7 Fruits and Vegetables Your Dog Will Love as Much as You Do!

Pets like healthy snacks just as much as humans. While preparing family meals, I notice that my dog runs into the kitchen when he hears me dicing fruits and vegetables, especially mangos, his jump-through-hoops snack.  Being a good mama, I give him a few healthy slices of nature’s goodness. By getting my dog used to wholesome snacks, I don’t have to make extra trips to the market or spend additional money on dog products touting “natural” snacks for dogs. Most store-bought dog snacks have extra ingredients my dog doesn’t need to consume. 

Here are my dog’s seven favorite raw fruits and vegetables. I give him a few small slices of these fruits or vegetables between his regular meals.  Since my dog is small and weighs 24 pounds, I often slice or dice these treats before giving them to him. In addition, I limit the fruits with the highest amount of sugar, and by alternating these snacks, Winston can enjoy healthy treats without putting on additional weight. 

Remember to thoroughly wash all your vegetables and fruits before serving.

Vegetables

Carrots

Carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack that is high in fiber and beta-carotene (Vitamin A). I slice baby carrots lengthways for Winston to eat, and he gets about six pieces which are good for his teeth.  Carrots have naturally occurring sugar, so I limit the amount to between 2 and 3 baby carrots daily. 

Romaine Lettuce

I only give Winston the crunchy, white rib base part of the lettuce since it is easier to chew. Lettuce is about 90 percent water, low in calories, and contains practically no sugar.

Fruits

Blueberries and Strawberries

I also cut Winston’s blueberries and strawberries in half as a safety measure.  I put about eight half-pieces in his bowl at a time a few times a week.  Although he returns for more, I try to limit the amount of natural sugar my dog receives daily. A bowl of blueberries contains about 15 grams of sugar, and strawberries have about 7 grams of sugar.

Bananas

My daughters will give Winston about a fourth of their banana a few times weekly.  A medium banana contains about 15 grams of sugar.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a great treat for dogs, and they’re very hydrating. Since my dog doesn’t drink much water during the day, cucumbers will provide some hydration. I cut my cucumbers into bite-sized pieces as a safety measure.

Mangos

Mangos are my dog’s favorite sweet snack.  Since mangos are high in sugar (46 grams), this amazing fruit is limited to two small cubes a few times a week. Sorry, Winston!