While many types of vegetables are a healthy addition to the canine diet, think twice before tossing a can of peas or carrots in their bowl. Almost all canned veggies are extremely high in sodium and too much of it over time can result in serious health problems for your dog.
Can My Dog Eat Canned Vegetables?
Maybe. While many vegetables are a healthy snack for your dog, many brands of canned vegetables are high in sodium. Dogs that eat foods that are high in sodium can become quickly dehydrated and are at risk for salt poisoning in extreme cases.
What’s The Problem With My Dog Eating Canned Vegetables?
If fed as an occasional treat or meal topper, there probably is no problem with feeding canned veggies to your dog. Yes, they’re high in sodium but that doesn’t automatically make them toxic. Canned vegetables still contain the vitamins and minerals found in fresh and frozen vegetables, just with a lot of salt mixed in.
Because of all that salt, regularly feeding your dog canned vegetables is more of an issue. A cup of canned green beans, for example, can have as many as 461 mg of sodium. According to the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, that’s more than four times the amount of sodium a healthy 33 lb adult dog should eat in a single day. While low-sodium canned vegetables are a better option, they still contain significantly more sodium than fresh and frozen vegetables.’
What Canned Vegetables Can My Dog Eat?
If you don’t have access to fresh vegetables or their more affordable but equally healthy counterpart frozen vegetables, it is safe for the following canned veggies to make an occasional appearance in your dog’s diet as a treat or meal topper:
When choosing canned vegetables for your dog, always select low- or no-sodium varieties that are packed in water instead of oil or broth. Draining and rinsing the veggies in water before feeding them to your dog can reduce their salt content by about 10%, according to the USDA.
What Canned Vegetables Can’t My Dog Eat?
These common canned vegetables can cause serious health problems when eaten by a dog:
- Onions or mixed vegetables containing onions
- Seasoned vegetables
- Vegetables containing garlic, shallots or leeks
What If My Dog Eats Too Many Canned Vegetables?
As long as the canned veggies you are feeding your dog are non-toxic, the primary problem with feeding them regularly to your dog is their high salt content.
The first indications that your dog is consuming too much salt is likely to be an increase in thirst and, as a result, the need to urinate more frequently.
If your dog continues to eat high levels of sodium, they can develop hypernatremia, a potentially serious health condition. Salt poisoning can also occur if your dog eats an excessive amount of sodium in a short period of time.
Hypernatremia
Hypernatremia is triggered by higher than normal sodium concentrations in a dog’s blood. Besides increased thirst and urination, symptoms of the condition can include confusion or disorientation, vomiting or diarrhea, and seizures. In very serious cases, hypernatremia can even cause a dog to slip into a coma.
If you believe your dog may have too much salt in their diet, your vet can perform blood tests and urinalysis to confirm your suspicions. If your dog tests positive for the condition, fluid therapy will help to rehydrate them and rebalance their electrolytes.
Salt Poisoning
Salt poisoning can occur if a dog suddenly eats a lot of salt in a short period of time – snarfing down a huge bag of potato chips while you’re in the bathroom, for example. Like hypernatremia, salt poisoning can result in vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, extreme thirst and urination,and seizures. Swelling in the belly is also a symptom of salt poisoning.
If you’re concerned that your dog is experiencing salt poisoning, contact your vet or visit an emergency clinic immediately. The doctor will likely start your dog on IV fluids and continue to monitor until their sodium levels return to normal.
What Should My Dog Eat Instead Of Canned Vegetables?
Both fresh and frozen vegetables are an excellent alternative to canned vegetables. Dog-friendly veggies with no added salt, seasonings or oil can be fed:
- Raw, cut up into small pieces
- Steamed
- Microwaved
- Boiled
- Baked or roasted
- Grilled
- Pureed with water
There is no need to remove the skin of a vegetable before feeding it to your dog unless is tough and inedible such as on a pumpkin or winter squash.
Use veggie slices as a healthy alternative to packaged treats or mix them with commercial dog foods for an extra boost of flavor and vitamins. Vegetables are also an important component of a nutritionally balanced homemade dog food.
For More Information
We’ve got tons of articles about which foods are safe or dangerous for your dog, from common snacks to fruits. You might also be interested in “Can My Dog Eat Canned Peas?” or “Can My Dog Eat Canned Tomatoes?”
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary help.