13 Bark-Worthy Fall Foods for Your Dog: A Seasonal Wellness Guide

Fall is the time of year when we use special seasonal foods to show our love and give comfort to the most important people in our lives. And if you are reading this, I know you agree that it would be a shame if we had to leave our dogs out of this fun and important tradition. 

Don’t worry, as autumn’s food-centered holidays approach, there’s no better time to focus on our dogs’ nutritional needs. The best way to include your pup in these seasonal celebrations is to look into using some of these healthier fall foods for your dog. 

Amazingly, many of these fall foods are not only healthy, they can even help with common health issues. So when you’re adding popular fall edibles like green beans,  pumpkin puree, and cranberries to your dogs’ diet, you’ll be improving their health while providing your furry friend a special treat!

Fall Foods That Can Boost Your Pup’s Health and Happiness

Most dog owners have heard that it’s best to avoid feeding your dog table scraps, but did you know that certain fall foods can make a healthy treat for your pup? I love being able to share our human food with our furry family members because it can:

1. Save money (fruits and vegetables cost less than dog treats)
2. Limit waste (any dog-safe leftovers get fed out instead of tossed)
3. Provide more nutrients (less additives and more vitamins and minerals than store-bought dog treats)
4. Help with weight issues (most fruits and veggies make lower calorie snacks than store-bought dog treats)
5. Can be used as a type of food enrichment

Before we jump into the list of healthy fall treats, keep in mind that there are a few important things to consider anytime you introduce a new food to your pet (especially if you are using it for health benefits):

1. Before you start your pet on any new food or supplement, you should always discuss it with your vet first, and do NOT try to treat your pet with any of these items on your own.
2. Be aware that some foods can adversely affect your pet’s medication, always double-check this information with a professional.
3. Each food item has different recommended amounts and preferred ways of delivery to achieve the maximum benefits depending on the size and type of pet.

If you’re looking for healthier doggy snacks, incorporate these autumn snacks into your four-legged friend’s diet for added health benefits. You can use them as standalone treats or in homemade treat recipes. Most of these foods can also be fed to cats! Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a list of fall seasonal foods and herbs and the possible benefits they provide:

Pumpkin For Dogs

This fall fruit is a great go-to supplement for all digestive issues. It helps with constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and upset stomachs for cats and dogs. This is because pumpkin is a good source of soluble fiber that doesn’t irritate the GI tract. The most important thing is to feed your pets real 100% pumpkin with no added sugar. We always keep a few cans of pumpkin puree on hand just in case our pups have upset stomachs.

Squash For Dogs

Squash is another great fall food that can help your dog’s digestive system. Not only is this vegetable full of fiber, but it also has antioxidants and is a good source of different vitamins depending on the type of squash. For example, butternut squash has a lot of vitamin C, and acorn squash has plenty of magnesium.    

Cranberries for Dogs

Cranberries are always on the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cranberry supplements can be used to combat UTIs, crystals, and bladder stones in dogs and cats. We’ve had success using cranberries with our female dogs with UTI issues. Cranberries are very tart in flavor and many animals will not eat them plain but you can find them in store-bought or homemade dog treats. Be careful, as they should only be given in small amounts.

Carrots for Dogs

Carrots are another popular sidedish often found around the holidays. This orange vegetable provides an easy way to increase fiber intake and is also a good source of vitamin A which helps with vision and eye health for dogs, cats, and humans. 

Apples for Dogs

Fall is apple-picking time! Go to an orchard and pick up some healthy treats for you and your pup. Apples are a good low-calorie, nutritious treat that contains dietary fiber, Vitamin C, A, antioxidants, and potassium.  

Green Beans for Dogs

Looking for a great low-calorie doggy snack full of antioxidants, fiber, protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, and multiple vitamins? Try some green beans!  Because of the fiber content, some dog parents have had luck with using these treats to lower the amount of grass their dogs eat. 

Turkey for Dogs

The one Thanksgiving food you’ll find on most tables is turkey! Turkey is a wonderful source of protein, riboflavin, phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin B6, B12, potassium, and more!

No matter what you have heard, turkey is safe to feed your dogs. This is of course as long as you remove the skin and bones, and of course, cook and serve it plain. There are a lot of seasonings out there that aren’t dog-safe, so it’s usually best to put a bit of turkey to the side and cook it separately.

Here’s a fun recipe for baked pumpkin and turkey that’s perfect for your dog’s special Thanksgiving meal from Daily Dog Food Recipes.

Rice for Dogs

Rice is another fall staple full of fiber.  White rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate and is frequently recommended by vets to feed your dog when they have an upset stomach. The starch in white rice helps bind the stool which helps will also help resolve diarrhea.                                                                          

Brown rice is not as digestible as white rice but it will make your pup feel more full. It also has more fiber than white rice which can help with constipation. Like all foods, be careful how much you feed because too much white rice can raise your pup’s blood sugar.     

Healthy Fall Herbs and Spices for Your Dog

The main food groups aren’t the only ones contributing to your holiday meals! Several popular herbs are commonly used to enhance the flavor of our fall-time meals.

Always check a trusted source when deciding what and how much to give them. This is because some herbs can be toxic to our furry friends and others can cause issues if they eat too much. The following autumn herbs are considered safe and may even have some added health benefits.

Ginger for Dogs

Limited studies have shown that ginger may be useful as an anti-nausea or anti-vomiting agent. This spice can be helpful as an anti-inflammatory and increase cognitive functions. You can also use it to help prevent motion sickness. Ginger is more commonly found in dog treats rather than cat treats if you are looking for it in pet stores. It’s best to give it to your pet with food and you can administer it in almost any form.

Basil for Dogs

Basil has known antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties and is considered non-toxic for both dogs and cats. You can use it in your homemade treats or sprinkle it on top of your pup’s food as a topper to add some extra flavor.

Rosemary for Dogs

Rosemary is useful as an anti-inflammatory or an antioxidant and is another safe herb for our fur babies. Just like basil, you can use it in doggy treats or as a food topper.

Parsley for Dogs

Parsley isn’t just a garnish to make your plate look pretty! This dog-safe herb is a good source of vitamins A and K. Vitamin K can be good for your pup’s liver and Vitamin A can help with eye health.

Cinnamon for Dogs

Fall would be completely different if we didn’t have cinnamon. This spice goes in many popular autumn drinks and desserts. Small amounts are dog-safe but too much at once can irritate their nose, mouths, and skin. Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and is full of antioxidants which is good for heart health among other things.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe When Using Fall Foods and Spices:  

There are several things to keep in mind before you start using whole foods, herbs, and spices in your dog’s diet or as a more natural way to make them healthier. Doing your research beforehand will help you have proper expectations and keep your pup safe when all you want to do is help them live a long and happy life:

1. Always check with your vet that these foods will not interfere with any medications they are on or exacerbate any issues they already have. 
2. Pay attention to how much you give them. Too much of anything can be harmful.
3. Make sure the method they are getting the treat is safe and beneficial. Some methods can be choking hazards like carrots or toxic like cinnamon. Others are best given as supplements for full benefits, or cooked to help the nutrients absorb properly. 
4. Beware of any claims that certain foods or supplements can cure or completely prevent ailments. 
5. Research in natural medicine with animals is lacking and many times long-term effects have not been discovered yet.

Paw-fect Seasonal Nutrition: Delicious Fall Foods for Your Dog

As you can see, there is no shortage of seasonal flavors and foods you can share with your furry family members. These options are perfect whether you’re looking to naturally improve your dog’s health, find a healthier treat alternative, or add some festive fun to their holiday meals.

These fall foods for your dog are a great way to show your love through nutrition and dip your toe into some old-fashioned kitchen medicine. Enjoy this chance to share some of your favorite healthy autumn treats with your pup this holiday season!