Vegetables For Dogs
Dogs are a part of the family; wouldn’t it be great if you could feed them like family? Actually, you can, when it comes to vegetables for dogs.
Feeding vegetables is a great way to keep your dog healthy while also reducing costs and extra trips to the store to buy pet food.
Just like us, dogs require a variety of organic foods and nutrients for a balanced diet. Veggies are rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and phyto-nutrients not found in meat. It’s important to feed your dog different kinds of vegetables, as each type offers its own array of nutrients.
Vegetables can be a tasty treat for your dog. They’re a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes not found in meat.
As a responsible pet parent, you should know what vegetables your dog can safely eat and avoid the ones that are likely to cause health issues.
Feed vegetables in moderate quantities, especially at the start, to allow your dog’s stomach to adapt and to avoid adverse reactions. Veggies should never be more than 25% of your dogs meal
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
The way you prep the vegetables is just as important as the vegetables themselves-chop small enough so your dog can’t choke. For optimal benefits, the veggies will be pureed.
Veggies make a great snack or treat as long as your dog doesn’t have trouble digesting them.
Submerging vegetables quickly in boiling hot water and then very cold water, also known as blanching, is a great option for preparing vegetables. Blanching cleanses the surface of vegetables of dirt and retains both vitamins and flavour. It’s also a healthy alternative for humans because no cooking oil is needed.
Steam is an excellent method for cooking veggies that doesn’t require submerging them in boiling water. Steaming cooks the vegetables through, while still preserving the bright colour and flavour, and much of the nutrient content
For maximum benefits and digestibility, veggies can be blended to a raw puree. Some vegetables, such as celery and spinach, do not need to be cooked before blending. Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes should be blanched or steamed to make blending possible. Pureeing the vegetables breaks down the cell walls of the plant material, making them easier for dogs to digest.
What vegetables are safe for your dog
| Broccoli Lettuce Asparagus |
| Cabbage Carrots Zucchini |
| Celery Cauliflower Kale |
| Green Beans Spinach |
| Potatoes (not the peels) |
| Sweet potatoes (not the peels) |
| Pumpkin Beets Peas |
| Cucumbers Peppers |
| Brussels sprouts |
