Carrots are some of the healthiest vegetables you can buy in the market. It’s good for people and some animals such as hamsters and rabbits, but is it good for dogs? Can our adorable best friends eat carrots?
Continue reading to see if our furry companions can eat carrots straight from the platter the next time you prepare carrot sticks.
Long story short, yes, dogs can eat carrots! Not only are carrots healthy for us, but they are an amazing food supplement for your dogs. Say goodbye to those nasty commercial chews treats because carrots are excellent dog treat substitutes. Carrots are both nutritious and cheap, and can also improve your dog’s dental health.
Read on if you are keen to find out more about the benefits of carrots for your canine.
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Are Carrots Safe For Dogs?
Generally, carrots are very safe for dogs. But like any food, especially if your dogs have the tendency to gobble food, they are at risk of choking and overeating.
Some owners tend to give whole carrots to their pets, but it may be best to gauge the eating habits of your dog before anything else. To be safe, chop up the carrots into bite-size pieces or cook them until they are soft enough to eat.
Carrots are some of the healthiest food that pets can eat, and the only time that these veggies can be dangerous is if your dog has sensitive stomachs or if your dog is allergic to carrots. If they happen to have signs such as diarrhea or vomiting when eating carrots, bring your dog to the vet ASAP.
Are Carrots Healthy For Dogs?
Carrots are one of the best treats that you can give to your dog. Carrots are packed with a ton of vitamins and minerals, making them a good addition to your dog’s diet. Below are some of the health benefits that your furry friend can get from carrots.[Source]
Beta-Carotene
Ever wondered why carrots are orange-colored? It’s because of the pigment called Beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the initial form of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining good vision. Beta-carotene also improves dogs’ night vision, making them see better at night.
The pigment also functions as an antioxidant that protects cells from harmful free radicals that can degrade cells or cause cancer. Beta-carotene also improves bone development and ensures good reproductive health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is the main highlight of eating carrots. This vitamin helps in maintaining good eyesight, promoting healthy skin and coat, and improving the immune system.
But with all good things, too much vitamin A can be harmful to your dogs. Since vitamin A is an essential vitamin, most dog food companies include vitamin A additive in their products, and it could build up in their bodies and become toxic. Some signs of vitamin A toxicity include vomiting and skin peeling.[Source]
Fiber
Carrots are high in soluble fiber which improves your pet’s digestive health. Carrots are also good for diabetic dogs since this vegetable has low fats and calories.
Water
Carrots contain 88 percent water in them. Eating raw carrots is a good way to give water to your dogs, especially during hot, summer days.
Good for Dental Health
Maintaining good dental health for your pets can be a challenge, especially if you have older dogs. Carrots can improve your dog’s dental health by working as a chew toy that can give gentle cleaning and prevent the build-up of tartar. Carrots, however, do not work as a substitute for professional veterinary teeth cleaning. Always consult your veterinarian for your dog’s overall dental health.
[Related Article: Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Is It Toxic And Harmful For Them?]
A Complete Guide To Carrot Feeding Your Dog
Before giving carrots to your dog, always remember to wash the carrots before you prepare them. Washing veggies can remove the dirt and pesticides that can be harmful to you and your pets. After washing, peel the skin, then cut them up into strips, rounds, or cubes. Below are some ways you can give carrots to dogs.
Carrot Serving Ideas
- Carrots can be cut into tiny pieces and used as treats
- You can top dogfood with chopped carrots
- Freeze carrots as dog chew treats
- Cut up some carrot rounds and spread some cream cheese or peanut butter. Just make sure that your peanut butter does not have xylitol and your cream cheese is lactose-free.
- Mix carrots with other veggies and fruits such as cucumbers, celeries, or apples as salads.
How To Give Carrots To Dogs And Puppies
Before you give carrots to your dogs for the first time, it’s best to give a small amount, then observe for 24 hours first before giving them more. This is done to test if your dogs are not allergic to carrots. These allergic reactions can vary, ranging from itching to vomiting and diarrhea. If you observe unusual signs, call your veterinarian immediately.
Slicing up carrots into tiny pieces may also be best when giving carrots to puppies to prevent them from choking.
How many carrots can my dog eat
According to veterinarians, the 10% rule is recommended for treats, since they make up 10% of the total calories in your dog’s daily diet. Despite being low in sugars, fresh carrots have higher calories compared to other veggies. Because of this, you may opt to combine carrots with other low-calorie food such as cucumbers when giving carrots.
Cooked Or Raw? Which Is Better?
Dogs can eat both cooked and raw carrots, and all the parts of the carrot can be safely eaten by dogs.
Raw carrots
Carrots can be chopped as is or you can grate them and add them to your dog’s meal. Make sure that you wash the carrots first before you give them to your pet.
Cooked Carrots
The best way to serve cooked carrots is by steaming them for around 10 minutes to amplify the natural flavors of the vegetable while keeping the most valuable nutrients that they have. Baking is also an excellent alternative. You can bake carrots for about 20 minutes at 420 degrees Fahrenheit or until the carrots are golden brown.
Frozen Carrots
Frozen carrots are excellent treats for dogs, especially during hot summer days. However, do not give frozen carrots to puppies since they may have trouble digesting these veggies.
Carrot Juice
You can give your dog carrot juice, especially if they are low in vitamin A. The problem with carrot juice, however, is that the soluble fiber may be lost during the process. You can include the pulp to solve this issue.
Carrot Alternatives
There are other vegetables and fruits that you can give to your dog that are both healthy and safe. Here are some of them:
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Green Beans
- Asparagus
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Oranges
[Related Article: Can Dogs Have Blueberries Or Other Berries?]
Wrap Up
Can dogs eat carrots? Definitely! Are carrots safe? Yes! Are carrots healthy? You bet! Carrots are one of the healthiest and safest food that your dogs can eat. It also has a ton of benefits that is good for their bodies.
Before giving carrots, remember to clean and peel the skin before you prepare them. Cut them into small pieces to prevent your pets from choking.
Always feed your dogs carrots in moderation!
Carrot Fun Facts
Carrots can come in different colors. There are white, yellow, or even purple carrots.
The scientific name of carrots is Daucus carota. Is and belongs to the family Apiaceae, the same family of celeries.
Carrots are the second most famous vegetable in the world, second only to potatoes.
