Fruits and vegetables are healthy for you, so they should be healthy for dogs, too, right? The answer is sometimes. Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to eat, so when he's begging for a bite of your salad, be selective which ingredients you share with him.
Safe Fruits
Apples, bananas, blueberries and pumpkin are all on the list of fruits that are safe for dogs to eat. You can also feed them raspberries, strawberries and pears. With pears and apples, though, be sure to throw out the seeds and the core. While the fruit itself is safe, the seeds of both are toxic. Tossing the core will ensure that your dog doesn't accidentally ingest anything harmful.
Safe Vegetables
Unlike kids, some dogs actually like vegetables. You can feed your dog a number of vegetables without worry. Try feeding him carrots, cucumbers and zucchini. He might like them cooked, but it is fine to feed them to him raw. Broccoli, green beans and sweet potatoes are also veggies that you dog may find tasty. Take it easy on the broccoli, though, as it can cause gas.
Avoid These
Sure you enjoy a nice bowl of guacamole with some chips, but don't share it with your dog. Avacado can make him throw up and cause diarrhea. Also be sure to keep his diet free of grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts and onions. All of these fruits and vegetables can have a toxic affect if your dog eats them.
Herbs
Other than chives, herbs in general won't hurt your pooch and some are actually recommended on the Pet MD website as beneficial for your dog. Some of those healthful, helpful herbs are calendula (for healing wounds), ginger (to settle an upset stomach) and chamomile (as a natural relaxant and to help with breathing problems.
References
Writer Bio
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.