6 Fall Foods You Can Share With Your Dog
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From cooler weather to the beginning of the holiday season there is so much to look forward to when autumn comes around each year and for many, food plays a big role in these fall time festivities. Whether you’re planning a trip to the apple orchard, perfecting your pumpkin bread recipe, or already daydreaming about Thanksgiving dinner, you may be wondering what yummy foods you can share with your pup over the next few months. Luckily, there are plenty of fall foods that are safe and even healthy for our canine companions. Today, I’m sharing 6 fall foods that you can share with your dog.
Pumpkin
I don’t know about you but when I think about fall foods, all things pumpkin is the first to come to mind. While you probably shouldn’t order your dog their own PSL at the Starbucks drive thru, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate pumpkin into your pups diet this fall.
Pumpkin has several health benefits for dogs. It contains vitamins such as A, C, and E and minerals like iron and potassium. Pumpkin is also very high in fiber making it great for digestion. In fact, your vet may even recommend adding a scoop into your pups food if they’re experiencing loose stool.
If you want to share some pumpkin with your dog this fall, consider mixing in some 100% pumpkin puree with your dogs meals or get fancy with this pumpkin bread recipe for dogs.
Pumpkin can also be used as a topping for a lick mat or stuffing for a Kong toy, the enrichment possibilities are endless!
Sweet Potato
Pumpkins and sweet potatoes are very similar nutritionally and so they both make great treats for dogs! If you’re making a sweet potato pie this fall, cook up a little extra of the vegetable for your pup.
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, which promotes a healthy coat, skin, nerves and muscles in dogs! They’re also a calorie rich food, making them great for pups who need to gain a little weight. Like pumpkin, they’re high in fiber and great for digestion.
You can add some cooked sweet potato to your dogs daily diet or give it as an occasional treat.
Apples
Apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities and I’m always sure to share the yummy fruit with my pups! All types of apples are safe for dogs to eat and contain many important nutrients such as vitamins C and A, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Your dog can eat the fruit, and it’s skin, but seeds should be removed before feeding.
Cooked or raw, apples are a great snack for your dog. You can even make homemade apple sauce to use as a lick mat topping!
Turkey
It should come as no surprise that turkey is safe for dogs and can be easily shared with your pup this fall. It’s a great source of protein and a good choice for dogs who need to lose weight as it’s leaner than other meats.
While your dog can eat as much turkey as their hearts desire, they can’t consume a lot of the herbs and spices we tend to use in our turkey cooking. Prep your pups turkey separately from yours and don’t share any pieces that are covered in butter, onions, or garlic.
Corn
The debate over whether or not dogs should eat corn is never ending. While many debate corn is just a filler in dog kibble, others insist it provides plenty of nutritional benefits. Whether or not your dog should eat corn as part of their regular diet is up to you and your vet to decide, however, it’s important to note that your dog can safely eat corn as an occasional treat.
Corn is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, and several vitamins. It may not be digested completely, but it won’t harm your dog to have it here and there.
When feeding corn to your dog be extra cautious that they don’t eat the cob, as this can cause severe blockage and even be fatal. Also make sure to leave the butter out of your pups corn serving.
Carrots
Carrots are one of my favorite treats to give to my dogs! They are high in nutritional value, great for their eye health, and make an awesome dental cleaning treat. When you’re cooking up some carrots this fall, be sure to toss a couple to your pup. Most dogs love crunching on a raw carrot, but they can be enjoyed cooked as well.
Note: Be careful when feeding anything new to your dog. Always monitor them closely before and after feeding for any sign of illness and talk to your vet if you have any concerns.