5 Autumn Fruits and Vegetables Your Dog Can Enjoy

Crisp mornings, muddy walks, crunchy leaves and dropping temperatures can only mean one thing: autumn has arrived.

And while your dog might not be joining you for an apple crumble or pumpkin spiced latte, there are plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables they can enjoy.

Autumn is a fantastic time for British produce, with apples, pears, pumpkin, carrots, kale and other vegetables appearing in gardens, farm shops and supermarkets across the UK.

Adding a little fruit or veg to your dog's bowl can provide variety, different tastes and textures and a little extra fibre. But there's an important point to remember: if your dog already eats a complete and balanced dog food, you don't need to add fruit and vegetables to make their diet healthier or more complete.

Think of them as optional extras rather than nutritional essentials.

And if chopping, steaming and roasting vegetables for your dog isn't quite how you want to spend your Sunday afternoon, we've included some very easy Soopa alternatives too.

How much fruit and veg can I give my dog?

Before raiding the vegetable drawer, remember that more isn't necessarily better.

Fruit, vegetables, treats, chews and other additions all contribute calories to your dog's diet. As a general rule, foods outside their complete diet such as treats and toppers should account for no more than around 10% of their daily calories.

When introducing something new, start small. Suddenly adding a large amount of fibre to your dog’s bowl can lead to wind, softer stools or an upset stomach.

As a rough starting point for an occasional topper:

You don't need to feed all five foods at once! Choose one, begin at the lower end of the range and see how your dog gets on.

1. Pumpkin

It wouldn't be autumn without pumpkin.

Pumpkin is naturally low in calories and contains fibre, beta-carotene and plenty of moisture, making it an easy seasonal addition to your dog's usual food.

Can dogs eat pumpkin?

Yes. Dogs can eat plain cooked pumpkin flesh.

The easiest option is to remove the stalk, skin and seeds, cut the flesh into chunks and then steam, boil or roast it until completely soft.

You can then mash it with a fork and add a small spoonful to your dog's normal meal.

How to prepare pumpkin for dogs

1. Cut the pumpkin into pieces.

2. Remove the seeds and tough outer skin.

3. Steam, boil or roast until soft.

4. Allow it to cool.

5. Mash or cut into bite-sized pieces.

Keep it completely plain. Your dog doesn't need butter, oil, salt, sugar or seasoning added.

And if you're buying tinned pumpkin, check the ingredients carefully. You want 100% plain pumpkin, not sweetened pumpkin pie filling.

How much pumpkin can dogs eat?

As a starting point:

• Small dogs: 1–2 teaspoons

• Medium dogs: 1–2 tablespoons

• Large dogs: 2–4 tablespoons

Start with less if your dog isn't used to vegetables.

Don't fancy cooking a pumpkin?

You can still give your dog a little taste of autumn.

Soopa's Pumpkin Spiced Latte Healthy Bites combine pumpkin with cinnamon and coconut for a rather more dog-friendly take on everyone's favourite autumn coffee-shop flavour.

They're particularly handy for autumn walks, training sessions or popping into an enrichment toy when you don't have a freshly roasted pumpkin waiting in the fridge.

Got some pumpkin left over or fancy using it in a treat? Check out our Pumpkin and Flaxseed biscuits ( you can replace the pumpkin with butternut squash) 

2. Apples

British apple season is one of the best things about autumn, and your dog can enjoy them too.

Apples provide fibre as well as naturally occurring vitamins and plant compounds. They also have a crisp texture that plenty of dogs love.

Can dogs eat apples?

Yes, but always remove the core, pips and stalk first.

Your dog can eat apple with the skin on, provided it has been washed thoroughly.

How to prepare apple for dogs

Apple doesn't actually need to be cooked.

You can:

• finely dice it

• grate it over your dog's food

• cut it into thin slices

• lightly stew it in a little water until soft

Stewed apple can be particularly useful if your dog prefers softer foods.

Don't add sugar, syrup, honey or spices.

How much apple can my dog eat?

Fruit contains more naturally occurring sugar than most vegetables, so portions should be fairly small.

Try:

• Small dogs: around 5g

• Medium dogs: 10–20g

• Large dogs: 20–30g

A few small pieces are plenty.

Got a few apples in the bottom of the fruit bowl? Check out our Carrot and Apple Pupcakes recipe

An easier apple option

Apple is already a familiar ingredient across several Soopa treats.

For an autumn combination, Kale & Apple Healthy Bites pair two of the foods on this list, while Apple & Blueberry Healthy Bites provide another fruity option for training and rewarding.

Internal links: Kale & Apple Healthy Bites / Apple & Blueberry Healthy Bites

3. Pears

Pears are another brilliant British autumn fruit and often get forgotten in favour of apples.

Their naturally soft, juicy texture can make them particularly easy to use as an occasional food topper.

Can dogs eat pears?

Yes.

As with apples, remove the core, pips and stalk before giving pear to your dog.

Ripe pear can simply be chopped into small pieces and fed fresh.

How to prepare pear for your dog

You can serve pear:

• finely chopped

• mashed when very ripe

• lightly stewed in water

• mixed into an enrichment toy with some of your dog's usual food

If you're cooking pear, keep it plain.

Avoid tinned pears in syrup or sweetened fruit pots. They're unnecessarily high in added sugar compared with fresh fruit.

How much pear can a dog eat?

Keep portions similar to apple:

• Small dogs: around 5g

• Medium dogs: 10–20g

• Large dogs: 20–30g

Because pears contain both fibre and naturally occurring sugars, introduce them gradually rather than giving your dog half a pear in one go. Check out our brand new recipe for Pear and Ginger Soft Cookies and get your bake on!

4. Carrots

Carrots might not scream autumn quite as loudly as pumpkins, but British carrots are plentiful throughout the cooler months and they're one of the easiest vegetables to add to a dog's diet.

They contain fibre and carotenoids, including beta-carotene.

Can dogs eat carrots?

Yes.

Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked, although cooking them until tender makes them very easy to chop, mash and mix through your dog's normal food.

How to cook carrots for dogs

Try:

Steaming: Steam sliced carrots until soft.

Boiling: Boil in plain water, drain and allow them to cool.

Roasting: Roast without oil, salt or seasoning until tender.

You can then chop or mash them.

If feeding raw carrot, cut it appropriately for your dog's size and supervise them while eating.

How much carrot can dogs eat?

Try approximately:

• Small dogs: 5–10g

• Medium dogs: 15–30g

• Large dogs: 30–50g

Remember that if you're already using vegetables, training treats, dental chews and other snacks during the day, they all need to be considered together.

Looking for a delicious recipe to make the most of those carrots? Try our Carrot and Cranberry Mutt Muffin recipe

Want the carrot without the chopping?

Soopa's Carrot & Pumpkin Healthy Bites combine two classic autumn vegetables into an easy little reward.

There are also Carrot & Pumpkin Dental Sticks if your dog prefers something they can spend a little longer chewing.

Internal links: Carrot & Pumpkin Healthy Bites / Carrot & Pumpkin Dental Sticks

5. Kale

As the weather cools, kale comes into its own as a British autumn and winter vegetable.

It's nutrient-dense, so you don't need very much, and it works best as a small addition rather than filling your dog's bowl with leafy greens.

Can dogs eat kale?

Dogs can eat small quantities of cooked kale.

Cooking is preferable to serving a large pile of raw kale because it softens the plant material and generally makes it easier to incorporate into your dog's food.

How to prepare kale for dogs

1. Wash thoroughly.

2. Remove the thick, woody stems.

3. Steam or boil until soft.

4. Finely chop.

5. Allow it to cool before adding it to your dog's food.

How much kale can dogs eat?

Kale should be a small addition.

Try:

• Small dogs: around 5g

• Medium dogs: 5–15g

• Large dogs: 15–30g

You can mix a teaspoon or tablespoon of finely chopped cooked kale into your dog's normal meal rather than serving it as a separate portion.

Dogs with specific medical conditions or those eating a therapeutic veterinary diet may need individual advice before additional foods are introduced.

The no-cooking alternative

If your dog loves the combination but you don't fancy steaming kale you can try out out Kale and Apple Dental Sticks that offer a much more convenient way to bring those autumn flavours along on walks.

Do dogs need fruit and vegetables added to their food?

Not necessarily.

A good-quality complete dog food should already provide the vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients your dog requires in the correct amounts.

You don't need to sprinkle kale, pumpkin or blueberries over every meal because social media says your dog's bowl needs to look more colourful.

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with adding a little suitable fruit or veg because your dog enjoys it.

Food can be nutritious and enjoyable.

A spoonful of mashed pumpkin, a few pieces of apple or some carrot mixed into dinner can add variety without overcomplicating feeding.

Remember the 90/10 rule

Whether you're adding vegetables to meals or using treats during the day, moderation matters.

Aim for approximately:

90%+ of your dog's calories from their complete diet

and

no more than around 10% from treats, toppers and other extras combined.

That includes the biscuit from the coffee shop, training rewards on your walk, the carrot they stole while you were cooking dinner and their evening dental treat!

FAQs: Autumn fruits and vegetables for dogs

What autumn vegetables can dogs eat?

Dogs can enjoy several autumn vegetables including plain cooked pumpkin, carrots and small amounts of cooked kale. Other suitable vegetables may also be included depending on your dog's individual diet and health.

Can dogs eat pumpkin every day?

A small amount of plain cooked pumpkin can be included regularly for many healthy dogs, but it shouldn't displace a significant proportion of a complete diet. Start with a small portion and monitor your dog's stools.

Can dogs eat apples and pears?

Yes. Apples and pears can both be offered in small amounts. Always remove the stalk, core and pips first.

Should  fruit and vegetables be cooked for dogs?

It depends on the vegetable. Carrot and apple can be offered raw, but vegetables such as pumpkin and kale are best cooked before being added to food. Cooking and finely chopping or mashing vegetables also makes them easier to mix through your dog's normal meal.

Can I replace some of my dog's food with vegetables?

Be cautious about regularly replacing a significant amount of a complete dog food with vegetables. Doing so changes the calorie and nutrient balance of the diet. Small amounts used as toppers are very different from replacing a large proportion of the meal.

What if my dog has a health condition?

If your dog has pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, allergies, bladder stones or another medical condition — or is eating a prescription/therapeutic diet — check with your vet or veterinary nutrition professional before introducing new foods.

A final autumn reminder

Seasonal fruit and vegetables can be a fun way to add a little variety to your dog's diet, but feeding your dog well doesn't need to become complicated.

Keep portions sensible, introduce new foods gradually and remember that their complete food should still do the heavy lifting nutritionally.

Whether that means a spoonful of pumpkin stirred through dinner or a Pumpkin Spiced Latte Healthy Bite tucked into your coat pocket for an autumn walk, there are plenty of ways for your dog to enjoy the season with you.