Vegetables and fruit offer beneficial compounds that enhance a dog's overall health. They provide nutrients that the dog’s wild ancestors would have naturally consumed from ingesting grasses, berries, nuts, or other vegetation in the stomach contents of small prey. However, they should be supplied in small quantities, approximately 5% of the overall diet, to prevent gastrointestinal tract distress.

It's important to recognize that it's okay if your dog doesn't like vegetables. Everything a dog requires can be found in animal products, but adding fruits and vegetables in small amounts can be healthy if your dog likes them.

Raw vegetables offer a variety of nutrients to your dog that supplement the nutrients in meat, seafood, and raw meaty bones.

Spinach: Contains anti-inflammatory compounds and supports heart health. Spinach is the richest source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Spinach contains alpha-lipoic acid (an anti-aging antioxidant) and folate.

Brussels Sprouts: They contain anti-cancer properties and have been shown to reduce the risk of bladder cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Brussels sprouts also contain fiber, flavonoids, lignans, chlorophyll, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and selenium. 

Cucumbers contain an antioxidant known as cucurbitacin, which is anti-inflammatory and encourages apoptosis. Cucumbers also contain fiber, which aids in digestive health.

Broccoli Sprouts: Contains sulforaphane that slows the cancer rate, reduces inflammation, and removes toxins from the body. 

Dark leafy greens: Contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as phytonutrients to act as antimicrobial, anti-aging, and cancer-fighting compounds.

Mushrooms: Although not an actual vegetable, mushrooms have antioxidants, polyphenols, glutathione, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid. Additional compounds have been proven to reduce the risk of premature aging significantly.

Apiaceous vegetables like carrots, parsley, and parsnips contain polyacetylenes, which offer antimicrobial, antifungal, and antimycobacterial properties. These vegetables detoxify the dog’s body from cancer-causing compounds, including mycotoxins frequently found in commercial kibble. 

Cilantro has been found to reduce heavy metals in a dog’s body when offered in combination with chlorella; 87% of lead, 91% of mercury, and 75% of aluminum can be removed from the body within 45 days. 

Minerals  such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as phytonutrients, are found in dark leafy green vegetables. Phytonutrients are antimicrobial, anti-aging, and cancer-fighting compounds found solely in plant matter.

Wild mushrooms (only certain species are acceptable)

Preparation of Vegetables for Optimal Absorption

Dogs struggle to digest certain parts of vegetables, so it's helpful to prepare them in a way that makes the nutrients easier for dogs to absorb. Techniques like chopping, pureeing, or lightly steaming vegetables break down tough plant fibers, making them more dog-friendly.

For broccoli, finely chopping activates a substance called myrosinase, which converts a compound in broccoli into a cancer-fighting substance called sulforaphane. Studies suggest that chopping broccoli into tiny pieces and letting it sit for 90 minutes or more can significantly boost the levels of sulforaphane.

Fermentation is a process that uses microorganisms to break down sugars in plants, creating beneficial substances like lactic acid, vitamins, enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics. Fermentation enhances the taste, nutritional value, and shelf life of foods. Also, it brings health benefits for dogs, such as boosting the immune system, promoting a diverse gut microbiome, and lowering the risk of certain cancers.

Regularly including fruits in your dog's diet can provide numerous health benefits. Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, which can help your dog's general health and provide additional benefits such as boosting immunity, preventing cancer, and improving hydration.

Strawberries: Contain fisetin, which has been proven to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Research has found this compound reduces up to 70 percent of the bad cells while improving the function of healthy cells.

Raspberries, Blackberries, and Blueberries: These berries contain probiotic fiber for the gut and antioxidant molecules to protect against free radicals. 

Green bananas: When bananas are fully ripened, they contain too much sugar. When green, they offer a significant amount of potassium, tannins, and carotenoids. 

Avocado: Warned against by many due to the seed inside; however, when only the creamy portion is fed, it can offer Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, folate, and fiber. The flesh also contains beta-sitosterol, which improves heart health.

Grapes and raisins: The tartaric acid in grapes and raisins can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney damage or failure.

Citrus fruits: lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit: Due to the varying levels of citric acid in these fruits, they should be avoided to prevent GI disturbances.

Cherries: although the flesh is safe for dogs to eat, the leaves, pit, and stems contain cyanide.

Although dogs cannot easily break down and digest plant elements, fruit needs no specific preparation methods. When eaten raw and whole, fruits, particularly berries, are high in water and easy to digest.

IIntroduce fruit and vegetables to your dogs slowly and one type at a time. Provide small portions and observe how your dog reacts over the subsequent days. Some diarrhea is common, but the fruit or vegetable should be discontinued if diarrhea persists.

If your dog hates vegetables, as many do, you can try mincing or pureeing the vegetables and mixing it in with their daily meal. Soaking them in bone broth or disguising them in meat grinds might also work. You might also consider finding meat and organ or powdered alternatives for the vitamins and minerals you are hoping to feed. As discussed above, you can see the variety of nutrients in the different fruits and vegetables. Although fruits and vegetables are not required in your dog’s diet, they are beneficial if your dog consumes them and can assist with filling in any nutritional gaps. 

Fruits and vegetables can be a beneficial addition to your dog’s bowl

Prior to feeding a certain fruit of vegetable, do your research to make sure it’s okay to feed

Prepare vegetables and fruits for optimal nutrient absorption

Habib, Rodney; Becker, Karen Shaw.  (2021). The Forever Dog. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

Brady, C. (2020). Feeding dogs dry or raw? The science behind the debate. Farrow Road Publishing.

Natural pet food: A review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic 

Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health 

Although animal products provide everything a dog requires, adding fruits and vegetables in small amounts can be healthy if your dog likes them. Your dog may not like all fruits and vegetables. Finding the right combination may take time, but the benefits are worth the hassle!

Raw vegetables offer your dog a variety of nutrients that supplement those in meat, seafood, and raw meaty bones.

Dogs struggle to digest certain parts of vegetables, so it's helpful to prepare them so that they can absorb the nutrients more efficiently. Techniques like chopping, pureeing, or lightly steaming vegetables break down tough plant fibers, making them more dog-friendly.

Although dogs cannot easily break down and digest plant elements, fruit does not require specific preparation methods. When eaten raw and whole, fruits, mainly berries, are high in water and easy to digest.

Senolytics: Another Benefit of Fruits and Vegetables

A senolytic is a compound or treatment designed to target and eliminate senescent cells in the body. Senescent cells are damaged or aged cells that have stopped functioning correctly but don't die off as they should. These "zombie cells" can release harmful inflammatory signals that contribute to chronic inflammation, aging, and age-related diseases in humans and animals, including dogs.

Senolytics remove dysfunctional cells, helping to reduce inflammation, support healthy tissue function, and slow the progression of age-related conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, or cognitive decline.&nbsp;

Certain fruits and vegetables naturally contain senolytic compounds like quercetin and fisetin, known for their potential to eliminate harmful senescent cells and support cellular health.&nbsp;

Quercetin, a potent flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is abundant in foods such as apples (especially the skin), blueberries, broccoli, kale, spinach, and asparagus. Fisetin, another plant-based senolytic, is most concentrated in strawberries, which are its richest source, but it can also be found in apples, mangoes, cucumbers (with skin), and kiwis.&nbsp;

Including these fruits and vegetables in a dog’s diet in safe, moderate amounts can provide natural senolytic benefits, reducing inflammation and supporting overall well-being.&nbsp;

Introduce fruit and vegetables to your dogs slowly, one type at a time. Provide small portions and observe how your dog reacts over the subsequent days. Some diarrhea is common, but discontinue the fruit or vegetable if diarrhea persists.

Not all dogs will eat raw vegetables. Tips for enticing dogs to eat vegetables include dicing or pureeing them before combining them with the other food bowl components. Soaking them in bone broth may also work.&nbsp;

Habib, Rodney; Becker, Karen Shaw.&nbsp; (2021). The Forever Dog. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/">Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can't Eat – American Kennel Club</a>

<a href="https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/92/9/3781/4702209">Natural pet food: A review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic</a>

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34495560/">Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health</a>

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63031-w">A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates improved owner-assessed cognitive function in senior dogs receiving a senolytic and NAD+ precursor combination | Scientific Reports</a>

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0092-9">Senolytics improve physical function and increase lifespan in old age | Nature Medicine</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fruits and Veggies Can Be Beneficial

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