Dog Safe Veggies To Grow In Your Garden

Dog Safe Veggies You Can Grow in Your Garden

Would you like to have a vegetable garden that is dog-friendly?

It’s easy to grow dog-friendly vegetables if you have a big yard or just a few containers on your deck.

You don’t need any special equipment to grow these veggies.

How to Plant a Dog-Friendly Garden

A lot of Americans enjoy gardening and your dogs will love hanging out with you in your pet-friendly garden full of dog safe plants.

You can save money by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. There’s nothing more satisfying than eating something that you’ve worked on. It’s even better if you get to share those spoils with your furry friend.

The dog-friendly garden tips for dog friendly veggies you can grow in your garden.

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Create a Dog-Friendly Vegetable Garden Space

The most important step is to put a fence around your garden so that your dog can’t get in. You don’t want him to think it is a self-service salad bar. Plus, there are some parts of plants that are not good for you and your dog.

If you don’t have enough space to grow a garden in the ground with a fence around it, hang pots or containers in places where your dog can’t reach them.

Fertilizing your Dog-Safe Plants and Veggies

You need to consider the type of fertilizer you’re using.

The active ingredients in spray-on or pelleted products should be non-toxic and you should follow the instructions on the label.

It’s the same thing for mulch.

If your dog sneaks past your fence, you don’t want him to accidentally eat harmful substances, even if he doesn’t have access to your garden.

Before using mulch or a specific fertilizer, talk to your Veterinarian.

Choose What Dog Safe Veggies to Grow

The following edible plants and veggies are all high in antioxidants and safe for dogs to consume:

If you want to grow something that is not on this list, be sure to confirm the plant is a non-toxic plant for dogs.

Onions and the leaves of tomato plants , for example, are toxic to dogs and should not be grown in your backyard if you can’t be sure your dog won’t get access to them and eat them.

Adding Dog Safe Veggies To Your Garden

We eat a lot of vegetables here so I know which vegetables my dogs like, and which ones they do not, so I can plan my garden beds a lot easier.

Their top raw veggies are green beans, broccoli, cucumber, and carrots.

They like sweet potatoes for cooked veggies, so I bake or smash them into treats.

I haven’t been successful growing pumpkin in any of my gardens, although they really do like pumpkin.

Before you plant vegetables in your garden, make sure you check with your vet to make sure your dog will enjoy them, and then do a little taste test to make sure your dog likes them.

If you want to do a pet-friendly garden in your yard. Pick the perfect spot and you’ll be ready to plant your pet-friendly garden.

Cucumbers for Dogs

Cucumbers are great dog safe veggies. These little guys love water, so they will do well even when it rains.

They also like cool temperatures, which makes them perfect for summer gardens.

Plant seeds about 2 inches deep and keep soil moist until seedlings emerge.

Once plants reach 4" tall transplant into larger pots. Keep cucumber vines pruned back as needed.

Carrots for Dogs

One of the most popular dog safe veggies for dogs to eat is carrots. Unfortunately, they are not the easiest things to grow.

There is nothing as sweet or tasty as a carrot you’ve grown yourself, if you grow the seeds properly and keep them moist, and they only take a little time to grow.

My dogs, Ruby and Callie love them, and they were eaten immediately after they were plucked from the ground.

Planting Tips for Carrots:

Carrots need a lot of sun and water.

They like cool temperatures.

They don’t like too much heat or humidity.

Carrot Dog Treat Recipes - Once you've got your carrots your dog may enjoy some Carrot and Oatmeal Bonz, or Carrot Banana Muffins, and some 3-Ingredient Carrot and Peanut Butter dog treats.

Broccoli for Dogs

It was such a surprise to find broccoli. Callie dislikes the small tree part of the broccoli stems. Apparently, she’s a dog of very specific tastes.

Broccoli can be. Unless you start them indoors in the winter, they’re not very easy to grow from seed. When the last frost is gone, I buy broccoli plants from the nursery and pop them in the ground.

Planting Tips for Broccoli:

Start Broccoli Seeds Indoors in Winter

Broccoli needs lots of sunlight but doesn’t tolerate hot weather. It likes cooler temperatures than tomatoes.

If you live where there is snow cover during the winter months, then plant your broccoli seeds outside once the first warm days arrive.

The best way to get started with this crop is by planting seeds directly in the ground.

Green Beans for Dogs

All types of green beans are good for dogs to eat if they’re not prepared with other ingredients.

Spinach for Dogs

Imagine my surprise when I discovered my dogs loved the leaves of spinach as well! I shred it with scissors and then use it in treats or as a regular meal.

It’s great for using as a puree in frozen dog treats, for lightly cooking and for being a kibble topper.

Planting Tips for Spinach:

Spinach thrives in cool weather and short days so it’s best to plant it in the fall for most gardeners.

Sweet Potato for Dogs

Nine out of 10 dogs agree with me that sweet potato is a dog’s favorite type of potato.

They’re easy to grow and hardy. They can be grown in containers with a trellis and sprawl less than when planted in the ground.

Planting Tips for Sweet Potato:

Soil: loose and rich in organic matter, but avoid excess nitrogen which will produce big leafy greens and stunted tubers.

Sweet Potato Dog Treats - Once you've got your sweet potatoes, it's time to make some sweet potato dog treats. Your pup may enjoy Air Fryer Chicken Sweet Potato Dog Treats, or our Carrot, Sweet Potato and Apple Dog Treats.

Zucchini for Dogs

It’s so easy to grow that it plants itself. This plant thrives on being neglected and is often capable of growing a ton of zucchinis from just one plant.

It is high in fibre which makes it a great squash for dogs.

It needs good drainage so it doesn’t get soggy and rot, which is why I like planting it in containers with holes in the bottom.

Planting Tips for Growing Zucchini:

Soil: well-drained soil with lots of compost

Weather: Thrives when the weather is between 70 – 80 F for at least 6 – 8 weeks.

The more space you give it, the bigger the fruit!

Plant, Grow, Enjoy Your Dog Safe Veggies!

Now that you are prepared to start planting, you should be good to go.

Before you add any of these things to your dog's diet, make sure to have a discussion with your vet about your pet's nutrition needs.