As a Labrador Retriever owner, you often share your favorite foods with your pet. But Labs have different metabolic systems than people, and therefore what’s safe for you might not be safe for your Labs. That’s why we created a list of 37 common fruits, vegetables and snacks Labs can or cannot eat!
So if you’re looking for a new snack to add to your Labs’s diet, check out these 37 common fruits, vegetables and snacks:
List of fruits Labs can or can’t eat
Wondering which fruits your Labrador Retriever can eat or not? Here is a list of some common fruits your Labrador Retriever can or can’t eat:
Apples
Yes, Labs can eat apples. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your Labrador Retriever. They’re also low in protein and fat—making them the perfect snack for senior Labs.
The best way to prepare apples for your Labrador Retriever is to remove the seeds and core first. This helps eliminate any risk of choking or intestinal blockage. Avoid processed apples like applesauce and apple pie filling, which contain added sugar that can upset your Labrador Retriever’s stomach.
Avocado
Before you go out and feed your Labrador Retriever an avocado, keep in mind that avocados are not safe for your Labrador Retriever to consume. Avocado fruit, pits, leaves, skin and the actual plant contain persin so these parts are potentially poisonous to your Labrador Retriever.
In fact, avocado oil is safe in small amounts, but should never be given to your Labrador Retriever in large amounts because it can cause vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re looking for a way to treat a sunburn on your Labrador Retriever’s nose or paws, try coconut oil instead!
Bananas
Yes, Labs can eat bananas. But be careful! Bananas are high in sugar, so we should give them as an occasional treat.
Bananas are very nutritious for Labs. They contain a lot of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, biotin, fiber, and copper. Bananas are also low in cholesterol and sodium, but they have a high sugar content. That’s why they shouldn’t be given to your Labrador Retriever regularly.
The peel is difficult for Labs to digest, so remove it before giving your Labrador Retriever some bananas! Also avoid processed bananas like banana chips or banana puddings—these kinds of treats may contain added toxic ingredients that could make your Labrador Retriever very ill if eaten regularly.
Blackberry
Yes, Labs can eat blackberries. In fact, blackberries are actually a great choice for your pup. They’re low in calories and sugar, high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and available both frozen or fresh. You can even freeze them yourself for an extra-cool treat!
The only thing to be careful of is processed blackberries like blackberry jam, jelly, or blackberry-flavored ice cream: they may contain harmful chemicals that could make your Labrador Retriever sick.
You can give your Labrador Retriever two blackberries per 10 pounds of body weight each day.
Blueberry
Can Labs eat blueberries?
The short answer is yes, Labs can eat blueberries. But you should absolutely avoid feeding your Labrador Retriever processed blueberries like blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pie, or blueberry pancake. These contain added harmful ingredients that can be dangerous to your pup’s health.
You can also give them fresh or frozen berries in moderation (4-5 blueberries per 10 pounds of body weight), or dried berries. If you’re going to use fresh berries, mash them up so they’re easier for your Labrador Retriever to digest.
Cantaloupe
Can a Labrador Retriever eat cantaloupe?
Yes! Labs can eat cantaloupe. This fruit is low in calories but high in other nutrients. It contains fiber and moisture, so it’s good for your pup to have as part of their diet. However, it also has a lot of sugar, so you should feed your Labrador Retriever cantaloupe in moderation—just like you would for yourself. Remove the rinds and seeds before giving them to your Labrador Retriever; these parts are a choking hazard.
Cherry
No, Labs can’t eat cherries. Although the fleshy part around the seed is safe, the plant contains cyanide. Cyanide destroys cellular oxygen transport in your Labrador Retriever, which can lead to death. The symptoms of cyanide toxicity include dilated pupils, weakness or paralysis (especially of the muscles used for breathing), seizures and coma.
Contact your vet if your Labrador Retriever ate cherry.
Grapes
No, grapes are very toxic to Labs. Even a small amount can cause sudden kidney failure in your Labrador Retriever, so it’s important to keep these out of reach of your pet. Symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. If you suspect your Labrador Retriever ate grapes, seek veterinary help immediately.
Mango
Can Labs eat mango?
Yes, they can. Mango is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E, as well as potassium, fiber, and antioxidants.
However, mango skin and pits are harder to digest and can pose a choking hazard and digestive distress. To prevent this from happening to your Labrador Retriever, remove the skin and pits before feeding them a mango.
You should also avoid processed mango products like sorbet or popsicles—these may contain harmful ingredients that could make your Labrador Retriever sick. Instead, feed them fresh ripe mangoes—one-quarter cup of fresh ripe mango every week is a safe amount for most Labs.
Oranges
Can a Labrador Retriever eat oranges?
Yes, Labs can eat oranges in moderation. Oranges provide Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and moisture—all of which are essential for your Labrador Retriever’s health. Give only the fleshy part to your Labrador Retriever—remove all traces of peel, skin, pith and seeds before giving it to them.
1-2 sections as an occasional treat are enough for most Labs.
Peaches
Yes, Labs can eat peaches! However, there are some risks and considerations.
First, Labs can eat cut-up fresh or frozen peaches with no problems. Peaches are high in fiber and vitamin A, which help them maintain healthy skin and coat.
For serving your Labrador Retriever whole peaches or peach pits, however, proceed with caution. Peaches have cyanide in their pits; cyanide is very toxic for your Labrador Retriever. If you’re worried about your Labrador Retriever getting into the pit (or if you just want to make sure he doesn’t), just remove it before serving him the peach itself.
Also, be wary of processed peaches like peach cobbler or peach pie since they may contain harmful preservatives or additives that could harm your pup if he eats too much at once!
Pears
Yes, Labs 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—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 Labrador Retriever. One small slice is ok for most Labs as pears contain sugar.
Pineapples
Yes, Labs can eat pineapple.
Pineapple is a sweet and juicy fruit that contains vitamins, minerals, and bromelain, which help break down proteins. It’s also a good source of moisture for your Labrador Retriever’s skin.
The best part about pineapple for Labs is that it’s completely safe to digest—but there are a few things you should know before feeding it to your pup.
First, only the soft inner fruit is safe for your Labrador Retriever to eat. The spiky skin and hard inner core contain harmful chemicals that could harm your Labrador Retriever if they ate them. So be sure to remove these parts before giving your Labrador Retriever any raw or cooked pineapple!
Also, since they have cooked canned and processed pineapples in order to preserve them longer than fresh pineapples would last on their own shelf life, they can contain harmful chemicals that may be harmful to Labs as well. Make sure you stick with the fresh stuff.
Pumpkin
Yes, pure pumpkin is a great choice and a very healthy snack for Labs.
Pumpkin helps with your Labrador Retriever’s skin and coat, and is especially good if your Labrador Retriever has dry skin or allergies. It can also be used as a natural remedy to help remedy both diarrhea and constipation in your Labrador Retriever.
Never feed your Labrador Retriever pumpkin pie mix. Canned pumpkin is ok for your Labrador Retriever but make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin and not mixed with other ingredients such as sugar or spices. You can also try adding some pumpkin to your Labrador Retriever’s regular food to increase the nutritional value of their meals.
Many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin pup treats are available on the market today, but make sure you read the labels carefully before purchasing one of these products for your pet. The recommended amount varies with your Labrador Retriever’s size and activity level, but start with a teaspoon per day.
Strawberry
Yes, Labs can eat strawberries.
Strawberries are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They also contain a lot of fiber, which is good for your Labrador Retriever’s digestive health. However, there are some things to keep in mind when feeding your Labrador Retriever strawberries:
-Make sure they’re fresh or frozen. Processed strawberries have less nutritional value than fresh or frozen ones do.
-Cut the strawberries into small pieces before serving them to your Labrador Retriever. If you don’t cut them up, they may cause choking hazards for very small Labs.
-Remove the stems before feeding them to your Labrador Retriever—the stems can be hard on their teeth and gums if chewed on for too long!
-Avoid feeding processed strawberries as much as possible; these have been treated with chemicals that may not be safe for Labs to consume.
Watermelon
Yes, Labs can eat watermelon.
Watermelon is a low-calorie treat that contains vitamins, minerals and lycopene.
Only the flesh of a watermelon is safe and nutritious. Cut it into small chunks and remove seeds, rinds and skin. Half a cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon is enough per 10 pounds of body weight.
Watermelon is a low-calorie snack that can help your Labrador Retriever stay hydrated on a hot day. The fruit contains vitamins A, B, C and E; minerals like potassium, magnesium and zinc; lycopene; and moisture.
You can feed your Labrador Retriever watermelon in moderation as a treat—just be sure to cut it into small chunks (remove the rinds, seeds, and skin) so that it’s easier for your Labrador Retriever to swallow. Half a cup of diced seedless and rind-free watermelon is enough per 10 pounds of body weight.
List of vegetable Labs can or can’t eat
Wondering which vegetables your Labrador Retriever can eat or not? Here is a list of some vegetables your Labrador Retriever can or can’t eat:
Broccoli
Yes, Labs can eat broccoli.
Broccoli contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that your Labrador Retriever needs for good health. Broccoli is also rich in antioxidants and fiber. Broccoli stems and florets, both are safe to eat, either cooked or raw. However, always cut them into small pieces to avoid the choking hazard because they are quite crunchy. Offer 1/4 (0.25) cup broccoli per 10 pounds of body weight of a pup.
Cabbage
Yes, Labs can eat cabbage! Cabbage is a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. It’s also a good source of moisture.
Cabbage comes in many colors: red, green and purple—all of which are safe for Labs to eat. And all types are nutritious for your pup.
Red cabbage is the most nutritious—it has 10 times more vitamins than green cabbage does! But all cabbages are healthy for your Labrador Retriever.
You can give your pup one small bite of lightly cooked or roasted cabbage per 10 pounds of body weight each day. Roasted cabbage is easy on their tummies and easy to digest. Just make sure you don’t season it with oil or salt.
Carrots
Yes, they can! In fact, carrots are an excellent low calorie treat for Labs. They contain vitamins, minerals and fiber which is great for your Labrador Retriever’s teeth and digestive system. Also, crunching on this orange veggie is great for your Labrador Retriever’s teeth.
Raw, frozen or cooked carrots—either is fine! However, cooked carrots are better since they are easier to digest. If you choose to give your Labrador Retriever raw or frozen carrots, chop them into smaller pieces to avoid choking hazards.
As long as you add no harmful additives like salt or sugar to the carrot cake batter (or if you use pre-made mixes), it’s fine for Labs to eat carrot cake too! Just make sure that there aren’t any nuts or raisins in the cake batter because these ingredients can cause intestinal blockages in Labs that have sensitive stomachs.
For a standard-sized pup (we’re talking about a one-year-old pup here), one or two baby carrots should suffice as a daily serving of this sweet treat!
Celery
Yes, Labs can eat celery.
It’s a low-calorie treat that is also high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. It’s a great way to add variety in your Labrador Retriever’s diet, especially if you’re trying to limit their calorie intake.
You can use celery in a variety of ways:
- Cut the celery into bite-sized pieces and feed it as a snack.
- Chop the celery stalks into smaller pieces and mix them with your Labrador Retriever’s regular food.
- Add it to their water bowl for an extra boost of hydration
Celery leaves are fine for most Labs, but always make sure they are organic and washed thoroughly before feeding it to your pup.
Cucumber
Yes, Labs can eat cucumbers.
Labs need vitamins, minerals, moisture, and fiber in their diet to stay healthy. Cucumbers provide these things. They also provide phytochemicals that help freshen your Labrador Retriever’s breath!
It’s important to note that it’s only safe for you to feed your Labrador Retriever cucumber if it is organic—that means no pesticides on the skin or inside the flesh. If you’re not sure if your cucumber is organic, ask your local farmer or do a quick search online to find out what kind of produce they’re selling at your local farmer’s market.
If you’re worried about feeding too much cucumber, remember that only one or two pieces per day should be fine for most Labs.
Garlic
Garlic is not safe for Labs to eat. Garlic contains N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis leading to anemia. Other symptoms of garlic poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
Raw and cooked cloves and bulbs of garlic are toxic to your Labrador Retriever. The toxic dose is 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight. Contact the vet immediately if your Labrador Retriever ate garlic.
Onions
No, a Labrador Retriever can’t eat onions.
Onion contains N-propyl disulfide, a sulfur compound that causes hemolysis leading to anemia in Labs. The toxic dose is 15 gm/kg of the body weight of your Labrador Retriever.
Onions are bad for Labs no matter what color they are, or what parts of the onion plant they come from. Both the flesh and the leaves are toxic to Labs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death if ingested in large quantities. If you suspect your Labrador Retriever ate onions, contact your vet immediately.
Zucchini
Yes, Labs can eat zucchini.
Zucchini is a low calorie treat and full of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s also high in fiber and moisture that can help keep your Labrador Retriever’s digestive system healthy.
Plain raw, steamed, or cooked zucchini is safe for Labs to eat—but be careful when feeding it to your Labrador Retriever in large quantities because it may cause digestive problems if consumed in large quantities.
The amount of zucchini you give your Labrador Retriever will depend on the size of your Labrador Retriever: start with just one or two small bites, then increase the amount if your Labrador Retriever seems okay with it.
List of some other snacks Labs can or can’t eat
Wondering which snacks your Labrador Retriever can eat or not? Here is a list of some snacks your Labrador Retriever can or can’t eat:
Bacon
No, your Labrador Retriever should not eat bacon.
While bacon is certainly tasty, it contains a lot of salt and fat—and that’s exactly what your Labrador Retriever doesn’t need. Bacon can also cause pancreatitis, which is a dangerous condition that results from the pancreas being unable to digest fat properly.
While we do not recommend feeding your Labrador Retriever bacon regularly, you should still be able to give them small amounts of cooked bacon from time to time without issue.
Beef
Yes, Labs can eat beef. It’s safe for them to eat cooked, unseasoned lean beef in small amounts unless your Labrador Retriever is allergic to beef. Beef is a source of protein and many important vitamins and minerals.
Beef broth is also safe for Labs as long as the broth doesn’t contain too much salt. Beef stew and specialized Labrador Retriever beef jerky without an excess amount of salt are also safe for your Labrador Retriever.
Never feed cooked bone to your Labrador Retriever, 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 good if your Labrador Retriever is on a raw diet.
Bread
Yes, Labs can eat bread provided your Labrador Retriever is not allergic to it. However, only plain white and wheat bread is safe for Labs to eat.
Bread doesn’t provide that much nutrients in your Labrador Retriever, so offer them in moderation. A crust is fine, but a whole slice is too much for your Labrador Retriever. Too much bread can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea in Labs.
Cheese
Yes, a small amount of cheese is ok for Labs.
Cheese contains vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and calcium that is good for Labs. It’s also high in protein, which helps keep their muscles strong and it can help with their digestion.
But be careful of what types of cheese you are feeding to your Labs! Mozzarella, cottage, swiss and cheddar cheese are safer because they have lower fat and sodium content than other types of cheese like cheddar, parmesan, cream cheese, blue cheese or goat cheese..
Amount depends on the size of your Labrador Retriever, however, a few small bites are fine if your Labrador Retriever likes them.
Chicken
Yes, Labs can eat chicken. As long as you’re careful about the type of chicken you’re feeding your Labrador Retriever, chicken is a great source of protein, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Boneless cooked breast meat is the best option if you want to feed your Labrador Retriever chicken. Chicken skin contains a high amount of fat that can cause pancreatitis in Labs if they eat too much of it. You should give your Labrador Retriever 1/8 to 1/6 cup of meat protein per 10 pounds of body weight per day if your Labrador Retriever is on a raw meat diet.
Chocolate
Can Labs eat chocolate?
The answer is no. Even small amounts of chocolate can be toxic to a Labrador Retriever. In fact, some types of chocolate are more toxic than others. The most dangerous kinds are cocoa powder (most toxic), unsweetened baker’s chocolate, semisweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.
If your Labrador Retriever has eaten any of these types of chocolate, call your vet immediately. Make sure you tell them what type of chocolate your Labrador Retriever ate and also how much they ate. If possible, bring the wrapper or packaging with you when you bring your pet in for treatment.
To prevent accidental ingestion in the future, educate yourself and your family about the dangers of feeding Labs chocolate so that everyone knows not to give it to them ever again.
Eggs
Yes, your Labrador Retriever can eat eggs. In fact, eggs are a great source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, avoid feeding your Labrador Retriever raw eggs. Raw eggs contain avidin, which prevents the absorption of biotin (a vitamin B). They may also contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning in your Labrador Retriever.
Cooked egg without seasoning is fine for your Labrador Retriever to eat provided it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients like salt or sugar. The shells can also be given to your Labrador Retriever as long as they’ve been ground up into small pieces and no sharp edges remain.
Fish
Can Labs eat fish?
Yes! Just like humans, Labs require protein, vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Fish are rich in these nutrients, and they’re also safe for your Labrador Retriever if you choose the right kind of fish.
What’s the right kind of fish? Smaller, younger, wild-caught, shorter-lived species like salmon, shrimp and tilapia are safe for your Labrador Retriever. But avoid longer-lived fish species like tuna, shark and swordfish as they can contain heavy metals like mercury. Always clean them properly, debone them, then cook it, adding no harmful additives. Feeding your Labrador Retriever one or two times per week in small controlled amounts is recommended.
Icecream
Can Labs eat ice cream?
No. Ice cream contains high amounts of dairy products and sugar, which can be toxic to Labs. Symptoms of ice cream toxicity can include bloat, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If your Labrador Retriever accidentally ate ice cream, seek veterinary help immediately.
Ice cream lollies, ice cream cones, Oreo ice cream and McDonald’s ice cream are all unsafe for Labs. Vanilla ice cream is also unsafe because it contains vanilla beans, which are toxic to Labs. Chocolate ice cream is also unsafe because it contains cocoa powder, which can be toxic to Labs, even if consumed in small quantities.
Peanut butter
Yes, Labs can eat peanut butter in moderation.
Peanut butter provides protein, vitamins and healthy fats that are essential for your Labrador Retriever’s diet. However, it’s important to make sure the peanut butter you choose is pup-safe and free of xylitol or chocolate. Also, avoid peanut butter pretzels as they contain three times more sodium than other peanut butters.
Start by giving your Labrador Retriever a half teaspoon of peanut butter per day, depending on their size.
Popcorn
Can Labs eat popcorn?
Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for Labs to eat in small quantities as an occasional treat. Popped corn kernels actually contain several minerals important to Labs, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. Plus, fiber and trace amounts of vitamins are present in this snack food.
However, avoid processed popcorn. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings like cheese or caramel are not safe for your Labrador Retriever. Besides being unhealthy for your Labrador Retriever’s teeth and digestive system, these toppings can cause stomach upset when consumed by Labs because they’re not part of their natural diet. Also, un-popped or partially popped kernels can be a choking hazard and may even cause damage to your Labrador Retriever’s teeth.
Turkey
Yes, Labs can eat turkey. In fact, it’s a great source of protein, fatty acids, and minerals. However, you shouldn’t feed your Labrador Retriever fresh or frozen raw turkey meat—it can harbor dangerous bacteria.
Turkey breast is the best option for your Labrador Retriever. It provides high-quality protein without a lot of calories or fat, so it’s easy to feed your pup just the right amount of turkey per day.
Avoid turkey skins as they can cause GI upset and pancreatitis if ingested by your pet. Also avoid processed turkey products because they may contain harmful ingredients like sodium nitrite (which causes cancer in humans).
The recommended serving size for adult Labs is 20 grams of white meat turkey or 15 grams of dark meat turkey per 12 pounds body weight.
Yogurt
Can Labs eat yogurt?
Yes! Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for Labs. However, some Labs may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your Labrador Retriever can digest it, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system and strengthen their immune system.
To make sure your pup is getting the best possible benefits from his daily yogurt, stick to plain varieties with no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Yogurts with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup are fine as well, but be careful not to overdo it—one teaspoon of yogurt a day is plenty for most pups.
Conclusion
This is the end of our guide on fruits, vegetables and snacks that Labs can or cannot eat.
Remember to stay away from the unsafe ones that are high in sugar and fat because they are not good for their health.
Feed only safe fruits, vegetables and snacks that contain essential nutrients they need.
Include these foods in their normal diet (90% calories should come from their normal food). You can give them treats like these once or twice a week as long as they don’t take up over 10% of their daily calorie intake.