Can dogs eat carrots?

Just like their owners, dogs benefit from eating a balanced diet, consisting of a variety of protein and fibre-rich foods.

While not all fruits and veggies are good for dogs to eat, there are several both humans and their pets can eat together.

A vet recently told Country Living that potatoes fall into the ‘safe to eat’ category for dogs – provided they are cooked in the right way – but what about another crucial roast dinner component, the humble carrot?

Can dogs eat carrots?

Carrots are a safe and healthy treat for dogs to eat, according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. In fact, they’re a healthy and inexpensive snack for dogs, and they tend to love their crunchiness.

What’s more, carrots are often included in both wet and dry commercial dog foods.

“Lots of pet owners give their dogs carrots because it’s one vegetable they often have in the fridge,” Dr. Bernal tells Country Living.

However, according to Purnia, “while carrots do contain vitamins and minerals, your dog should get everything they need from their complete and balanced diet, so there’s no need to worry about adding carrots to their food for the nutritional benefit.”

Also, while carrots are good for dogs as a healthy treat, especially if you’re watching your pet’s waistline, it’s important not to fall into the trap of feeding them too often, as they are surprisingly high in natural sugars.

It’s also worth pointing out that just like many other crunchy and chewy foods, large pieces of vegetables and fruits can cause an obstruction in dogs, so it’s important to cut carrots into pieces that are small enough to chew with ease.

Follow these guidelines to make sure foods aren’t a choking hazard for your pet:

• Always remove thick skins or rinds from veggies and fruits that may be hard for your dog to chew.
• Serve foods in small slices or bites to ensure your pet doesn’t swallow them whole.
• Keep an eye on your pet while he eats. Don’t serve or leave out thick or crunchy foods that your dog may eat while you’re not home.

And, as always, be sure to read up before you feed your dog anything you’re unsure about.

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