and Atticus
Some additional information on vegetables for dogs:
American Kennel Club (AKC): According to the AKC, vegetables can provide dogs with essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are important for overall health and well-being. They recommend incorporating vegetables like carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes into a dog's diet.
The Humane Society of the United States: The Humane Society notes that vegetables can help dogs feel full and satisfied, provide important nutrients, and support digestive health. They suggest offering vegetables like carrots, green beans, and squash as occasional treats or additions to a dog's regular food.
PetMD: PetMD states that vegetables can be a healthy addition to a dog's diet, as they provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. They suggest incorporating vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli into a dog's diet, as long as they are cooked or chopped and served in moderation.
There have been many studies conducted on the benefits of feeding dogs a balanced diet that includes appropriate amounts of vegetables. These studies generally support the idea that adding vegetables to a dog's diet can provide important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are essential for overall health and well-being.
Here are a few studies on canine nutrition that support the idea of feeding vegetables to dogs for health:
Nutritional Assessment of Vegetables as a Source of Nutrients for Dogs, published in the Journal of Animal Science in 2012. This study found that vegetables can provide important nutrients for dogs, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can be a useful addition to a balanced diet for dogs.
Vegetable Ingredient Effects on Nutrient Content of Dog Diets, published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association in 2009. This study found that incorporating vegetables into dog diets can provide essential nutrients and improve the overall nutrient density of the diet.
Evaluation of Vegetables as Sources of Nutrients for Dogs, published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2006. This study found that vegetables can provide important nutrients for dogs, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can be incorporated into dog diets to help improve the overall nutrient profile of the diet.
Add Veggies to Your Dog’s Diet with Dr. Harvey’s
Creating well-balanced meals can be difficult and time-consuming, but Dr. Harvey’s products make improving your pup’s nutrition easier without spending hours in the kitchen. Dr. Harvey’s uses dehydration to create healthy meals full of vegetables that are good for dogs. The meals are also easy to store and prepare.
If you have any nutritional questions about our veggie dog food, feel free to contact our customer service team of certified nutritionists.
