It’s natural to want to treat our pups to the same delicious foods that we enjoy, but we need to be careful about what we feed them! Dogs and humans don’t have the same digestive systems, which means that some of what we eat can harm our canine companions.

Today, on our quest to keep pet parents informed, we’ll be examining some popular veggies and whether or not they’re safe for dogs.

The Quick Guide to Dog-Safe Vegetables

If you’re in a bit of a rush, we’ve got you covered. We’ve whipped up a handy chart for you to reference, so you can quickly know whether or not something is safe for your dogs to eat.

If you’re interested in learning more about the specifics and why certain things are unsafe for dogs, then keep scrolling to learn more! We’ll also provide some amazing tips on how to serve vegetables to your dogs, and we’ll discuss why it’s a good idea to give your dogs some vegetables from time to time.

Unsafe Vegetables For Dogs

We’ll start our list off with the vegetables that you should never feed to your pup! All of these vegetables are harmful to dogs, and they should never be fed in any quantity.

1. Can Dogs Eat Chives?

❌ No! Chives are part of the Allium family, all of which are poisonous to dogs.

Even a small amount of chives can be dangerous to a dog. All members of the Allium family of plants, which includes onions and leeks, are known to cause anemia and stomach problems.

2. Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

❌ No! Garlic is toxic to dogs.

You’ll see this again in the “Can Dogs Eat Onions” section below, but this delicious addition to many dishes is extremely toxic to dogs. Small amounts are known to cause intestinal distress, and larger amounts lead to severe anemia. This can easily result in death, so it’s safer to avoid providing any amount of garlic to your dogs.

3. Can Dogs Eat Leeks?

❌ No! Leeks are part of the onion family, and they should not be fed to dogs.

As part of the Allium family, leeks contain a chemical that is known to cause a variety of symptoms. Small amounts will cause digestive problems. In large quantities, leeks have the potential to cause anemia and death.

4. Can Dogs Eat Onions?

❌ No! Onions are toxic to dogs.

While we may find onions delicious, these flavorful veggies are actually toxic to your dog. All members of the onion family, including chives, contain a chemical that is known to cause something called onion toxicity, which is a type of anemia.

Summarily, the answer to all of the following questions is a big, emphatic “NO”:

• Can dogs eat chives?
• Can dogs eat leeks?
• Can dogs eat onions?

5. Can Dogs Eat Wild Mushrooms?

❌ No! If your dog eats a wild mushroom of any kind, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Most store-bought mushrooms are safe for dogs. However, like people, dogs can have severe and deadly reactions to unknown wild mushrooms. If you spot your dog nibbling on any wild mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately and remove your dog from the situation.

Safe Vegetables For Dogs

Now that we’ve figured out what you shouldn’t give to your pups, let’s dive into what’s safe!

We’ve said it before in our list of fruits that dogs can eat, but it’s worth saying again here: there are so many amazing tastes that you can share with your dog. However, whenever you’re giving a new treat to your canine companions, you want to stick around to see the results. If you notice that your dog is showing any signs of abdominal discomfort, such as bloating or indigestion, remember what you fed them and stop providing that treat.

With that out of the way, let’s dig into our rather extensive list of pup-safe veggies!

6. Can Dogs Have Asparagus?

✅ Yes! Asparagus is high in multiple vitamins and minerals, and it can safely be fed to your dog.

Asparagus is an amazing treat for your pups. In addition to its nutritional value, she’s more than happy to point out that asparagus contains a high amount of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and joint pain.

For the best eating experience, boil or steam the asparagus before giving it to your pups.

7. Can Dogs Have Beans?

✅ Yes! All types of beans are fun treats for dogs.

Green beans and string beans, in particular, are great sources of vitamins and minerals. They can be fed raw, steamed, or canned. However, dogs get post-bean gas like we do, so be sure to feed them in moderation.

8. Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers?

Yes! Bell peppers are a safe and nutritious snack for dogs.

According to Veterinary Doctor Carly Fox, who has served as the director of New York City’s Animal Medical Center, bell peppers contain a delightful mix of nutritious vitamins and minerals. All three colors share the same properties, and they all make for great treats!

9. Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts?

✅ Yes! Brussels sprouts are safe for dogs to eat.

In fact, like asparagus, brussels sprouts are a nutritional treat for your pup. High in vitamins C and K, they are known to be beneficial for joint health. Beware of the gas that often comes afterwards, though!

To make sure your pup doesn’t choke on their treat, be sure to cook and cut this veggie before you serve it.

10. Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

✅ Yes! Carrots are a great source of fiber and vitamin A.

Best served as small, round slices, carrots are a beloved treat for pups around the world. This veggie packs a huge nutritious punch, and an appropriately sized portion of carrots can aid digestion, control blood sugar spikes, and promote skin and coat health.

Carrots can be served both raw and cooked. However, the stems and leaves should be withheld. Keep in mind that some dogs may have trouble digesting raw carrots, so watch how your dog reacts.

If you want to offer a truly elevated carrot-tasting experience to your pup, The Dog Bakery has you covered. Check out our delicious Dog Carrot Cake, which is made with real carrots!

11. Can Dogs Have Kale?

✅ Yes! Kale is an amazing treat for your dogs.

For both dogs and people, kale is one of the most nutritious-dense foods on the planet. A single bite of kale is packed with more vitamins and minerals than we can reasonably list. All of these nutrients are essential parts of maintaining a healthy body, and the antioxidant properties of kale also provide a boost for your dog’s joint health.

12. Can Dogs Eat Peas?

✅ Yes! Peas are great treats for begging pooches.

Peas are a super fun and healthy way to entertain dogs with a begging habit! These tiny spheres of green are great for providing a low-calorie treat, and they offer a few nutritional benefits, too. One of the biggest nutritional draws is their protein content.

13. Can Dogs Eat Spinach?

✅ Yes! Spinach is safe for dogs to eat.

Like many of the other safe vegetables on this list, spinach is a powerhouse of nutrition. A serving of spinach offers plenty of fiber in addition to vitamins A, C, K, and B. It also contains quercetin, a chemical known to bolster joint health. As a result, this leafy green is as much of a superfood to your dog as it was for Popeye!

14. Can Dogs Have Sweet Potatoes?

✅ Yes! Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of vitamins and minerals.

Both canned and whole sweet potatoes provide a wealth of nutrition, which is vital to preserving your pup’s skin, bone, joint, and visual health. With its side serving of vitamin A, sweet potato also offers pups an immune system boost.

When offering sweet potato to your dog, be sure to cook it first. This makes it easier for your dog to digest. If you opt to serve the potato without mashing it, be sure to cut it into appropriately sized pieces for your pup.

15. Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?

✅ Yes! Zucchini is a great way to offer your pup some delicious antioxidants.

Nutritionally, zucchini is an amazing low-calorie option for treating your dog. In addition to a small amount of protein, zucchini is full of essential vitamins and minerals. As an antioxidant-rich food, it can also reduce inflammation, which may ease joint pains.

Any zucchini for your pup should be cooked or steamed, as this makes it easier to digest, and most dogs tend to prefer cooked zucchini anyway!

Veggies to Watch Out For

Finally, we’ll round off our list with vegetables that can be given to dogs with caution. All of the vegetables on this list are, in theory, perfectly safe for dogs. However, each entry comes with a word of warning.

16. Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?

⚠️ While it may be nutritious, broccoli may also cause severe stomach aches in some pups. When serving broccoli, always cut off the stem, which poses a choking hazard.

Broccoli contains a chemical called isothiocyanate, which can be toxic in extremely high qualities. It’s unlikely that you will ever feed your pup enough broccoli to make this chemical a problem, but even small amounts have been linked to abdominal pain in some dogs.

17. Can Dogs Eat Cabbage?

⚠️ Cabbage is generally safe, but it may cause digestive problems.

As a cruciferous veggie, raw cabbage contains isothiocyanate, just like broccoli. If you decide to offer cabbage to your dog, be sure to watch for any signs of distress. It’s also known to cause gas, so you may want to skip adding this to your pup’s meal!

18. Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower?

⚠️ As a cruciferous veggie, cauliflower should be provided in moderation.

Like broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts, cauliflower is known to cause gas. In some dogs, it may also cause mild to severe intestinal discomfort.

If you choose to provide cauliflower to your pooch, be sure to cook it. We suggest lightly steaming it, which cooks it enough to make it easy to digest while preserving the nutritional value.

19. Can Dogs Have Tomatoes?

⚠️ Only ripe tomatoes should be fed to dogs.

As part of the nightshade family, tomatoes have the potential to cause serious side effects for dogs. While a juicy red tomato is safe in moderation, any green parts—including the stem and leaves—should be withheld. These green bits contain solanine, a chemical that is known to cause tremors and seizures in dogs.

How to Guarantee a Safe Treating Experience

No matter what you choose to feed your dog, you want it to be delicious, nutritious, and amazing! At The Dog Bakery, we love dogs like family, which is why we always do our best to create the best treats on the market.

Rocky Kanaka

Rocky Kanaka is an entrepreneur, pet rescue advocate and dog dad to a rescue boxer named Flip, a blind Cane Corso called Kobe, and a terrier mix named Zoey. He's also a pet chef and owner of The Dog Bakery, which specializes in dog birthday cakes and fresh baked dog treats. His three dogs can't get enough of the dog cakes and treats!

Lorna Ladd

Lorna Paxton Ladd is a passionate dog lover and enthusiast of The Dog Bakery. She loves spoiling her 3 rescue dogs with dog cakes and jerky. A 15 year veteran in the pet industry, her aim is to educate pet parents on the best recipes, products, tips and tricks to optimize the human/canine bond. Her favorite product at The Dog Bakery are the customizable dog birthday cakes.