Carrots have many benefits when it comes to our everyday health. It is a natural vegetable that can be washed and eaten without any worries of oils, and fats unlike potato chips and chocolate bars. As a child your mother probably said something like, “eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes.”
Unlike unhealthy foods, carrots will not cause any harm unless you are diabetic and need to watch your sugar and carbohydrate intake. Also keep in mind that carrots are a healthy treat but the type of dressing you dip it in may not be healthy, and the types of seasonings you add to your carrots can also be unhealthy.
The natural benefits to carrots are the vitamins they contain including Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1 and B6. Carrot juice also can help with some disorders if you drink the juice on a regular basis. Acne, cancer, emphysema, and many other disorders have been known to respond well to 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 have raw carrots and they usually enjoy the crunchiness of the carrot. The crunchiness of the vegetable also helps make your dog’s teeth stronger. Raw carrots are a low calorie food, 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 health 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.
Carrots Are Healthy
Carrots can be given to your dog as a treat instead of foods that are unhealthy. Cooked carrots can also be given to your dog if you do not add too many spices like sugars, and salt. Since dogs like to swallow their foods without chewing first, it may be best to give your dog baby carrots or cut up larger carrots to prevent your canine friend from choking.
Keep in mind that your dog’s body may have a hard time digesting vegetables (since dogs are naturally carnivores) and you may see pieces of undigested vegetables in the bowel movements of your dog. For teething puppies, frozen carrots will feel good on the gums and hopefully stop them from teething on your favorite shoes and furniture, making it less aggravating for the both of you.
Carrots and carrot juice are also good for certain pets and for women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy.
Carrots vs. Dog Treats
Help your dog stay fit by providing them with healthy foods rather than dog treats that can eventually cause your dog to grow unhealthy and even obese. Keep in mind when buying dog treats, just because the box says the dog biscuits are healthy doesn’t mean they actually are. Carrots are definitely healthy!
Lets face it, many manufacturers just want to make a quick buck. If you want to give your K9 boxed treats for dogs look for one without artificial sweeteners, sodium, sugar, dairy or just too much fillers. Of course, if you are sometimes giving them human foods watch out for nuts, chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic.
When shopping for your dog, think about the foods and ingredients that you would eat. Dogs cannot handle many foods and often we see our dogs as a garbage disposal, but that can make your dog sick.
Carrots vs. Scraps
Many times we sneak our dog a scrap or two from the table when loved ones are not watching. This can be harmless but when a dog gets table scraps then whatever is leftover plus their dog food, we can cause the digestive system to get overworked. Your dog ends up suffering with gas, a belly ache, and often times we can cause them to have diarrhea or become constipated.
If you want to give your dog a healthy treat then give them carrots. Cooked or raw your dog will be benefited with vitamins instead of an upset stomach and will appreciate it later.
Other Healthy Dog Tips
Carrots are a great treat for your puppy or adult dog. Carrots make for a healthy dog, making teeth stronger, and they don’t cause obesity later in life when their digestive tracts start to slow down. When your dog is overweight you may think your dog is just spoiled but what you may not know is your causing your dog to be unhealthy and he should be put on some type of diet to help with the excessive weight.
Other great fruits and vegetables you can feed your dog in moderation is 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 know a dog that jumps for carrots.
That would be my dog;)
I gave my first Shih Tzu baby carrots, and unflavored, unsalted brown rice cakes. He had some food allergies and was on a micro biotic diet so they were the only treats he was allowed. My new little guy gets raw carrots and rice cakes. He also loves plain Greek yogurt.
I cut up the larger carrots from my garden and freeze them in 2-3″ chunks. My 4-mo old puppy loves them, and they help with his teething!
That is a great idea for carrots Susan!
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???
I’ve been giving my Springerpoo vegetables since she was a little pup (only one yr 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.
As you have mentioned Carrots are very healthy, and although they contain sugar, it is 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, it wasn’t because they were ever stupid, it is because we were. 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 saying all of this to say, that commercial food isn’t gold to them, it may in fact, sometimes, but junk. We need to know what is healthy for them. I have even made my own dog food using a food processor. It is more work, but if you have the time, and the love, it is very much worth it.
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