Post by DogGoneGood on Sept 23, 2008 13:34:27 GMT -5
Vegetables and Fruits for Dogs?
by Shara Slorstad
While doing research on the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, or Bones and Raw Food) I realized there isn’t a lot of websites online with a comprehensive list of what dogs can and cannot eat.
Dogs are incredibly adaptable animals, and I believe this applies to their stomachs as well. If it didn’t, there’s no way the majority of household dogs could live off of eating kibble for as long as they have. This being said, every dog is different. How they react to foods they ingest depends on individual genetic make up, breed, and predisposition. Some dogs can spend their whole lives eating a low quality kibble with little to no health problems; living up to an old ripe age. Others need a higher end kibble to remain healthy, and others still need that something extra that isn’t provided in kibble. I strongly believe that the vast majority of dogs would do a lot better on biologically appropriate food. This means food their bodies were built to eat. Yes, some dogs don’t take well to raw food. You have to do your research, talk to your vet, and decide for yourself if you want to take the plunge and then decide if you want to continue it based on your own dogs results.
To help you better understand what foods dogs generally excel on and which have low to no nutritional value, are indigestible, or down right poisonous I’ve constructed a list to the best of my abilities.
Remember, this list isn’t 100% complete, but should cover a large amount of foods available to you that you may consider feeding to your dog (or that your dog may be able to get his paws on in your household).
I will first start with foods that are a necessity in a dogs diet.
Raw Meaty Bones (or RMBs)
Raw Meaty Bones are just that; bones from animals that are uncooked and have about a 50/50 ratio of bone and raw meat. Remember, you should never feed your dog cooked bones (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and pierce the esophagus, stomach and/or intestines.
RMBs can be made up of chicken, turkey, beef, pork, buffalo, lamb, deer, elk, rabbit, or any other meat source that may be available to you. If you are feeding your dog wild game (deer, elk, moose etc.), I should hope you are getting it during the appropriate hunting seasons!
The most commonly used RMBs fed as meal bones are usually chicken and turkey; as they’re easier to chew and digest than recreational bones made up of beef or pork.
Vegetables and Fruits:
It has been widely debated whether or not dogs need vegetables and fruit in their regular diet. There are “Prey Model” diets available to dogs that consist of little to no vegetables and fruit that many dogs thrive on. Depending on your sources, the ratio of Meat and Bones to Veggies and Fruit may vary as low as 100/0 or as high as 60/40. I personally believe the balanced ratio lies somewhere in between; a high amount and variety of meat and bone to a lower amount and high variety of veggies and fruit. There has been a lot of debate on whether or not dogs are carnivores or omnivores. Personally, I believe if there is any speculation on the matter at all, how can anyone debate they are strict carnivores (like cats). From my experience, it’s better safe than sorry. If a low amount in high variety of fruits and veggies isn’t hurting our canine friends, what’s the damage in feeding them?
Dogs can’t digest the cell wall in plant material. Cooking breaks down the cell wall but it also depletes it of a lot of nutritional value. The best way to feed vegetables to dogs is raw and mashed up through a blender or food processor.
Vegetables Higher in Nutritional Value for Dogs:
Most green, leafy vegetables act as great antitoxins for dogs.
Green beans contain vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, Vitamin A, dietary fiber, Potassium, Folate, Tryptophan, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Copper, Vitamin B1 (thiamin), Calcium, Phosphorus, Protein, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Vitamin B3 (niacin).
Carrots are high in Vitamin A, with low fat and sodium. They also contain Calcium, Vitamin C and Iron. Beta Carotene usually receives the most attention when examining carrots. It is one of about 500 similar compounds called carotenoids, which are present in many fruits and vegetables.
Squash contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium.
Cucumber is good for teeth and bones due to potassium content. If combined with carrots it can promote a healthy liver and kidneys. Cucumber contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Fluoride.
Pumpkin, like carrots, is rich in the antitoxin beta-carotene. Because it offers much of the same nutritional value as carrots it isn’t necessary as part of an every day diet, but can be given in small portions every now and then (my dogs always get pumpkin on Halloween but rarely any other time). Pumpkin is also great for dogs experiencing either constipation or diarrhea, as it aids in promoting regular stools. Pumpkin contains Protein, Dietary Fiber, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin C, Niacin, Folate, Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
Spinach is another vegetable that should be given to your dog in only small amounts due its high oxalic content. Spinach can lead to kidney stones and a depletion of calcium in the body because of it’s high oxalic content. It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium.
Broccoli is quite often debated on whether or not it is toxic to dogs. Plenty of people feed their dogs broccoli with no problems. The toxic ingredient in broccoli is Isothiocyanate, which has been reported to be a pretty potent gastrointestinal irritant. However, many people feed their dogs a small amount of broccoli because it contains bioflavinoids and has cancer fighting capabilities. Broccoli also contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium. If you wish to feed broccoli, remember to keep it in small amounts.
Cabbage is very good for the digestive system and skin. It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12. Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium.
This is just a small amount of vegetables you can feed to your dog. Variety is the key; the more you feed in variety the more likely your dog is getting a wider range of nutritional value from them. Before feeding a specific vegetable to your dog; look it up! Find out if it is poisonous to dogs and if it is one of the foods that are okay to give in just small amounts or not.
Fruits Higher in Nutritional Value for Dogs:
A lot of seeds found in fruits contain arsenic (such as Apples) and this is poisonous to dogs. As a general rule for feeding fruits, I remove any seeds before giving it to the dogs.
Also, fruits high in citrus contain citric acid, limonin and oils which can have a poisonous affect on dogs. However, they’re not truly poisonous and can be given in very small amounts with no affect. Seeds should always be removed first.
Bananas can be fed in small amounts. They contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Fluoride.
Kiwi can be given with our without the peel, though some dogs won’t eat it with the peel. Kiwi contains Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, ega-3 fatty acids, and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Strawberries contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Fluoride, Omega-6 fatty acids, Omega-3 fatty acids and Dietary Fibers.
Apples contain potassium which stimulates the immune system, and pepsin which helps the stomach. Apples contain Protein, Tryptophan, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Fluoride.
The Poisonous List:
While Onions and Garlic can be given to dogs in small amounts, they should be avoided in the regular diet because they contain a chemical called thiosulphate, which is toxic to dogs.
Apples, peaches and cherries can contain trace amounts of cyanide which is toxic to dogs. However, from my experience apples are okay in small amounts with the core removed. Peaches and Cherries are also okay in small amounts.
Grapes and raisins can be poisonous to dogs in large amounts. A couple grapes or raisins here and there will not kill your dog, but you shouldn’t let them ingest large quantities. This varies between 9oz. and 2 lbs. Dogs that have eaten grapes and raisins have exhibited gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea and then signs of kidney failure with an onset of severe kidney signs starting about 24 hours after ingestion of the grapes or raisins
While Nightshade Vegetables (Eggplants, Potatoes (although Sweet Potatoes are okay), Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Chives, and Garlic; the latter three being toxic to both dogs and cats) aren’t actually poisonous to dogs, they can result in and increase in the inflammatory response of the body and therefore should not be given to dogs with arthritis. They can also aggravate gastrointestinal problems, increase intestinal gas, and cause indigestion.
Avocados contain a toxic principle known as Persin. The Guatemalan variety, a common one found in stores, appears to be the most problematic. Other strains of avocado can have different degrees of toxic potential.
Remember; if you are unsure whether or not a vegetable or fruit is poisonous to dogs; look it up first! You should never feed your dog anything you are unsure of.
