There are many 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 yummy dog treats and can be a great supplement alongside your pet’s meat-based diet. So let’s discuss why you need to consider feeding carrots to your pet.
Why Include Carrots in Your Dog’s Diet?
With a satisfying crunch, carrots make for wonderful snacks and offer numerous health benefits for canines. Here are five to name a few:
1. Prevents Chronic Diseases
Carrots are an antioxidant mine for dogs. They’re packed full of antioxidant nutrients like lutein, vitamin C, anthocyanins, lycopene, and beta-carotene, which lowers oxidative stress that results in 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 a great way to be on top of your pet’s preventive care. Moreover, their wellness plans have different bundle choices for the specific vet subscriptions you’ll need at discounted prices, making planning and budgeting easier.
2. 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 dog breeds susceptible to cataracts and eye health problems, such as Boston Terriers and Labrador Retrievers. This means pets can have a great chance of living longer and seeing more of the world’s beauty while they’re at it.
3. Boosts Immune System
Carrots contain good amounts of Vitamin A, which makes your pet’s coat and skin 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 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 routine veterinary checkup. You may visit websites like guilfordjamestownvet.com to learn more about the essential vet services for your pet.
4. Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Treat
Carrots are low in fat and calories, making them perfect for older, obese, and diabetic pet dogs. 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 isn’t enough proof to support that claim, it’s essential to be up-to-date with your pet’s cat vaccinations and parasite prevention to ensure their protection against common pet conditions and dangerous parasites.
5. Improves digestive function
Carrots are rich in insoluble and soluble fiber, which have their own unique 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 reduce the risk of colon cancer and mild cases of diarrhea. Finally, carrots also contain magnesium, which helps improve bowel movements and alleviate 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 okay for other dogs might not be the same for your pet, as it would depend on their age, health conditions, and health history. Before 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.