One of the many positives to raw feeding is the fresh fruits and vegetables available to feed your dog! But it is difficult to know what is safe and what isn't! While we prepared for Yianni's arrival into our family we looked at what he could eat and what to stay clear of. We always knew that chocolate was a no-no but who would have thought that grapes were poisonous to our dogs!

As well as knowing what he could eat we were also interested to know the vitamins they contain, so as to give a balanced diet when making Yianni's food or using for a treat.  

A tip we would like to share is when introducing new ingredients to your dog, is to start with small amounts. We say this as each dog is an individual and they can all react differently to ingredients. The key to any balanced diet is variation and moderation i.e. don't give them a whole pineapple in one day, mix it up and give in small amounts.

What we can use:

• Apples (CORE AND SEEDS REMOVED) - The main ingredient in apples is pectin, a fibre that creates short-chain fatty acids. These are responsible for removing toxins in the intestinal tract, improving the muscles surrounding the intestines and aid in removing bad bacteria.

• Asparagus - Contains vitamins including A, B1, B2, C, E, and K.

• Banana’s - Contains vitamin C and B6, which helps improve heart health and maintain blood pressure.

• Blueberries - They contain high levels of resveratrol, a chemical that contains anti-cancer and heart-disease-fighting capabilities. The tannins found in blueberries can also help prevent urinary tract infections.

• Broccoli - High in fibre and vitamin C, but too much can cause stomach irritation in some dogs.

• Brussel sprouts - A great source of fibre.

• Cantaloupe (SEEDS REMOVED) - Contains Vitamin A and beta-carotene that helps with your dog’s vision, reduces cell damage and can ward off the risk of cancer.

• Carrots - Good for your dog’s vision as well as his skin and for cleaning teeth and gums if given in stick form for a treat. Other minerals found in carrots include riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, and iron. These important vitamins and nutrients support the immune system and digestion. This is by far Yianni’s favourite!

• Celery - Stalks are fine, but remove the leaves before serving. Celery is a resource for improving heart health and reducing cancer rates. It is a great source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, iron, and vitamins A, B and C. Celery reduces nervousness and acts as an acid neutralizer in animals. Celery also freshens your dog’s breath!

• Cucumber - Aside from vitamins K, C, and magnesium. It may help freshen their breath.

• Fresh Pumpkin (REMOVE THE SEEDS) – Provides a rich source of fibre, vitamin A and anti-oxidants. Pumpkin also promotes overall cardiovascular health.

• Pineapple - Contains Vitamin B1, B6, and C as well as copper, folate, pantothenic acid and fibre.

• Kelp - Contains a rich natural mix of salts and minerals. The mix of salts and minerals (including iodine, magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium) in Kelp help keep the dog's entire glandular system, the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, as well as the thyroid gland, the glands that regulate metabolism, healthy.

• Pears (REMOVE CORE AND SEEDS) - They contain pectin that helps strengthen the intestinal tract. Pears also contain potassium that helps maintain heart and muscle strength and carbohydrate metabolism. Fibre promotes colon health by removing bile salts that have the added benefit of reducing cholesterol levels. Pears are also rich in vitamin C that can help repair damage from free radicals, promotes immune system health and even stimulates vitamin E if it has been deactivated by free radicals.

• Peas - Contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and K. They also contain thiamin, phosphorus, manganese, fibre, and folate.

• Spinach – Contains Vitamin A, B, C and K as well as calcium, iron, potassium and fibre. It helps protect against inflammation and heart issues, as well as cancer.

• Watermelon - Is almost 92% water, so it is great for keeping your dog hydrated. It also contains Vitamins A, C, and B-6, as well as potassium which helps maintain healthy muscle and nerve function. A great snack for them on a hot summers day!

  Fruit and vegetables dogs CANNOT eat   

• Onions
• Rhubarb 
• Wild Mushrooms
• Green Tomatoes, Tomato Stalks and leaves (Red tomato are fine)
• Grapes
• Raisins or Currants
• Cherries

Please note - Unfortunately this is not a list of all the fruit and vegetables available to you in the world, so if you are going to use an ingredient that is not listed on this blog, please do your research.

We do like to add to any raw diet blog if your dog is dealing with any complex chronic disease e.g. end-stage cancers, animals on antacids or high levels of immune-suppressive drug therapy, then we would recommend you get expert help prior to beginning the transition to a raw diet.

Love from the Aurora Pets family x