Can dogs eat carrots? Well I shall get straight to the point on this one – yes dog’s can eat carrots. In fact they make quite a nutritious snack for your pet. Being low in calories, and very satisfying to crunch on if fed raw, your dog is likely to enjoy eating carrots very much.
However, as is generally the way, caveats such as feeding in moderation do apply.
First let’s take a look at the benefits of your dog eating carrots.
Can Dogs Eat Carrots – The Benefits
Dogs can eat raw or cooked carrots, however cooked carrots will not have the crunch factor and the impact of the nutrients will be lost due to the process of cooking.
Chewing on carrots can help decrease a dog’s anxiety levels, while also acting as a distraction if you find your dog chewing your shoes or bits of the furniture. However, you might want to feed your dog carrots in their kennel, or in a way that prevents them from walking around the house with it. Little shreds of carrot will find their way all over your home if you don’t.
We have already mentioned the high nutritional value of carrots – so what are they exactly?
Carrots Can Help improved eyesight and health
It may sound like an old wives tale; however eating carrots does help your eyesight.
Carrots are rich in a compound called Beta-carotene, (this gives them that distinctive orange color). Beta-carotene is converted into Vitamin A within your dog’s liver. Vitamin A is essential for good eye health. Ergo, carrots help your eyesight.
To take the science a little further, the vitamin A helps restore cells within the retina, (the part called cones that actually absorb light and send the information along the cortex to the brain). Within the retina vitamin A turns into a chemical called rhodopsin that is essential for night vision.
Beta-carotene can also help protect against macular degeneration and cataracts that occur as your dog ages.
Carrots can help prevent cancer
In recent studies, researchers discovered that carrots contain falcarinol and falcarindiol – two essential compounds that contain anticancer properties.
Falcarinol is produced by the carrot as a natural pesticide. It helps protect the roots as the carrot grown by preventing fungal diseases. The studies have shown that mice fed with carrots have a 1/3 lower risk of cancer.
Carrots have anti-aging qualities
Beta-carotene acts as antioxidant to cell damage, caused within your dog’s body through regular metabolism. In other words, it slows down the breakdown of cells.
The by-product vitamin A also helps keep your dog’s coat looking nice, youthful and shiny.
If your dog is lacking in vitamin A, it can cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails.
Vitamin A packs quite a punch in this area as it also helps slow down premature wrinkling and can prevent acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.
Carrots are also high in soluble fiber that helps keep your dog regular and reduce cholesterol levels.
Carrots and teeth health
If you feed your dog raw carrot he will benefit from the crunch factor. The crunchy vegetable will help scrape off plaque and food particles that attach to their teeth.
Carrots will also stimulate the gums, triggering alkaline saliva that helps balance out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria.
So overall carrot is quite a versatile food to feed your dog. That’s why you see it as an ingredient in many known dog food products. With these amount of benefits, it definitely make sense to offer your dog some carrot once in a while.
Can Dogs Eat Carrot – Precautions
No can dogs eat this article would be complete without a precautions section. The fact is, feeding your dog too much carrot in one go could cause a little tummy ache.
One whole carrot as a treat for him to crunch away on is fine. But leave it a few days before feeding the same again. A little chopped carrot mixed in with the kibble will also be fine. Use common sense and your dog will be a happy little cruncher, with hopefully superior night vision.