Dogs & Canned Vegetables

Certain vegetables may be a healthy option for your dog’s diet. Many pet owners wonder if they can feed their dogs canned vegetables. As most canned vegetables are generally high in sodium, one should know what is healthy and what is not.

Many brands of canned vegetables are rich in sodium which can make a dog dehydrated or even risk salt poisoning. That said, feeding your dog canned vegetables for an occasional treat or snack is fine, but regular feeding should be avoided. You may be wondering why canned vegetables are high in sodium. Salt is used to preserve the inner contents. Dogs require sodium to maintain normal body functions, but excess salt can lead to dehydration and even sodium poisoning. The good news is that low-sodium or “no salt” canned vegetables are a safer and healthier option for your four-legged friend! Below are some recommendations.

Pumpkin – Plain canned pumpkin is a healthy and safe vegetable for dogs. Be sure to avoid the pumpkin pie filling!

Green Beans – Green beans are nutritional if fed plain without additives.

Corn – Canned corn is safe for your dog to eat in moderation. Please watch out for high sodium content, which can cause your dog to become dehydrated.

Peas & Carrots – Canned peas and carrots are safe vegetables that you can add to your dog’s diet as a meal topper or tasty snack.

Potatoes – Dogs do not benefit from overeating starch. Many brands of canned potatoes have added sweeteners and artificial ingredients, which should be avoided.

Certain canned vegetables are a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. Remember, canned vegetables should be fed in moderation as an infrequent snack or meal topper. If you can find canned vegetables that are low-sodium or “no salt,” that is even better. However, we always recommend that you choose fresh vegetables over canned vegetables.