Benefits of Carrots for Dogs

Last Updated on April 9, 2023 by Pets Feed

Correct feeding of the dog is the first of the five freedoms of animal welfare, and it is our duty to avoid starvation or malnutrition. Therefore, when we adopt a dog or have been living with a dog for a while, it is a responsible owner who learns the vitamins and nutrients that his body needs to stay healthy, strong and happy. At this point, many people come to see if they can eat certain fruits, vegetables or other foods intended for human consumption.

One of the most common questions when it comes to homemade diets is whether the dog can eat carrots and, if so, what is the best way to give them. Well, in this ‘ Pets Feed ‘ , we will answer this question and detail the benefits of carrots for dogs, find out everything!

As you may have guessed, carrots are good for dogs, so you can offer it to your furry companion with no problem. This is due to the type of starch that composes them, with a high percentage of amylopectin, considered as an easily digestible substance for the dog, unlike what happens with other foods like certain cereals, which have a d index ‘indigestion above. Thus, carrots are part of the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for dogs, not only for their easy and rapid assimilation, but also for the multiple benefits that they bring to its body. To better understand them, we review the composition of this product.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of raw carrots contain the following composition:

• Energy: 41 Kcal
• Water: 88.29 g
• Proteins: 0.93 g
• Fat: 0.24 g
• Carbohydrates: 9.58 g
• Total fiber: 2.8 g
• Total sugars: 4.74 g
• Calcium: 33 mg
• Iron: 0.30 mg
• Magnesium: 12 mg
• Phosphorus: 35 mg
• Potassium: 320 mg
• Sodium: 69 mg
• Zinc: 0.24 mg
• Vitamin C: 5.9 mg
• Total vitamin B: 20.2 mg
• Vitamin A: 835
• Vitamin E: 0.66 mg
• Vitamin K: 13.2 mg
• Total saturated fatty acids: 0.037 g
• Total monounsaturated fatty acids: 0.014
• Total polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.117

The composition of carrots detailed in the previous section translates into endless benefits and properties for dogs, among which the following stand out:

Due to the absence of the salivary amylase enzyme in dogs, this presents greater difficulties in making better use of the energy supplied by carbohydrates. However, and thanks to its carnivorous animal quality, it easily exploits the energy of animal proteins. To ensure you take full advantage of the carbohydrates offered by carrots, as well as the rest of the properties and benefits, it is obvious to ask the following question:

When cooking foods such as plants and grains in boiling water, we get a much better benefit from the starch that makes up these foods, preventing raw starch from digesting and fermenting in the colon. , causing flatulence and related health problems. Thus, although raw carrots are easily digested and assimilated for the dog, by providing them cooked, we manage to guarantee this fact. In this way, we can say that raw carrots are good for dogs, but cooked carrots are better. Remember to always remove the stem and the skin before cooking or giving them to the dog.

This same process is further improved 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.

Yes, to such an extent that it is common to find it in homemade dog diets such as the 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 supplied 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 must be respected according to the weight of the dog, with an average of about 120 grams of meat, 30 grams of cereals and 20 grams of vegetables for 10 kilos of weight of the dog. 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 foods, as the two foods have completely different digestive processes and, therefore, could produce inadequate fermentations. In this way, we conclude that you can mix carrots with other natural foods, but not with pet food or industrial dog food.

Although carrots are full of benefits for the dog’s body, 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 the reaction of the animal. If his body gives a positive response, we can increase the amount to the maximum of the daily grams recommended above (about 20). Likewise, to guarantee a varied and complete diet, we recommend that you try to combine the different vegetables and fruits during the week, so that the carrots are offered from time to time, and not every day, unless otherwise stipulated. from the veterinarian.

Of course ! Carrots are a perfect snack for training and training your dog. If you intend to use it daily, be sure to do it in small amounts and combine it with other natural snacks.

Yes, in fact, because of the amount of calcium and carbohydrates that make up this product, carrots are a perfect natural food for puppies. Of course, being animals in full development and whose teeth are still being formed, we recommend that you offer cooked and chopped carrots, facilitating as much as possible chewing and subsequent digestion.

On the other hand, the carrot pieces can also be a great reward when starting the puppy’s education, as they will be able to stimulate him while we are offering a product full of benefits for his body. In adulthood, we can begin to offer pieces of raw carrots, following the parameters in the previous section.