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The Best Vegetables For Your Dogs to Eat

By May 12, 2021Dogs
the-best-vegetables-for-your-dogs-to-eat

What are the best vegetables for your dogs to eat?  Like humans, a diverse diet is imperative for animals, especially newborns. Essential vitamins, minerals, and vital nutrients like proteins, with the recommended amount of carbohydrate and fat intakes, make up a balanced diet. An appropriate and well-balanced diet boosts the growth, strength, and stamina of your pet. Apart from that, it provides your pets the vigor to reproduce, strong immunity to fight off diseases, and maintains a healthy weight. 

These days, a “well-enriched diet” is a common concern for most pet owners. And as we believe, it should be like that! 

Do we agree that processed foods have become a staple diet for animals these days? Yes, it is the case, fortunately, or not! However, from a nutritionist’s view, these staple foods are nothing but “Industrial Byproducts.” Yes, necessary nutrients, mainly proteins, are the key ingredients in such food products. But do they provide all the essential nutrients? No, they sure don’t!

So, to provide every beneficial nutrient, we believe giving fruits and vegetables is the best option. 

 

Best Vegetables For Your Dogs

Table scraps, fruitful snacks, and daily treats are a part of your dog’s everyday meal. It is not unnatural to want to spoil your pets by offering them regardless of what you are eating. And we understand that! However, to ensure that these treats do not leave an adverse effect on your dog’s health, we suggest researching before giving them anything new. 

And as we begin with facts, dogs are carnivores. Large portions of vegetables and fruits should not be a part of their meal as chief protein sources. Lean meat, muscle flesh, and fish do just enough for providing the correct amount of protein. 

In spite of the fact that they do not need to be fed vegetables in large amounts, they still need valuable nutrients to ensure no mineral or vitamin deficiencies. Here is the list of vegetables that your little friend will enjoy!

 

Spinach

The most frequently asked question, “What are the best vegetables for dogs?” is now answered on our site. 

Spinach. The very green leafy vegetable, enriched with Vitamins A, B, C, and K, along with essential minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It also provides antioxidants, carotenoids, and roughage that help stimulate the digestive tract. Moreover, feeding spinach to your dogs can help to avoid many cardiovascular issues along with cancer. 

However, spinach has high levels of oxalic acid, which can hinder the absorption of calcium by the kidneys, leading to kidney damage. 

So, feeding small amounts of spinach once in a while should be enough

 

Carrots

Can your dog eat carrots? Yes. In fact, carrots have to be the most enjoyable snack among canine buddies. Given that it has an odd texture and color, dogs love to munch on this fruitful treat. 

And in reference to the nutritional facts, carrots are high in beta-carotene, Vitamin A and K, phosphorus, and potassium. You can expect many health benefits from this odd-textures orange vegetable. Healthy weight management, treatment for bowel movements, good cholesterol levels, and further benefits are associated with carrots. 

 

Green Beans

Green beans are the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, fibers, calcium, magnesium, iron, Vitamin A, C, K, B9 (folic acid), and potassium. 

Moreover, dog owners can feed green beans in any form. Be it chopped, raw, steamed, canned, or lightly cooked. It is safe to give green beans to your dogs in any manner as long as they are plain and low to no-salt canned product. 

 

Celery 

Celery is a good treat for dogs. However, several pet owners might have different opinions based on the (false) facts that they know. Most people believe that celery is just about water and fibers. But factually, that is not the case. 

Celery is a multi-vitamin vegetable. It provides Vitamin A, C, K, and B-complexes, which fight off cancer and promote good health of the heart. Besides that, several dog owners claim that it improves their puppy’s breath. 

There is no particular way to feed celery to your dog. Just wash the green vegetable and serve it to your pup. However, if your dog does not mind it cooked, feel free to plate up celery as is. 

 

Broccoli

There is always this one food item that, although, provides several health benefits, can cause harm to your dog’s health if fed in large amounts. Broccoli is one of them!

Broccoli is naturally high in Vitamin C and fiber but low in fats, which earns it a bonus point. Feeding well-boiled and mashed broccoli to your dog, that too in a smaller amount, is beneficial. However, it may obstruct the esophagus, can potentially cause severe gastric issues and an upset stomach. And not to mention, it can transform your little friend into a fart machine. 

Borderline, be careful when feeding broccoli to your dogs!

 

Peas

Yes, feeding peas to your dog is healthy. Peas are a great source of Vitamin A, C, K, and B complex, along with proteins, fibers, and antioxidants that strengthen your dog’s immunity system. 

Snow peas, English peas, sugar peas, and snap peas are all safe; however, we suggest avoiding canned peas to your pets as they have added sodium. Frozen or fresh/raw peas are the best daytime snack for your pooch. 

 

What Are the Best Raw Vegetables for Dogs?

As we mentioned above, peas and celery are better off raw to serve your dogs. However, you might also want to have other options. Brussel sprouts, lettuce, carrots, green beans, cucumbers, and bell peppers are the best raw vegetables for your dogs. 

But always be sure to give in small amounts to avoid putting your pup at several health risks. 

 

What Are the Vegetables That You Should Avoid Feeding Your dogs?

Onions, tomatoes, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, asparagus, shives, and large amounts of spinach, lettuce, and broccoli are big NO-NO. All these vegetables can cause harm to your dog’s health. Most dog species are vulnerable to the said vegetables as they are acidic and have toxic elements. They are likely to upset your pup’s tummy, produce flatulence, can cause diarrhea, and several other gastric and cardiovascular issues. 

 

Conclusion

As pet owners, it is crucial to understand that not all dogs are vegetable-friendly. Although vegetables and fruits are great for your dogs, it is never okay to force your pet animals to finish the served snack. But what’s okay is that your dog eats nutritionally enriched food. 

Happy Cuddling! 

 

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