Have you ever wondered which human food your Blue Heeler can or can’t eat? The truth is, Blue Heelers have different metabolic systems than ours. That’s why what’s safe food for us may not be safe for our Blue Heeler. So, to avoid any surprises, it’s important to know which foods are safe for your Blue Heeler and which ones aren’t.
Below are the most common 37 fruits, vegetables & other snacks Blue Heelers can (and can’t) eat:
List of fruits Blue Heelers can or can’t eat
Wondering which fruits your Blue Heeler can eat or not? Here is a list of some common fruits your Blue Heeler can or can’t eat:
Apples
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat apples.
Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your Blue Heeler. They’re low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior Blue Heelers.
Before you give your Blue Heeler an apple, remove the seeds and core first. If you’re using an apple slicer to do so, make sure it’s designed for human use rather than for commercial kitchens; otherwise, it could be too sharp for your Blue Heeler’s mouth.
Avoid processed apples like applesauce or apple pie filling—those have added sugar that may not be healthy for your Blue Heeler.
Avocado
Avocados are not safe for your Blue Heeler to consume, as they contain persin, which is a natural compound that’s poisonous to Blue Heelers.
Avocado fruit, pits, leaves, skin and the actual plant all contain persin. This means that if you’re feeding your Blue Heeler avocados, it’s best to remove any of these parts before giving them to your pup.
Even though avocado oil is safe in small amounts, we don’t recommend feeding your Blue Heeler avocado oil too much because it can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Your Blue Heeler should also avoid eating the actual fruit because it contains high levels of fat which may cause pancreatitis in Blue Heelers.
Bananas
Can Blue Heelers eat bananas? The answer is yes. But you should only feed your Blue Heeler bananas in moderation, and not every day.
Bananas are a great low-calorie treat for your pup, but they can also cause some stomach upset if given too frequently or in large quantities. They’re high in potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C; they contain biotin and fiber; they’re low in cholesterol and sodium; and they have a good amount of copper. Unfortunately, they also have a high sugar content—so we should give bananas as an occasional treat rather than as part of a daily diet.
If you want to give your Blue Heeler some banana slices, make sure you remove the peel before feeding them to him or her—banana peels are hard for Blue Heelers to digest because of their thick texture. You should also avoid giving your pooch processed bananas like banana chips or banana puddings—these foods may contain added toxic ingredients that could hurt or even kill your pet.
Blackberry
Yes! Blackberries are perfectly safe for Blue Heelers to eat. They’re low in calories and sugar, and high in vitamins and minerals. Just like berries, blackberries are also full of antioxidants. You can feed your Blue Heeler fresh or frozen blackberries—either is fine!
But remember: avoid feeding your Blue Heeler blackberries that have been processed into jams, jellies or other products that contain added sugar or preservatives. These can be harmful to your Blue Heeler’s health.
A serving size for a 10-pound Blue Heeler is about two blackberries per day.
Blueberry
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat blueberries.
Blueberries are high in vitamins and minerals and antioxidants, which can help keep your Blue Heeler healthy. They’re also high in sugar, so feed them sparingly (4-5 blueberries per 10 pounds of body weight). Frozen, fresh, dried or mashed, either is fine for most pups—just avoid processed blueberries like blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pie or blueberry pancake because they may contain harmful preservatives.
Cantaloupe
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe are low in calories but high in other nutrients such as fiber and moisture that make it a good option for your Blue Heeler’s diet. However, like all fruits, it’s best to feed it in moderation, as it contains a significant amount of sugars. Remove the rinds and seeds before serving to your Blue Heeler, as these can be choking hazards if swallowed whole.
Cherry
If you’ve ever wondered whether your Blue Heeler can eat cherries, the answer is a resounding “no.”
Although the fleshy part around the seeds is safe and nutritious for them, the plant contains cyanide. Cyanide destroys cellular oxygen transport in your Blue Heeler, which can cause dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
If you suspect your Blue Heeler ate cherries (or any other plant that contains cyanide), contact your vet immediately. The sooner you get treatment for your pet, the more likely they are to survive this poisoning.
Grapes
If you love grapes, you’ve probably wondered whether your Blue Heeler can eat them. The answer is no—and the reason is important to know, because if they eat grapes, they can develop severe health problems or even die.
Grapes are toxic to Blue Heelers, and even a small amount can cause sudden kidney failure in your Blue Heeler. Symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, weakness or collapse. Seek veterinary help immediately if you suspect your Blue Heeler ate grapes.
To prevent accidental ingestion, keep the grapes out of your Blue Heeler’s reach and educate your family about the danger of feeding Blue Heelers grapes.
Mango
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat mango.
Mangoes are low in fat and high in fiber, which makes them a great snack for your Blue Heeler. They’re also rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E. Mangoes also contain potassium and antioxidants.
The best way to enjoy mangos with your Blue Heeler is to remove the skin and pits before feeding them to your Blue Heeler. This will help prevent choking if they swallow a seed or pit while eating the fruit.
Give your Blue Heeler only one-quarter cup of mango once a week and make sure you feed it with other fruits and veggies, so it doesn’t cause an imbalance in their diet.
Oranges
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat oranges in moderation. Oranges provide Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and moisture, so they’re perfectly good for your Blue Heeler as an occasional treat.
However, it’s important to remove all traces of peel, skin, pith and seeds before offering the orange to your Blue Heeler. Even small amounts of these items can be toxic to a Blue Heeler. Also, keep in mind that Blue Heelers have different tastes than humans—they may not like the taste of an orange as much as you do!
1-2 sections are enough for most Blue Heelers; however, if you want to offer more than that, just be sure to split it up into multiple portions throughout the week so that your pup gets a bit of variety in their diet.
Peaches
Blue Heelers can eat peaches, but you should only feed them a small amount of cut-up fresh or frozen peaches. Peaches are high in fiber and vitamin A, so they can be an excellent addition to your Blue Heeler’s diet.
However, if you’re going to serve peaches to your Blue Heeler, make sure that you remove the pit before serving it. The pit contains cyanide, which is toxic to Blue Heelers. It’s best to avoid processed peaches like peach cobbler or peach pie because they may contain harmful preservatives or additives.
Pears
Can Blue Heelers eat pears?
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat pears.
Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. These nutrients are important for maintaining good health, but they also have some specific benefits for your Blue Heeler’s health. Eating the fruit can reduce the risk of having a stroke significantly. It also prevents cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Just be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide. It may also cause intestinal blockages if swallowed whole. Skip processed pears like canned pears as it may contain sugar syrups and other additives that aren’t healthy for your Blue Heeler. One small slice is ok for most Blue Heelers as pears contain sugar.
Pineapples
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat pineapple.
Pineapple is a tasty treat for your Blue Heeler, with plenty of vitamins and minerals that help him stay healthy and strong. It also contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that helps with digestion.
But there are a few things you should know about feeding your Blue Heeler pineapple:
1. Only the soft inner fruit of the pineapple is safe for your Blue Heeler to eat. Avoid processed pineapples like canned pineapple or pineapple cake, which contain added chemicals that may be harmful to your pup’s health.
2. Remove the spiky skin and hard inner core of the fruit before giving it to your Blue Heeler—this will help prevent choking on anything sharp enough to puncture their throat or digestive tract but still let them enjoy all the good stuff inside!
3. Two/three raw bite-sized pieces of fresh pineapple are enough for most Blue Heelers.
Pumpkin
Can Blue Heelers eat pumpkin?
Yes, pure pumpkin itself is a great choice and a very healthy snack for Blue Heelers. Pumpkin helps with your Blue Heeler’s skin and coat, and is also great for digestion. It can help remedy both diarrhea and constipation in your Blue Heeler.
Just make sure to never feed your Blue Heeler pumpkin pie mix—canned pumpkin is ok for your Blue Heeler but make sure it’s 100% pumpkin. Many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin pup treats are available on the market today, but if you’re making your own treat or supplement, remember that the amount varies with your Blue Heeler’s size and activity level, but start with a teaspoon per day.
Strawberry
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat strawberries. In fact, they’re full of vitamins and minerals and antioxidants—all the good stuff!
Fresh and frozen strawberries have the same nutritional benefits. So whether you’re looking to add some fresh fruit to your Blue Heeler’s diet or need something to keep her busy while you’re at work, there are plenty of options out there.
However, always cut the strawberries in small pieces before serving them to your Blue Heeler. The stems are generally not good for her digestion and can cause bloating if ingested whole or in large quantities.
Also avoid processed strawberries—they often contain additives that aren’t good for your pup.
Watermelon
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat watermelon.
Watermelon is a low-calorie treat that contains vitamins, minerals, and lycopene—a powerful antioxidant. The flesh of the watermelon is the only part of it that is safe and nutritious to give to your Blue Heeler. Cut it into small chunks before giving it to them to make sure they don’t choke on any seeds or rinds. Remove the seeds and rinds before serving it to your Blue Heeler because they can be harmful if ingested.
A half cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon per 10 pounds of body weight should be enough for your Blue Heeler’s daily intake.
List of vegetable Blue Heelers can or can’t eat
Wondering which vegetables your Blue Heeler can eat or not? Here is a list of some vegetables your Blue Heeler can or can’t eat:
Broccoli
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat broccoli.
Broccoli contains vitamins A, C, K and folate and is a great source of vitamin C. Broccoli also provides fiber to help support your pup’s digestive health.
Broccoli stems and florets, both are safe to eat, either cooked or raw. However, always cut them into small pieces to prevent the choking hazard. 1/4 (0.25) cup broccoli per 10 pounds of body weight of a pup is enough for a serving.
Cabbage
Can Blue Heelers Eat Cabbage?
The answer is YES! Cabbage is a great way to help your pup get the nutrients they need. It has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it is also rich in fiber and moisture.
Cabbage contains Vitamin K which helps blood clotting, Vitamin A which helps strengthen your pup’s immune system, Vitamin B1 which helps maintain healthy skin and coat, Vitamin C which helps boost your Blue Heeler’s immune system and protect against infection, Folic acid which helps produce red blood cells and protects against anemia.
Red cabbage is more nutritious than green cabbage because it has 10 times more vitamins than green cabbage does. But both are safe to feed your Blue Heeler.
Lightly cooked or roasted cabbage is the best choice for your Blue Heeler because it is easier to digest this way. However, you must make sure NOT to season the cabbage with salt or oil before serving it to avoid intestinal blockage in small Blue Heelers or puppies. You should only offer 1 bite of roasted cabbage per 10 pounds of body weight for a pup.
Carrots
Yes, carrots make a great low-calorie treat for Blue Heelers.
Carrots contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. They’re also good for your Blue Heeler’s teeth because they help to clean them as your pup chews on them.
Raw, frozen or cooked carrots are all fine options for feeding your pet. But cooked carrots are better since they’re easier to digest than raw ones. You can simply cook the carrots in the microwave or roast them in the oven if you prefer not to use canned ones.
If you want to give your pup raw or frozen carrots, chop them into smaller pieces so they’re easy to chew and swallow.
You can feed your averaged-sized pup up to two baby carrots per day with no problems—just don’t overdo it.
Celery
Yes! Blue Heelers can eat celery. It’s an excellent low-calorie treat, and it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It’s also high in moisture, which is a great way to help keep your Blue Heeler hydrated.
Celery sticks are the best option for Blue Heelers—especially big Blue Heelers. Celery leaves are also fine if they’re organic and washed. Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces so that your Blue Heeler can enjoy them safely.
Start with one or two bite-sized pieces at first and see how your Blue Heeler does with them before giving him more as a reward or treat.
Cucumber
Blue Heelers can eat cucumbers, and they should in moderation. Cucumbers contain vitamins, minerals, moisture and fiber—all things that are good for your Blue Heeler. They also provide phytochemicals that help freshen your Blue Heeler’s breath.
However, avoid processed cucumbers like cucumber pickles, as they may contain harmful chemicals. Also keep in mind the size of your Blue Heeler when feeding them cucumbers: too much can cause diarrhea. Feeding one or two pieces is fine, but check with your vet before giving more than that amount.
Garlic
The answer is an unequivocal “no.” Garlic contains a sulfur compound called N-propyl disulfide, which is toxic to Blue Heelers. When ingested, it causes hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) leading to anemia. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and muscle tremors.
Raw and cooked cloves and bulbs of garlic are toxic to your Blue Heeler. The toxic dose is 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight. Contact the vet immediately if your Blue Heeler ate garlic.
Onions
Unfortunately, onions are not good for Blue Heelers. They contain N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis, or the breakdown of red blood cells. This can lead to anemia in Blue Heelers, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The toxic dose is 15 gm/kg of the body weight of your Blue Heeler.
That said, every type of onion—red, white, yellow—is bad for Blue Heelers. It doesn’t matter what kind you feed them: all parts of the onion plant are toxic to Blue Heelers too, including the flesh, ring, leaves, juice and processed powders. If your Blue Heeler accidentally eats any part of an onion plant or any food item containing onion powder or juice (for example as a flavor enhancer), contact your vet immediately.
Zucchini
Can Blue Heelers eat zucchini? The answer is yes! Zucchini is a low calorie treat, full of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s also high in fiber and moisture—which can be especially helpful for Blue Heelers with diabetes or other digestive issues.
Plain raw, steamed, or cooked zucchini is safe for Blue Heelers to eat. However, raw zucchini provides more Vitamin A than cooked ones. Start small—just one or two small bites—and see how your Blue Heeler reacts.
List of some other snacks Blue Heelers can or can’t eat
Wondering which snacks your Blue Heeler can eat or not? Here is a list of some snacks your Blue Heeler can or can’t eat:
Bacon
No, your Blue Heeler should not eat bacon.
Bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with a high salt content, which can prove to be too much for a Blue Heeler’s stomach to handle. Canines are carnivores who are designed to eat meat, but it’s important to provide them with protein sources that will help maintain their health and vitality.
Eating a large amount of cooked bacon can cause pancreatitis in Blue Heelers, which can cause death if left untreated. However, giving your Blue Heeler small amounts of cooked bacon infrequently should not cause harm unless they have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or pancreatitis. If you want to feed your Blue Heeler bacon, make sure it’s cooked thoroughly until it’s browned on all sides and drain off any excess fat before feeding it to them.
Beef
The answer is yes—but only in small amounts.
Raw beef can be very dangerous for Blue Heelers, so you’ll want to make sure that your Blue Heeler doesn’t eat more than a few ounces of it. But cooked, unseasoned lean beef is safe in small amounts unless your Blue Heeler is allergic to beef.
Beef broth, beef stew, and specialized Blue Heeler beef jerky without an excess amount of salt are also safe for your Blue Heeler.
Bread
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat bread.
However, only plain white and wheat bread are safe for Blue Heelers to eat.
Bread doesn’t provide that much nutrients in your Blue Heeler, so offer them in moderation. A crust is fine, but a whole slice is too much for your Blue Heeler. Too much bread can cause diarrhea or bloating.
Cheese
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat cheese.
But you have to be careful with what types of cheese you’re feeding to your Blue Heeler. Mozzarella, cottage, swiss and cheddar cheese are safer than the others because they contain vitamins and fatty acids that are necessary for your Blue Heeler’s diet. Stay away from spicy cheeses like cheesecake, blue goat, parmesan and cream cheese, as they contain high levels of fat and sodium.
You should also be careful about how much cheese you feed them: a few small bites are fine, but too much could cause digestive problems for your Blue Heeler.
Chicken
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat chicken! Chicken contains protein, omega-6 fatty acids (which are important for healthy skin and coat), vitamins and minerals.
Boneless cooked breast meat is the best option. Avoid chicken skin as it contains a high amount of fat that can cause pancreatitis in Blue Heelers.
Amount depends on the size of the Blue Heeler, but give 1/8 to 1/6 cup of meat protein per 10 pounds of body weight per day if your Blue Heeler is on a raw meat diet.
Chocolate
Blue Heelers can’t eat chocolate.
Blue Heelers are not allowed to eat chocolate because it contains theobromine and caffeine, chemicals that are toxic to pups.
Here’s a list of the most dangerous kinds of chocolate for Blue Heelers: cocoa powder (most toxic), unsweetened baker’s chocolate, semisweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.
If you suspect your Blue Heeler has eaten any of these types of chocolates, contact your vet immediately.
Educate your family about this danger so they don’t accidentally feed their Blue Heeler something he shouldn’t have.
Eggs
Yes, your Blue Heeler can eat eggs.
Eggs are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Just make sure the eggs are well-cooked, so you don’t have to worry about harmful pathogens like salmonella. Another problem with raw egg is that it contains avidin which prevents absorption of biotin.
Egg shells are fine as long as you grind them up and there aren’t any sharp edges.
Fish
Can Blue Heelers eat fish?
The short answer is yes.
Fish is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It’s also a great source of antioxidants, which can help boost your Blue Heeler’s immune system. But not all fish are safe for your Blue Heeler, so you should always check with a vet before giving your Blue Heeler any kind of fish.
Smaller, younger, wild-caught, shorter-lived species like salmon, shrimp, tilapia are safe for your Blue Heeler. Avoid longer-lived fish species, like tuna, shark and swordfish, as they can contain heavy metals like mercury.
Always clean them properly before feeding them to your Blue Heeler (de-bone them and wash thoroughly), and cook them thoroughly with no harmful additives that could be toxic to pets.
Feeding your Blue Heeler one or two times per week in small controlled amounts is fine as long as there aren’t any allergies present (you should always check with a vet before introducing new foods into their diet).
Icecream
Can Blue Heelers eat ice cream?
No, the Blue Heeler shouldn’t eat ice cream. Ice cream contains high amounts of dairy products and sugar, which are toxic to Blue Heelers. Symptoms of ice cream toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea. If you suspect your Blue Heeler accidentally ate ice cream, seek veterinary help immediately.
Ice cream lollies, ice cream cones, Oreo ice cream, McDonald’s ice cream, vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream are all unsafe for Blue Heelers.
Peanut butter
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat peanut butter in moderation.
Peanut butter provides protein, vitamins and healthy fats that your Blue Heeler needs to stay healthy. However, you need to ensure that the peanut butter you give your Blue Heeler is safe for them to eat. Check the label of your peanut butter jar and make sure there’s no xylitol or chocolate in it. Also, avoid peanut butter pretzels as they contain three times more sodium than regular peanut butter.
You should start with a half teaspoon per day of peanut butter for each 10 lbs of body weight. So if your Blue Heeler weighs about 40 lbs, give them about 2 teaspoons of peanut butter per day.
Popcorn
Can Blue Heelers eat popcorn?
The answer is yes, but only in small quantities as an occasional treat.
Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for Blue Heelers to eat in small quantities as an occasional treat. Popped corn kernels actually contain several minerals important to Blue Heelers, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc, along with fiber and trace amounts of vitamins.
Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings like butter or cheese are not safe for your Blue Heeler—they can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Also, un-popped or partially popped kernels can be a choking hazard and may even cause damage to your Blue Heeler’s teeth.
Turkey
Yes, they can!
Turkey is an excellent source of protein, fatty acids and minerals that your Blue Heeler needs to stay healthy. It’s safe as long as you provide cooked lean, white, unseasoned and boneless turkey meat to your Blue Heeler. Turkey breast meat is the best option because it contains fewer calories than dark meat and has less fat content. However, if you do have access to dark turkey meat, be sure to trim off any visible fat before feeding it to your pup.
Avoid turkey skin because it can cause GI upset and pancreatitis in Blue Heelers. Also avoid processed turkey as it may contain harmful additives like sodium nitrite or nitrates that could be harmful to your pooch if ingested in large quantities.
A good rule of thumb for feeding your Blue Heeler turkey is: 20 grams of white meat turkey or 15 grams of dark meat turkey per 12 pounds body weight for a 30 pound Blue Heeler would be a good starting point.
Yogurt
Yes, Blue Heelers can eat yogurt. Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for Blue Heelers, as long as you make sure that it is made from milk that has been pasteurized and does not contain any added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Yogurt can help strengthen your Blue Heeler’s digestive system by providing the healthy bacteria necessary to break down food more efficiently.
However, some Blue Heelers may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your Blue Heeler can digest it, the good bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system.
One teaspoon of plain yogurt a day is fine for most Blue Heelers; if you can give your Blue Heeler more than this amount depending on its size, be sure to spread it out over several meals throughout the day rather than giving him all at once.