Chances are you've heard it before: Freshly picked seasonal produce packs optimal flavor and nutrients. Next time you swing by your local grocery store or farmers market, keep an eye out for the following dog-approved summer fruits and vegetables!

10 Seasonal Summer Fruits and Veggies To Share With Your Dog (+ Recipe Ideas)

Chances are you’ve heard it before: Freshly picked seasonal produce packs optimal flavor and nutrients. Plus, supply and demand mean seasonal fruits and vegetables may actually be a bit more economical. Sounds like a win-win-win to me—for both us humans and our spoiled canine companions!

Next time you swing by your local grocery store or farmers market, keep an eye out for the following dog-approved summer fruits and veggies. This list is pulled from the United States Department Of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Seasonal Produce Guide. Plus, I’m also dishing up a few ways you can serve these healthy treats to your pooch!

Apples

You know what they say: An apple a day helps keep the veterinarian away! Because of their yummy flavor and many nutrients, I love feeding apples to my dogs. Sure, you can simply dice them up and serve them as is. But that’s not the only way to work the popular fruit into your pup’s diet. In my cookbook Proud Dog Chef: Tail-Wagging Good Treat Recipes, I’ve included an easy recipe for homemade apple chips and incorporated organic applesauce into a few of the biscuits.

Here are some of the apple recipes you’ll find inside:

Pictured: Apple Chips (Pg. 115), Pumpkin Apple Pooches (Pg. 43), and Garden Fresh Soft Chews (Pg. 55)

When feeding apples to dogs, just make sure to ditch the core (a potential choking hazard) and seeds (which contain amygdalin that can turn into cyanide when crushed/chewed)


Bananas

My family’s newest pooch, Pippa, is absolutely obsessed with bananas! When I peel one open to much on, I usually find her right by my feet with those “are you gonna share?” look! Bananas are a great snack straight up. Or, try my Grain-Free Banana Bread Soft Chew recipe!

As far as serving size goes, according to veterinarians, a good rule of thumb is to give your dog a 1/4″ banana slice for every 10 pounds of body weight per day. 


Blueberries

Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants that help protect both the human and canine bodies in many ways. Plus, they’re super delicious! So, when you grab a box of fresh blueberries this summer make sure to split some with your furkid by adding a few to their food bowl, making these brain-boosting frozen treats, or trying the Gluten-Free Blue Bones featured in my Proud Dog Chef cookbook.


Cantaloupe

I don’t personally buy many cantaloupes because I’m not a huge fan of the summer fruit. But, if you are, definitely slice a few small cantaloupe cubes for your pup. While low in calories, cantaloupe is an excellent source of dietary fiber, various vitamins (such as A and C), and minerals. The popular fruit also boasts a high water content, making it a tasty way to stay hydrated in the blazing summer heat. Along with slicing a few small cubes for your dog to munch on, you can also toss the rind, pop the juicy flesh into a blender, and then pour the purée into a silicone mold to create refreshing pupsicles.


Carrots

Categorized as a root vegetable, these orange delights are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, key vitamins, and various minerals. Carrots help support a strong immune system and, since they’re high in Beta Carotene (which the liver converts to Vitamin A), they’re famous for maintaining and improving eye health. 

I must admit, I’m a bit obsessed with carrots. You can usually find a big bag of organic carrots in my refrigerator and I love to finely grate them for my homemade dog treats. In fact, in my cookbook, I’ve included carrots in 8 out of the 60 treat recipes. That’s because carrots create a bark-worthy sweet flavor and pack powerful nutrients that benefit our dogs’ health.


Cucumbers

If you’re raising an overweight canine then you may want to consider slicing some fresh cucumbers as treats. They provide a nice crunch without packing on the calories. Plus, cucumbers are 95% water, helping your pooch rehydrate!


Green Beans

Green beans are incredibly healthy for our dogs. The most important thing to keep in mind: Go plain. If you make them as a side for your dinner and jazz them up with salt and various spices then don’t share them with your pooch. Plus, those holiday green bean casseroles are a no-go, as they’re usually coated in butter, cream, mushroom soup, and onions (foods your dog should stay away from). In moderation, dogs can have plain green beans either raw, frozen, steamed, boiled, canned, or dehydrated. With that said, raw is the hardest for them to digest, so it’s better to cook them first! Find out more about green beans for dogs in our Food Facts feature HERE.


Strawberries

Like blueberries, strawberries are rich in antioxidants that fight free-radicals in the body, helping to ward off various illnesses. I incorporate them into my dogs’ diet a few ways. I either chop this brightly colored berry into tiny bites to mix into their food bowl, purée them to create frozen pupsicles, or fold them into biscuit doughs. 


Watermelon

Watermelon is the epitome of summer foods. Is there really anything more refreshing than biting into a chunk of yummy watermelon and letting the juice drip down your arms? Last year, I shared a fun watermelon cocktail/mocktail recipe with my Proud Dog Mom pack—you can check that recipe out here! Or, try this easy frozen watermelon recipe by Dr. Karen Becker: 

*Whatever watermelon treat you decide to make for your pooch, just don’t forget to remove the seeds!


Zucchini

According to The Association For Pet Obesity Prevention, as of 2018, approximately 56% of dogs in the United States were either overweight or obese. Since it’s low in calories and virtually fat-free, zucchini is a great treat swap for overweight or obese dogs. Raw, steamed, or cooked zucchini is safe for dogs to eat. Just make sure it’s plain, with no added seasonings. 

While I don’t share my zucchini noodles with my dogs during dinner time, I do share homemade zucchini chips with them! Get my zucchini chip recipe in the Jerky, Chews & Chips chapter of my cookbook!


Which summer fruits and veggies do you feed your pooch? Share your favorite recipes and feeding tips in the comment section below 🙂