It should go without saying that you aren’t just getting a new pet when adopting a dog. You’re going to be welcoming a new member into your family. And just like any family member, you’d want to make sure that your dog eats healthy and nutritious food, right?
Because of this, many new dog owners usually ask, what vegetables can I feed my dog?
While in the wild, dogs are carnivores, and there are many human foods that dogs can’t eat; there are a lot of vegetables that you can feed your dog that would be both nutritious and tasty.
And in this article, we’ll be going through five different veggies that you can feed to your furry best friend!
Read on to learn more.
1. Broccoli
When feeding dogs broccoli, it’s best to provide it in small amounts, especially if you’re feeding them the heads. Broccoli florets are known to have a compound called isothiocyanates, which can potentially cause gastrointestinal issues, especially if you give your dog a lot of it.
With that said, broccoli has lots of fiber and Vitamin C, which is beneficial for dogs. On top of that, the stalks can work like a toothbrush of sorts that can fight plaque. So if your dog has been having issues with its breath, try giving them a couple of broccoli stalks to chew on to improve their dental health! Check out DailyPaws entire article about broccoli for dogs.
2. Carrots
Carrots are a great treat to give your dogs, and you don’t even have to cook them beforehand! Raw and crunchy carrots, along with having antioxidants that can help boost your dog’s immune system, chewing on them can also reduce anxiety!
On top of that, crunchy carrots can also help clean your dog’s teeth! However,f you see undigested carrots in your dog’s stool or notice that they have a hard time chewing raw carrots, it might be best to chop them up into smaller pieces before feeding them to your dog.
These veggies also contain beta-carotene, which according to PetMD, can prevent eye diseases in dogs.
3. Pumpkin
If you’ve ever opened a can of pumpkin and saw your dog get all giddy and excited, chances are you’ve also wondered if you can feed pumpkin to your dog. Not only is pumpkin a tasty treat for many dogs, but they are also great for their health, so yes, but you can also feed your dog pumpkin.
It has a very high fiber content, so canned or pureed pumpkin would be a great way to fix it if your dog is constipated or has bowel movement issues! Pumpkin has a wide range of benefits for dogs, which you can read more about that in this article: https://whatthepup.spotandtango.com/can-dogs-eat-pumpkin/.
4. Kale
We all know how kale is considered a superfood for humans, but did you know they also boast a wide range of benefits for dogs as well? Kale can aid in fighting heart disease, urinary tract problems, and even arthritis in dogs!
When feeding kale to your dog, make sure not to give them too much, as it can give them gas and cause bloating. Instead, it’s best to add an ounce of steamed, dried, or chopped kale into your dog’s regular meal.
5. Sweet Potato
Many dogs find sweet potatoes very tasty, and since it’s packed with nutrients and fiber, it would be a great way to make your dog’s regular meals much healthier. However, since dogs can choke on whole potatoes, it’s best to cut them into wedges, cook and mash them, or serve them as a puree!
Replacing around a quarter of your dog’s regular food with sweet potatoes is a great way to add variety to their meals while also boosting their health!
Conclusion
So there are just a couple of vegetables that can be beneficial to your dogs! Remember, every dog is unique with its own set of tastes and preferences, so feeding them healthy and nutritious meals can be kind of tricky, especially if your pet is a picky eater.
And now that you’re familiar with some vegetables that are safe and healthy for dogs, you can use any of these choices (or even a combination of them) to make your dog’s menu more exciting and healthier at the same time!