Wanting to use fruits/vegs. Need help.

amazonstarlight

Okay, so I have scoured the entire Nutrition forum to find some info about veggies and fruits. I have been using Kongs and am trying to make the snacks inside as healthy and low cal as possible. I just filled the toys with carrots, dab of pb, and a little low fat kibble to see if the dogs will do carrots tonight. I have some questions about what types of fruits/vegs you can use safely. I know NOT to use avocado, grapes, raisins, and skins of raw potatoes. However, what about pumpkin? I read that someone used it for loose stool, neither of my dogs have loose stool so I don't want to give them something that will harm them. I'm just a little confused, what do you guys suggest?

If someone has a link I'd love it. I just hate goggling something like this, because there is a lot of wrong info out there.

simis · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

I've bought pumpkin before, it's a little bit messy but a good alternative every-once in awhile. You can buy canned pumpkin in the grocery store - just make sure that it is not the pie filling because that is loaded with excess sugars and yuck.

You can also use banana (I don't use much more than 1/2 of one)

hoochmamas · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:06 am Post subject:

Hooch gets fruits and veggies every day.. he gets small amounts, though and we only introduce one new one at a time.. and too much can lead to loose stools..
old faithful favorites are.. strawberries, apples, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, brocolli, cherry tomatoes.. even cabbage.
we freeze apple slices and put them in the kong.. same with half of a banana..
big carrots cut in half and frozen are great for teething..
there are sights that list "safe" ones, but i am not sure of the link..

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:14 am Post subject:

Thanks guys for the help. I gave my dogs their kongs last night with the grated carrots/pb/kibble. They absolutely went to town with them. I think because of the pb, you know how dogs are for it! Wink

I looked for canned pumpkin at the store yesterday, they didn't have anything except for pie filling. However, my mom said she still had some puree frozen from what she grew last fall. I'm excited to give them home-grown rather that crap shipped from somewhere. Confused

bleh.

PamK · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:13 am Post subject:

I mix canned pumpkin with low fat plain yogurt and freeze. Its Derek's favorite.

manchvegas · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

Found some great ideas on this link...endless ideas for kong fillings.

http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/dog_recipes_for_kong_chew_toys.php

Enjoy!

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject:

SparkyTansy · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

Google Dr Billinghurst and BARF diets. Some sites give good info on what you can and cannot feed re: Biologically appropriate raw food.
I feed a variety of raw veg and fruit (although i feed directly into the meal) but my main list is carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, potato (inc skin), bok choy, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, banana, apple, pear...
good luck!

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

Do you juice (as in use a juicer?) if so the fruit/veg remnants is FANTASTIC. I use a mixture of that with non-fat plain yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese in his kong frozen, everyday. I'm a big into juicing, and this just worked out great for the dogs. They love the remnants! (as a side note if you have a higher quality juicer you may want to add a bit of water as the pulp can be quite dry.)

I juice any of these in any combination:
kale
red chard
spinach
carrots
apples
berries (strawberry, raspberry, blueberries)
pears
peaches
plums

If i use more than 1/2 an orange or more than 1/4 lemon in my mix I don't give them that. A little citrus is fine, and he in fact LOVES it, but I feel too much is acidic and I don't want to upset their stomach.

Pumpkin is great, just as a rule of thumb a little goes a long way and the right amount firms stool but more is not better! Too much and you'll end up with loose stool.

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

Spankytansy, i wanted to add, good reminder about Dr. Billinghursts, great book.

I don't juice broccoli to drink but do sometimes to give the pulp to the kids. I also feed peeled baked potatoes if his weight starts going down, I recently heard about the sweet potato and am going to try that tomorrow, I just picked some up today! Smile