For owners who want their dogs to stay healthy for a long time, their dog's daily diet is one of the things they are most concerned about. I'm sure many of you are thinking about feeding your dog vegetables for health reasons.
In this article, in addition to vegetables that can and cannot be given to dogs, we will thoroughly explain topics of interest, such as whether dogs need vegetables, the appropriate amount, and precautions to take when feeding them!
Please read until the end and use it to live a healthy life with your dog.
Can I feed my dog vegetables?
Check the advantages and disadvantages
First, let's take a look at the pros and cons of feeding vegetables to dogs.
You may have heard that ``dogs have difficulty digesting vegetables,'' but is this actually true?
Effective for your dog's health.
Benefits of feeding vegetables
The number one benefit of feeding vegetables to dogs is that they are nutritionally enriched.
Vegetables are rich in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your dog's health.
For example, dietary fiber has a regulating effect on the intestines and helps relieve constipation, and the ingredients unique to vegetables are effective against problems caused by aging. Consuming the water contained in vegetables helps prevent heatstroke and dehydration. Many of them are low in calories, making them a great companion for dieting.
As long as you are careful about how and how much you feed your dog, vegetables are sure to make a huge contribution to your dog's health.
Dogs can't digest vegetables! ?
What are the disadvantages of feeding vegetables to dogs?
Dogs, whose ancestors are carnivorous wolves, are actually not very good at digesting high-fiber vegetables. There is no problem in feeding vegetables to dogs who have gradually become omnivorous, but if you feed them more than the appropriate amount, they may develop symptoms such as indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Different dogs like and dislike certain vegetables, and the possibility of allergies cannot be ruled out.
When giving vegetables to your dog, try small amounts at a time and watch your dog's reaction so you can give them the right amount.
9 recommended vegetables for dogs.
Pay attention to how to feed each ingredient
So, what kind of vegetables should you actually feed your dog?
Here we introduce 9 recommended vegetables that are familiar to us and are easy to include in our daily meals! We will also explain how to cook each vegetable, so please refer to it.
Carrot
Carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene and potassium, can be expected to improve the health of your dog's eyes and skin, as well as improve their immunity.
However, be careful not to give too much beta-carotene as it puts a strain on the liver.
Although it can be eaten raw, it is recommended to boil it as the dietary fiber is easier to digest when heated. If feeding raw, chop or grate finely.
Japanese white radish
Radish contains a component called ``diastase'' that promotes the digestion of protein, and has excellent intestinal regulation effects. The leaves are also rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and calcium, which are effective for strengthening bones and joints and healthy skin.
Radishes are highly nutritious, but they contain goitrogens, which inhibit the secretion of thyroid hormones, so be careful not to give them to dogs with thyroid disorders.
It can be eaten raw, but the tips have a strong pungent taste, so it is recommended to use the sweet part as close to the leaves as possible.
The leaves are difficult to digest, so try heating them and then chopping them before feeding.
turnip
Turnips are rich in vitamin C and calcium, and can be expected to have a variety of effects, including improving immunity, recovering from fatigue, and strengthening teeth and bones. The leaves also contain minerals such as iron and potassium, making it a perfect vegetable to feed to dogs.
However, turnips are a cruciferous vegetable like radish, and they also contain goitrogens, so be careful.
Although this vegetable can be eaten raw, it is best to peel it thickly as the skin is high in dietary fiber and difficult to digest. We recommend cutting it into small pieces to avoid swallowing it whole, and boiling it for puppies and senior dogs whose digestive functions are weaker than that of adult dogs.
cabbage
Cabbage, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, has a unique ingredient called cabbage, which has the effect of soothing an irritated stomach.
The core of cabbage is hard, so it should be heated and cut into small pieces before feeding. It also contains a small amount of sulfate ions, which can cause poisoning symptoms, so if you want to be on the safe side, it's best to remove the core.
broccoli
Broccoli is rich in nutrients and is also known as the ``king of green and yellow vegetables.'' In addition to vitamin C, beta-carotene, protein, and minerals, it contains a component called sulforaphane, which has a high antioxidant effect, and research is progressing to show that it can be effective in preventing cancer in dogs.
Broccoli, which is tough when raw, is generally recommended to be boiled. Cut or tear into small pieces and feed.
However, be careful as it is a cruciferous vegetable and contains goitrogens.
lettuce
Lettuce has a high water content and is good for hydration. Many dogs like the crunchy texture, so we recommend giving it to them to prevent heatstroke and dehydration.
In addition to vitamins and minerals, it is unique in that it contains an ingredient called lactucopicrin, which regulates the autonomic nervous system. Whether it's effective for dogs is still in the research stage, but it's nice to be able to get these nutrients while hydrating.
It is OK to feed it raw. It contains xylitol, albeit in a small amount, so if you ingest a large amount, your blood sugar level will drop rapidly and you may experience symptoms of toxicity such as light-headedness and convulsions. It is best to only give it as a snack.
sweet potato
Sweet potatoes, whose main ingredient is carbohydrates, are perfect for replenishing energy. The ingredient Yalapin improves intestinal function and softens stool, so it is recommended for dogs with constipation.
Be sure to heat the food before giving it to your dog, as it is likely to cause indigestion. Be sure to feed your dog in small portions as sticky and sticky sweet potatoes can cause choking, and the internal temperature may not cool down easily, creating a risk of burns.
Eating too much can lead to obesity as it is high in calories and sugar. Be careful not to give too much even if your dog asks.
pumpkin
Similar to sweet potatoes, pumpkins are high in carbohydrates and are good for energy supply. It is rich in B vitamins, which helps the normal functioning of organs and helps maintain the health of the eyes, skin, and coat. It has a sweet taste, so it is recommended to give it to children who have a decreased appetite.
It's high in calories, so you want to be careful about obesity, and feeding too much can lead to hypervitaminosis.
Be sure to heat it up, as it is hard when raw, and be careful not to feed it with seeds or skin, as they are difficult to digest.
tomato
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and minerals, which are effective in preventing lifestyle-related diseases and improving immunity. It has a diuretic effect, which promotes circulation in the body and helps normalize blood pressure. You can eat it raw, but the nutrients will be absorbed more efficiently if you heat it.
Tomato stems, leaves, stems, and flowers contain a lot of a toxic substance called tomatine, so be careful. If poisoning occurs, red blood cells are destroyed, and in the worst case, it can lead to death.
Unripe green tomatoes also contain tomatine, so be sure to remove the stems and leaves before feeding your dog ripe, red tomatoes.
Don't eat it, it's dangerous!
Be careful about vegetables you should not give to dogs
While there are some vegetables that are beneficial for your dog's health, there are also vegetables that can be dangerous if eaten. Let's check the typical vegetables so that you don't accidentally give them to your dog and get into trouble.
Green onions such as green onions and onions
Alliums such as green onions and onions contain an organic sulfur compound called allylpropyl disulfide, which causes hemolytic anemia. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and bloody stools, and in the worst cases, it can be fatal.
Please note that it is dangerous to feed not only green onions and onions, but also all green onions such as garlic, chives, and rakkyo to dogs.
The severity of the symptoms will vary depending on the dog's individual differences and physical condition, so it is important to be extremely careful not to let even a small amount enter the dog's mouth.
avocado
Avocado contains a toxin called persin that has negative health effects on many animals. Dogs are said to be more resistant to persin than other animals, but experts are divided on whether or not it's okay to give them avocado. It would probably be safer not to give it at this point.
You should also be careful about large, hard avocado seeds, as if your dog accidentally swallows them whole, they could get stuck in their throat and cause suffocation, or even get carried to the intestines and cause an intestinal blockage.
Ginkgo nuts
Ginkgo nuts contain a component called methylpyridoxine that causes poisoning symptoms, and in severe cases, serious symptoms such as convulsions and loss of consciousness may occur.
Also, just touching the soft part of the ginkgo nut (the outer seed coat) can cause skin irritation, so not only should you be careful not to get it in your mouth, but also be careful not to let your dog touch it while walking. Please give it to me.
Can I give it every day?
How much is it?
Summary of precautions when feeding vegetables to dogs
Finally, check out the points you should be careful about when feeding vegetables to dogs. Because it is a necessary meal every day, let's keep the important points firmly in mind and feed vegetables safely to your dog.
Some dogs need to be careful when feeding them vegetables.
Always consult a veterinarian
So far, we have introduced vegetables that can be given to dogs and vegetables that are dangerous to give to dogs, but there are other things you should be careful of.
Potassium contained in many vegetables is a necessary nutrient for cell function, but if kidney function is weakened, it can cause hyperkalemia, so they are not suitable for dogs with kidney disease.
Oxalic acid, which is abundant in cabbage and broccoli, can cause urinary tract stones, so it is best not to feed them to dogs with urinary problems.
Vegetables may be harmful depending on the disease, age, and individual differences of each dog. If you want to incorporate vegetables into your dog's daily diet, consult your veterinarian to choose vegetables that are suitable for your dog.
By the way, the content of potassium and oxalic acid decreases when exposed to water or boiled, so it is recommended to boil them.
If you want to feed your dog vegetables,
Recommended daily meals + toppings
The dog food you feed your dog every day is a so-called comprehensive nutritional food. As long as you choose foods that are of good quality and suit your dog's constitution, you can ensure that your dog has a healthy diet.
Eating too many nutritious vegetables can be toxic, and eating too many vegetables can make your dog picky about the taste, making it difficult for your dog to enjoy the food.
Feeding vegetables to your dog can have various effects, but you should only give them a small amount as a supplement to your dog's food or as a snack.
Be careful not to give too much.
What is the appropriate amount of vegetables to give to dogs?
It depends on the type of vegetables, but when feeding your dog, generally set an upper limit of about 10% of the daily calorie requirement.
Please note that this is just a calorie number, and low-calorie vegetables such as carrots and radishes can add up to a considerable amount of calories even if they only contain 10% of the required calories. Please find the appropriate amount according to your dog's weight, age, amount of exercise, etc.
Be very careful when giving vegetables to your dog who is on medication.
It is generally known that some foods do not go well with humans when taking medication, but dogs should also be careful about this. If you are under treatment for certain medications or illnesses, some vegetables may need to be consumed with caution.
If your dog's lifestyle changes, such as when he or she becomes ill or needs more medication due to aging, we recommend consulting your veterinarian, even if you have been feeding your dog vegetables without any problems. To do.
summary
This time, we have introduced a wide range of information, including not only vegetables that can be given to dogs and vegetables that are dangerous, but also the advantages and disadvantages of feeding vegetables, and precautions when feeding them.
Please take note of the important points to make your dog's daily meals even more fulfilling.
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For those who are particular about feeding their pet vegetables!
Saesa supports your dog's healthy daily life
“I want to incorporate vegetables into my daily meals for the health of my dog!”
Saesa furikake is something that I would like to confidently recommend to pet owners who think so.
For over 50 years since our founding, we have been extremely particular about quality, and have been wholesaling vegetables processed at our own JAS-certified organic factory to famous restaurants and confectionery shops. saesa was born by generously investing that technology and know-how.
・Using only domestic vegetables
・Completely additive-free
・Supervised by a registered dog dietitian
-Easy to incorporate every day
There are many good points about saesa.
This special furikake is a must-try for dog lovers who are particular about their dog's diet.
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