Pets are carnivores and their diet is based on meat. However, dogs and puppies need vitamins, minerals and amino acids from vegetables. Therefore, they must be a part of the pets’ menu. Which ones are useful and can dogs eat carrots and other root vegetables? To answer the question, just look at the composition of premium and holistic dog foods. The carrot is included in many of them.
Can dogs eat raw carrots, the benefits of carrots
Puppies and adult dogs love to chew raw carrots they are attracted by the sweet taste of the root vegetable. But it is also rich in nutrients. Like other plants, it contains a lot of fiber. It affects the work of all organs and systems of the body:
- slows down the digestion of fats and carbohydrates;
- binds and removes toxic substances from the body;
- It is a natural antioxidant;
- Helps cleanse the bowels;
- regulates microflora in it.
Carrots – a treasure trove of a large number of vitamins and minerals necessary for everybody. It contains vitamins A, C, E, K, PP, as well as group B. Deficiency of any of them can lead to malfunctioning of internal organs. For example, a lack of vitamin A in dogs lowers their immunity and impairs their vision. Vitamin K is involved in blood clotting processes and protein metabolism. It contributes to the absorption of calcium and strengthens the bones of the skeleton. Dogs also eat berries! Discover how much banana can dog eat.
Vitamin E is very important for pets. Its main roles in the body are to strengthen the immune system and protect cells from free radicals. With alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) deficiency in a dog, reproductive and nervous system pathologies, decreased visual acuity, muscle weakness are possible.
Carrots contain many trace elements the most important of them for the body of pets are iron, potassium, fluorine, iodine, magnesium. In addition, chewing carrots for dogs is useful – it is good for cleaning teeth and prevents the formation of tartar. And puppies and young dogs perceive the root vegetable as a toy and as a treat. So giving carrots to dogs is not only possible but necessary.
Regular use of the vegetable in the diet of animals helps to strengthen blood vessels and heart muscle, increases hemoglobin and purifies the blood, removing toxins from the body. Due to the high fiber content, raw carrots have a positive effect on digestion, improving intestinal peristalsis. In addition, it has been proven to have antihelminthic properties. Check out the best brands of Chewy dog food here.
Can dogs eat cooked carrots, how much carrot can I give my dog
Despite the rich composition of vegetables, the dog’s body is not able to extract all the nutrients from them. Therefore, everything must be in moderation: too many vegetables in your dog’s diet can cause digestive problems.
To get the most out of root vegetables and make sure they’re digested, you need to know a few feeding tricks:
- The peel of the carrot contains as many vitamins as the rest of it, so you can give your dog raw vegetables – whole or cut into pieces. Good for the gut and good for the teeth;
- Carrots are high in fat-soluble vitamins, so grated carrots are better digested with a little cooking oil or yogurt;
- Dogs with gastrointestinal problems should be given boiled vegetables in the form of a stew with meat. Carrots can be supplemented with beets, pumpkin, zucchini.
Important!
Dogs can be given not only root vegetables, but also carrot tops. It contains calcium and selenium. And the first mineral in the green part of the plant is more than in the vegetable itself. Selenium is a useful element that prevents the development of cancer cells in the body.
The haulm can be added to food in any form – raw, boiled and dried. However, the best absorbed by the body and retains nutrients slightly scalded for 5 minutes green plants.
Another question readers often ask is: Can dogs eat tomatoes and peas.
Carrots and peas can be eaten by dogs. If your dog likes peas so much, try making pea porridge for him. Green peas are not bad for dogs, they are very healthy. Vegetables are found in the natural and healthy Nutro dog meal.
Can dogs eat canned carrots?
Canned vegetables, including carrots are contraindicated for dogs because of the high content of various spices in them, so give a dog canned carrots are not allowed. So it is better to give fresh carrots, which are good for your dog and will clean plaque, eliminate bacteria in the mouth, eliminate bad breath and train the jaw muscles.
We also get questions from readers such as:
- Can dogs eat too many carrots 🥕
- Can dogs eat carrots every day
- Can dogs eat celery and carrots
No, you can’t overeat carrots, it’s better to give carrots every other day, carrots and celery can be given to dogs.
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