Many people wonder if it is good to give carrot to your dog. The answer is that it is not only good for them but it is also highly recommended. While there are some foods that are totally forbidden for our furry (for example, chocolate) carrots are very beneficial for dogs when they eat them moderately. We are going to list the 5 main reasons why including carrot in your dog's diet is a very wise decision.
They have a low fat and calorie content
If you want your dog to lose weight or simply not gain a few extra pounds, the best way to do this is by introducing low-calorie and low-fat foods into your diet. And this is where carrots can help us achieve this goal, since 100 grams of carrots contain only 40 calories and 0.2 grams of fat, which makes it a perfect food to control the weight of our dog.
It helps them take care of their teeth (and our pocket)
Keeping your dog's mouth clean and healthy will help prevent oral diseases, which if they occur can be very annoying and painful for our dog. It will also help us save veterinary expenses, which in these cases tend to be very large. In addition to having regular veterinary visits scheduled, a great way to take care of your mouth is to offer your dog a carrot, peeled, whole and raw or semi-raw. Biting your dog will be doing a natural cleaning of your teeth, keeping them healthier and stronger.. Finally, thanks to its fluoride content, it will better preserve tooth enamel and also prevent cavities.
It has a high content of fiber & vitamins
Carrot is well known for its high fiber and vitamin content. Vitamin A for example, will help protect your immune system and take better care of your hair and skin. Other vitamins present in the carrot such as B, C, D, E and K play a very important role in the nutrition of our dog. Finally, its high fiber content will help you better regulate your intestinal transit, which can help in case of constipation.
It helps them take care of their eyes
If carrots are famous for something, that's what our mothers said - Eat them that are very good for the eyes. The truth is that carrots do not help improve visual acuity as mistakenly believed, but they contain two elements called lutein and lycopene that will help protect your eyes (and those of your dog) from ultraviolet rays. Also do not forget that carrots have a high water content, which helps to better hydrate the eye preventing dryness.
We can use them as prizes (and they are cheaper!)
When educating your dog it is important to use prizes, so we will accelerate the learning process and motivate the dog in the exercises. What people don't know is that instead of using the prizes that we can buy at any pet store (which are more expensive and usually contain additives such as preservatives or dyes) we ourselves can create our awards With natural foods like carrots. If your dog likes this vegetable it can become a perfect prize. Simply cut it into small portions always keeping in mind the size of your dog. You can also buy small carrots, known as “babys”) Give them to your dog when he completes an exercise correctly or every time he behaves well, thus positively reinforcing his behavior.
Help in the Mental Part of the Dog
It also helps with the mental part of the dog, eating carrots, helps the dogs to lower their anxiety levels, this since the carrot has characteristics that help the brain part of the dog causing its anxiety to be regulated and in addition to this Emotional levels such as stress, you would have been relieved by consuming this vegetable.
Related to the aforementioned, the carrot when responsible for lowering anxiety levels, helps our dog (if it is to eat a lot) to lower its appetite to normal, here at the time of your daily meal do not be so anxious to ingest it .
It improves dental health
If the can eats raw carrot (peeled or not) its hard texture will help to clean up the residue that accumulates on the teeth, teeth, fangs and gums. Although it is not the only thing that serves to comply with oral hygiene (it is recommended to brush their teeth after 7 months), it is an extraordinary complement.
15 fruits that dogs can eat:
Here is a list of good fruits for dogs and puppies that we have made to facilitate your choice.
1 apple
In general it is one of the best fruits for dogs. Is easy to digest, soft, rich in vitamins A, C, B, E and K and also contains minerals. Also for its sweetness, Most dogs love this fruit. Be very careful not to give the seeds to your dog because they are harmful to him, remove them before.
2. Peach or peach
Be careful not to give them the center bone to prevent them from choking or drowning, because it is very hard. This typical summer fruit is one of the healthiest and most complete you can give your puppy, since it provides vitamins A, C, B1, B6 and B12, in addition to beta-carotene and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus or magnesium.
3. Pear
It’s tasty, and rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and E. Is ideal as a dog treat They are a little chubby, since it contains almost 80% water, and is not very caloric. Therefore, it will satiate your dog, without making you fat. When you are eating pear, you can cut some small cubes and give them to your dog. Always avoid giving the seeds or seeds.
4. Banana
Although it is not good to abuse, Giving banana chips occasionally to a dog is good. Bananas contain vitamins, such as C, E, B vitamins, and others, in addition to minerals such as potassium, iron or zinc. Although in general, if your dog is a rookie with fruits, you can start with others easier to digest, such as apple. If your dog doesn't feel good about bananas, or other fruits, you may notice that after eating bananas he has diarrhea. In that case, simply remove the banana from your diet completely and opt for any other fruit listed.
5. Pineapple
COn moderation and given without skin, it has many benefits for dogs. Contains Vitamin C, B1 and B6, a lot of water And it is a natural source of fiber.
6. Papaya
It is another beneficial and delicious fruit for dogs. Because of its sweetness and soft texture, many dogs love its taste. Papaya is a very healthy and low-calorie fruit, it is Rich in vitamins A and C, lycopene, it contains fiber and is very digestive.
7. Mango
As the previous case, the handle a fruit healthy and delicious for many dogs. The handle contains fiber, and vitamins like A, essential for good skin and hair health. We must also peel it and remove the inner bone, before giving it to our dog.
8. Medlars
Wash it well and remove its seeds from the inside, before giving them to your dog. This fruit is native to Asia, and its tree is related to apples. The Loquats have purifying properties and help keep the skin in good condition.
9. Strawberries or strawberries
To much dogs love the taste of this fruit, which brings some benefits like minerals and lots of vitamin C, which has a high antioxidant power. This vitamin helps to delay the cellular aging of the dog. They are also rich in fiber.
10. Coconut
We will give it to our broken dog in small stripped pieces. This food has many properties, both the coconut pulp, like its oil They are very nutritious. Its high content of minerals and vitamins, especially Vitamin E, Act like an important natural antioxidant, activator of the immune system and essential for the proper functioning of cells.
11. Melon
Without the nuggets and without skin is a treat very refreshing in summerbut don't abuse taking it too much can be heavy for your pet's stomach.
12. Watermelon
It is also a good treat to hydrate our dogs in summer, but it is much lighter than melon. It goes very well for chubby dogs, since its content is Practically all water!
13. Blueberries
Consumed in moderation and occasionally are good for your dog for the antioxidants that provide, which will help your body protect itself from free radicals.
14. Raspberries
Because of its peculiar taste, many dogs like to eat raspberries. Giving them one or two occasionally is a good natural treat, also beneficial, since it gives them lots of vitamin C, and few calories.
15. Oranges
It can occur in moderation, such as occasional treat, peeled and diced. High in water, fiber and vitamin C, you should know that this fruit don't make all dogs feel goodbecause they are quite high in citric acid and for this reason some can cause diarrhea. If your dog eats oranges and they feel good, ok! But if giving your dog orange you see that he has trouble digesting it, better stop giving it to him and simply replace it with another one of the fruits on the list that are softer like apple, pear or watermelon!
How to give carrots to my dog?
If you are one of those who are used to rewarding your pet every time it does something right instead of those sticks or snacks that are sold in stores, you can give them carrots. Cheaper, easier to keep, low in calories and can be shared with humans.
To offer them to your dog you will have to wash them well, cut off the tips and give them raw. It is not necessary to be whole, everything depends on the size of the dog. Some opt for the “baby” type, which are smaller and reduce the risk of being entrapped or caught in the throat.
Further, they are a replacement for “carnazas” or similar foods. Many dogs can spend hours chewing and gnawing carrots. Do not forget to supervise it because there is a risk of choking.
You can also give it a cooked carrot, but in that case it would be losing its purpose, it would not clean its teeth, it would not reduce its anxiety or instinct and n, or it would provide so many nutrients (many are lost in the cooking process). As if that were not enough, we would be at risk of offering it with added salt or spices.
Do not abuse in relation to the amount of carrot that is given to the dog. It will be normal for your stools to be a little orange or have visible bits of the vegetable. If you opt for the baby type, start by giving it one a day and increasing until it reaches 4 if it is a small dog, 6 if it is medium and up to 8 in a large one.
In the case that they are “normal” carrots, the maximum is 2 per day. Do not forget that dogs with digestive problems or with diabetes should not consume them. How about this method of rewards for your pet? Would you adopt it?
Is it bad to give carrot to a dog?
As you may have guessed, the carrot is good for dogs, so you can offer it to your furry partner without problem. This is so due to the type of starch that composes it, with a high percentage of amylopectin, considered as an easily digestible substance for the dog, contrary to what happens with other foods such as certain cereals, which have an indigestion index higher. Thus, the carrot is part of the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for dogs, not only for its easy and rapid assimilation, but also for the many benefits they bring to your body. To understand them better, then we review the composition of this product.
Nutritional composition of 100 g of carrot
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of raw carrot contains the following composition:
- Energy: 41 Kcal
- Water: 88.29 g
- Protein: 0.93 g
- Grease: 0.24 g
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Natural source of carbohydrates
Carbohydrates they provide the dog with a lot of energy and, therefore, they are essential in their diet. A diet low in carbohydrates is reflected in the health of the animal, developing pathologies and disorders that can become serious. This is because of the functions of carbohydrates, which consist of supplying energy to many of the body's tissues as well as to the heart and, in general, to the central nervous system. In this way, they favor cardiovascular health and also prevent the onset of cancer.
Since carrots are an excellent source of carbohydrates, it is highly recommended to include them in the dog's diet to cover this nutritional need, provide energy and benefit heart function.
Improves the dog's eye health
It’s no secret to anyone that high contribution of beta carotene of carrot benefit eye health, however, did you know that it also produces this effect on your dog? By digesting them, the body transforms them into vitamin A and uses them to strengthen the immune system, fight cellular oxidation and improve the animal's vision. And although there are several foods rich in this pigment, carrot is one of the best.
Recommended to treat diarrhea
Thanks to the composition of the carrot, this food helps diarrhea patients restore their intestinal flora and return to solid stools. To do this, it is recommended to offer the dog with carrot diarrhea boiled alone, or mixed with other ingredients with antidiarrheal properties like cooked rice or pumpkin. Check our article on "How to prepare rice for your dog step by step" and put this home remedy into practice if you see too much liquid stool. Of course, always under the supervision of the veterinarian and trying to find the cause that causes diarrhea.
Prevents the appearance of tartar
In its raw form, the carrot forces the dog to gnaw it to consume it, a fact that translates into a natural cleaning of your teeth, allowing you to delay the appearance of tartar and favoring your dental health. In this way, by providing a piece of raw carrot from time to time, we not only contribute extra energy and promote your health in general, but also prevent the development of serious oral diseases such as periodontitis.
Perfect for dogs with obesity
By containing such a low percentage of fat and calories, the carrot is an ideal food to include in the diet of an overweight dog, since in addition to regulating the intestinal transit, it will satisfy its appetite in a 100% natural way. Check out our article on "Recipes for overweight dogs" and discover how to cook the carrot to make it slim.
How to give carrot to a dog?
Due to the absence of the enzyme salivary amylase in the dog, this presents greater difficulties when it comes to making better use of the energy provided by carbohydrates. However, and thanks to its carnivorous animal quality, it harnesses the energy of animal proteins without difficulty. To ensure that you can take full advantage of the carbohydrates offered by the carrot, as well as the rest of the properties and benefits, it is obvious to ask the following question:
Raw or cooked carrot for dogs?
When cooking foods such as plants and cereals in boiling water, what we get is to take much better advantage of the starch that makes up these foods, thus preventing raw starch from digesting and fermenting in the colon, causing flatulence and derived health problems . Thus, although the raw carrot is easily digested and assimilated for the dog, by providing it cooked we manage to ensure this fact. In this way, we can say that raw carrots are good for dogs, but cooked carrot is better. Remember to always remove the stem and skin before cooking or giving it to the dog.
This same process is further enhanced in other foods such as potatoes and corn, which have a high degree of indigestion in the dog in its raw form, and remarkable benefits when cooked.
Can it be mixed with other foods?
Yes. So much so that it is common to find it in homemade dog diets such as the popular BARF diet, in which the animal is offered raw meat mixed with vegetables such as carrots, zucchini or squash. However, as we said, it can be provided cooked and, in turn, combined with semi-cooked or cooked meats and fish, boiled rice or other vegetables. In such cases, the amount of each recommended food should be respected depending on the weight of the dog, with an average of about 120 grams of meat, 30 grams of cereals and 20 grams of vegetables for every 10 kilos of the dog's weight. It should be noted that the grams of cereals and vegetables can be adapted and exchanged to offer a varied and complete diet.
It is not recommended to mix natural foods with commercial feed, because both foods have completely different digestive processes and, therefore, could produce inappropriate fermentations. In this way, we conclude, se you can mix the carrot with other natural foods but not with feed or industrial food for dogs.
How often to give a dog carrot?
Although the carrot is full of benefits for the dog's organism, it is also true that not all dogs tolerate all foods in the same way. In this way, we recommend trying a small amount and observing how the animal reacts. If your body emits a positive response, we can increase the amount to the maximum daily grams recommended above (around 20). Also, to ensure a varied and complete diet, we recommend trying to combine the different vegetables and fruits during the week, so that the carrot is offered occasionally, and not every day, unless stipulated by the veterinarian.
Can it be used as a prize?
Of course! The carrot represents a perfect snack to educate and train your dog. Of course, if you intend to use it daily, remember to do it in small quantities and combine it with other natural snacks. For this, we recommend watching the following video in which we show a simple way to prepare homemade snacks for dogs: "Natural snacks for dogs step by step".
Can puppies eat carrots?
Yes. In fact, due to the amount of calcium and carbohydrates Composing this product, carrot is a perfect natural food for puppies. Of course, being animals in full development and whose teeth are still in the process of formation, we recommend offer cooked and chopped carrot, facilitating as much as possible both its chewing and subsequent digestion.
On the other hand, carrot pieces can also be an excellent prize when you start educating the puppy, since they will be able to keep it stimulated while we offer a product full of benefits for your body. As we reach adulthood, we can start offering raw carrot pieces, following the parameters of the previous section.
If you want to read more articles similar to Benefits of carrot for dogsWe recommend that you enter our section on Homemade Diets.
