Dalmatians have a different digestive system from humans, so some foods that are safe for people can be harmful or even fatal for Dalmatians. However, many human foods are completely safe for Dalmatians and can provide important nutrients and health benefits.
People often confuse which foods are safe for their Dalmatians and this list will help you make the right decision when choosing what to feed your pet.
List of fruits Dalmatians can or can’t eat
Wondering which fruits your Dalmatian can eat or not? Here is a list of some common fruits your Dalmatian can or can’t eat:
Apples
Apples are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber for your Dalmatian. They’re also low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior Dalmatians.
The best way to prepare apples for your Dalmatian is to remove the seeds and core first. This will ensure that there’s no chance of choking or stomach upset if your Dalmatian decides to swallow a whole apple.
The next step is to avoid processed apples like applesauce and apple pie filling—they’ll have added sugar which can lead to tooth decay in your Dalmatian. The last thing we want is our favorite pooch losing his teeth.
Avocado
Unfortunately, avocados are not safe for Dalmatians to eat.
The avocado fruit, pits, leaves, skin and the actual plant contain persin so these parts are potentially poisonous to your Dalmatian.
However, avocado oil is safe in small amounts.
Avocado oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids which can help lower cholesterol levels and improve circulation.
Bananas
Yes, Dalmatians can eat bananas. Bananas are low in calories and high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are also low in cholesterol and sodium.
However, they have a high sugar content so they should be given as an occasional treat. Banana peels are hard for Dalmatians to digest so you should remove them before giving your Dalmatian a banana.
Avoid processed bananas like banana chips or banana puddings as these may contain added toxic ingredients.
Blackberry
Yes, Dalmatians can eat blackberries. In fact, they’re a great snack for your pup.
Blackberries are low in calories and sugar, but high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Frozen or fresh, either is fine—just remove any stems or leaves before feeding your Dalmatian.
The only thing you need to be careful of when it comes to blackberries is processed blackberries like blackberry jam, jelly, blackberry-flavored ice cream—these may contain harmful chemicals.
As a general rule of thumb, 2 blackberries per 10 pounds of body weight is about the right amount for your pooch.
Blueberry
Yes, Dalmatians can eat blueberries.
Blueberries are a delicious snack for your pup. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help keep your Dalmatian’s immune system healthy and ward off disease. Blueberries are also high in sugar, so feed them in moderation—four to five blueberries per 10 pounds of body weight is the recommended amount. Frozen, fresh, dried, or mashed blueberries all work well for most pups. It’s important to avoid processed blueberries like blueberry muffins and pies, as they may contain added harmful ingredients like sugar substitutes and preservatives.
Cantaloupe
Can a Dalmatian Eat Cantaloupe?
The short answer is yes. While cantaloupe is low in calories, it’s high in other nutrients like fiber and moisture. It also contains vitamins A and C, as well as potassium.
However, cantaloupe is also high in sugar, so you should only give your Dalmatian a small amount of it at a time. Remove the rinds and seeds before giving your Dalmatian any cantaloupe—these are both choking hazards for Dalmatians.
Cherry
No, Dalmatians can’t eat cherries. The fleshy part around the seed is safe, but the plant contains cyanide. Cyanide destroys cellular oxygen transport in your Dalmatian and can lead to hypoxia, which causes dilated pupils and unconsciousness.
If your Dalmatian ate cherry, contact your vet right away.
Grapes
No, grapes are very toxic to Dalmatians. Even a small amount of grapes can cause sudden kidney failure in your Dalmatian.
Symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weakness. If you suspect your Dalmatian has eaten grapes, seek veterinary help immediately.
To prevent accidental ingestion, keep the grapes out of your Dalmatian’s reach and educate your family about the danger of accidental ingestion.
Mango
Yes, Dalmatians can eat mango.
Mangoes are delicious, sweet, and nutritious. They contain four different vitamins: A, B6, C, and E that are essential for your Dalmatian’s health. Mangoes also have potassium and fiber which helps support digestive health, as well as antioxidants which help fight free radicals in the body.
However, it’s important to remove the skin and pit before feeding your Dalmatian mangoes because they may contain harmful substances like pesticides or other chemicals used to grow the fruit.
The amount of mango you feed your Dalmatian depends on its size but one-quarter cup of fresh ripe mango once a week is recommended for your Dalmatian.
Oranges
Can a Dalmatian eat oranges? Yes, and you should definitely give your Dalmatian an orange now and again. The sweet, juicy flesh of an orange is packed with Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and moisture. Oranges are a good source of antioxidants, which can help improve your Dalmatian’s skin and coat health by helping keep free radicals at bay.
You should always give only the fleshy part of the orange—the peel, skin and pith are toxic to Dalmatians, so remove all traces of those parts before feeding them anything from an orange.
One or two sections as an occasional treat for most Dalmatians is enough because larger amounts can cause diarrhea or upset stomachs sometimes.
Peaches
Can Dalmatians eat peaches?
Yes, Dalmatians can eat peaches. However, you should always ensure that the peaches are organic and fresh. If you want to feed your Dalmatian some cut-up fresh or frozen peaches, make sure that you remove the pit before serving them to your Dalmatian as it contains cyanide. Peaches are high in fiber and vitamin A.
Also, avoid processed peaches like peach cobbler or peach pie, as they may contain harmful ingredients such as artificial flavors and preservatives.
Pears
Can Dalmatians eat pears? Yes! Pears are a great snack for your Dalmatian because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. Eating the fruit can reduce the risk of having a stroke significantly.
Just be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide. Skip processed pears like canned pears as it may contain sugar syrups and other additives that aren’t good for your Dalmatian’s health.
One small slice is ok for most Dalmatians as pears contain sugar.
Pineapples
Yes! Pineapple is a delicious and healthy snack for Dalmatians.
Pineapple contains vitamins, minerals, bromelain, and moisture that can help keep your Dalmatian’s fur shiny and healthy.
It’s important to remember that only the soft inner fruit is safe for your Dalmatian to eat. You should remove the spiky skin and hard inner pineapple core before feeding it to your pet. It’s also important to avoid processed pineapples like canned pineapple or pineapple cake—these contain added harmful chemicals.
Pumpkin
Yes, pure pumpkin itself is a great choice and a very healthy snack for Dalmatians. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin A, and potassium, and helps with your Dalmatian’s skin and coat. It also aids digestion and can help remedy both diarrhea and constipation in your Dalmatian.
Never feed your Dalmatian pumpkin pie mix. Canned pumpkin is ok for your Dalmatian but make sure it’s 100% pumpkin (not mixed with other ingredients). Many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin pup treats are available on the market now as well.
Amount varies with your Dalmatian’s size and activity level, but start with a teaspoon per day for most pups.
Strawberry
Yes, Dalmatians can eat strawberries.
Both fresh and frozen strawberries contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are good for your Dalmatian’s health.
However, you should always cut the strawberries into small pieces before giving them to your Dalmatian. Also, make sure you remove the stem from the strawberry before serving it—it is harder to digest that could make your Dalmatian sick.
You should also avoid processed strawberries (for example: those found in jam) because they contain sugar which can cause weight gain in Dalmatians.
Watermelon
Yes, Dalmatians can eat watermelon. In fact, it’s a great low-calorie treat for your Dalmatian!
Watermelon contains vitamins, minerals, and lycopene—a compound that helps prevent cancer. It also contains moisture: the flesh of a watermelon is the only part that’s safe and nutritious for Dalmatians.
To make sure that you’re giving your Dalmatian the best possible experience with this tasty fruit, cut it into small chunks before serving it to him or her. Remove any seeds and rinds before serving them to your canine companion. Half a cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon is enough per 10 pounds of body weight.
List of vegetable Dalmatians can or can’t eat
Wondering which vegetables your Dalmatian can eat or not? Here is a list of some vegetables your Dalmatian can or can’t eat:
Broccoli
Yes, broccoli is safe for Dalmatians to eat, as long as you cut it into small pieces. Broccoli contains vitamins A and C, folate, fiber and potassium.
Broccoli stems and florets, both are safe to eat, either cooked or raw.
However, always cut them into small pieces to avoid the risk of choking hazard. Offer 1/4 (0.25) cup broccoli per 10 pounds of body weight of a pup.
Cabbage
Dalmatians can eat cabbage, and it’s a great choice for them. Cabbage is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It’s also high in moisture, which is perfect for Dalmatians who are prone to dehydration.
Cabbage comes in many colors: red, green, white… you name it! All varieties are safe and healthy for Dalmatians. However, red cabbage is more nutritious than green cabbage because it contains 10 times more vitamins than its green counterpart.
Lightly cooked or roasted cabbage is the best way to feed your Dalmatian.. It’s best to offer one bite per 10 pounds of body weight per day.
Carrots
Yes, Dalmatians can eat carrots. In fact, they are an excellent low-calorie treat for your Dalmatian. Carrots are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber; crunching on this orange veggie is also great for your Dalmatian’s teeth.
There are two ways to feed your Dalmatian carrots: raw or cooked. If you choose to give your Dalmatian cooked carrots, make sure that you cook them until they’re soft enough for your Dalmatian to chew easily. Raw or frozen carrots are fine too; just chop them into smaller pieces to avoid choking hazards if your pup is still learning how to eat them. If you’re serving carrot cake at a party and want to share with Fido as well, go ahead as long as they contain no harmful additives for your pup.
One or two baby carrots per day is enough for a healthy sized pup.
Celery
Yes, Dalmatians can eat celery.
Celery is a great low-calorie treat for Dalmatians. It contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are good for your Dalmatian’s health, and it also provides high moisture and fiber content (which helps keep your Dalmatian’s digestive tract healthy).
You can feed your Dalmatian celery sticks or you can chop up some celery leaves and mix them with their regular food—just make sure that the leaves are organic and washed before feeding them to your Dalmatian.
Cucumber
Yes, Dalmatians can eat cucumbers. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, moisture, and fiber. They also provide phytochemicals that help freshen your Dalmatian’s breath.
However, avoid processed cucumbers like cucumber pickles, as they may contain harmful food additives like salt, sugar..
The amount depends on the size of your Dalmatian, but only one or two pieces of cucumber are fine per day.
Garlic
Dalmatians can’t eat garlic. Garlic contains N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that can cause hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells. When enough red blood cells are destroyed, anemia can result. The other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and rapid heart rate.
Raw and cooked cloves and bulbs of garlic are toxic to your Dalmatian. The toxic dose is 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight. Contact the vet immediately if your Dalmatian ate garlic.
Onions
Dalmatian owners often wonder whether their Dalmatian can eat onions. The answer is a resounding “no.”
Onions contain a toxic compound called N-propyl disulfide, which is produced when you cut or slice the onion. This sulfur compound causes hemolysis leading to anemia in Dalmatians. The toxic dose is 15 gm/kg of the body weight of your Dalmatian.
Every type of onion is bad for Dalmatians—red, white, yellow—it doesn’t matter. Besides, all parts of the onion plant are toxic to Dalmatians too, including the flesh, ring, leaves, juice and processed powders. Contact your vet if your Dalmatian ate onions and get emergency treatment immediately after ingestion!
Zucchini
Yes, Dalmatians can eat zucchini.
Zucchini is a low-calorie treat and full of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s also high in fiber, which can help keep your Dalmatian’s digestive system healthy.
Plain raw, steamed, or cooked zucchini is safe for Dalmatians to eat. However, raw zucchini provides more Vitamin A than cooked ones.
If you’re unsure whether your Dalmatian can tolerate zucchini, start with just one or two small bites before moving on to more.
List of some other snacks Dalmatians can or can’t eat
Wondering which snacks your Dalmatian can eat or not? Here is a list of some snacks your Dalmatian can or can’t eat:
Bacon
Bacon is not a good choice for Dalmatians to eat. Bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with a high salt content, which can prove to be too much for a Dalmatian’s stomach to handle. Eating a large amount of bacon can cause pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal.
However, giving your Dalmatian small amounts of cooked bacon infrequently should not cause harm. The key here is moderation. If you want to give your Dalmatian something sweet, try other treats like carrots or apples instead of bacon.
Beef
Yes, Dalmatians can eat beef.
Beef is a good source of protein and many important vitamins and minerals, like zinc and iron. Cooked, unseasoned lean beef is safe for Dalmatians in small amounts unless your Dalmatian is allergic to beef. Beef broth, beef stew, and specialized Dalmatian beef jerky without an excess amount of salt are also safe for your Dalmatian.
Never feed cooked bone to your Dalmatian, but larger raw beef bones can be a chew toy. For a 20 pounds pooch, one cup of kibble or 0.3 pound of ground beef is enough if you go for a raw diet.
Bread
Yes, Dalmatians can eat bread. However, only plain white and wheat bread is safe for Dalmatians to eat.
Bread doesn’t provide that much nutrients in your Dalmatian, so offer them in moderation. A crust is fine, but a whole slice is too much for your Dalmatian. Too much bread can cause bloating and diarrhea in Dalmatians.
Cheese
Dalmatians can eat cheese, but it is important to be careful of what types of cheese you are feeding to your Dalmatians. Mozzarella, cottage, swiss and cheddar cheese are safer than other kinds of cheeses. Stay away from spicy cheese like cheesecake, blue, goat, parmesan and cream cheese.
The amount depends on the size of your Dalmatian, however, a few small bites are fine.
Chicken
Yes, Dalmatians can eat chicken. Chicken contains protein, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Boneless cooked breast meat is the best option, as it is leaner than other parts of the chicken. However, avoid chicken skin as it contains a high amount of fat that can cause stomach upset in Dalmatians.
Amount depends on the size of the Dalmatian but give 1/8 to 1/6 cup of meat protein per 10 pounds of body weight per day if your Dalmatian is on a raw meat diet.
Chocolate
It’s a hard truth, but Dalmatians can’t eat chocolate. Not only is it toxic to them, but it can also be deadly.
Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to Dalmatians. Theobromine is found in cocoa powder (most toxic), unsweetened baker’s chocolate, semisweet chocolate and dark chocolate; caffeine is found in milk chocolate.
If your Dalmatian ate chocolate, contact your vet immediately—your pooch may need intensive care or even surgery to remove the toxins from their system. You should also teach your family about the dangers of chocolate for Dalmatians so that everyone can help prevent accidental ingestion in the future.
Eggs
Yes, your Dalmatian can eat eggs. In fact, eggs are a great source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals—all of which your Dalmatian needs to stay healthy!
If you want to give your Dalmatian an egg, cook it well-done and without any seasonings or additives that could be harmful to him. Raw eggs can contain bacteria that can make them sick.
Egg shells are fine as long as you grind them up first—otherwise they may have sharp edges that could cut up your Dalmatian’s mouth.
Fish
Can Dalmatians eat fish? Absolutely!
Fish is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. However, not all fish is safe for your Dalmatian.
Smaller species like salmon, shrimp, tilapia are safe for your Dalmatian to eat. These fish have shorter lifespans than larger species like tuna, shark, swordfish. Fish with longer lifespans can contain heavy metals like mercury that can be harmful to your Dalmatian’s health.
Before feeding your Dalmatian any fish, clean it properly by removing skin and deboning it and cooking it with no harmful additives (like salt, oil). You should also feed one or two times per week in small, controlled amounts.
Icecream
Dalmatians cannot eat ice cream. Ice cream contains high amounts of dairy products, sugar, and other ingredients that can be toxic to Dalmatians.
Symptoms of ice cream toxicity include bloat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness and lethargy. Seek veterinary help immediately if you suspect your Dalmatian accidentally ate ice cream.
Peanut butter
Yes, Dalmatians can eat peanut butter in moderation.
Peanut butter provides protein, vitamins and healthy fats. However, ensure the peanut butter is pup safe without xylitol and chocolate. Also, avoid peanut butter pretzels, as it contains 3 times more sodium. Amount depends on the size and activity of your Dalmatian, but start with a half teaspoon per day.
Popcorn
Dalmatians can eat plain, air-popped popcorn as an occasional treat.
Popcorn is actually quite healthy for Dalmatians! It contains several minerals important to their health, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. It also contains fiber and trace amounts of vitamins.
However, buttered popcorn or any other processed popcorn is not safe for your Dalmatian. They can cause your Dalmatian to vomit or develop diarrhea if he eats too much of it. Un-popped or partially popped kernels can be a choking hazard and may even cause damage to your Dalmatian’s teeth.
Turkey
Yes, you can feed your Dalmatian turkey.
As long as you provide cooked lean, white, unseasoned and boneless turkey meat to your Dalmatian. Turkey breast meat is the best option and will provide more protein, fatty acids and minerals.
Avoid turkey skin, as it can cause GI upset and pancreatitis. Also avoid processed turkey if possible because some brands might contain harmful ingredients.
An appropriate amount for your pooch is 20 grams of white meat turkey or 15 grams of dark meat turkey per 12 pounds body weight.
Yogurt
Can Dalmatians eat yogurt?
Yes, Dalmatians can eat yogurt. Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for Dalmatians. However, some Dalmatians may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your Dalmatian can digest it, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system. Plain yogurt is the best choice for your Dalmatian.
Avoid any yogurts with added sugar as they can be harmful to your pup’s health. Also, skip all yogurts with artificial sweeteners as they can cause stomach issues and diarrhea in Dalmatians. One teaspoon of yogurt a day is fine for most pups.
Conclusion
There you have it, a list of 37 common fruits, vegetables and snacks Dalmatians can or cannot eat.
Some of these foods are safe to feed your Dalmatian while we should avoid others at all costs. However, with any food it is important to follow the 90/10 rule: 90% calories should come from their normal balanced diet, only 10% from treats like these.