Can My Dog Eat This? - Carrots -
We're back again with another instalment of "Can My Dog Eat This?". In each post we discuss foods that your dog can / should eat or avoid completely. We break it down into bitesize articles and will cover everything from artichokes to antelope!
Today, we're curious about carrots!
Carrots are a good source of soluble fibre, beta carotene, potassium, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. Better yet, carrots are loaded with antioxidants zeaxanthin, lycopene and lutein, phytonutrients that help protect eyes from free-radical damage and UVB radiation.
Ideal for Diabetic Pets
Soluble fibre can help regulate blood-sugar, so carrots are ideal for pets that need more glycemic control (e.g. diabetic pets). Soluble fibre can also feed those good gut bacteria. Carrots can therefore help with vision maintenance, bone and tooth growth, immune system function and skin health.
Handy for Treats
They can make a very handy treat as they are low in calories and a great shape to chew. Chewing on carrots can also help improve your dog’s dental health, by gently scraping the teeth and preventing plaque buildup. Cold or frozen carrots can be given to teething puppies, as a way to relieve teething discomfort.
Carrots can be given either raw or cooked. However, dogs cannot metabolise the nutrients of raw carrots – you may notice that the chunks of carrot your dog chewed up in his poop. To fully reap the nutritional benefits of carrots, you must lightly cook, blanch or steam them (as opposed to boiling them and losing nutrients in the water).
Stay tuned for more "Can My Dog Eat This?" posts.
About these posts...
Well, a sea change is taking place in the world of pet nutrition. More and more owners are moving away from processed dry and tinned foods towards more natural, healthy diets for their pets. With this shift comes considerable confusion and misinformation. Are blackberries poisonous? Is garlic good or bad for dogs? What about avocado?
There is an important distinction between what dogs can eat and what dogs should eat. As with humans, dogs need a balanced diet to thrive. These posts will hopefully give you a steer in the right direction!
