Carrots have many benefits when it comes to our everyday health. As a child your mother probably said something like, “eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes!” but does this apply to dogs?
As a health food, carrots won’t cause any harm unless diabetes is a factor in which case sugar and carbohydrate intake must be restricted. Carrots can, in fact, be a healthy treat for your dog. However, how you serve them could change that. For example, dressing used as a flavorful dip may not be healthy.
The benefits of this vegetable are the vitamins it contains including vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1 and B6. Carrot don’t just help the eyes either. It promotes general well-being, a strong immune system and it’s good for canine teeth. Dogs have been known to generally respond well to consuming carrots.
Can My Dog Have Carrots? Answer: Yes
Carrots are a very nutritious vegetable and provide the same benefits to dogs as they do to people.
Dogs can eat raw carrots and they usually enjoy the crunchiness. This same crunchiness also helps to make your dog’s teeth stronger. Raw carrots are a low calorie food and make for a good treat occasionally. However if carrots are given in large amounts it can be unhealthy for your dog because they are high in carbohydrates. Too much of anything is unhealthy, even healthy food!
If your dog is unhealthy or has diabetes ask your vet before you give them any kind of table foods. Carrots contain natural sugars and could cause sugar levels to go up.
K9s Craving Carrots
Carrots, and even carrot juice, can be given to dogs as a treat instead of foods that are unhealthy. Cooked carrots can also be fed if you don’t add too many spices like sugars and salt.
Since dogs like to swallow their foods without chewing much first, it’s best to give your dog baby carrots. Larger carrots should be cut up to prevent your best friend from choking. Your dog may have a hard time digesting vegetables in general, since dogs are naturally carnivores. You may see pieces of undigested vegetables in their bowel movements.
For teething puppies, frozen carrots will feel good on the gums.
Carrots vs. Dog Treats
Help your dog stay fit by providing them with healthy foods. Many dog treats that can eventually cause health problems and obesity. Just because the marketing on a retail box says certain dog biscuits are healthy doesn’t mean they actually are. Carrots are definitely healthy!
If you want to give your pup boxed treats designed for dogs, look for one without artificial sweeteners, sodium, sugar, dairy or just too many fillers. If and when giving them human foods watch out for nuts, chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins and onions.
Carrots & Table Scraps
Often times we sneak our dogs a scrap or two from the dinner table, sometimes when loved ones aren’t watching. This can be harmless but when a dog gets table scraps plus whatever is left over afterwards in addition to their regular dog food, this can certainly cause the digestive system to get overworked. Your dog ends up suffering with gas, a belly ache and sometimes we cause them to have diarrhea or become constipated.
If you want to give your dog a healthy treat then give them carrots instead. Cooked or raw, your dog will benefit from the plentiful vitamins. Rather than giving them another one of those terrible upset stomachs, be smart about what you give them.
Conclusion on Carrots
Carrots are a great treat for your puppy or adult dog. This vegetable can make for an overall healthier dog with side benefits such as stronger teeth. It also won’t cause obesity later in life when their digestive tracts start to slow down.
When your dog is overweight you may think they are just spoiled. While that may be true, it’s the owners’ fault. A better type of diet, to help with excessive weight, is in order. Carrots could help in such a situation. Other fruits and vegetables you can feed your dog in moderation are pumpkin, green beans, peas, cranberries, blueberries and bananas.
Maureen is studying for her Vet Tech Degree & is the primary author of
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I am wondering, how many carrots are too many? I use baby carrots and my dogs will eat as many as I will feed them each day. I usually give them 3-4 baby carrots 3-4 times per day. Is this okay? I have been able to switch them over to carrots from store bought healthy dog cookies and would like to never give them anything but carrots. I just want to make sure that I’m not over loading them. There are times when I give them 6 smallish baby carrots. They love them!
As an expat living in the West Indies, I found it very difficult to find healthy food for my dogs. It has only been in the last 15 years that stores began importing dry dog food. Most island dogs, if they are lucky, get bread and water or chicken backs/necks. My dogs were getting imported chicken breast, at $22.00 lb, ground beef $18.00 lb, etc.
I wanted my dogs to have the best but also had to consider cost. I make my own cookies and now make them chicken meat loaf where I incorporate veggies. They love it. I have a friend who gives his dog a plate of lightly steamed veggies every day as a treat and the dog cleans it all up.
As you have mentioned carrots are very healthy, and although they contain sugar, it’s low in sugar, and can be given to a diabetic dog. However, I would think in moderation like anything else. The vet who treats our diabetic Mini Schnauzer does not recommend a dog food with a higher than 10 percent fat.
We also give our diabetic dog, and our other dogs “5 Grains”. Bob’s Red Mill, (oats, rye, Barley, flaxseed, Triticale), mixed in with dry food, or veggies. Our favorite veggies are broccoli, cauliflower and Kale. I hate it when people use the term “people food”.
Where do they think the food comes from? It is the same food we eat, after it has been dehydrated, or processed in a different form, sometimes parts of the animal no one will eat. But they chunk it in the mix. Of course, there are some foods and herbs that are toxic to dogs, and a dog owner should make it their responsibility, if they are going to adopt a dog, to know that they are. I do not agree with giving a dog, only dry dog food. To me, that would be the same as a human eating a type of dry food for every meal.
We like to buy lean chicken breast for our dogs, and add that in with their meal (or dry food). I like to know what my dogs are consuming, since they are a member of our family, just as a child would be.
Although, I’m not a vet, nor a vet tech, my experience as a former nurse tells me it was the commercial dry food that put our dog at risk for diabetes, since most dry foods contain, large amounts of corn. That is like eating candy. So now, only high premium dogs foods that do not contain corn in any form.
We are finding out now just how intelligent dogs are. They love to enjoy life, just as humans do. They like going for rides and trips. They like activities, and learning. Some people say dogs do not think, but they do. I have seen my dogs actually reasoning, and their choices really surprised me, as they were very sensible. I am writing all of this to say that commercial food isn’t always good for them. I have even made my own dog food using a food processor. It’s more work, but if you have the time, and the love, it is very much worth it.
I’ve been giving my Springerpoo vegetables since she was a little pup (only one year now) and she loved practically any raw veg I could throw at her, literally! Great when she was teething and kept her off my chair legs, although the coffee table still lost it’s corners. Raw carrots still go down well and she often has a steamed one chopped up in her tea.
I juice organic carrots and apples in the morning and put the pulp in ice cube trays with a little water and freeze them for snacks for our dogs instead of throwing pulp out. Just making sure the pulp is okay?
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