How can I get my dog to eat fruits and veggies?

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

  why do you want them to eat veggies? many people feed completely carnivorous diets with no problems. I've never owned a dog that thought veggies were food. The small quantities of veggies I feed are all thoroughly ground up and disguised with meat.

 
 
Im sorry is it just me or does it seem like mudpuppy always has something negative to say about everything posted? Sorry but its really been getting on my nerves, its kind of the like the poster who owns the GSD's and every nutriton post she must say 'Mama dog doesnt home cook or there are no kibble trees feed raw!'
Its kind of sad to see so many negative comments under one persons name [&:]
 
But anyway, I guess I will have to start feeding Lizzie like I do my son! So I will just add a few extra pieces of vegetable when I cook up my sons lunch so that I can mash it up to feed in the kibble. Maybe one day she will actually like all this stuff im feeding her! 

ORIGINAL: LizzieCollie

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

  why do you want them to eat veggies? many people feed completely carnivorous diets with no problems. I've never owned a dog that thought veggies were food. The small quantities of veggies I feed are all thoroughly ground up and disguised with meat.

Im sorry is it just me or does it seem like mudpuppy always has something negative to say about everything posted? Sorry but its really been getting on my nerves, its kind of the like the poster who owns the GSD's and every nutriton post she must say 'Mama dog doesnt home cook or there are no kibble trees feed raw!'
Its kind of sad to see so many negative comments under one persons name [&:]

But anyway, I guess I will have to start feeding Lizzie like I do my son! So I will just add a few extra pieces of vegetable when I cook up my sons lunch so that I can mash it up to feed in the kibble. Maybe one day she will actually like all this stuff im feeding her! 

 
Actually, mudpuppy tends to have very good advice to give, and I for one encourage him/her to keep giving it.  Just because you do not agree with it does not mean it is negative.

I dont mean EVERYTHING is negative its just some things that really bug me, just alot of post lately have been borderline negative, and why make people feel bad or dish out unecessary advice? I always try to post positive advice and if I dont agree on something I post in a costructive manner. Just my thoughts 

Lizziecollie   Opinions are like A##holes everyone has got one don't worry. 
 
I do not agree with just feeding kibble but hey thats the owners choice. I feed raw only because I feel it's better and my dog will not eat kibble he would starve before that happened, and he had allergies as a pup.
 
If you choose to feed vegies good for you. You could try adding some gravy, yoghurt or broth to the vegies and see if that works. Mine just eats his no problems but he was fed vegies from the time I got him. The only thing he would not eat was whole baby beans he would take them out of his dish and put them on the ground. That was when I was steaming the vegies before I found out to mash them.
 
Good luck

I try to be clear. If you don't like, don't read. DOGS DON'T NEED VEGETABLES IN THEIR DIETS. How's that? crystal clear. NO NEED TO EXPEND ANY EFFORT IN TRYING TO GET THEM TO EAT VEGETABLES. if they happen to like some veggies, ok, fine, feed them as treats.

The "stew" I told you about is from this website:    [linkhttp://www.crvetcenter.com/homefood.htm]http://www.crvetcenter.com/homefood.htm[/link]
 
It is designed to be a balanced meal but I only use it as a supplement to kibble. The ratio in this recipe is protein 30%, vegetables 30%, carbohydrates 20% and fats 20%; when I make this I use more meat and fewer vegetables. I don't necessarily agree with mudpuppy that dogs don't need any vegetables but I think they should be a small part of a dog's diet ( just my opinion). 

Well, it wasn't until recently that Lily started to like veggies, but Charlie has loved them all along.  For example this morning, I eat veggies for lunch and while I was packing my lunch two small carrots fell onto the floor and Charlie flew to get them. Also, my hubby and I have been steaming veggies at night for dinner and I have added some to their food, as well as giving them some while we are eating.  For example, they love carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, zuchinni.  I have tried to give Charlie cantaloupe, but he seems to get confused, he is just not sure what to do with it, it seems.  Lily most of the time will eat the veggie if  Charlie eats it, or she will grind it up in her mouth and then spit it out on the carpet.  She is just so darn ridiculous. 

mudpuppy, do you have a source? I really can't think of a formula of dog food (kibble, raw, or canned) that doesn't include at least a vegetable.

Dogs don't need veggies, dogs don't need grains.  We can put the dog food companies out of business and put more grocery stores in business by buying meat and only meat, for our dogs when we buy ours.

Again, provide a source of some kind. I'm not trying to be condescending, it's just irresponsible to make such claims without citing research. Where's papillon to give some insight?

I was just joking.  I had seen some say dogs did not grains, but this was the first time I had ever seen anyone say dogs did not need veggies.  I certainly do believe they need some grain and some veggies.   I would also like to know where science has proven--by more than one source--that dogs do not need veggies.

Mudpuppy and I often disagree, but in fairness, it is not s/he who uses the kibble tree...that would be Michelle12 or something like that.
 
Once upon a time, I was having a terrible problem with my zuchinni and yellow squash.  They would get to be about 4 inches long and then VANISH.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out what on earth was going on with them......then I caught Lady, (cocker spaniel) in the act......she would wait until they got just the right size and snag em right off the vines.
 
Yes, it could be argued that wolves don't eat fruits and veggies, but then didn't Ron mention seeing a show on wolves where one was eating blueberries off the bush?  I guess that I figure all those good vitamins, minerals and antioxidents just MIGHT be good for them.

I tried feeding her a bit of broccoli

[sm=biggrin.gif] Broccoli? I might turn up my nose too except I like broccoli. hehe. Maybe you could start of smaller, with something like pumpkin, or boiled mashed sweet potato. Most of my dogs will eat green beans, pumpkin, etc. Maybe puree it with a garlic clove - and possibly add in some mackeral or sardines for more stinkiness?

I'll have to look it up, but either in my Volhard or Pitcairn book they suggest fresh garlic cloves (I think the recommended amount was 1/2-1 clove for my 25 lb dog) for arthritis care - but I wouldn't go overboard. I don't believe it holds the same level of threat as onions do, and can be given in moderation. I'll have to look it up for specifics, but that is the gist of it. No grapes, onions, and chocolate. If your dog is arthritic, stay away from spinach, parsley, beet greens, endive, purslane, and berries (due to the high oxalic acid content).

I am now feeding my Ginger a totally raw diet, limited or no veggies or fruits aside from the occasional pumpkin or green beans. Not only is she thriving, but her arthritis is getting under better control. I believe that in a biologically appropriate raw diet a dog does not need fruits and veggies. But, if we're talking about a kibble based diet, I think anything fresh is GOOD! If you want to feed your dog fruits and veggies, I say enjoy.

You could also take a puree and freeze bits in ice cube trays, and use them for frozen treats.

ORIGINAL: glenmar
Yes, it could be argued that wolves don't eat fruits and veggies, but then didn't Ron mention seeing a show on wolves where one was eating blueberries off the bush?  I guess that I figure all those good vitamins, minerals and antioxidents just MIGHT be good for them.

i believe i saw a documentary on wolves a couple of months ago on either animal planet or discovery channel, and the wolves did indeed eat vegetation when they could not find fresh meat.[sm=2cents.gif]

From what I understand it is not natural for dogs to eat veggies, their bodies aren't even equipped to digest them properly. Something about them not having the right bacteria or enzymes to break down cellulose. However, that doesn't mean that they can't benefit from veggies, it just means that those cell walls have to be pre-broken down for them to get anything out of it. Raw veggies have to be pureed or veggies have to be cooked until they are mush. I do not know if the same is true for fruits, I assume it is.

No I don't have any science for this, just a lot of reading generally consenting opinions.

Boomer loves carrots and broccoli - he will crunch on big chunks raw - but I don't think he's getting anything from it other than enjoyment.