Can dogs eat carrots?
In addition to being versatile in use, carrots are very nutritious for both humans and our furry canine friends. The pros and cons of dogs and carrots are listed below. Just remember, even if your dog loves the taste of carrots, you need to always be aware of the percentage of food you feed your dog that is outside their daily kibble (or other) diet.
How are carrots good for dogs?
Your pet’s immune system will receive a boost with all of the Vitamin A and K in carrots. Carrots are low calorie, tasty and inexpensive to purchase. Though they have a fair amount of sugar (which gives that great sweet taste) carrots are very low in fat. In addition to the vitamins mentioned, carrots contain niacin, potassium, phosphorus and of course beta carotene which gives them that deep rich color. Carrots are a good source of fiber and can assist in maintaining dental health when given to your pooch in frozen form. The frozen nature helps clean dog’s teeth and prevent plaque build-up. In addition to vitamin K carrots contain lutein and phytonutrients which assist with eye health, blocking UVB radiation, and lower free radical damage. Talk to your vet and ask if your dog can have the low calorie snack of a carrot a few days a week. Can dogs eat carrots…According to our research, yes they can.
Why are carrots bad for dogs?
If your dog is diabetic carrots do have a fair amount of sugar. Too many carrots can cause intestinal upset and flatulence. Start off with a small amount and see how your dog handles this tasty treat. Because of the fiber content, give your pet water along with his carrots or steam them to soften the fiber and prevent any blockage. Too large of a piece might be hard for your smaller pet so cut the carrots into small portions. Thus if you dog is a voracious eater, you need to make it a priority to not allow fast consumption as carrots could be a choking hazard.
How do you feed carrots to your dogs?
Remove the carrot top and any green parts of the carrot, then chop it into bite size pieces. If you don’t steam them, or they seem tough you can consider making a puree of carrot juice. Carrots can be purchased with the fresh green tops which show they haven’t been in the store too long, make sure and cut those tops off. Thoroughly wash your carrots to remove any pesticides, or buy organic carrots to ensure your dog isn’t consuming any dangerous chemicals..
Recipe for a carrot biscuit treat for your dog.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup water
- 2 ½ cups flour divided
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
In a large bowl combine pumpkin puree, water, carrots, apple sauce, eggs and peanut butter. Combine well then add ½ of the flour along with the teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix that well, then mix in the other half. This should be doughy and not too sticky. Lightly flour a counter or rolling surface and roll out dough ¼ of inch thick. Cut into desired shapes or bars and place on a piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden. Cool and store in an airtight container. Feed one treat to your dog at a time.
What do veterinarians and nutritionists say about dogs and carrots?
Can dogs eat carrots? Yes, but keep this treat like all new additions to 10% or less of your dog’s diet. Speak to your veterinarian if your dog is diabetic or has any challenges eating carrots.