Is it okay to give my dog fresh fruit or vegetables, like carrots, raw potatoes, apples, blueberries and such? I should begin by stating that dogs should be fed a good quality, nutritionally balanced dog food. With that dietary foundation, we can address the question. As a general rule fresh fruits and vegetables are acceptable treats for dogs, but there are some important things to remember.

Because they contain moderately high levels of oxalate, carrots should not be fed to dogs with a history of oxalate bladder stones. Also if your dog tends to “inhale” treats instead of chewing them up before swallowing, carrots, especially baby carrots, are not an ideal treat. There are reported cases of dogs requiring intestinal surgery as a result of a blockage created by baby carrots that were swallowed whole. Although rare, these situations can happen, so be careful when “treating” your pet with carrots.

The green skins of raw potatoes contain solanine which can irritate the gastro-intestinal mucosa causing vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. High levels of solanine can lead to severe depression, kidney failure, and even coma. Needless to say, as a treat for dogs, spuds are duds.

Most fruits make acceptable dog treats except for grapes and raisins, which you should NEVER feed your dog. About 10 years ago, grapes and raisins were highly publicized by poison control centers as the cause for acute kidney failure in many dogs that ingested one or the other. If anyone reading this column has regularly fed their dog grapes or raisins and has never had a problem, they should consider their pet fortunate. Stop immediately to avoid risking your pet’s life.

Finally, when in doubt, check it out. Ask your veterinarian or seek out reputable internet sources for current information to make sure any treat is safe and appropriate for your pet.
If you would like to ask a question about your pet – send an email to Dr. Philip Arnall