Your Farmers Market Bag Is Full. But Is It Dog-Safe?

Summer hits different in the Bay Area.

The Mountain View Farmers Market is packed by 8am, the Santa Clara Saturday market smells like kettle corn, and shoppers are hauling tote bags full of stone fruit, corn, berries, and tomatoes from one of San Jose’s many local markets. And if you have a dog, you already know: they want in on all of it.

The good news is that summer produce and dogs can get along pretty well, with some important exceptions. A few fruits and vegetables are safe in small amounts. Some need prep first. And a few should stay completely out of reach.

Here is what to know before your next farmers market run.

Green Light: Safe to Share

Peaches: Yes, with prep.

• The flesh of a peach is safe for dogs, and many dogs love the sweetness. Just make sure to remove the pit before sharing. Peach pits contain cyanide compounds and can also be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. The same rule applies to plums and nectarines.

• Serve in small slices and keep portions modest. Like most fruit, peaches are still a treat.

Watermelon: A summer favorite.

• Watermelon is safe for dogs when the rind and seeds are removed. Because it is mostly water, it can be a refreshing snack on warm days, especially after a walk or outdoor play.

• Cut it into bite-sized pieces and skip any added salt, sugar, or seasoning.

Cantaloupe: Safe in small amounts.

• Cantaloupe is safe for dogs and contains vitamins A and C. Remove the rind and seeds, then serve in small cubes.

• Because cantaloupe is naturally sweet, it is best treated as an occasional snack rather than an everyday habit.

Bananas: Yes, in moderation.

• Bananas are high in potassium and easy to digest, but they are also naturally high in sugar, so moderation is key. A few slices can be a nice treat, especially for dogs who enjoy softer textures.

Pears: Safe when prepped.

• Pears are safe for dogs once they are cored and seeded. Like apple seeds, pear seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide compounds, so prep matters.

• Serve small pieces and avoid canned pears, which are often packed in sugary syrup.

Apples: A classic dog-safe snack.

• Apples are a great crunchy treat once the core and seeds are removed. They are easy to slice, easy to pack, and many dogs love the texture.

Yellow Light: Proceed with Caution

Cherries: Best to skip.

• The flesh of a cherry is technically safe, but the pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanide compounds. Because it is so easy for a dog to swallow a cherry whole, most veterinarians recommend skipping cherries altogether. There are plenty of safer summer fruits to share.

Corn: Kernels are fine. Cobs are not.

• Corn kernels are safe as an occasional treat, as long as they are plain and removed from the cob.

• The cob is the problem. Corn cobs can cause choking or intestinal blockages, and they are one of the more serious summer hazards for dogs. If you are grilling corn or bringing home fresh ears from the market, keep the cobs well out of reach.

  
  

Tomatoes: Ripe red tomatoes only.

• Small amounts of ripe red tomato are generally safe for dogs. The concern is with the tomato plant itself, including leaves, stems, and green unripe tomatoes. These contain solanine and tomatine, compounds that can be toxic to dogs.

• If you grow tomatoes at home, keep your dog out of the garden bed. If you share tomato, keep it plain, ripe, and in small amounts.

Raspberries: A few are okay.

• Raspberries are safe for dogs in very small amounts, but they contain naturally occurring trace amounts of xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs in larger quantities, so this is not a fruit to overdo. A couple here and there is fine for most dogs. A full bowl is not.

Citrus: A tiny taste is usually enough.

• A small piece of orange or tangerine flesh may be fine for some dogs, but citrus is not an ideal go-to treat. Peels, seeds, stems, and leaves can cause stomach upset, and the acidity can be irritating for some pups.

• If you share citrus, keep it to a very small amount of plain fruit flesh and watch for any digestive issues.

Broccoli: Safe, but keep it small.

• Broccoli can be safe for dogs in small, plain pieces. The key is moderation. Too much can cause gas or stomach upset, and large stalks can be difficult to chew or digest.

• Serve it plain, bite-sized, and without butter, oil, garlic, onion, salt, or seasoning.

Cauliflower: Fine in moderation.

• Cauliflower is generally safe for dogs when served plain and in small amounts. Like broccoli, it can cause gas or digestive upset if your dog eats too much.

• A few small pieces are fine for many dogs, but this is not a vegetable to over-serve.

Red Light: The Hard No

Grapes and raisins are never safe.

• Even though grapes and raisins are not summer-specific, they deserve a permanent spot on the no list. Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, and the dose response is unpredictable. Some dogs may become seriously ill from very small amounts. There is no safe amount.

• Keep grapes, raisins, baked goods with raisins, trail mix, and fruit salads containing grapes completely away from your dog.

Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: Keep them away.

• This family of ingredients shows up everywhere at farmers markets, especially in dips, sauces, salsas, spreads, prepared foods, and savory baked goods. But onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are not safe for dogs.

• They can cause gastrointestinal upset and may damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Raw, cooked, dried, powdered, and mixed into prepared foods all count.

• This is one of those categories where it is best not to experiment. Keep all alliums off your dog’s plate.

Avocado: Better skipped.

• Avocado may feel like a California staple, but it is not a great choice for dogs. The fruit, pit, leaves, and skin can contain compounds that may cause vomiting or diarrhea, and the pit can also be a serious choking or obstruction hazard.

• Even if a tiny bite of plain avocado flesh may not cause an issue for every dog, there are safer farmers market treats to share. Skip it and choose something simpler, like watermelon or apple slices instead.

The Brindleden Take

At Brindleden, we think the farmers market is one of the great joys of Bay Area life, and there is no reason your dog cannot be part of that ritual. A wedge of watermelon on a hot afternoon or a slice of peach after a walk through the market are small pleasures that can be genuinely shareable.

The key is knowing what is safe, what needs prep, and what should never make it into your dog’s bowl.

Every dog is different, and sensitivities can vary. If you are ever unsure whether something is safe for your pup, it is always worth checking with your veterinarian. A quick conversation can prevent a much bigger problem later.