Springtime in Carroll Gardens brings a lot of good things — stoop sitting, sunny city walks, and gardening! Whether you’re gardening on a little plot of earth in the back or lining your brownstone with container plants, growing food and gardening is a fun pastime for many. It’s even more enjoyable to share the fresh produce with your furry best friend!
Create a dog-friendly garden! Learn all about the fresh food you can grow and share with your dog and how to cultivate a dog-friendly garden that’s safe for your dog and other dogs that might want a nibble!
Safe and Edible Dog-Friendly Plants
As a dog parent, you’re likely very well aware of the foods that are poisonous to dogs — read our post, Human Food That Is Harmful to Your Dog to brush up on this important topic.
There are many foods that dogs can enjoy, and, even better, they’re great and easy to grow in Carroll Gardens!
Fresh Herbs
Herbs are easy to grow and are a fun way to add flavor to your dog’s food or homemade treats.
Rosemary – Rosemary is great for sprinkling into your dog’s food, or as a little treat as they’re helping you garden! Rosemary is iron-rich and abundant in antioxidants.
Parsley – The biggest thing to note with parsley is the variety you choose — curly leaf parsley is great, while spring parsley is toxic to dogs. Parsley is a common herb found in many dog breath freshener treats, but because it’s a diuretic, it’s important to only give your dog small quantities.
Mint – Mint is a safe food for your dog in small quantities, but only a few leaves a day is recommended. Larger quantities can cause GI distress or possible liver and kidney issues. Mint is easy to grow, especially on a sunny stoop, and can be added to frozen dog treats or even their water, to help freshen their breath. Mint is also a great natural flea repellent, so you could grow mint and create your own DIY flea repellent as well!
Basil – Basil is great tasting and is known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Make a fresh pesto or use it to top pizza and know that it’s great to share with your dog.
Thyme – Thyme is rich in antioxidants and is known to be antibacterial and antifungal. Mix in thyme with their food or combine it with other herbs to make a power-packed flavoring your dog will love!
Fruits and Veggies
There are so many fruits and veggies that dogs can eat, for an edible garden you can both enjoy.
Green beans – Chopped, raw, or steamed — green beans can be enjoyed by dogs in any form. They have a crisp crunch that dogs (and people) love.
Squash – All varieties of squash are safe for dogs to eat and can be a great food to incorporate as a snack or in homemade dog food.
Greens – Leafy greens are great for dogs and are a good source of fiber. While you may not be able to get your dog to eat a salad, they may love to munch on it as you work in the garden or mixed into their food.
Carrots – Dogs love carrots — raw carrots have a great crunch that helps to clean their teeth, while cooked carrots are delectably sweet.
Berries – Raspberries and strawberries are two fruits that dogs love and are both safe in small quantities — so, while you’re making homemade jam, throw a couple of berries to your dog!
Between fresh herbs and fruits and veggies, there are so many dog-friendly foods you can plant in your garden.
The Vet Set is always here to help you and your pooch whether it’s a nutrition question or training insight — we’ve got your back! For more information about the services our Carroll Gardens vet clinic provides, reach out to us today!
