There are many dog-friendly fruits and veggies 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 excellent snacks and offer several health benefits for canines. Here are five to name a few:
1. Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Treat
Carrots are low in fat and calories, making them ideal for older, overweight, and diabetic canines. Having only 53 calories per cup, these colorful, crunchy vegetables are a great treat option between feedings. Grated or coarsely chopped raw carrots are also excellent as a meal topper and have been reported to have allegedly treated parasites like tapeworms in canines.
But since there isn’t enough proof to support that claim, it’s necessary to be up-to-date with your pet’s preventive care in facilities like Guilford Jamestown Veterinary Hospital to ensure their protection against prevalent pet diseases and dangerous parasites.
2. 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 buddy if consumed too much, as it can be toxic when it builds up 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 regular veterinary checkup. You may visit their pet clinic to learn more about the essential veterinary services for your pet.
3. 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 wonderful things for maintaining a dog’s vision, especially at night. Beta carotene is also beneficial for canine breeds prone to cataracts and eye health problems, such as Labrador Retrievers and Boston Terriers. This means pets can have a great chance of living longer and seeing more of the world’s beauty while they’re at it.
4. Prevents Chronic Diseases
Carrots are an antioxidant mine for canines. They’re packed full of antioxidant nutrients like lutein, vitamin C, anthocyanins, beta-carotene, and lycopene, which lowers oxidative stress that results in chronic pet diseases like:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Premature aging
- Chronic inflammation
While carrots can help prevent the chronic pet diseases mentioned above, considering pet wellness plans is a great way to be on top of your pet’s preventive care. Moreover, pet wellness plans have different bundle choices for the specific veterinary subscriptions you’ll need at discounted prices, making budgeting and planning easier.
5. Improves digestive function
Carrots are rich in insoluble and soluble fiber, which have distinct benefits. Fiber is essential for maintaining a canine’s digestive function and regularity. For this reason, your pet will significantly benefit from eating carrots. Diets high in fiber can improve digestion and minimize the risk of colon cancer and mild cases of diarrhea. Lastly, carrots also contain magnesium, which helps improve bowel movements and ease constipation in 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 confirm it from your vet. What seems alright 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 pet’s diet, never bypass your vet’s advice to ensure your pet’s safety and prevent unwanted situations.
