As a Great Dane owner you often share favorite foods with your pet, but Great Danes have different metabolic systems than humans and therefore, what is safe for you might not be safe for your Great Dane.
That’s why we created a list of 37 common fruits, vegetables and snacks Great Danes can or cannot eat.
List of fruits Great Danes can or can’t eat
Wondering which fruits your Great Dane can eat or not? Here is a list of some common fruits your Great Dane can or can’t eat:
Apples
Yes, Great Danes can eat apples.
Apples are a healthy snack for your Great Dane, especially for senior Great Danes. They provide vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. They’re low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for older Great Danes who need a little extra help keeping their weight under control.
Apple seeds contain cyanide, so it’s important to remove those before giving your Great Dane an apple (and definitely don’t feed them to your Great Dane). You should also avoid giving your Great Dane processed apples like applesauce or apple pie, which contain added sugar that could be harmful to your Great Dane.
Avocado
Avocados are not safe for your Great Dane to consume. In fact, avocados and their leaves, pits, skin, seeds and bark contain persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death if ingested.
However, avocado oil is beneficial to Great Danes in small amounts. The best thing to do is to avoid giving your Great Dane any kind of avocado product. Why take the risk when there are plenty of nutritious treats available?
Bananas
Yes. Bananas are a safe and healthy treat for Great Danes, but you should only give them as an occasional snack.
Bananas are high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium. The sugar content of bananas is high, so we should only give them as a special treat.
Remove the banana peel before giving it to your Great Dane; the peel is hard for Great Danes to digest. Avoid processed bananas like banana chips or banana puddings—they may contain added toxic ingredients.
Blackberry
Yes, Great Danes can eat blackberries. In fact, they’re an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Blackberries are low in calories and sugar, so you can feed them to your Great Dane without worrying about weight gain. Frozen or fresh, either is fine—but avoid processed blackberries like blackberry jam, jelly, or blackberry-flavored ice cream because they may contain harmful ingredients.
You should give your Great Dane two blackberries a day per 10 pounds of body weight.
Blueberry
Yes, you can feed your Great Dane blueberries. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain sugar, so feed them in moderation (4-5 blueberries per 10 pounds of body weight). Frozen, fresh, dried, or mashed are all fine for most pups.
Avoid processed blueberries like blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pie, blueberry pancake, as they may contain added harmful chemicals.
Cantaloupe
Yes, Great Danes can eat cantaloupe! It’s low in calories but high in other nutrients like fiber and moisture, so it’s a great addition to your pup’s diet. However, it is high in sugar, so be sure to give your Great Dane cantaloupe in moderation. Remove the rinds and seeds before feeding it to your Great Dane—they can be a choking hazard.
Cherry
Cherries are delicious, but if you’re a Great Dane owner, you need to know that your canine companion can’t eat them.
Although the fleshy part around the seed is safe, the plant contains cyanide. This toxin destroys cellular oxygen transport in your Great Dane, causing symptoms like dilated pupils and vomiting.
Contact your vet if your Great Dane ate cherry. Your vet will induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal to absorb any toxins that are still in your Great Dane’s system.
Grapes
Grapes are a toxic food for Great Danes. Even a small amount of grapes can cause sudden kidney failure in your Great Dane.
Symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and even death. If you suspect your Great Dane ate grapes, seek veterinary help immediately.
To prevent accidental ingestion, keep the grapes out of your Great Dane’s reach and educate your family about the danger of feeding them to your pet.
Mango
Yes, Great Danes can eat mango. Mango is a great source of vitamins A, B6, C and E. It also contains potassium and fiber, which are good for your Great Dane’s health.
Mango has antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that help fight free radicals in your Great Dane’s body, which can help prevent cancer or other diseases. It also helps boost their immune system so they’re less likely to get sick themselves!
However, there are some things you should know about whether your Great Dane can eat mango. The first thing is that the skin is harmful for your Great Dane as it contains too much oxalates. You should also remove the pit from your mango because it’s toxic to Great Danes as well.
It’s best if you feed your Great Dane fresh ripe mango instead of processed products like mango sorbet or popsicles since they may contain harmful preservatives or artificial sweeteners that could make them sick.
Oranges
Yes, Great Danes can eat oranges. Oranges are a nutritious snack for your Great Dane—they provide Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and moisture.
The fleshy part of the fruit is okay for your Great Dane to eat, but don’t give him the peel, skin, pith, and seeds. These are harmful for your Great Dane.
One or two sections of orange as an occasional treat are enough for most Great Danes.
Peaches
Peaches are a delicious, nutritious treat for Great Danes. They’re high in fiber and vitamin A, and it’s safe to give your Great Dane small amounts of cut-up fresh or frozen peaches.
However, remove the pit from the peach before serving it to your Great Dane as it contains cyanide—that can be harmful to canines. Also, avoid processed peaches like peach cobbler or peach pie, as they may contain harmful ingredients like sugar.
Pears
Yes, Great Danes can eat pears. Just as humans do, Great Danes can enjoy the health benefits of pears, from their high amounts of vitamin C and copper to their low-calorie count.
Pears are a great snack for your pup because they’re not just tasty—they’re also good for their health! Pears contain vitamins A and K, as well as fiber, which will help your Great Dane stay regular and keep his digestive system running smoothly.
Eating the fruit can reduce the risk of having a stroke significantly. And when it comes to the risk of developing cancer, pears are also a good choice: they contain antioxidants that may help protect against cell damage that can lead to cancerous tumors in Great Danes (and humans).
However, be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks before giving them to your furry friend. The seeds inside are known to contain traces of cyanide; therefore, it’s best not to leave them intact when feeding your pup any type of pear product.
Skip processed pears like canned pears as it may contain sugar syrups and other additives that aren’t necessarily good for Great Danes or humans alike. One small slice is ok for most Great Danes.
Pineapples
Yes, Great Danes can eat pineapple. In fact, it’s a tasty way to add moisture and vitamins to your Great Dane’s diet!
The only parts of the pineapple that are safe for your Great Dane to eat are the soft inner fruit and leaves. The hard outer shell is too tough for them to digest.
You should remove the spiky skin and hard inner pineapple core before feeding it to your Great Dane. You can also slice up small pieces of pineapple into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
You should avoid processed pineapples like canned pineapple, pineapple cake, or other foods that contain added chemicals.
Pumpkin
Yes, pure pumpkin is a great choice and a very healthy snack for Great Danes.
Pumpkin helps with your Great Dane’s skin and coat, as well as digestion, and can help remedy both diarrhea and constipation in your Great Dane. It also has antioxidants that are good for their health.
Never feed your Great Dane pumpkin pie mix. Canned pumpkin is ok for your Great Dane but make sure it’s 100% pumpkin. Many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin pup treats are available on the market today. Amount varies with your Great Dane’s size and activity level, but start with a teaspoon per day.
Strawberry
Yes, Great Danes can eat strawberries.
In fact, they’re a great source of vitamins and minerals and antioxidants. If you’re not sure whether to give your Great Dane fresh or frozen berries, the answer is both: they have the same benefits whether they’re fresh or frozen.
Just make sure you cut them into small pieces before serving. Remove the stem and avoid processed berries as much as possible (strawberries that come in juice boxes are a no-no).
Watermelon
Yes, Great Danes can eat watermelons.
Watermelon is low in calories and contains vitamins A and C, which are good for your Great Dane’s immune system. It also contains lycopene, which helps prevent cancer in humans and Great Danes alike. Watermelon also contains a lot of moisture, which can help your Great Dane stay hydrated if they’re feeling dehydrated after playing in the sun all day long.
The flesh of a watermelon is perfectly safe for your Great Dane to eat. Be sure to remove the seeds, rinds and skin before giving it to them, as these parts may not be good for them to consume. You should also cut it into small chunks so that your Great Dane can easily eat them without choking on any large pieces of fruit or seed fragments from inside the flesh itself.
Just remember that half a cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon is enough per 10 pounds of body weight, so don’t overdo it with too much at once just because they seem like such a healthy treat.
List of vegetable Great Danes can or can’t eat
Wondering which vegetables your Great Dane can eat or not? Here is a list of some vegetables your Great Dane can or can’t eat:
Broccoli
YES! Broccoli is a great, nutritious food for your Great Danes. It’s rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium and fiber.
Broccoli stems and florets, both are safe to eat, either cooked or raw. However, always cut them into small pieces to keep them from being a choking hazard. You should offer 1/4 (0.25) cup of broccoli per 10 pounds of body weight of a pup.
Cabbage
Yes, Great Danes can eat cabbage. In fact, it’s one of the healthiest foods for Great Danes!
Cabbage contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are good for your pup’s skin and coat. It’s also rich in fiber and moisture, so it keeps your pooch hydrated and happy.
All colors of cabbage are safe and healthy for Great Danes. But you can even get red cabbage that is 10 times more nutritious than green cabbage.
It’s best if you roast or steam the cabbage lightly before giving it to your Great Dane as a treat, but don’t add salt or oil when cooking. Offer just one bite per 10 pounds of body weight—too much could give them an upset stomach.
Carrots
Yes, Great Danes can eat carrots. Carrots are a great low-calorie treat for your Great Dane. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals, and they also contain fiber, which promotes healthy digestion in your pup.
You can give your Great Dane raw or cooked carrots—both are fine. But if you go the cooked route, make sure you add no harmful additives to your Great Dane’s meal.
If you choose to give your Great Dane raw or frozen carrots, chop them into smaller pieces so they don’t get stuck in his throat or block his intestines.
For a typical sized pup, one or two baby carrots should be enough for a snack!
Celery
Yes, Great Danes can eat celery.
It’s a great low calorie treat that contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s also high in moisture and fiber, which will help keep your pup hydrated and regular.
Celery sticks are fine for larger pups. Celery leaves are fine too, as long as they are organic and washed.
Be sure to cut the celery into bite-sized pieces so that your Great Dane doesn’t choke on it or have trouble swallowing. Start with one or two pieces at first and gradually increase the amount as you go along. If you notice any ill effects from eating too much celery, such as constipation, diarrhea or vomiting, then discontinue feeding it altogether.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are a safe treat for your Great Dane. They contain vitamins and minerals, moisture and fiber. The cucumber seed and peels are also safe as long as they are organic.
However, avoid processed cucumbers like cucumber pickles, as they may contain harmful food additives like salt or sugar.
The amount of cucumber your Great Dane should eat depends on the size of your Great Dane, but only one or two pieces of cucumber per day should be fine in most cases.
Garlic
Garlic is toxic to Great Danes.
In fact, garlic contains N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis leading to anemia. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If your Great Dane has eaten raw or cooked cloves or bulbs of garlic, contact your vet immediately for treatment. The toxic dose is 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight.
Onions
Can a Great Dane eat onions?
No! Onions are toxic to Great Danes, and it’s no surprise—the vegetable contains N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis (the rupturing of red blood cells) leading to anemia in Great Danes. The toxic dose is only 15 gm/kg of body weight, so even small amounts can be dangerous.
All types of onions are bad for Great Danes: red, white, yellow—whatever. Besides the flesh of the onion plant itself being toxic to Great Danes, all parts of the plant are also poisonous to canines: leaves, juice, processed powders… you name it. And even if your Great Dane doesn’t eat the actual onion itself but ingests some other product that contains onion powder or juice (such as baby food), this could still be deadly for your pup.
If you think your Great Dane has eaten any type of onion at all, contact your vet as soon as possible—and monitor them for symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
Zucchini
Yes, Great Danes can eat zucchini!
Zucchini is low in calories and full of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s also high in fiber and moisture, making it a great choice as a treat for your Great Dane.
Raw, steamed, or cooked zucchinis are safe for Great Danes to eat as long as you don’t give them too much at once. Start with just one or two small bites of zucchini at first and see how your Great Dane reacts to it before offering more.
Make sure you only give your Great Dane plain zucchini—not the stuff that comes covered in cheese sauce or ranch dressing.
List of some other snacks Great Danes can or can’t eat
Wondering which snacks your Great Dane can eat or not? Here is a list of some snacks your Great Dane can or can’t eat:
Bacon
No, Great Danes can’t eat bacon.
Bacon is a high-fat, high-salt food, and it can be too much for your Great Dane’s stomach to handle. The large amounts of grease and salt in bacon can cause pancreatitis, which is a serious condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation can be deadly if it’s not addressed quickly.
However, giving your Great Dane small amounts of cooked bacon infrequently should not cause any distress.
Beef
Yes, Great Danes can eat beef.
Cooked, unseasoned lean beef is safe for Great Danes in small amounts unless your Great Dane is allergic to beef. It’s a source of protein and many important vitamins and minerals. If your Great Dane has a sensitive stomach, cook the meat until it’s dry and then add some broth or water to make it softer.
A small amount of beef broth or stew is also safe for Great Danes, as long as there are no additional ingredients, such as salt or sugar added. Specialized Great Dane beef jerky without excess salt is another great option.
Never feed cooked bone to your Great Dane, 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 fine if you opt for a raw diet.
Bread
Yes, Great Danes can eat bread, considering your Great Dane is not allergic to it. However, only plain white and wheat bread is safe for Great Danes to eat. Bread doesn’t provide that much nutrients in your Great Dane, so offer them in moderation. A crust is fine, but a whole slice is too much for your Great Dane. Too much bread can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach.
Cheese
Yes, a small amount of cheese is ok for Great Danes.
Cheese contains vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and other nutrients that are essential for a Great Dane’s health. Eating cheese can help your Great Dane maintain a healthy weight and build strong bones and muscles.
However, you should be careful of what types of cheese you are feeding to your Great Danes. Mozzarella, cottage and swiss cheese are safer as they contain less lactose and salt than other cheese. Stay away from spicy cheeses like cheesecake, blue cheese, goat cheese or cream cheese, which may cause stomach upset or kidney problems in Great Danes.
The amount of cheese that you feed to your Great Dane depends on the size of the Great Dane, but a few small bites should be fine.
Chicken
Yes, Great Danes can eat chicken.
Chicken contains protein, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that can help promote healthy skin and coat in Great Danes. Boneless cooked breast meat is the best option because it’s low in fat and calories compared to other parts of the chicken.
Even though it’s good for them, don’t overdo it with chicken—it’s still high in protein and fat, which can lead to weight gain if you feed too much of it. Feeding amounts depend on the size of the Great Dane but give 1/8 to 1/6 cup of meat protein per 10 pounds of body weight per day if your Great Dane is on a raw meat diet.
Chocolate
We do not recommend it to feed your Great Dane chocolate. Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine that are toxic to pups. Cocoa powder (most toxic), Unsweetened baker’s chocolate, Semisweet chocolate, Dark chocolate, Milk chocolate- all are toxic if ingested by Great Danes.
If your Great Dane ate chocolate, contact your vet immediately. Educate your family about the danger of chocolate in Great Danes to prevent accidental ingestion.
Eggs
Yes, your Great Dane can eat eggs. This is because eggs are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Well-cooked egg without seasoning with harmful ingredients is fine. However, avoid raw eggs as they may contain bacteria and avidin prevents absorption of biotin. Egg shells are fine as long as you grind them and have no sharp edges.
Fish
Can Great Danes eat fish?
Yes, it’s fine to feed your Great Dane fish. In fact, it’s great! Fish is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. However, not all fish are safe for your Great Dane.
Smaller, younger, wild-caught, shorter-lived species like salmon, shrimp and tilapia are safe for your Great Dane. Avoid longer-lived fish species like tuna and shark as they can contain heavy metals like mercury.
Always clean them properly (remove the skin and debone them), cook them, and add no harmful additives before feeding them to your pet. Feeding your Great Dane one or two times per week in small controlled amounts is perfectly fine as long as you are monitoring their weight.
Icecream
Can Great Danes eat ice cream?
The answer is no. Ice cream contains a high amount of dairy products and sugar, which can cause your Great Dane to experience severe symptoms of toxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, excessive thirst and urination, weakness, lethargy, low blood pressure, seizures, and even death.
If you suspect your Great Dane accidentally ate ice cream—or any other food containing these ingredients—seek veterinary help immediately.
Peanut butter
Great Danes can eat peanut butter in moderation as long as they have access to plenty of water. The amount of peanut butter you feed your Great Dane depends on his size: start with a half teaspoon per day for small Great Danes and increase it slowly.
Popcorn
Can Great Danes eat popcorn? Well, it depends. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for Great Danes to eat in small quantities as an occasional treat. Popped corn kernels actually contain several minerals important to Great Danes, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc, along with fiber and trace amounts of vitamins.
However, there are some caveats. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings like butter and chocolate syrup are not safe for your Great Dane because they’re high in fat and calories—which could lead to obesity—as well as salt that can cause kidney problems if consumed in large amounts. Un-popped or partially popped kernels can be a choking hazard and may even cause damage to your Great Dane’s teeth.
Turkey
Can Great Danes eat turkey?
Yes, but with a few caveats.
First, you’ll want to make sure you’re providing cooked lean, white, unseasoned and boneless turkey meat to your Great Dane. Turkey breast meat is the best option—it’s got more protein, fatty acids and minerals that provide a well-rounded nutritional profile for your pooch.
Keep in mind that turkey skin can cause GI upset and pancreatitis. Also avoid processed turkey, which may contain harmful ingredients.
Aim to feed 20 grams of white meat turkey or 15 grams of dark meat turkey per 12 pounds body weight for your pooch.
Yogurt
Great Danes can eat yogurt, but there are some things to keep in mind before you give your pup a taste of this cultured dairy product.
Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for Great Danes—it’s packed with beneficial bacteria that can help strengthen your Great Dane’s digestive system. However, some Great Danes may have trouble digesting dairy products because their bodies don’t produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose (the sugar in milk). If your Great Dane can digest it, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system.
It’s best to avoid any yogurts with added sugar as these can be hard on some Great Danes’ stomachs. Also, skip all yogurt with artificial sweeteners as it can cause diarrhea in pups and other gastrointestinal issues.
One teaspoon of plain yogurt per day is fine for most pups; however, if you notice that your pup has an upset stomach after eating it, cut back on how much they’re getting until they adjust to having yogurt as part of their diet.
Conclusion
There you have it, a list of 37 common fruits, vegetables and snacks Great Danes can or cannot eat.
We understand that this is not an exhaustive list—after all, every Great Dane is different and responds differently to different foods—but it should be enough to get you started on your way to a healthier pooch.
But before you run out and buy some treats for your Great Dane (and yes, we know that’s what you want), please remember that your Great Dane needs a completely balanced diet. 90% of the calories in their food should come from their normal food; only 10% from these treats.