While your dog should not ingest some fruits and vegetables, plenty of safe options make great dog treats. You likely already have some on hand, so you can immediately start finding what might work with your dog.
Using fruits and veggies as treats for your dog is a great way to switch up his rewards and keep him interested when practicing commands; they are healthy, low in calories, and likely already in your fridge.
Treats are great, but use in moderation
It is essential to avoid getting carried away when providing fruits and veggies as treats for your dog; even too much of a good thing can cause problems later on.
Fruits may be high in natural sugars, so eating only a few small pieces at a time is wise. Many fruits and vegetables have a high fiber content, which is terrific for humans, but for dogs, this abundance of fiber can create problems in their digestive tracts. Also, while fruits and vegetables are generally low in calories, they can add up swiftly without you realizing it if you are not careful.
To give your dog fruits and vegetables, thoroughly wash them and remove any seeds beforehand.
Carrots
Carrots are popular with dogs because they give a satisfying crunch. That extra snap is also great for keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Carrots are an excellent resource for you, the owner, and a simple clean, peel, and chop, and you are ready to go. If you do not like that process, you can utilize baby carrots. Use in moderation, as carrots have a lot of carbohydrates.
Sugar snap peas
These special treats are very rich in nutrients. All you need is a swift washing before they are ready to serve. These are great to have on hand during an at-home grooming session to keep your dog happy while you work on him.
Green beans
Your dog may need clarification when this vegetable is introduced if he is used to eating sugar snap peas, but green beans are a good source of fiber. Clean them thoroughly and trim off the ends if you use them as a training treat.
Apples
Apples are high in fiber and provide vitamins A and C. However, you must ensure that they are cleaned thoroughly, as apples tend to have high concentrations of pesticides. You must remove the seeds, core, and stem before offering an apple to your dog.
Blueberries
These make a bit of a mess, but they are simple enough to manage if you freeze them. They make a perfect training treat due to their small size. It would be wise to use these as outdoors-only training treats as these will likely stain any fabrics with which they come in contact.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes make for long-lasting treats and provide high fiber (again, you will not want to overdo the fiber; use these sparingly). Putting them in a food dehydrator or boiling them before offering them as a treat is a good idea. You might even slice them up into “chips.”
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