Safe fruits and vegetables for dogs

Many dogs love fresh produce, and most are safe in moderation. Some, however, can kill — and most owners don't know the list.

Safe (in moderation, no seeds/pits)

• Apple — remove core and seeds (seeds contain cyanide compounds). Slices are a great training treat.
• Banana — high in sugar, small pieces only. Good for soothing upset stomach.
• Blueberries — antioxidant-rich, perfect treat size as-is.
• Carrot — raw or cooked. Frozen baby carrots help teething puppies.
• Cucumber — hydrating snack, especially in summer.
• Green beans — plain, no salt or butter. Excellent for weight loss.
• Pumpkin (plain, no spice) — soothes diarrhea AND constipation. Magic ingredient.
• Sweet potato — cooked, plain. Good for sensitive stomachs.
• Watermelon — seedless, no rind.

NEVER feed these (toxic)

• Grapes / raisins — can cause acute kidney failure. Even one grape has killed dogs. Threshold varies wildly.
• Onion / garlic / leeks — damage red blood cells. Cumulative effect — small amounts over time also dangerous.
• Avocado — flesh is mostly fine but pit is a choking hazard and contains persin
• Macadamia nuts — cause tremors, weakness, vomiting within 12 hours
• Cherries — pit contains cyanide, also choking hazard
• Stone fruits with pit (peaches, plums, apricots) — pit is toxic and obstructive

Rules of thumb

• Fruit + veg should be <10% of daily calories
• Always wash thoroughly
• Introduce one new food at a time, small amount, watch for 24 hours
• Skip the seeds, pits, stems, and rinds — that's where most toxins live

If you suspect your dog ate something toxic

Call your vet immediately or the animal poison control line (ASPCA in some cases — there's no GCC-specific hotline yet, so your vet is the first call). Bring the food packaging if possible.