TylerThere are numerous dog-friendly vegetables and fruits you can feed your four-legged friend, but carrots are something you should consider including in their diet. Since dogs are naturally omnivores, they would benefit from the nutrition carrots offer. Carrots make for tasty dog treats and can be a great supplement alongside your pet’s meat-based diet. So let’s discuss why you should consider feeding carrots to your dog.
Why Include Carrots in Your Dog’s Diet?
With a satisfying crunch, carrots make for wonderful snacks and offer many health benefits for canines. Here are five to name a few:
1. Helps Maintain Good Vision
The signature orange color of carrots is caused by beta-carotene, a pigment converted into Vitamin A by the liver. Vitamin A does many great things for maintaining a dog’s vision, especially at night. Beta carotene is also valuable for canine breeds vulnerable to cataracts and eye problems, such as Boston Terriers and Labrador Retrievers. This means pets can have a good chance of living longer and seeing more of the world’s beauty while they’re at it.
2. Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Reward
Carrots are low in fat and calories, making them ideal for older, obese, and diabetic canines. Having only 53 calories per cup, these colorful, crunchy veggies are a great treat option between feedings. Grated or coarsely chopped raw carrots are also perfect as a meal topper and have been reported to have allegedly treated parasites like tapeworms in canines.
But since there is not enough evidence to support that claim, it’s essential to be up-to-date with your pet’s parasite prevention and puppy vaccinations to ensure their protection against common pet conditions and life-threatening parasites.
3. Prevents Chronic Diseases
Carrots are an antioxidant mine for dogs. They’re packed full of antioxidant nutrients like lutein, vitamin C, anthocyanins, beta-carotene, and lycopene, which lowers oxidative stress that lead to chronic pet diseases like:
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Premature aging
- Diabetes
- Chronic inflammation
While carrots can help prevent the chronic pet diseases mentioned above, considering pet wellness plans is an excellent way to be on top of your pet’s preventive care. Furthermore, pet care plans have different bundle options for the specific veterinary subscriptions you’ll need at discounted prices, making planning and budgeting easier.
4. Boosts Immune System
Carrots contain good amounts of Vitamin A, which makes your pet’s skin and coat healthier and boosts their immune system. However, since Vitamin A is necessary for dogs, it has become a required additive for numerous commercial dog foods. This fat-soluble vitamin can harm your four-legged friend if consumed in large amounts, as it can be dangerous when it accumulates in their body.
So if you plan to feed carrots to your dog, consult your vet about the ideal serving size the next time you take your pet for a routine vet checkup. You may visit their clinic to inquire about the essential veterinary services your pet will regularly need.
5. Improves digestive function
Carrots are rich in insoluble and soluble fiber, which have distinct benefits. Fiber is necessary for maintaining a canine’s digestive function and regularity. For this reason, your pet will greatly benefit from consuming carrots. Diets high in fiber can improve digestion and lower the risk of colon cancer and mild cases of diarrhea. Finally, carrots also have magnesium, which helps improve bowel movements and ease constipation in pet dogs.
Conclusion
While you’ve already done your research on what makes carrots an excellent addition to your pet’s diet, it’s still necessary to validate it from your vet. What seems okay for other canines might not be the same for your pet, as it would depend on their age, health conditions, and health history. Whenever you attempt introducing new foods, especially “people foods,” into your dog’s diet, never bypass your veterinarian’s guidance to ensure your pet’s safety and prevent unwanted situations.
