At Sundays, we know how much dogs benefit from eating real, whole foods. Feeding fresh fruits and vegetables as everyday treats is just one more way to add vital nutrition to a dog’s diet. 

This list of fresh foods will likely include some you already have at home in the fridge or pantry, making them an easy and accessible way to invest in your dog’s health, and incorporate real fresh foods (and all of their valuable nutrients) into their diet. 

In many cases, fresh fruits and vegetables are less expensive to buy than treats you’ll find for sale in the pet food aisle — and since those treats are often ultra-processed in the same way as kibble is made, these fresh snacks can offer far superior nutritional benefits.

Before we jump in, it’s also crucial to bear in mind that there are some common foods that are toxic to dogs. We cover those in this article too. 

Lastly, treats and snacks of any kind should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s recommended daily calories. The majority of their calories should be coming from their regular meals, and any food outside of mealtime should ideally be a reward for a behavior (like performing a trick) or their sustained attention (like on a lick mat or a slow treat dispenser). I put a portion of my dogs’ breakfast into a baggie and use it as treats throughout the day — this is a great way to provide treats without adding to your dog's daily caloric intake. Nothing says that your dog has to eat their meals out of a bowl! 

Overfeeding treats, even healthy ones, can result in unintended weight gain (which comes with a whole host of problems). But with this guide, you’ll be able to share fresh treats with confidence!

Fresh Treats That Are Great Anytime

These fruits and veggies are all easy to come by and simple to feed — with a tiny bit of prep in some cases. Raw is great and cooked is fine, as long as they’re unseasoned, no spices or salt etc. 

Apples 

A is for… Apple! This may be the easiest option on this list, and whether you offer them sliced or cubed, apples are easy to take on the go or feed at home. Just make sure to remove the seeds, which contain poisonous cyanide, before serving. A dog would have to eat a large quantity of apple seeds in order to be affected but it is still not worth the risk. 

Blueberries

These tidbit-sized superfood treats can be served whole or sliced — either way, they won’t take much chewing! They’re easy to take on the go, great for playing catch with, and full of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients like manganese, which can help the body efficiently absorb proteins. 

Banana

Tasty, full of natural energy, and versatile, bananas can be served sliced or mashed and spread across lick mats or other enrichment toys. Try freezing bananas for a crunchy snack, or an extended lockable treat in summer! 

Strawberries

Whether frozen or fresh, strawberries are a great source of fiber and vitamin C. Introduce them slowly though, as they’re quite rich and can cause some digestive upset in excessive quantities. 

Watermelon 

An ideal summertime treat. Watermelon is super hydrating and highly lickable. Find a seedless variety to avoid potential digestive upset from the seeds, and serve without the rind. 

Cantaloupe 

Hydrating, inexpensive, and high in vitamin A and C — cantaloupe provides great support for immune and eye health, and an excellent source of fiber. 

Carrots

Another easy option to travel with, carrot sticks or slices are a great fresh reward for dogs. They’ve got a pleasingly crunchy texture and are packed with nutrition. If supervised, you can even try giving your dog a larger, whole carrot for a larger chew-type experience! 

Cucumber

Refreshing, hydrating, and pleasingly crunchy, cucumber can be sliced into sticks, rounds, or cubes according to your dog’s size. 

Zucchini 

Similar to cucumber, zucchini is also great for hydration, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. Add to that it’s low calorie and high in fiber, making it a helpful digestive aid to incorporate into a dog’s diet. 

Green beans

As grab-and-go as vegetables come, try taking a handful of green beans with you on your next walk! They’re a great source of vitamins and nutrients, clean to handle, and easy to snap into whatever size pieces you need. 

Bell peppers 

After removing the seeds, bell peppers are another great option. Avoid spicy peppers, but these sweet ones are tasty for dogs, hydrating, and can be chopped into whatever size suits your pup. 

Broccoli 

Kids may have strong feelings about broccoli, but the 4-legged member of the family may be keener! Broccoli is high in fiber and immunity-boosting vitamin C — but be warned, if eaten in large quantities can cause gas.

Pumpkin

Plain canned pureed pumpkin (not pie filling, with its extra sweeteners) is a fantastic digestive aid anytime your dog experiences some discomfort. But it’s also a healthy, tasty treat anytime, whether topping their food or smeared into a toy. It can also be used in frozen treats and on lick mats.

Sweet Potato  

Cooked and cooled sweet potato is another good option for a healthy reward. Like pumpkin, it’s high in fiber and good for gut health, plus can either be served cubed or mashed and smeared. 

Fresh Treats That Are Great On Occasion

These are great “high value”, or “special moment” treats. They're all concentrated in fat, which is what makes them delicious — but means they're not suitable for every day feeding, or dogs with fat sensitivities or a history of pancreatitis. For many dogs though, they're great options to have in the rotation, and likely foods you already have on hand at home!

Cheese

Deliciously tasty, a great reward, and excellent extra motivation anytime it’s needed. Save the stinky bries and blue cheeses for yourself, but simple standard hard cheeses, from cheddar to parmesan, are fun to mark an especially great moment with your dog. 

Yogurt

Who among us hasn’t had our dog help clean the yogurt spoon once we’re done serving ourselves? Plain yogurt with no sweeteners is great for smearing into a Kong type toy or on a lick mat — or just off the back of the spoon once you’re finished with it. 

Peanut butter

Again, plain, no sweeteners (many large peanut butter brands now offer dog-specific recipes, but always double check). One of the highest value treats that exist, and many peoples’ dogs will do anything for a lick — but practice moderation, since peanut butter is extremely calorically dense. 

Hard boiled eggs 

They take a little more prep, and removing the shells is strongly recommended to avoid choking or digestive issues — but hard boiled eggs are jammed with vitamins and nutrients that support the body inside and out. A whole hard boiled egg is a large treat, so keep for super special occasions, or just a few slices if they become a more regular part of your rotation. 

Foods That Should Be Avoided

Even if they’re just an ingredient, or used as seasoning, the following are toxic to dogs and should be entirely avoided. If ingested even in small quantities, we recommend contacting Animal Poison Control or your veterinarian.

Onions

An incredibly common seasoning, so if you’re cooking and planning on offering some of what you’re whipping up to your dog, make sure to set aside a portion to go unseasoned for them. Onions contain a compound that can damage red blood cells and make them less effective at transporting oxygen around the body.

Garlic

Garlic is a no-no for the same reason as onions — except they contain about 5 times more of the same poisonous compound. An exact quantity required to become toxic is still unknown, so to be safe garlic is best avoided in any quantity. 

Grapes

Many fruits are great options, but grapes — despite being perfect for playing catch with — are poisonous to dogs and should be entirely avoided. The exact amount of grapes that is toxic is unknown (unlike with chocolate and xylitol) therefore you should be incredibly careful.

Raisins

Just dried grapes, and same rules apply! 

Chocolate

The snack most humans can’t get enough of is one of the most famously unsuitable for dogs. The caffeine and theobromine compounds found in chocolate are stimulants which a dog’s body is not suited to breaking down, meaning they can quickly reach toxic levels. Good news is, more chocolate for you! With chocolate, darker chocolate is more toxic and much more dangerous as compared to white or milk chocolate. Depending on the size of your pup, even a small amount can be toxic. 

Coffee 

Like chocolate, the caffeine in coffee is not easily digested by dogs. While they’re unlikely to go for your morning cup of Joe, certain foods people often do use to treat their dogs, like peanut butter and candy, can contain coffee nibs and are worth being wary of. 

Xylitol

This is an all-too common sugar derived from alcohol often used in gum or candy. It is incredibly toxic to dogs and is sometimes called birch sugar. It is now being found in desserts, health food products and ice creams as well. It is even contained in some liquid medication formulations, so this is one that all dog parents should be aware of. One piece of Ice Breakers gum could kill a small breed dog. 

Alcohol 

Dogs are much smaller than humans, so the effects of consuming even a small amount of alcohol can be intoxicating and make your dog feel awful, or worse poisonous. But don’t worry, teaching them to fetch you beers from the fridge is still approved by this vet. 

Macadamia nuts 

Macadamia nuts specifically contain an unidentified substance which causes neurotoxicity in dogs, affecting their nerves and muscles. They’re also very high in fat, making them a risk for pancreatitis. 

Bones 

Bones and dogs go together like cats and a saucer of milk. Which is to say, they look great in movies, but actually aren’t a good idea at all. Cooked bones, even supervised, present a significant choking hazard to dogs, and if ingested can become lodged in the digestive system, leading to an expensive vet visit. 

How can I feed my dog even more real, healthy food? 

If you love the idea of incorporating as much nutritious, whole food into your dog’s diet as possible, try Sundays! Our air-dried recipes make feeding healthy, minimally processed food as convenient as kibble. Just tell us a little about your dog, and we’ll help you get started feeding the healthiest, easiest pet food on the planet.