Every Jack Russell owner wants to share human foods with their pooch. But Jack Russell has different metabolic systems than ours, so what’s safe for us may not be safe for them.
That’s why it’s important to know which foods are safe and which ones aren’t—and that’s what we’re here to do. Below, we’ve compiled a list of common fruits and vegetables that Jack Russell can eat and those that they can’t:
List of fruits Jack Russell can or can’t eat
Wondering which fruits your Jack Russell can eat or not? Here is a list of some common fruits your Jack Russell can or can’t eat:
Apples
YES! Jack Russell can eat apples.
Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your Jack Russell. They’re also low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior Jack Russell.
If you do choose to feed your Jack Russell apples, remove the seeds and core first. Processed versions like applesauce or apple pie may contain added sugar, which can be harmful for your Jack Russell’s teeth.
Avocado
Avocado is safe to eat for humans, but it’s not safe for Jack Russell. Avocados contain persin, which is a fatty acid that can be toxic to Jack Russell in large amounts.
The best thing to do is keep your Jack Russell away from avocados, but if they do eat some, they could get sick and have stomach pain or diarrhea.
Luckily, avocado oil is safe in small amounts.
Bananas
Yes, Jack Russell can eat bananas. In fact, they are a great source of potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber and copper. Bananas are also low in cholesterol and sodium. However, they do have a high sugar content, so we should only give them as an occasional treat.
To avoid digestive discomfort, remove the banana’s peel before feeding it to your Jack Russell. Also avoid processed banana products like banana chips or banana puddings as they may contain added harmful ingredients for your Jack Russell.
Blackberry
Yes, your Jack Russell can eat blackberries. Blackberries are low in calories and sugar, so they’re a great snack for your pup. They are also high in vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, which means they’ll help keep your Jack Russell healthy. Frozen or fresh blackberries are equally fine, but avoid giving your Jack Russell processed blackberries like blackberry jam, jelly, or blackberry-flavored ice cream—these may contain harmful preservatives or artificial sweeteners.
If you’re feeding your Jack Russell two blackberries per 10 pounds of body weight per day, then you’re doing everything right.
Blueberry
Yes, your Jack Russell can eat blueberries.
Blueberries are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are also high in sugar, so feed your Jack Russell blueberries in moderation (4-5 blueberries per 10 pounds of body weight). Frozen, fresh, dried or mashed, either is fine for most pups.
However, avoid processed blueberries like blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt and blueberry pie, as they may contain harmful ingredients.
Cantaloupe
Yes, a Jack Russell can eat cantaloupe!
Cantaloupe is low in calories but high in other nutrients, like fiber and moisture. It’s also packed with sugar, so you should only give your Jack Russell a small amount at a time.
You should remove the rinds and seeds before feeding it to your Jack Russell—they’re choking hazards.
Cherry
The fleshy part of cherries is safe for Jack Russell to eat, but the plant itself contains cyanide. Cyanide destroys cellular oxygen transport in your Jack Russell, which can cause dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and even death. If your Jack Russell ate a cherry, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Grapes
Can Jack Russell eat grapes?
The short answer is no. Grapes are very toxic to Jack Russell. Even a small amount can cause sudden kidney failure in your Jack Russell.
The symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and decreased appetite. Seek veterinary help immediately if you suspect your Jack Russell ate grapes.
To prevent accidental ingestion, keep the grapes out of your Jack Russell’s reach and educate your family about the danger of grapes and other toxic foods such as chocolate and onions.
Mango
Yes, Jack Russell can eat mango!
Mangos are high in Vitamin A, B6, C, and E. They also have potassium and fiber. And they’re packed with antioxidants—a win-win for your Jack Russell’s health.
Just make sure you remove the skin and pit before feeding it to your Jack Russell. If they swallow these parts while chewing on the fruit, they could choke on them.
Don’t give your Jack Russell processed mango products like mango sorbet or mango popsicles, though—they may contain harmful preservatives or other additives that can make your Jack Russell sick.
The amount of fresh ripe mango your canine friend should eat depends on their size: however, one-quarter cup per week for most Jack Russell is fine.
Oranges
Yes, Jack Russell can eat oranges in moderation. Oranges provide Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and moisture. You should only give your Jack Russell the fleshy part of the orange and remove all traces of peel, skin, pith and seeds.
One or two sections of citrus fruit as an occasional treat are enough for most Jack Russell.
Peaches
Peaches are safe for your Jack Russell to eat in small amounts. They are high in fiber and vitamin A, so they can help keep your Jack Russell’s digestive system healthy. However, remove the pit before serving them to your Jack Russell as it contains cyanide. Also, avoid processed peaches like peach cobbler or peach pie, as they may contain harmful ingredients.
Pears
Yes, Jack Russell can eat pears.
Pears are a great snack 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 are harmful to Jack Russells. One small slice is ok for most Jack Russells as pears contain sugar.
Pineapples
Yes, your Jack Russell can eat pineapple. But only the soft inner fruit is safe for your Jack Russell to eat. Avoid processed pineapples like canned pineapple, pineapple cake, and other things that contain added harmful chemicals that could harm your Jack Russell.
To share a couple of pieces of pineapple with your pet, remove the spiky skin and hard inner pineapple core. Then cut up into 2-3 small bites and give them to your pooch.
Pumpkin
Yes, pure pumpkin is a great choice and a very healthy snack for Jack Russell. Pumpkin helps with your Jack Russell’s skin and coat, as well as their digestion. It can also help remedy both diarrhea and constipation in your Jack Russell.
Never feed your Jack Russell pumpkin pie mix. Canned pumpkin is ok for your Jack Russell but make sure it’s 100% pumpkin.
Many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin pup treats are available on the market today and you can find them easily at any local pet store or online.
Amount varies with your Jack Russell’s size and activity level, but start with a teaspoon per day.
Strawberry
Yes! Jack Russell can eat strawberries.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also full of fiber and water—two things that Jack Russell needs.
Fresh or frozen strawberries are just as good for your Jack Russell as they are for you. Just cut them into small pieces before serving, remove the stems, and avoid processed strawberries.
Watermelon
Yes, Jack Russell can eat watermelon.
Watermelons are a low-calorie treat that contains vitamins and minerals, lycopene, and moisture. To make it safe for your Jack Russell, you should only feed the flesh of a watermelon—cut it into small chunks and remove the seeds, rinds, and skin. Half a cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon per 10 pounds of body weight is enough for your Jack Russell’s snack.
List of vegetable Jack Russell can or can’t eat
Wondering which vegetables your Jack Russell can eat or not? Here is a list of some vegetables your Jack Russell can or can’t eat:
Broccoli
Yes! Broccoli contains calcium, vitamin K and fiber, which are all good for Jack Russell.
Broccoli stems and florets, both are safe to eat, either cooked or raw. However, always cut them into small pieces, choking hazards.
Offer 1/4 (0.25) cup broccoli per 10 pounds of body weight of a pup.
Cabbage
Yes, Jack Russell can eat cabbage. In fact, it’s a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Cabbage is also rich in fiber and moisture.
Red cabbage contains 10 times more vitamins than green cabbage, but all colors of cabbage are safe and healthy for Jack Russell.
Cabbage is best when lightly cooked or roasted to help break down the nutrients and make them easier to digest. Avoid seasoning with oil or salt before serving to your pup. You can offer one bite of roasted cabbage per 10 pounds of body weight if you want to give your Jack Russell a little treat.
Carrots
Yes, Jack Russell can eat carrots. In fact, carrots are a great low-calorie treat for Jack Russell. They contain lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber that will help keep your pup’s digestive system running smoothly.
But before you toss a bunch of carrots into your Jack Russell’s bowl, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, cooked carrots are better than raw or frozen ones, as cooked ones are easy to digest. Raw carrots should be chopped up into smaller pieces so they don’t get stuck in your pup’s throat; frozen carrots can be left whole if you’re using them as a chew toy or training reward. If you’re making carrot cake for the humans in your household, it’s fine for your pup too, as long as you don’t add any harmful additives or preservatives to it.
One or a couple of baby carrots are enough for an average-sized pup—don’t overdo it!
Celery
Can Jack Russell eat celery? YES! Celery is actually a really great treat for your Jack Russell. It’s low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Celery sticks are fine for most Jack Russell, but always cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Celery leaves are also fine as long as they’re organic and washed before feeding them to your Jack Russell (just like you would with any other leafy green).
As always with any new food, introduce it slowly so that your pup doesn’t get an upset stomach or diarrhea from eating too much too quickly. Start by feeding them one or two bite-sized pieces of celery at first, then increase the amount over time as needed.
Cucumber
Yes, Jack Russell can eat cucumbers.
Cucumbers are a great source of vitamins, minerals, moisture, and fiber. They also provide phytochemicals that help freshen your Jack Russell’s breath. Cucumber seed and peels (or skin) are safe as long as they are organic. Processed cucumbers like cucumber pickles may contain harmful food additives like salt, sugar and preservatives, so it’s best not to give them to your Jack Russell.
The amount will depend on the size of your Jack Russell, but only one or two pieces of cucumber per day is fine.
Garlic
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can Jack Russell eat garlic?” the short answer is: no. Garlic is toxic to Jack Russell.
Although garlic is a delicious addition to your cooking, it can make your Jack Russell sick. The reason? Garlic contains N-propyl disulfide, which is a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis leading to anemia in Jack Russell. This condition can cause symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Raw and cooked cloves and bulbs of garlic are also toxic to your Jack Russell—the toxic dose is 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight.
If you suspect your Jack Russell has eaten garlic, contact the vet immediately.
Onions
Can a Jack Russell eat onions?
The answer is no.
Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, which is a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis leading to anemia in Jack Russell. The toxic dose of onions for Jack Russell is 15 gm/kg of body weight. That means if your Jack Russell weighs 10 kg, it can only eat 150 grams of onion before it becomes toxic.
Every type of onion is bad for Jack Russell—red, white, whatever. And besides the flesh itself, all parts of the onion plant are toxic to too, including its leaves and ring, as well as processed powders made from onion powder.
Zucchini
Yes, Jack Russell can eat zucchini. Zucchini is a low-calorie treat full of vitamins and antioxidants, as well as being high in fiber and moisture. Plain raw, steamed or cooked zucchini is safe for Jack Russell to eat.
However, raw zucchini provides more Vitamin A than cooked ones. Amount depends on the size of your Jack Russell, but start with just one or two small bites.
List of some other snacks Jack Russell can or can’t eat
Wondering which snacks your Jack Russell can eat or not? Here is a list of some snacks your Jack Russell can or can’t eat:
Bacon
Although bacon is a delicious treat for humans, it is not a good choice for Jack Russell. Bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with a high salt content that can prove to be too much for a Jack Russell’s stomach to handle. Eating small amounts of cooked bacon infrequently should not cause problems, but it is best to avoid giving your Jack Russell any cooked bacon at all.
Beef
Yes, Jack Russell can eat beef.
Beef is a source of protein and many important vitamins and minerals, making it a good choice for your Jack Russell’s diet if you choose to feed them beef. Cooked, unseasoned lean beef is safe for Jack Russells in small amounts unless your Jack Russell is allergic to beef. Beef broth, beef stew, specialized Jack Russell beef jerky without an excess amount of salt are also safe for your Jack Russell.
Never feed cooked bone to your Jack Russell, 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, Jack Russell can eat bread. However, ensure they are not allergic to bread.
Bread doesn’t provide that much nutrients in your Jack Russell, so offer them in moderation. A crust is fine, but a whole slice is too much for your Jack Russell. Too much bread can cause bloating and even diarrhea for some Jack Russell.
If you want to be cautious about what kind of bread you give your Jack Russell, make sure it’s plain white or wheat and not sweetened with molasses or honey.
Cheese
Yes, Jack Russell can eat cheese. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all cheeses are safe for your Jack Russell to eat.
The best cheeses for Jack Russell are mozzarella, cottage, swiss and cheddar cheese. These cheeses have very little fats and salt in them and are very healthy for your Jack Russell. Avoid giving your Jack Russell any spicy cheeses like cheesecake, blue cheese or goat cheese—these can cause stomach upset and kidney problems. Cream cheese or parmesan is also not a good choice because it contains too much fat for a Jack Russell’s digestive system.
The amount that you feed your Jack Russell depends on the size of their stomachs; however, a few small bites are fine and will provide your Jack Russell with essential vitamins and nutrients needed for optimal health.
Chicken
Can Jack Russell eat chicken? Yes. Chicken is packed with protein, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals—it’s a great addition to your Jack Russell’s diet!
Boneless cooked breast meat is the best option. Chicken skin contains a high amount of fat that can cause digestion issues in Jack Russell, so avoid it if possible.
The amount depends on the size of your Jack Russell, but give 1/8 to 1/6 cup of meat protein per 10 pounds of body weight per day if your Jack Russell is on a raw meat diet.
Chocolate
Theobromine and caffeine are toxic to Jack Russell, and chocolate contains both of these. A single ounce of milk chocolate can be lethal for a small Jack Russell; even a small amount of dark or semisweet chocolate can kill.
Even if your Jack Russell isn’t eating the chocolate, it’s important to know that it could still affect him. Theobromine and caffeine are both found in cocoa powder, which is used in many baked goods and chocolates. So if you have any baking soda or baking powder at home, make sure your pup doesn’t get into it! If you suspect your Jack Russell has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.
Eggs
Yes, your Jack Russell can eat eggs. Eggs are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Well-cooked egg without seasoning is fine. However, raw eggs may contain bacteria so it is best to avoid them. Egg shells are fine as long as you grind them down to a powder and there are no sharp edges that could cut your Jack Russell’s mouth or throat.
Fish
Can Jack Russell eat fish?
Yes, your Jack Russell can eat fish. But it depends on the type of fish you feed them.
Fish are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They also provide a good source of calcium for growing puppies and adult Jack Russell alike.
However, not all fish are safe for your pet to consume. Smaller, younger, wild-caught, shorter-lived species like salmon, shrimp and tilapia are safe for your Jack Russell. Avoid longer-lived fish species, like tuna, shark or swordfish, as they can contain heavy metals like mercury that may be harmful to your Jack Russell’s health. Always clean them properly (debone), then cook them, adding no harmful additives such as salt or oil. Feeding your Jack Russell one or two times per week in small controlled amounts is recommended as it will help keep their immune system strong.
Icecream
The answer is no, Jack Russell should not eat ice cream.
While an ice cream cone may seem like a harmless summer treat, it can cause serious harm to your Jack Russell. Ice cream is high in dairy products and sugar, both of which are toxic to Jack Russell. Symptoms of ice-cream toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, heart failure and even coma or death. Ice cream lollies, ice cream cones, Oreo ice cream, McDonald’s ice cream and vanilla ice cream are all unsafe for Jack Russell to eat. Seek veterinary help immediately if you suspect your Jack Russell accidentally ate any of these items.
Peanut butter
Yes, Jack Russell 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 of your Jack Russell, but start with a half teaspoon per day.
Popcorn
Can Jack Russell eat popcorn?
It’s a question that pops up often, and one we’re happy to answer: yes! In small quantities, plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for Jack Russell to eat as an occasional treat. However, make sure that your Jack Russell doesn’t have any allergies or sensitivities to corn before feeding them any unpopped kernels.
Popped corn kernels actually contain several minerals important to Jack Russell, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc, along with fiber and trace amounts of vitamins.
Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings like sugar and salt that are not safe for your Jack Russell—they can cause digestive problems. Also, un-popped or partially popped kernels can be a choking hazard and may even cause damage to your Jack Russell’s teeth.
Turkey
Yes, Jack Russell can eat turkey.
Turkey is a great source of protein, fatty acids and minerals that your pooch needs to stay healthy. White meat turkey breast is the best option because it’s leaner than dark meat.
But before you feed your Jack Russell turkey, make sure you’re giving them cooked lean white meat turkey meat that hasn’t been seasoned or smoked.
Turkey skin can cause gastrointestinal upset in Jack Russell, so avoid feeding it to your pup as well. You should also avoid processed turkey like hot Jack Russell or deli meats because they may contain harmful ingredients like nitrates and nitrites.
A good rule of thumb is 20 grams of white meat turkey or 15 grams of dark meat turkey per 12 pounds body weight for your pooch.
Yogurt
Yes, Jack Russell can eat yogurt! However, not all Jack Russell can tolerate dairy products. Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium—two things that are important to your Jack Russell’s health.
However, some Jack Russell may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your Jack Russell can digest it, the good bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system.
Plain yogurt is the best choice for your Jack Russell because it doesn’t contain any added sugar or additives that could cause problems with digestion. Also, avoid yogurts with artificial sweeteners because they can be harmful to your pet’s health if eaten regularly.
One teaspoon of yogurt (or one tablespoon if it’s low-fat) per day is fine for most Jack Russells.