Let’s speak about facts; who doesn’t like snacks or treats? Every single human on earth enjoys snacking in between meals. The same goes for our pets! So let’s discuss are carrots good for dogs?
Dogs, being carnivores, do not feel the need to eat vegetables and fruits as much as lean meats and other proteins meals. However, along with these essential macronutrients, minerals and micronutrients are as necessary. Feeding fruits and vegetables to your dog can help provide them with all these essential nutrients that a packet-sealed treat cannot offer. And not to mention, feeding vegetables and fruits to your dog as a treat is a much cheaper, healthier option for you and your dog as well.
Can Dogs Eat Carrots?
Just like humans, dogs also require a balanced diet with an active routine. Their diet should consist of healthy fibers, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants provided by vegetables only. Lean meats (red or white) lack in this regard. Therefore, it is crucial to feed vegetables to your dogs because every vegetable offers a different nutrient. Dogs can eat carrots. Yes! But are they healthy for a dog? Find out here!
Carrots are a healthy snack for canine nutrition. They are high in fiber, enriched with beta-carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin K, consist of all the essential minerals like potassium, phosphorous, and more. In addition to this, they have a very odd color and texture, which can be fun for your dog too.
Carrots and Their Benefits to Your Dogs
Rightful ingestion of carrots is linked to lower cholesterol levels and relieving an upset stomach. Here are some of the benefits of carrots mentioned:
1. Low-calorie and a Light Snack
Aside from offering dog owners a different, affordable, and nutritious snack for their dogs, carrots support the good dental health of your puppies as well. Yes, they are very low-calorie snacks and given as rewards to your dogs but, you cannot deny that carrots are the most healthy snack for your little doggo.
2. Cure Bowel-movements
Many dog experts say that if your buddy friend is experiencing bowel movements, diarrhea, loose stools, and an upset stomach, carrots can be a great relief for this matter. Carrots are naturally rich in fiber that helps to add some bulkiness to the dog’s stool. But if a dog is not used to the additional fibers in its diet, owners should be cautious while feeding carrots to their dogs in large amounts. Giving large amounts of fiber-enriched foods straightaway to your dog can cause blockage and upset digestions. Therefore, always give them water to assist the fiber getting down through their digestive system.
3. Provide Perfect Vision and Support Good Health
Moreover, carrots are rich in Vitamin A, a micronutrient that plays an important part in clear vision, proper growth, and maintenance of the body’s muscles and bones. In addition to supporting eye health, Vitamin A aids in providing a sound immune system, healthy skin, and a hair coat for dogs.
But be careful not to overfeed carrots to your dog. As many benefits Vitamin A has, its toxicity is twice as dangerous for anyone the dog or the owner himself. Vitamin A can build up in the body due to its fat-soluble nature. This way, it can become toxic.
We suggest asking a vet or a nutritional coach before feeding anything new and out of diet routine to your dog.
4. Stress and Teeth Discomfort Reliever
Carrots come in more than one color and size. Baby carrots are, by far, the most interesting for dogs, and it is fair to say that puppies enjoy them the most as a flavorful snack for their odd color and texture. Moreover, most vets recommend feeding frozen or cold carrots to little puppies or even big dogs to relieve teething discomfort. Aside from that, they can be makeshift cheap, affordable, and edible chewing toys for stress relief among canines.
How Feeding Carrots to Your Dog Badly Affects Its Health?
Besides fibers, carrots are rich in natural sugar. Therefore, most dogs enjoy carrots as their favorite snack. However, consuming too much sugar can cause several health problems to dogs like; weight gain, dental caries, and overall bad dental health. It happens when dogs are overfed carrots above the required limit.
Many animal nutritionists agreed that carrots should only make up to 10% of the dogs’ daily caloric intake.
4 Fun Ways to Feed Carrots to Your Dog
Most dogs enjoy carrots however you feed them. But if your little friend is a fussy eater, there are some ways to add carrots to his diet.
How you feed your dogs mainly depends on what breed and size of dog you have and sometimes, your preferences also. Here is how you can give carrots to your dogs;
1. Raw or Cooked
Carrots have a naturally hard and crunchy texture when eaten raw. But if your dog does not like to eat them raw or is already suffering from problems like weak teeth and swollen gums, cooked carrots are a better option in this regard.
You can slice carrots into sticks or cut them into smaller interesting shapes like; stars, hearts, flowers, etc. to make it more interesting for your dog. Other than that, carrots cut into smaller pieces or cubes are the best way to feed your dog.
2. Mashed and Steamed Carrots Make An Interesting Treat
You can feed your dogs steamed carrots if you want to try something different. Mashed carrots can be a great alternative to raw carrots.
Start by mashing carrots into a thick paste, or simply blend them into a puree in a blender. Give this puree as an addition to your dog’s food.
Here is how you can steam or mash carrots;
• Boil a glass or two of water in a saucepan.
• Slice carrots into sticks or cubes. Next, place them into a steamer basket over the boiling water.
• Cover the saucepan with the lid and steam the carrots for about 10 minutes.
• Drain the water out and start mashing until a thick paste is formed.
3. Carrot Juice
Did you know that dogs enjoy vegetable juice as much as you do? Well, some of you. Yes! You can feed carrot juice to your dog. Many animal nutritionists advise looking for 100% original carrot juice at the local stores or you can blend the carrots well until they leave their juices out. However, carrots will lose their nutritional content in this process but, you can always add the leftover pulps to retain their full nutritional value.
4. Grated Carrots On Top Of Your Dog’s Meals
For more flavor, dog owners can add well-shredded or grated carrots on top of the already prepared meal of their dogs. But before that, always make sure that the carrots are washed properly!
Conclusion
Before giving anything new to your pet, it is advised to ask the veterinarian for recommended serving sizes. This minimizes the risk of developing several health problems in dogs. And if your dog does not enjoy a certain treat, do not force your friend to finish that whole thing. Remember; it is not just about the nutritional benefits for your dogs, it is about his preferences also!
For more information, find out more about the fruits and vegetables that dogs can or cannot eat.
