Many processed dog foods lack essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. To combat this, pet parents choose to switch their dogs to homemade diets that include fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether you serve them along with meals or simply as treats, garden greens will benefit your dog's health in numerous ways.
Types of Greens
Garden greens like cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli, green beans, lettuce, spinach, pumpkin and carrots are healthy additions to your dog's diet. As for fruits, include strawberries, raspberries, apples and cantaloupes in his diet. Avoid feeding him garlic, onions, wild mushrooms, rhubarb, grapes and raisins, as these are toxic to dogs in any form.
Benefits of Greens
Garden greens have many health benefits for dogs. They have antioxidants for repairing cell damage, and they decrease blood glucose levels, improve heart health, combat inflammatory diseases and help prevent cancer.
Methods and Frequency of Feeding
Steaming or boiling vegetables makes them easier for your dog to digest. Pureeing them is also beneficial for older dogs, or when you're mixing the vegetables with their regular food. Vegetables can make up as much as 20 percent of your dog's diet.
References
Writer Bio
Amanda Williams has been writing since 2009 on various writing websites and blogging since 2003. She enjoys writing about health, medicine, education and home and garden topics. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in biology at East Stroudsburg University in May 2013. Williams is also a certified emergency medical technician.