Almonds are the perfect protein-rich snack that you can add to your morning oats, cereals, and post-workout smoothies. You can even carry a stash of almonds in your car as a healthy snack for yourself or your kids. But what about your dog?
Can dogs eat almonds? The answer is a little complicated because almonds aren’t considered toxic, but they are also not completely safe for dogs. There are certain pros and cons that need to be considered to understand whether a dog can eat almonds.
Let’s dive into more details…
Unlike other nuts, almonds in small amounts aren’t toxic for our dogs. But their high-fat content and rigid texture make them an unpopular choice among pet parents and veterinarians. Seasoned and flavored almonds are considered even more problematic as they can lead to salt toxicity, dehydration, and other health problems.
In short, it’s not recommended to feed your dog large amounts of almonds regularly. However, your dog can eat a few pieces of unseasoned and unflavored almonds once in a while.
Below are a few reasons why you may want to avoid giving almonds to your dog.
Almonds contain a lot of fat, which might not have any immediate dangers, but it can be problematic in the long run. Regularly eating high-fat food can cause weight gain in dogs. It leads to obesity and even pancreatitis, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Thus it’s important that you aren’t feeding too many almonds to your dog regularly.
Dogs rarely nibble their food. They’ll most likely swallow the whole almond or bite into them to break them into two smaller but equally rigid pieces. These small pieces can be a choking hazard and can lead to blockages or intestinal obstruction in the windpipe, esophagus, or intestines.
Such obstructions can be dangerous, especially for smaller dogs.
If you suspect your dog has gulped down a bunch of almonds, look out for the following signs of choking and intestinal obstruction:
If your dog exhibits any of these signs of choking and intestinal obstruction, contact your veterinarian immediately.
We often buy almonds that are seasoned with salt, which can be problematic for dogs. They might be able to tolerate 1 or 2 pieces of salted almonds, but too much salt will lead to water retention and possibly salt toxicity. It can also affect their heart and kidney function leading to kidney stones.
Thus it’s advisable to avoid salted almonds for your dog.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, they might struggle to digest almonds due to their high fat and salt content. This can lead to gastrointestinal distress, and you might notice symptoms like:
You’ll also see similar symptoms if your dog has accidentally eaten a lot of almonds at once. In such cases, you should take your dog to a veterinarian to treat gastrointestinal distress.
Apart from salted almonds, there are a variety of seasonings and flavorings available in the market. You can find spicy almonds, chocolate almonds, chili almonds, honey-roasted almonds, and many more.
Each of these toppings has its own unique risks. For example, a spicy kind of almond can irritate your dog’s stomach, honey-roasted almonds might contain xylitol, a toxic compound for dogs, and chocolate-coated almonds contain a chemical called theobromine which is also toxic for dogs.
Additionally, seasoned almonds can also have other ingredients like onion and garlic powder which can be toxic for your dogs.
Since almonds are super healthy for humans, you might assume the same would be true for dogs. But you have to consider that even though almonds are full of nutrients, your dog should only eat a few pieces occasionally. Thus the nutrients in almonds would have minimal impact on their health.
But, in small amounts, you can expect almonds to provide various nutrients, like:
Almonds are a rich source of plant-based protein that can help boost your dog’s immune system while supporting their muscle development and tissue repair.
Almonds contain many vitamins, but they’re especially rich in vitamin E. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that is also a potent antioxidant. It can help keep your dog’s immune system healthy by neutralizing free radicals and preventing inflammation and various inflammatory diseases.
Almonds are chock-full of minerals. They contain calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. All these minerals can supplement your dog's diet and help support their overall well-being.
Almonds also contain both soluble and insoluble fibers that might help aid your dog’s digestive health while preventing diarrhea and constipation. Fiber can also help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful gut bacteria in your dog’s body.
Now you know almonds have some nutrients but can also pose many health and safety risks for dogs. Let’s also discuss if dogs can eat almonds in other forms.
Dogs can drink almond milk occasionally. However, you should be careful while buying almond milk, as some brands use artificial sweeteners like xylitol. This compound is highly toxic for dogs and can lead to sudden hypoglycemia and liver failure.
If you want to give your dog almond milk, you should choose unsweetened almond milk that doesn't contain any other ingredients or additives. You can also make almond milk for your dog at home.
Almond butter is safe for dogs as it's made by simply grounding almonds. But the recipe shouldn’t contain other ingredients and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. You should either buy from a dog-friendly brand or choose something that doesn’t contain any additives.
It’s also important to know that almond butter is high in fat. Thus you should limit your dog’s intake, or it might cause weight gain and other health problems.
Many dog treats are made using almond flour. It’s a safe gluten-free substitute, and it even has some nutritional advantages over traditional wheat flour. But you should still be mindful about how much almond flour your dog is eating because its high-fat content can still lead to unhealthy weight gain and other health problems.
You should always keep your dog away from trail mix. It might contain other nuts and raisins, which can be extremely toxic for your dog. Even if the mix doesn’t contain any harmful nuts, it might contain other seasonings, flavorings, or artificial sweeteners that can be toxic to your dog’s health.
Almonds are full of protein, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But unfortunately, a dog cannot take full advantage of these nutrients as they shouldn’t eat more than a few pieces of almonds once in a while.
You should also be careful about the high fat and salt content of almonds. When eaten in large amounts, this can lead to various health problems, including weight gain, pancreatitis, salt toxicity, and dehydration. Furthermore, the rigid texture of almonds also makes them a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs.
If you’re still confused about whether you should feed almonds to your dog or not, consult with your veterinarian.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding almonds to a dog.
Dogs can eat small amounts of plain, unseasoned almonds. But there are certain health risks as almonds are high in fat, and their rigid texture makes them a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. The flavored and seasoned almonds are even more problematic as they can lead to various health complications, including weight gain, pancreatitis, and diabetes.
Dogs can eat almond butter as long as it doesn’t contain other ingredients and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. It can be highly toxic for dogs and can lead to sudden hypoglycemia and liver failure.
Also, almond butter is high in fat and can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Thus you should be careful about the portion size and feed them only small amounts of almond butter occasionally.
Yes, dogs can drink almond milk occasionally. But it shouldn’t contain any other ingredients or artificial sweeteners like xylitol. You should choose unsweetened almond milk made without any other ingredients or additives.
No, you shouldn’t feed almonds to dogs with pancreatitis.
In fact, if your dog has any prior health problems, you should first consult with your veterinarian before adding any new food to your dog’s daily diet.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-almonds/
Most dogs love peanut butter and start drooling the minute you open the jar. And since peanut butter is made from peanuts, you might assume that peanuts are safe for dogs.
You would be correct because peanuts are safe and healthy for our pups. But you should be a little cautious as the kind of peanuts you're using and how often you're feeding them to your dog makes a huge difference.
Continue reading to learn everything about feeding peanuts to your dog.
Let’s first discuss the various health benefits of feeding peanuts to a dog.
Peanuts are a good source of complete protein as they contain all 20 amino acids. They can contribute to your dog’s healthy muscle growth and tissue repair. They can also help improve the quality of their skin and coat by supporting the immune system.
But please note that peanuts should not be the primary source of protein in your dog's diet. It contains high amounts of fat that can be harmful when eaten in large quantities. This is why meat is a great option, as it has a more ideal protein-to-fat ratio.
Peanuts contain high levels of antioxidants that can help protect your dog’s body from oxidation. It’s a term that defines the damage caused by free radicals or the naturally occurring unstable molecules that damage living cells in your dog’s body.
As a result, antioxidants help neutralize chronic inflammation. It also helps prevent various chronic health conditions like respiratory diseases, skin allergies, autoimmune disorders, eye problems, arthritis, and heart diseases.
Peanuts are chock-full of minerals which are an important class of nutrients. Minerals help support the proper growth and overall well-being of your dog.
Here’s a small list of some minerals present in peanuts and the critical functions they perform:
Peanuts are a rich source of dietary fiber. They contain both insoluble and soluble fibers, which contribute to the low glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of peanuts.
Insoluble fibers are really important for your dog’s body as they help prevent constipation by pulling water into the stool and making it easier to pass.
Whereas soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that adds bulk to the stool and helps prevent diarrhea. This type of fiber also gets fermented into short-chain fatty acids that are known to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in your dog’s gut. These acids also support the growth of good bacteria and improve the body’s ability to absorb various minerals.
B-complex vitamins play many essential roles in our dog's body. They’re required for a healthy immune system, brain function, and digestion.
Peanuts are recognized as an excellent source of B-complex vitamins, including,
Now that you know the various health benefits of peanuts, let’s also discuss how you can safely feed this food to your dog.
Moderation is very important when it comes to peanuts. You should ensure that peanuts don’t exceed the 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% of their calories should consist of a healthy and well-balanced meal.
It’s important to follow this rule as eating too many peanuts can lead to stomach problems like diarrhea and vomiting. The high-fat content of peanuts can also lead to bigger health problems if eaten regularly and freely.
If you’re confused about the portion sizes, you can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of peanuts to feed your dog.
When feeding peanuts to dogs, it’s best to stick to dry-roasted peanuts that do not contain any salt or seasonings.
If you like snacking on salted peanuts, you can share 1-2 pieces with your dog once in a while. But avoid doing so regularly as high salt treats can lead to dehydration and possibly salt toxicity in dogs.
However, you should completely avoid peanuts that are coated with sweet flavoring like caramel or honey-roasted peanuts. Their high fat and sugar content can hurt your dog’s health and lead to various complications.
Chocolate-covered peanuts are also very dangerous as chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic for dogs.
If your dog isn’t a fan of peanuts alone, you can try making peanut butter at home.
All you need to do is take some unsalted, deshelled peanuts and roast them for 10 minutes. Allow them to cool down, and then place them in a food processor. Blend until you get a smooth buttery consistency.
You can store your homemade peanut butter in an airtight jar and use it as a fun treat or a training reward.
If you want to buy peanut butter for your dog, make sure it doesn’t contain other ingredients and artificial sugars like xylitol, which can be toxic for your dog.
You should always deshell the peanuts before feeding them to your dog. That’s because the shell of peanuts can be hard to chew and can even become a choking hazard for smaller dogs. Even if you have a big dog who’ll be able to chew the shells, they might suffer from other digestive problems as the shells contain a high amount of fiber.
Although it’s rare, your dog can have an allergic reaction to peanuts. Thus it’s best to start with a small quantity or a few pieces to see how they react to this new food. You should monitor their reaction for 24-48 hours and keep an eye out for any signs of allergic reactions, like:
If you notice any of these signs of a peanut allergy in your dog, contact a veterinarian.
Peanuts are a safe and healthy treat for your dog. They’re a great source of protein that provides various antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. You can safely share a few pieces of dry-roasted peanuts that do not contain any salt or seasonings. You can also try other fun recipes, like making peanut butter at home.
The important thing is to be mindful of the portion sizes as peanuts have a high-fat content. It should be considered a treat that can supplement your dog’s healthy and well-balanced diet. It shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
If you have any further doubts, you can consult with your veterinarian before feeding peanuts to your dog.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding peanuts to a dog.
You should avoid feeding salted peanuts to your dog as high amounts of salt can lead to dehydration and salt toxicity. However, if your dog has accidentally eaten 1 or 2 pieces of salted peanuts, they should be fine.
It’s best to avoid feeding honey-roasted peanuts to your dog as the high sugar content can lead to digestive issues and other health complications.
No, you shouldn’t feed your dog peanuts in the shell. It can be hard to chew and can even become a choking hazard for smaller dogs. The shells also have high fiber content, which might lead to digestive problems like diarrhea.
Yes, it’s rare, but your dogs can still have peanut allergies like humans. If you’re feeding peanuts to your dog for the first time, start with a few pieces and see how they react for the next 24-48 hours. If you notice symptoms like upset stomach, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, agitation, or hives, contact a veterinarian.
Yes, you can make peanut butter for your dog at home by blending some unsalted, roasted, and deshelled peanuts.
There are also many dog-friendly peanut butter options available in the market. But with store-bought peanut butter, you should make sure they don’t contain other ingredients like artificial flavors and xylitol, a kind of sugar substitute that can be toxic for your dog.
If in case your dog has eaten peanut butter that had xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-peanuts/
https://wildearth.com/blogs/dog-knowledge/are-peanuts-bad-for-dogs
There is something so tempting about the smell of freshly popped popcorn. It can make our mouth water and tummy talk. But it’s not just us who love this tasty snack, our dogs are just as interested in popcorn.
So the real question is can we share popcorn with our dogs? The answer is a little complicated, as dogs can eat plain air-popped popcorn. But other flavors and ingredients like butter and salt in popcorn can be harmful to their health.
To better understand how to safely feed popcorn to your dog, let's discuss the topic in a little more detail.
Popcorn is a puffed kernel of corn, which is a whole grain that contains fiber, antioxidants, several minerals, and trace amounts of vitamins. But since it's just a snack, you shouldn’t rely on them for your dog’s daily nutritional needs.
Furthermore, you should ensure that snacks like popcorn should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The other 90% of their daily calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced meal.
When fed in moderation, popcorn can provide various nutrients to your dog, including:
Popcorn is made from corn, which is a rich source of dietary fiber. It can help improve your dog’s digestive health and promote bowel regularities. Fiber is also known to reduce the risk of certain diseases like obesity in dogs.
Popcorn contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant that helps protect the cells against the harmful effects of free radicals. It helps prevent chronic inflammation, which is the biggest factor in the progression of various chronic diseases like diabetes, cataracts, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders.
Popcorn contains trace minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc. It’s also a rich source of vitamin B complex, including niacin and thiamine. These nutrients help support various essential functions in your dog’s body whilst promoting their overall growth and development.
Below are a few caveats you should know before feeding popcorn to your dog.
Most store-bought popcorn is made with ingredients such as oil, butter, salt, spices, cheese, or caramel. These ingredients can be harmful to your dog's health. The safest way is to feed plain, air-popped popcorn to your dog.
When it comes to buttered and salted popcorn, if your dog sneaks one or two pieces, they shouldn't experience a negative reaction. But if eaten in larger quantities, dogs might suffer from digestive issues or salt poisoning.
Also, continuously eating buttered popcorn in large quantities could lead to many health problems, including obesity and pancreatitis.
Sweet toppings on popcorn, such as caramel or candied flavors, are more dangerous for your dog. Caramel or candied popcorn might contain chocolate or artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, that are toxic to dogs.
These flavored popcorns are especially bad for dogs with prior health conditions like diabetes or pancreatitis.
Popcorn is safe when prepared properly i.e. without any seasoning or flavoring for your dogs. But you should be mindful of the portion sizes and follow the 90/10 rule, which states snacks like popcorn should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The other 90% of their daily calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced meal.
In case of any confusion or doubt, it would be ideal to ask a veterinarian about how much popcorn your dog can eat safely.
Some dogs may have an allergy to popcorn or corn. If they haven't had corn or popcorn before, it is suggested that you feed a single piece of popcorn to your dog. See how they react for the next 24-48 hours.
Look out for the following signs of popcorn allergies in dogs:
If you notice any of these signs of popcorn allergy, contact your veterinarian immediately.
No matter how you make your popcorn, some popcorn kernels just refuse to pop. While they are easy for you to avoid, they could cause some health problems for your dog.
For smaller dogs, unpopped kernels could be a choking hazard or more likely can get lodged in their digestive system leading to intestinal blockage.
In case your dog has accidentally eaten unpopped kernels, you should keep an eye out for any of the following signs of intestinal blockage:
If you notice any of these signs of intestinal blockage, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Popped kernel hulls can get stuck in between your dog's gums or teeth. It can lead to discomfort and tooth decay. Thus you should check your dog's mouth after feeding them popcorn. And brush their teeth if you find any kernel hull stuck between their teeth.
If you like making plain popcorn for yourself, feel free to share with your pup from the same bowl. But if you buy or make popcorn that contains extra seasoning, butter, or salt, it’s best to avoid feeding it to your dog.
You can figure out how much popcorn to give to your dog through the 90/10 rule, which states that treats like popcorn shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% of their daily calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced meal.
It’s also important that you have carefully removed unpopped kernels before freely sharing the popcorn with your dog.
Furthermore, when buying commercially packaged popcorn like microwave or pre-popped popcorn, read the ingredients list carefully. Most include salt, oil, butter, and other seasonings which aren't safe or healthy for dogs.
There’s a chance that you left your bowl of popcorn unattended for a minute or two and your dog gulped it all down. You shouldn’t panic, as in most cases, a bowl of popcorn will not cause any lasting damage. However, it might lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.
If the popcorn were flavored or had a high amount of salt, then there’s also a chance of salt toxicity. In such cases, you should watch for signs of salt toxicity, including vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and seizures.
If you suspect any serious problem, you should take your dog to a veterinarian.
Popcorn is a simple yet versatile snack, perfect for family movie nights or binge-watching Netflix. It’s even better that you can share a few pieces of plain air-popped popcorn with your dog. But make sure you avoid feeding them popcorn that contains other ingredients like cheese, salt, butter, and caramel, as they can be harmful to their health.
If you have any further doubts, you should consult with your veterinarian before sharing popcorn with your dog.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding popcorn to a dog.
It largely depends on what kind of toppings and flavoring are added to the popcorn. A dog can safely eat plain, air-popped popcorn.
Try to follow the 90/10 rule that states treats like popcorn should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. And the remaining 90% of their daily calories come from a healthy and well-balanced meal.
If you buy popcorn that contains butter, you should avoid feeding it to your dog as it contains high-fat content and other ingredients that can lead to many health problems for a dog.
It’s best to avoid feeding any sweet, candied, or caramel popcorn to your dog. It might contain chocolate or artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, that are toxic to dogs.
If you buy popcorn that contains salt, you should avoid feeding it to your dog as too much salt can lead to health complications like dehydration and salt poisoning.
No, a dog should never eat unpopped popcorn kernels. It can be a choking hazard and can even get lodged in their digestive system leading to intestinal blockage, especially with smaller dogs.
No, you shouldn’t feed popcorn chips to your dog as they might contain ingredients and seasoning like salt, onion, and garlic powder. These ingredients can be harmful to a dog.
https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-popcorn/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-popcorn/
Celery adds crunch to our salads and flavor to the turkey stuffing. It’s a vegetable that offers a world of health benefits in every bite. But is it safe for our dogs?
You’d be surprised to know that celery is not only safe but healthy for our dogs. It contains very few calories and zero fat but a high amount of nutrients and fibers that can perfectly supplement your dog’s diet.
In this article, we’ll discuss the various health benefits of celery and how you can incorporate this healthy treat into your dog's diet.
Below are five reasons you should consider adding celery to your dog’s diet.
Celery contains both soluble and insoluble fibers that can help support your dog’s digestive health. These fibers can also promote bowel regularity as insoluble fibers pull water into the stool to prevent constipation, and soluble fiber adds bulk to the stool to prevent diarrhea.
Soluble fibers also get fermented into short-chain fatty acids in your dog’s intestine. These acids help prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, support the growth of good bacteria, and improve the body’s ability to absorb various minerals.
Furthermore, adding fiber-rich treats like celery into your dog’s diet can help manage their weight and prevent blood-sugar levels from spiking suddenly.
Celery contains flavonoids and carotenoids, two powerful antioxidants that can help prevent your dog’s body from cellular damage caused by unstable molecules, also known as free radicals. This helps reduce inflammation and can also help prevent various inflammatory diseases like arthritis in older dogs.
Antioxidants can also protect your dog from respiratory diseases, skin allergies, eye problems, heart diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
Celery contains a variety of nutrients that are important for your dog's well-being as they support their development and day-to-day bodily functions.
Below is a small breakdown of all the vitamins and minerals present in celery, with a mention of their main functions.
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin K
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Raw celery is 95% water, which makes it an excellent treat for your dogs. You can feed them celery after a play session or a walk to help rehydrate and re-energize their body.
But please make sure that apart from water-rich treats like celery, your dog has access to plenty of drinking water to avoid dehydration.
The high water content and the crunchy texture of celery help stimulate saliva production in a dog’s mouth. This helps rinse off the harmful bacteria and plaque that might cause bad breath. So if you ever notice your dog’s breath is extra stinky, you can feed them a stalk of celery.
However, don’t substitute celery for a consistent oral hygiene routine which includes brushing your dog’s teeth regularly.
There are a variety of ways in which you can feed celery to your dog. You can let them munch on celery stalks as a snack in between meals or add some boiled celery to their regular kibble meal.
Whatever you prefer, make sure you follow some basic tips like:
1. Wash the celery properly to remove dirt and bacteria, even inside the folds. It’ll also help get rid of harmful pesticides and other chemicals that might pose any health risks.
2. Chop the celery into small bite-size pieces so it's easier to chew and swallow.
3. Start with small quantities to see how your dog enjoys this new food.
4. You can feed your dog raw celery, but if you have an older dog, you might want to feed them cooked celery as it’s easier to chew and digest.
Celery sticks are safe and healthy for a dog. Their crunchy texture is also helpful in cleaning your dog’s teeth and removing bad odor.
The only risk is that a big celery stick can become a choking hazard. But you can easily avoid such a situation by chopping celery sticks into bite-size pieces or cooking the sticks to make them easier to chew and digest.
When it comes to celery leaves, they’re also quite nutritious, but their intense flavor makes them unpalatable for dogs. The leaves are also more prone to contain pesticide residue, which might be harmful to your dog’s health.
Thus it would be best to remove and discard the leaves before feeding the celery stick to your dog.
If your dog is a picky eater, it might not show any interest in the watery and slightly bitter taste of celery. To make celery more appealing, you can add it to something more palatable, but it is important that you choose something safe for your dog.
For example, peanut butter is a popular choice, and many pet parents like to dip the celery stick in peanut butter to entice their dogs. This is a safe option, but only when peanut butter is used in moderation.
Also, you should buy dog-friendly peanut butter that doesn’t contain any other ingredients, seasonings, artificial flavors, or sugar substitutes like xylitol. These ingredients can be toxic for dogs.
Apart from that, avoid adding any other seasoning, like salt and pepper, to the celery. These flavorings can also lead to various health problems for your dog.
Even though celery is safe for dogs, you should still be cautious about a few things, like:
Celery should be fed as a treat in addition to a healthy and well-balanced meal. It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes because overeating celery can lead to digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Celery also has high sodium content, which can lead to dehydration, vomiting, and even seizures, when eaten in large quantities.
How much celery your dog can eat will depend on their weight, age, nutritional requirements, and health condition. However, you can follow the 90/10 rule that states treats like celery should not exceed 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake. Then the remaining 90% of calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced meal.
You can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the right amount of celery to feed your dog.
Celery is low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and carbs, which makes this vegetable safe and healthy for dogs with prior health conditions. For example, if your dog is overweight or obese, they won’t gain many calories from celery, and its fiber content will also make them feel fuller for longer.
Even dogs with diabetes and gastrointestinal issues can benefit from eating celery as it’s a nutrient-rich and zero-fat vegetable.
So if you have a dog with some health conditions, consult with your veterinarian about including celery in their diet.
Celery is a diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine. If your dog is eating too much celery regularly, there’s a chance they might urinate more than usual. It’s completely normal, but in the long run, this can lead to dehydration.
To help prevent the possibility of dehydration, you can feed small amounts of celery to your dog once or twice a week.
Celery sticks can be a choking hazard, especially for small-breed dogs and puppies. Thus you should chop the celery into bite-size pieces before feeding it to your dog. You can also cook the celery, so it becomes softer and easier to chew and digest.
If you suspect your dog has accidentally gulped a whole piece of a celery stick, look out for the following signs of choking or obstruction:
If you notice any of these signs of choking, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
Although it’s rare, your dog can still have an allergic reaction to celery. It’s best to start with 1 or 2 small pieces of celery and monitor their reaction for the next 24-48 hours.
Look out for the following signs of an allergic reaction:
If you notice any of the following signs of an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian.
Celery is a healthy and low-fat treat for dogs. It’s a great alternative to high-fat commercial treats that often contain too much sugar. You can simply wash, chop, and feed small bite-size pieces of celery to your dog as a mid-afternoon snack or a meal topper.
The important thing is to be mindful of the portion sizes and feed small amounts of celery to your dog. You can stick to the 90/10 rule and ensure treats like celery don’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
If you have any further doubts, contact your veterinarian before adding celery to your dog’s diet.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding celery to your dog.
Yes, dogs can eat celery safely. It’s a rich source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can support your dog’s overall growth and development. Even the crunchy and watery texture of celery can help stimulate saliva production in a dog’s mouth. It’ll help rinse off the harmful bacteria and plaque that might cause bad breath.
Feeding a few small pieces of celery every day is safe, but you shouldn't feed large amounts on a daily basis. It has a lot of fiber, which can upset your dog’s stomach, and its high sodium content can also lead to dehydration, vomiting, and even seizures when eaten in large quantities.
Celery is also diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine. If your dog eats celery every day, they might urinate more than usual, which can cause dehydration.
To help prevent the possibility of dehydration, you can feed small amounts of celery to your dog once or twice a week.
Yes, dogs can eat both raw and cooked celery. If you have an older dog, it may be better to give cooked celery as it is easier to chew and digest. But while cooking celery, avoid adding any other ingredients or seasonings that might be harmful to your dog’s health.
Celery leaves contain various nutrients, but they’re more prone to contain pesticide residue, which might be harmful to your dog’s health. Even their intense flavor can be unpalatable for some dogs.
Thus it’s best to remove and discard the leaves before feeding the celery stick to your dog.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-celery/
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about cranberries - juice, sauce, jams, or craisins? You probably prefer cranberries in one form or another. And while you may savor this sour fruit, you might wonder if you can share it with your furry friend.
The good news is that fresh cranberries can be safe and healthy for your dogs if served in moderation. But there are a few things that you’ll have to take into account before feeding cranberries to your dog. We’ll discuss all these concerns in this article, but first, let’s understand the benefits of cranberries for a dog.
Cranberries are loaded with many nutrients and vitamins that are known to have multiple health benefits for a dog. To give you an overview, here’s a breakdown of the nutritional content of cranberries:
Cranberries are powerful antioxidants that can help your dog's body fight free radicals that cause cell oxidation. It aids in the protection of the immune system and improves brain function.
Cranberries contain vitamin C which can help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging and vitamin E which is good for the immune system and heart health. It also contains vitamin B2 that’s known to support digestion.
Cranberries contain potassium that aids in muscle strength and growth and manganese that contributes to a healthy metabolism, bone structure, and absorption of calcium. It’s also a rich source of iron which is a very important mineral that helps produce energy by carrying oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the dog’s body.
The fiber content of cranberries can help regulate your dog’s bowel movement and promote a healthy digestive system. Furthermore, dietary fiber can encourage weight loss by making your dog feel full for longer.
But make sure you feed cranberries in moderation and as a supplement. Too much fiber in your dog's diet can lead to nutritional imbalance, constipation, and other health complications.
The diverse phytochemical profile of cranberries allows it to prevent plaque build-up on a dog’s teeth. It might improve the dental health of your dog by slowing down the production of acid and bacterial growth in their mouth.
Cranberries can help control the growth of many unhealthy bacteria and fungi. For example, it prevents the growth of Helicobacter pylori which can cause ulcers and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which can cause lung infections.
Many studies have found that cranberries can prevent UTIs in humans. It contains D-Mannose, a naturally occurring sugar that blocks E. Coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder, thus preventing UTIs.
People often believe that since cranberries prevent UTIs in humans, they’ll have the same effect in dogs. But in reality, there aren’t enough studies that can prove this theory. Hence you can feed cranberries to your dog but that doesn't guarantee that they will not get a UTI.
Besides, there are multiple reasons why your dog can get UTIs. In some cases, it can be due to an underlying cause like kidney disease, bladder stones, stress, and other neurologic diseases. Thus it’s important that you consult a veterinarian and provide proper medical treatment to your dog instead of relying on supplements to treat or prevent UTIs.
Fresh cranberries are a healthy choice for your dog. But since it has a sour and sometimes bitter taste, many dogs will often turn their noses. There are many other forms and food options available that include cranberries, but let’s find out which one of these is safe for a dog.
Frozen cranberries can be a great treat for your dog on a hot summer day. But make sure you slice it into small pieces to prevent choking.
We enjoy our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with turkey and some cranberry sauce. But can dogs eat cranberry sauce? It depends on how the sauce is prepared. The ones we have at our dinner tables often contain additional ingredients including raisins and sugar which are harmful to a dog.
It can cause gastrointestinal upset, diabetes, and obesity. Some recipes even use alcohol which is also toxic for dogs. You’ll have to be extremely cautious about these products. Even the “sugar-free” canned cranberry sauce contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is also highly toxic to dogs.
If you wish to feed cranberry sauce to your dog, it’s best that you prepare it at home by boiling some cranberries without adding any sugar or flavorings.
Dried cranberries are safe for dogs as long as they don’t contain any added sugar. These are more concentrated than fresh cranberries as the moisture is removed. Hence it’ll have the same nutritional value.
Many times dried cranberries come as a part of a trail mix that also contains raisins which are toxic for dogs. You should buy dried cranberries that do not contain any other additional ingredients.
Similar to cranberry sauce, cranberry juice also contains high amounts of sugar, grapes, and other ingredients. These can be harmful to your dogs. Yet many pet owners want to feed cranberry juice to their dogs as they believe it’ll help prevent UTIs. In this case, you can buy unsweetened cranberry juice that doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
You can also make cranberry juice at home by boiling fresh cranberries in a large pan until the berries burst. Then you can simply strain the juice through a fine strainer lined with a cloth. Without any added sugar or flavors, the taste might not appeal to a dog, you can try to freeze the juice in ice trays and serve it as a frozen treat.
If you don’t prefer feeding cranberries directly to your pooch, you can always buy supplements. Many pet brands make dog treats and toppers that contain cranberries. But do not feed the supplements made for humans to your dog without consulting your veterinarian.
Puppies can eat cranberries just like an adult dog. You’ll have to follow the same specifications and feed them only fresh, frozen, or dried cranberries that do not contain any added sugar. Avoid feeding any cranberry sauce as it contains other toxic ingredients.
The ideal amount of cranberries you should feed your puppy will depend on their breed and prior health conditions. But start by feeding them only 1 or 2 cranberries in a day and monitor how they react for the next 24-48 hours. Also, make sure you slice cranberries into small pieces to prevent your puppy from choking.
Cranberries are a supplement to a well-balanced diet and should always be served in moderation. The exact amount of cranberries you can feed your dog will depend on their age, weight, breed, and their health condition.
But ideally, if you have a medium to large dog, you can feed them a few cranberries per day and if you have a smaller dog then stick to one or two cranberries per day. You can always consult your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of cranberries you should add to your dog's diet.
Also, note that many dog food brands add cranberries to their recipe. This is a great option for dogs who dislike the sour taste of the fruit because once cooked cranberries lose their sour profile. But if you’re feeding them store-bought food that contains cranberries, you should refrain from feeding them more cranberries at home.
It’s important that you only feed the right amount of cranberries to your dog. It’s a very acidic fruit that can have adverse effects on your dog's health if eaten in large quantities.
In general, if your dog intakes large amounts of any food item, it can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. Furthermore, cranberries contain oxalate which is a compound that’s produced as waste by the body. Though it can exit through the urine, too many cranberries can raise the oxalate levels in your dog’s urine. This can create calcium oxalate stones or bladder stones in dogs. It’s a serious health condition that might even require surgery.
Thus it's important that you feed cranberry in moderation and consult your veterinarian to avoid any potential health risks.
Cranberries have many nutritional benefits that can contribute to the overall health and well-being of a dog. When fed in moderation, it can be a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Just make sure you’re feeding the right form of cranberries to the dog. Raw, frozen, and dried are the healthiest choices. But you need to avoid canned cranberry sauce and juices that contain additional ingredients like raisins, sugar, grapes, etc. All these ingredients are toxic for a dog and can pose serious health risks.
If you have any further questions, you can consult your veterinarian before adding cranberries to your dog's diet.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding cranberries to a dog:
Yes, you can feed raw cranberries to your dog but they might not like the sour and sometimes bitter taste of this fruit.
Yes, fresh cranberries are a healthy option for your dog if served in moderation.
It depends on how you have prepared the sauce. Most cranberry sauces both homemade and store-bought contain a high amount of sugar and additional ingredients. These are toxic for a dog. Even the “sugar-free” sauce available in the market contains artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is also harmful to a dog.
If you want to feed cranberry sauce to your dog, you can prepare it at home by boiling some cranberries without adding any sugar or flavorings.
Cranberries are known to prevent UTIs in humans but there aren’t enough conclusive studies that can prove that cranberries will prevent UTIs in dogs. You can feed your dogs cranberries but there are chances that they’ll contract UTI due to some other reasons.
In some cases, UTI can also be a system of an underlying health condition. Hence it’s important you consult a veterinarian to provide proper medical treatment to your dog.
Yes, you can feed cranberries to your puppy but in moderation. Ideally, you should only feed 1-2 cranberries in a day to get started and make sure you slice them into smaller pieces to avoid choking.
Sources:
https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/can-dogs-eat-cranberries
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-cranberries
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cranberries/
https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-cranberries/
Oranges are a popular citrus fruit that can give your diet a fresh, healthy balance. You can enjoy them as a midday snack or pair freshly squeezed orange juice with breakfast.
But you might wonder if oranges are safe for your dog. The good news is that these tangy citrus fruits are safe for dogs in small quantities. But since it’s a fruit rich in natural sugars, you need to be aware of a few cautions before sharing this treat with your dog.
In this article, we'll talk about how to feed oranges to your dog safely and what health benefits he or she will get from eating them.
Let’s first discuss some of the amazing health benefits of oranges for dogs:
Oranges are widely acclaimed for their high vitamin C content. It makes them an ideal snack for sick, stressed, or aging dogs that often suffer from vitamin C deficiency.
This vitamin will help their immune system by making their white blood cells work harder and by making more antibodies, which protect their body. It will also promote joint and bone health and help prevent arthritis in older dogs.
Oranges are packed with flavonoids and carotenoids that are potent natural antioxidants. They help keep your dog protected from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. In turn, this helps prevent a number of long-term health problems, such as lung diseases, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and heart diseases.
Even the anti-inflammatory properties of antioxidants help boost the dogs’ immune systems and prevent arthritis and various eye problems like cataracts.
Oranges are a rich source of soluble fibers that can help improve your dog’s digestive health. These fibers are fermented in your dog’s colon to produce short-chain fatty acids that feed the good bacteria and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut.
Furthermore, soluble fibers can also support bowel regularity by absorbing excess water in the dog’s stomach and preventing diarrhea.
Oranges can provide your dog with a variety of essential minerals. This fruit is especially rich in calcium, a mineral required for the proper growth and development of your dog’s bones, muscles, and teeth. It also supports their heart and brain health.
Additionally, oranges also contain magnesium and potassium, which work together with calcium to improve your dog’s muscle strength and bone health. These minerals also help support various other important functions in your dog’s body.
Now that you’re all excited about sharing oranges with your pup, let’s discuss some suggestions about how to incorporate this fruit into their diet correctly.
Oranges are a safe fruit for dogs, but only when eaten in small amounts. That’s because oranges have moderately high levels of sugar, and in the long run, consuming too much sugar can lead to many health problems, gastrointestinal upset, and weight gain. Even the acidic nature of oranges can lead to health problems for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
By limiting how many oranges your dog eats, you can make sure he gets the most benefits from them without getting sick.
Ideally, it’s recommended that treats like oranges shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. That means you can serve 1 or 2 orange slices to a small dog and 3 to 4 orange slices to a large dog, as an occasional treat. You can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of orange slices you can add to your dog’s diet.
Also, if your dog has diabetes or another health problem, you should talk to your vet before making any changes to its diet.
When talking about oranges, most pet owners want to know if dogs can eat orange peels. The answer is a little complicated because, while the peels aren’t toxic, they can be hard to chew and digest for a dog. These orange peels also contain some oils that can lead to upset stomachs and other gastrointestinal issues.
In most cases, when a dog accidentally eats a small amount of orange peel, they may try to vomit it up, or it might cause diarrhea.
But in some extreme cases, orange peels can get lodged in your dog’s digestive tract, causing an obstruction. This situation can be dangerous, so it is suggested you keep your dog away from orange peels.
The same goes for the orange seeds. They aren’t toxic, but they are hard to digest and can lead to stomach upset and intestinal obstruction.
The white, stringy part of the orange between the peel and fruit, called the pith, is safe for dogs. It contains many antioxidants and fiber that can be beneficial for your dog’s health.
In the market, you'll find a wide variety of oranges. They are mostly distinguished based on their sizes, colors, and sweetness.
The good news is that dogs can eat all kinds of oranges, including mandarin oranges, tangerines, blood oranges, clementines, etc. But you should be mindful of the portion sizes and feed only a few slices of orange to your dog occasionally.
You can simply peel and feed orange slices to your dog as a treat. But there’s a chance that your dog won’t enjoy the tart taste of oranges. In such cases, you can try some of the following quick and simple recipes if you want to add oranges to your dog's diet:
While fresh oranges are safe and healthy for a dog, they should be kept away from some packaged orange products. For example, orange marmalade and canned orange slices contain additional seasonings and high amounts of sugar that can be harmful in the long run.
The same goes for packed orange juice. It contains high amounts of sugar, and consuming too much sugar can lead to various health problems for your dog. You can however feed them a small amount of freshly squeezed orange juice that doesn't contain any additional ingredients.
Oranges are safe for dogs, but they should be considered a treat that can supplement their healthy and well-balanced meal. It’s because oranges contain moderately high amounts of natural sugar, which isn’t inherently bad, but if too much sugar is eaten, it can lead to a sudden blood sugar spike, especially in diabetic dogs.
That’s why it’s also recommended that if your dog has any preexisting health conditions, you consult with a veterinarian before feeding them oranges.
Another caution is to remove the orange peels and seeds before feeding an orange slice to your dog. These parts aren’t toxic, but they are also not digestible and could lead to many health problems.
In most cases, when a dog accidentally eats a small amount of orange peel, they may try to vomit it up, or it might cause diarrhea. But if that doesn’t happen, you should look out for the following signs of intestinal blockage:
If you notice any of these signs, they might indicate a blockage, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Orange is a safe and healthy fruit for a dog. It’s a vitamin C powerhouse that can have many immunity-boosting benefits for your pup. Even the antioxidants and fiber in this fruit can help a dog's digestive system and prevent several long-term health problems.
Just be careful of the portion sizes and serve only a few orange slices to your dog as an occasional treat. You can also try making delicious recipes like orange ice cream or popsicles with dog-friendly ingredients.
But if you have any more questions, you can talk to your vet before giving your dog an orange.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding oranges to a dog:
Depending on their size, you can serve 1 or 2 orange slices to a small dog and 3 to 4 orange slices to a large dog as an occasional treat.
You can also talk to your veterinarian to determine the right amount of oranges to feed your dog based on their health conditions and nutritional requirements.
Orange peels aren't toxic for a dog, but they are hard to chew and digest. They also contain some oils that can lead to upset stomachs and other gastrointestinal issues.
If your dog accidentally eats a small amount of orange peel, they might try to vomit it up, or it might cause diarrhea.
But in some extreme cases, orange peels can get lodged in your dog’s digestive tract, causing an obstruction.
Yes, dogs can eat all types of oranges, including mandarin oranges.
Oranges contain natural sugar, which isn’t inherently bad, but it can lead to a sudden blood sugar spike, especially in diabetic dogs. That's why if your dog has diabetes you shouldn't feed them oranges or make any other changes to their diet without first talking to a vet.
No, you should avoid feeding orange juice to your dog. It has a lot of sugar, and consuming too much sugar, in the long run, can lead to many health problems, gastrointestinal upset, and weight gain.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-oranges/
Broccoli is considered a superfood due to its numerous health benefits. It's a crunchy, green vegetable that you can enjoy as part of a healthy diet.
But can dogs eat broccoli? The answer is a little complicated because broccoli is safe for dogs in small amounts. There are a few more precautions that you should know before feeding this vegetable to your dog.
We have explored all these details in the article below.
Let’s first start by understanding the four amazing health benefits of broccoli for a dog:
Broccoli is a good source of dietary fiber. It can help your dog's digestive system and make sure he has regular bowel movements by soaking up extra water and giving the stool more bulk.
During digestion, this fiber also gets converted into fatty acids, which helps prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the dog’s gut. It also supports the growth and activity of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Aside from that, it is known that fiber indirectly helps lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol.
Broccoli contains a high amount of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the dog's immune system. It also scavenges harmful free radicals and helps remove them from the dog’s body.
Another important compound found in broccoli is glucoraphanin, which gets converted into sulforaphane during digestion. Sulforaphane helps activate antioxidant enzymes in your dog’s body. It can even cross the blood-brain barrier and increase antioxidant activity in the dog’s brain.
Both of these antioxidants can not only help reduce inflammation but also helps prevent various respiratory diseases, allergies, vision-related problems, arthritis, and heart diseases.
Broccoli is considered a healthy vegetable mainly due to its nutrient content. It's full of vitamins and minerals that can be a great addition to your dog's diet and help them stay healthy overall.
Below is a breakdown of all the important nutrients present in broccoli:
Broccoli contains three carotenoids called lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. Among these, beta-carotene gets converted to vitamin A which helps improve their eyesight, especially night vision.
On the other hand, lutein and zeaxanthin helps support retina health.
There are two parts to the broccoli plant: the florets and the stalk, or stem. Both of these are safe but not necessarily healthy for a dog. Let’s discuss both of these parts in a little more detail:
Broccoli florets are safe for dogs but in small quantities. You should be careful about the portion sizes because these florets contain isothiocyanate. It’s a naturally occurring sulfur-based plant compound found in many green vegetables.
In small quantities, isothiocyanate is harmless to dogs. But when eaten in large amounts, it can lead to nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Also, if your dog eats a lot of isothiocyanates, it can also cause severe stomach irritation in some cases.
You can avoid this by giving your dog broccoli as a treat once in a while and making sure that its total intake is less than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie needs.
You can feed broccoli stalks or stems to your dog in small quantities. Also before feeding make sure you cut them up into bite-size chunks to avoid any risk of choking or intestinal obstruction.
There are various ways to feed broccoli to your dog. You can boil, steam, or cook this vegetable, but make sure you don’t add any seasoning as it could be harmful to your dog’s health and might lead to an upset stomach.
If you decide to feed raw broccoli to your dog, wash it thoroughly to remove any bacteria and pesticides. You can also buy organic broccoli which contains fewer pesticides.
It’s also important that you cut the vegetable into small pieces to avoid any risk of choking. You can boil or steam broccoli to soften the pieces, especially if you have a small breed dog.
Even though it's a healthy vegetable, it might not be palatable to your dog. If your dog is a fussy eater, you can try any of the following fun recipes for feeding broccoli to your dog:
Broccoli is a healthy vegetable for a dog as long as you are mindful of the portion sizes. The florets contain isothiocyanate, which is a sulfur-based plant compound. It’s harmless in small quantities, but when eaten in large amounts, it can lead to nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
In some dogs, large amounts of isothiocyanate can even result in severe gastric irritation.
Ideally, broccoli should be considered a treat that makes up less than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. But you can consult with a veterinarian to determine the exact amount of broccoli to feed your dog. They will be able to give you better advice based on your dog's age, breed, body weight, dietary needs, and health.
Furthermore, as with any other food, your dog might have an allergic reaction to broccoli. So try to start with a small quantity and monitor their reaction for 24 to 48 hours.
You should look out for any of the following symptoms:
If your dog experiences any of these symptoms after feeding a new food like broccoli, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Broccoli is a healthy and nutritious vegetable that can help your dog in many ways. It can help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and support digestive health. Even the vitamins and minerals in this vegetable can be a great addition to what your dog eats every day.
But you should watch the serving sizes and only serve a small amount of broccoli every so often. Also, make sure you cut the broccoli into small chunks to avoid any risk of choking.
If you have any more questions, you should talk to your vet before giving your dog broccoli.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding broccoli to your dog:
Yes, dogs can eat raw broccoli, but make sure you wash it thoroughly before feeding. You should also cut the florets into small pieces to avoid any risk of choking.
If you have a small dog, try to boil or steam the broccoli to soften the pieces.
Broccoli stems are safe for your dog but in small quantities. In some cases, there’s a risk of choking and intestinal obstruction as the stem can be hard to chew, especially for smaller dogs. You can easily avoid this by cutting the stem into small pieces before serving.
Yes, a dog can eat broccoli florets, but in small quantities. These florets contain isothiocyanate, which is a naturally occurring sulfur-based plant compound. It’s harmless in small amounts, but when eaten in large quantities, it can lead to nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
In some cases, a lot of isothiocyanates can also cause severe irritation of the stomach.
Broccoli can be safe for a dog with pancreatitis, but you should consider talking to a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet if they suffer from any preexisting health condition.
Broccoli is a healthy vegetable that has low fat and high fiber content, which can be beneficial for diabetic dogs. But if your dog already has health problems, you should talk to your vet before giving it any new food.
Yes, your dog can have broccoli soup if it's made with dog-friendly ingredients and doesn’t contain any seasoning.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-broccoli/
https://nativepet.com/blogs/health/can-dogs-eat-broccoli
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-broccoli
Cucumbers are a popular lean and green vegetable. Well, technically they’re considered fruits as they grow from flowers and contain seeds. We call them vegetables because of how they are used in the culinary world.
Apart from salads, we use cucumbers for healthy smoothies, sandwiches, and of course pickles. But can we share this super healthy vegetable with our dogs?
Cucumber is completely safe for our dogs. In fact, you can use them as a healthy alternative to other conventional dog treats or biscuits. Most dogs enjoy the crunchy and refreshing texture of this vegetable.
But if you need more reasons to incorporate this delicious vegetable into your dog’s diet, let’s discuss the 5 amazing health benefits of feeding cucumber to your dog.
Cucumbers contain various flavonoids like apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and fisetin. These are naturally occurring antioxidant compounds that can protect your dog’s body from oxidation - a term used to describe the damage caused by free radicals.
This helps prevent the onset of various health conditions including respiratory and heart diseases.
The anti-inflammatory properties of antioxidants can help prevent eye problems like cataracts and blindness in dogs. In older dogs, it also supports joint health and the immune system.
Cucumber is a good source of dietary fiber that can aid your dog’s digestive health. It’s particularly rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that absorbs water in the digestive tract and moves slowly through the intestines to ensure the nutrients are being absorbed at a steady pace. This promotes bowel regularities, reduces diarrhea, and even helps prevent high cholesterol and diabetes.
A high-fiber diet can also help reduce the risk of various health conditions in your dog.
Cucumber has an impressive nutrient profile. It contains vitamin C which is an important antioxidant and vitamin K which is needed for blood clotting or coagulation, an important process that helps reduce bleeding when injured. This vitamin is also required to prevent calcium deposits in the heart and arteries.
Apart from that, cucumber also contains essential minerals. They’re especially rich in potassium which supports muscle growth, cognitive function, and bone health.
In trace amounts, cucumber also contains magnesium and manganese both of which are important minerals required for the proper health and functioning of various organs in your dog’s body.
Cucumber is 95% water which makes them an ideal treat to promote hydration. You can feed a few small slices of chilled raw cucumber to your dog on a hot summer day after a play session or a walk. It’ll help rehydrate and re-energize their body.
But please remember that you still need to always provide fresh drinking water to avoid dehydration, especially during the summer.
Cucumber is filled with phytonutrients and phytochemicals that can effectively kill bacteria in your dog’s mouth. It helps improve their oral hygiene and the smell of their breath.
However, you cannot substitute cucumber for a consistent oral hygiene routine that includes brushing their teeth regularly.
Before you start feeding cucumber to your dog, consider the following tips:
While cucumber is a healthy food for your dogs, you should only feed it in small amounts. Ideally, you should follow the 90/10 rule that states 90% of the calories your dog eats come from a balanced diet and the remaining 10% from treats like cucumber.
You can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the right amount of cucumber you can add to your dog’s diet. They will be able to give you better advice depending on your dog's nutritional requirements and health condition.
Many pet owners are confused about whether or not a dog can eat cucumber skin and seeds. There is no right or wrong answer here as both the cucumber skin and seeds aren’t toxic for a dog. But they’re not easily digestible which can lead to stomach problems, especially for dogs who have sensitive stomachs.
So if your dog has a history of stomach issues, it is recommended to peel the cucumber and remove the seeds before feeding.
Or else, you can try feeding a small slice of cucumber with the skin and seeds to see how your dog reacts. If it doesn’t lead to an upset stomach you can continue feeding them the cucumber with the skin and seeds.
The first thing you should do is thoroughly wash the cucumber before feeding it to your dog, even if you plan to remove the skin. It’s because cucumbers often have a layer of wax on the skin to improve their shelf life. While the wax isn’t harmful, it can still trap bacteria. You can easily get rid of it by rinsing the cucumber under clean water.
You can also try to buy organic cucumbers to avoid harmful chemicals and toxins. But you should wash them properly too.
Now when it comes to actually feeding a cucumber to your dog, it might be tempting to give it to them whole or in large pieces, but it can be a choking hazard as they may take large bites.
It is recommended to always cut the cucumber into small bite-size pieces and serve on its own or use it as a meal topper.
If your dog is a picky eater, you can also try the following creative recipes to incorporate cucumber into their diet.
Whatever recipe you try, make sure you don’t add any salt or seasoning to the cucumber as it can be harmful to your dog.
Raw cucumbers are the best for your pup. Other options like pickled cucumbers contain ingredients like salt, vinegar, and spices which can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Also, avoid feeding them cucumbers from your cucumber salad as it might have onion, garlic, and other harmful seasonings in the dressing.
Cucumbers are safe for a dog and the only thing you should be concerned about is overfeeding. Eating too much of any food item including cucumbers can have an adverse effect on a dog’s health or can cause an upset stomach.
It is ideal that treats like cucumber don’t exceed the 10% calories in your dog’s diet. Or you can consult with your veterinarian to determine the right amount of cucumber to feed your dog.
Furthermore, if you’re feeding your dog cucumber for the first time you should be cautious of an allergic reaction. Although it’s rare, your pup can have an allergy or food intolerance toward cucumber.
Start with 1-2 slices and monitor their reaction for the next 24-48 hours. Look out for the following signs of an allergic reaction:
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs after feeding cucumber to your dog.
Cucumber is a perfectly healthy and low-calorie treat for most dogs. It contains dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help support their overall growth and wellness.
If you want to share this healthy treat with your dog, make sure you cut the cucumber into small slices so it's easier to chew and digest. Also, try to limit their intake to a few slices as too much cucumber will result in an upset stomach and diarrhea.
If you have any further doubts, you can consult with your veterinarian before feeding cucumbers to your dog.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding cucumbers to a dog:
No, a dog shouldn’t eat pickled cucumbers as they contain other ingredients like salt, vinegar, and spices that can be harmful to your dog’s health.
The skin and seeds of cucumber aren’t toxic for a dog. But they’re harder to digest and can lead to stomach problems for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Thus if your dog has a history of stomach issues, peel the cucumber and remove the seeds before feeding.
Or you can try feeding 1-2 slices of cucumber with the skin and seeds to see how your dog reacts. If this doesn’t lead to any stomach problems you can continue feeding them the cucumber with the skin and seeds.
Ideally treats like cucumber shouldn’t make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. But you can consult with a veterinarian to determine the exact amount of cucumber to feed your dog.
https://nativepet.com/blogs/health/can-dogs-eat-cucumber
Tomatoes are a popular sweet and juicy fruit. They are also a staple in every household and are used to cook a variety of dishes like stews, salsa, pasta sauce, soups, and curries.
But did you know that apart from their versatility, tomatoes are also very nutritious? They are a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can protect you against various diseases. Now the big question is: can we share this healthy food with our dogs?
Continue reading to find out when you can feed tomatoes to your dog and when to avoid them completely.
Dogs can safely eat red, fully ripe tomatoes in small quantities. However, you should avoid feeding the leaves, stems, and unripe green fruit of the tomato plant. They have solanine and tomatine, which can make our dogs sick if they eat too much.
Although it’s rare, these parts of the tomato plant can lead to tomatine poisoning, which is treatable but requires medical attention.
The mature red tomatoes are completely safe for your dog because the level of solanine and tomatine decreases to a safe amount as the fruit ripens.
Below are the four health benefits of feeding red ripe tomatoes to your dogs.
Tomatoes are a rich source of many antioxidants, including lycopene, beta-carotene (which gets converted into vitamin A), and immune-boosting vitamin C. These antioxidants protect the dog’s body against the harmful effects of free radicals.
They also help reduce the risk of many chronic health conditions, like respiratory diseases, allergies, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, inflammation, and heart diseases.
Tomatoes provide many vitamins and minerals that are required for the proper growth and development of our dogs. They are especially rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system by increasing the number of antibodies that can fight against bacteria, toxins, and viruses.
It also contains beta-carotene, which gets converted to vitamin A inside the dog’s body. This vitamin has many important functions, as it promotes healthy vision, bone growth, and cell function.
When it comes to minerals, tomatoes contain high levels of potassium. It’s an essential mineral that supports bone growth, cognitive function, and healthy bones. It also helps support the regulation of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Tomatoes are also rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These minerals help support various crucial functions in a dog’s body and their overall growth and wellness.
Tomatoes provide both soluble and insoluble fibers, which can help support your dog’s digestive health. These fibers are complex carbohydrates that do not get digested in the small intestine like most nutrients. Instead, they ferment in the large intestine to make fatty acids that help keep bad bacteria from growing too much.
Soluble fiber, in particular, helps support regular bowel movements for your dog by adding bulk and soaking up extra water in his stomach.
Tomatoes contain 95% water, which can help replenish your dog’s body on a hot summer day or after a play session. You can simply feed them a small slice of tomato to re-energize their body and promote hydration.
But please remember that you will still have to provide fresh drinking water to your dog to avoid dehydration, especially during the summer.
It’s quite easy to feed a tomato to your dog. The important thing is to be mindful of the portion sizes. You should always consider tomatoes a treat and feed them as a supplement to a healthy, well-balanced meal.
Ideally, you should follow the 90/10 rule, which states that treats like a tomato shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. But you can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of tomato to feed your dog. They’ll advise you based on your dog’s health conditions and nutritional requirements.
Now let’s discuss the various ways in which you can feed tomatoes to your dog.
A raw and ripe tomato is perfectly safe for your dog. It’s also convenient, as you can simply buy these vegetables from the store, chop them up, and feed them to your dog as a treat.
Just make sure that you wash the tomatoes properly and remove the stems and leaves before feeding them to your pup. You should also chop raw tomatoes into bite-sized pieces to avoid any risk of choking or internal blockage.
Cooked tomatoes, on the other hand, are also safe and healthy for your dog. But while cooking, you should ensure that you don't add any additional ingredients or seasonings that might be harmful to your dog’s health.
The best way to cook tomatoes for a dog is to boil and mash them to make a puree. It can be used as a food topper that you can serve with their kibble meal.
Many dogs don't often enjoy the taste of tomatoes, in that case, you can try some of the following ways of incorporating tomatoes into their diet:
Just because tomatoes are safe for your dog doesn’t mean they can eat every tomato-based food. For example, canned tomato sauce that contains other ingredients like onions and garlic isn't safe for a dog. Even tomato ketchup isn’t a healthy choice for your pup, as it contains a high amount of sugar.
You can however feed your dog canned tomato products such as whole, diced, crushed, paste, etc. that are made with only tomatoes and water.
The best way to check whether your dog can eat tomato-based products is by reading the ingredients of the product. As a general rule of thumb, if the product contains additional ingredients, seasoning, sugar, or preservatives, you should consider it unsafe for your dog.
Some commercial dog foods contain tomato pomace as an ingredient. It’s actually the crushed-up seeds, skin, and pulp of a ripe and mature tomato.
Brands add this ingredient because tomatoes have a lot of fiber, which helps digestion, and antioxidants, which help reduce chronic inflammation.
If you are feeding your dog store-bought food that already contains tomato pomace, then you might not need to add tomatoes to their diet as a supplement. Your dog will reap the benefits of tomatoes through their regular meals.
A ripe red tomato is safe and healthy for your dog. The only thing you have to worry about is keeping them away from the leaves, stems, and green, unripe fruit of the tomato plant, as it might lead to tomatine poisoning.
When you’re bringing tomatoes into your home, make sure you safely remove and throw away the stem and leaves before storing them in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. It’ll ensure that the dog doesn’t accidentally eat the toxic parts of the tomato.
If your dog has eaten any toxic part of the tomato plant, look out for the following signs of tomatine poisoning:
If you notice any of these symptoms of tomatine poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately. Remember that tomatine poisoning is treatable if you get the right medical treatment promptly.
A tomato can be a valuable part of your dog’s diet. It can support their digestive health and immune system and also help prevent the onset of various chronic health conditions.
You can simply feed them ripe red tomatoes in small quantities as a supplement to a healthy, well-balanced diet. You can also cook this vegetable to increase the level of antioxidants and serve it as a food topper with their kibble meal.
Before you feed your dog tomatoes, you can talk to your vet if you have any more questions.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding tomatoes to a dog:
Yes, dogs can eat cherry tomatoes, but it is suggested that you cut them in half to avoid any risk of choking.
Yes, dogs can eat tomato soup that’s made with dog-friendly ingredients. You should, however, avoid feeding them tomato soup that you bought from a restaurant. It might contain onions, garlic, and other ingredients that are harmful to your dog.
You should avoid feeding green, unripe tomatoes to your dog. It has solanine and tomatine, which can make your dog sick if they eat too much of it.
Yes, dogs can have tomato juice made with dog-friendly ingredients. You can even freeze tomato juice in ice cubes for a refreshing summer treat.
It depends on the ingredients of the canned tomatoes. If the product contains seasoning or other ingredients like onions and garlic, it isn't safe for a dog. But if it's made with just tomatoes and water, you can serve it to your dog.
https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dogs-eat-tomatoes/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-tomatoes/
Grapes are a go-to snack that we can enjoy all year. But as a pet owner, you should be aware of the dangers of this fruit before bringing it into your home. That's because grapes are considered toxic for dogs.
There is ongoing research on the effects of grapes on a dog’s body. So far, grapes in any form are considered toxic for our dogs. But there isn’t any well-established conclusion that can state why grapes are so toxic for a dog.
In this article, we’ll try to explain more about grape poisoning in dogs.
It hasn't been determined what substance in grapes makes them toxic for our dogs. The researchers are also not sure why some dogs have an adverse reaction after eating as little as one grape.
However, in some cases, grapes can cause gastrointestinal upset followed by acute renal failure (ARF).
That's why every kind of grape, including the seedless and seeded varieties, are considered toxic for dogs. Even products made from grapes like raisins and currants are considered toxic as they might cause acute renal failure.
The exact physiological processes that lead to acute renal failure following ingestion have not been determined by any research. But many theories suspect metabolic disruption, a nephrotoxic mycotoxin, and an idiosyncratic reaction.
It’s also worth noting that so far, dogs are the only species that have shown this kind of toxic reaction to grapes.
There have been cases where even a single grape has resulted in grape poisoning. Since it's unknown how grapes are affecting our dogs, it’s also not determined how many grapes can lead to ARF.
It’s also hard to understand the scale of risk when it comes to grape poisoning. Some medium or large dogs may be OK after eating one or two grapes or they may experience unfavorable symptoms.
To be safe, all kinds of grape ingestion are considered toxic. It's also recommended to seek immediate medical care for your dog if they ingest even a single grape.
In most cases, vomiting is the first sign of grape toxicity or poisoning. It usually occurs within the first 2 hours of ingestion. Then it’s followed by diarrhea, lethargy, and excessive thirst within 5 to 6 hours.
Other common signs of grape poisoning and acute renal failure include:
There can also be some behavioral changes, like refusing food, hiding, and whining after eating grapes.
These symptoms may appear within 24 hours of ingestion or may take several days to appear. Whatever the case may be, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible after they have consumed grapes. Waiting for them to fall sick or show signs of poisoning might make the situation worse.
There is no way of knowing how your dog will react after eating grapes. They might have an adverse reaction after eating as little as one grape. To avoid an unforeseen situation, it's recommended that you treat the situation as an emergency and contact your nearest veterinarian.
If you cannot urgently reach a veterinarian, you can also contact the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Their poison control experts will be able to guide you on how to handle the situation based on your dog’s condition.
The treatment for grape poisoning depends on the dog’s symptoms and the time of the poisoning.
If your dog ate a grape in the last two hours, it's most likely that the first thing your vet will do is try to make them throw up to expel the grape from their gastrointestinal tract.
Your vet might also administer activated charcoal as it helps reduce the absorption of toxins in the dog’s stomach.
In many cases, this would be enough to treat the dog.
But if the condition continues to degrade, your dog might need further treatment and hospitalization. Your veterinarian might run blood tests and administer IV fluids to increase urine production and support kidney function. It’ll also help flush the toxin out of the body.
A potentially life-threatening situation can arise if a dog’s kidneys stop producing urine altogether.
It may not be possible or realistic to remove all grapes, raisins, or currants from your home but you should ensure that they are out of reach from your dog. You should also be careful about products that might contain grapes, including trail mix, cereals, raisin bread, and other baked food items.
If your dog is able to get into your trash can, you should also avoid throwing away grapes or raisins in the garbage.
Lastly, while taking your dog for a walk, be cautious as they might eat some wild grapes growing alongside the roads.
If, in any case, they accidentally ingest grapes, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Grapes should be considered toxic and poisonous fruit for our canine companions. This includes grape products like raisins, currants, grape juice, trail mix, cereals, and raisin bread. As a pet parent, you should be extremely careful when you bring these products into your home. Make sure you store them in a way that’s inaccessible to your dog.
But if, in any case, your dog accidentally ingests a grape, contact your veterinarian immediately or contact the Animal Poison Control Center.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about grapes and grape poisoning in dogs:
You should avoid feeding grapes to your dogs. Although it’s unknown how your dog might react after eating grapes, in some cases grapes can cause acute renal failure (ARF). To avoid any unfortunate situation, try to keep your dogs away from grapes.
If your dog accidentally eats grapes, you should contact the veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach them, you can contact the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Their poison control experts can guide you on how to handle the situation based on your dog’s condition.
Yes, some dogs can have an adverse reaction after eating as little as one grape. It hasn't been determined how grapes affect our dogs and what will be the scale of risk. For example, some medium or large dogs may be OK after eating one or two grapes or they may experience unfavorable symptoms.
To avoid any unforeseen situation, it’s suggested to seek immediate medical care even if your dog has eaten a single grape.
In some cases, dogs remain OK even after eating grapes. But it’s not ideal to wait for them to develop symptoms of grape poisoning. If you suspect that your dog has eaten grapes, you should contact a veterinarian even if they seem fine.
https://www.aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/q.pdf
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-nutrition/what-can-dogs-eat/can-dogs-eat-grapes
Shrimp is a popular seafood in America. It’s considered affordable, versatile, delicious, and extremely nutritious. But is it safe for our dogs?
The good news is that not only is shrimp safe for our pups, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for their health. A few pieces of cooked shrimp without the shell can provide additional protein, vitamins, and minerals to your dog.
In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of this shellfish in detail and discuss the various ways in which you can incorporate it into your dog’s diet.
Below we have listed 4 amazing health benefits of feeding shrimp to your dogs:
Shrimp contains omega-3 fatty acids that can significantly improve the quality of your dog’s skin and coat. It can help boost the immune system which in turn helps prevent and heal various skin allergies that can cause fleas, itchiness, dryness, and shedding.
Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids can also have other positive effects on a dog’s health, such as:
Shrimp contains Astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid that gives shrimp its pink or reddish color. What you might not know is that carotenoids are also extremely potent natural antioxidants. They can help your dog’s body fight against harmful free radicals and prevent chronic inflammation.
These antioxidants also boost the immune system of our dogs and reduce the risk of many health issues including respiratory diseases, infections, allergies, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and heart disease.
Shrimp provides a high amount of protein with fewer calories. In fact, 100 grams of shrimp contains approximately 24 grams of protein which is almost the same as chicken which contains 27 grams per 100 grams, and beef which contains 26 grams per 100 grams.
Thus you can feed your dogs shrimp as a treat to supplement their daily nutrition and support their proper growth and development.
But make sure shrimp isn’t the sole protein source in your dog’s diet as it is high in cholesterol which can be harmful in large amounts. Use shrimp as an occasional treat that you serve with their well-balanced daily meal.
Shrimp has an impressive nutrition profile as they contain many vitamins and minerals. They are especially rich in vitamin B12 which is directly linked to our dogs' cognitive and neurological health. It’s also an essential vitamin required for metabolic functions like breaking down fat and protein.
Besides that, shrimp also contains a wide range of minerals including iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and sodium. All of these affect different parts of a dog’s body and help support many vital functions.
Shrimp is safe for dogs but you need to know a few things while feeding them to your dog:
Our dogs usually love the taste of shrimp which makes it easier to go overboard. But you should know that even though shrimp contains many nutrients and antioxidants, they are also high in cholesterol.
Thus you need to be careful of the portion sizes and serve only one or two shrimp in a week. You can also talk to your veterinarian to determine how many shrimp your dog can eat safely.
Furthermore, if your dog is overweight or diagnosed with any health issues like hyperlipidemia, diabetes, or pancreatitis, avoid feeding them cholesterol-rich food like shrimp without consulting a veterinarian.
You should always remove the shell and tail of the shrimp before feeding it to your dog. The shells are made of chitosan, which is hard to digest and their sharp and brittle texture can be a choking hazard or causes obstruction in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. The tail too can lead to many stomach problems.
Shrimp are versatile and you can cook, boil, or steam them before feeding your dog. Just avoid feeding raw shrimp as it might contain bacteria and other pathogens like E. coli, listeria, tapeworms, and salmonella.
You should also avoid fried shrimp as even though it isn't toxic for a dog, it isn't a healthy choice. These are usually battered and deep fried, adding extra calories that can lead to many digestive problems for our little pups. It can also increase their fat and carb intake leading to some major health issues.
You can safely prepare shrimp for your pup like you'd prepare it for yourself. Just follow these steps.
1. Remove the shells and tail
2. Rinse with water
3. Start cooking by boiling or steaming them
4. Don’t add any salt, spices, or other seasonings as they can be harmful to your dog’s health
Once cooked, allow it to cool down and serve as a treat on its own or use them as a meal topper. You can also mix the shrimp with cooked rice and other vegetables to prepare a meal for your pup.
While shrimp is nutritious and delicious for your pup, you still need to beware of the following risks:
As also mentioned above, shrimp has high cholesterol which can lead to heart problems when served in large quantities. Thus it’s advisable to get in touch with your veterinarian to determine whether or not your dog needs shrimp in their diet. They can advise you according to your dog’s nutritional needs and prior health conditions.
Pet owners are often concerned about the risk of bacteria and parasites like salmonella, E. coli, vibrio, listeria, etc. But this can be easily avoided by cooking shrimp before feeding as it will kill all the pathogens.
If by accident your dog eats a raw shrimp, you should montior their reaction and if they show any symptoms of stomach discomfort like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, call your veterinarian immediately.
If you’re feeding shrimp to your dog for the first time then you need to be careful of an allergic reaction. You should start by feeding them just 1 cooked shrimp and monitor their reaction for at least 24-48 hours.
Look out for the following signs:
If you notice any of these signs of an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Shrimp is healthy and nutritious for our pups. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that can help improve their skin & coat health, boost their immune system, and offer many other wide-ranging health benefits. Even the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in shrimp can perfectly supplement their daily meals and fulfill their nutritional requirements.
The only things you need to be cautious about are the portion sizes and removing the shell and tail before feeding. Since shrimp is high in cholesterol, you can only serve a few cooked pieces occasionally and avoid any kind of overindulgence.
But if you have any doubts, you can consult with a veterinarian before adding shrimp to your dog’s diet.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding shrimp to a dog:
Your dog can get sick if you feed them too much shrimp every day. Because of its high cholesterol level, you should only feed shrimp in small amounts occasionally.
Raw shrimp can also make your dog sick as it might contain harmful bacteria and pathogens like E. coli, listeria, tapeworms, and salmonella. But you can easily avoid this situation by cooking (boiling or steaming) the shrimp before feeding it to your dog.
Yes, your dog can eat cooked shrimp that’s prepared without any additional ingredients or seasoning. Boiling and steaming are the two healthy ways of cooking shrimp for your dog.
Yes, your dog can be allergic to shrimp. Thus its recommended to start with a very small quantity and monitor their reaction for 24-48 hours. If you see any signs of food intolerance or allergic reactions, contact your veterinarian immediately.
No, a dog should not eat shrimp tails and shells. The shells are made of chitosan, which is hard to digest for a dog. Even the sharp and brittle texture of the shells can be a choking hazard or obstructs their gastrointestinal tract. The tail can also cause many stomach issues for our dogs.
Ideally, you can feed one or two shrimp to your dog every week. It should be used as a treat or supplement that you serve in small amounts occasionally.
You can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of shrimp you can add to your dog’s diet.
Sources:
https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-shrimp/
https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dog-eat-shrimp/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-shrimp/
What’s better than a sweet and refreshing slice of watermelon on a hot, summer day? This large juicy fruit is a staple in salads, drink recipes, and backyard barbecues. But the craze isn’t just about the delicious taste of watermelon as many people consider it a superfruit due to its nutritional benefits.
Watermelons are low in calories and filled with many vitamins and minerals that can help boost our overall health. But does this fruit have the same health benefits for our pets? In fact, is it even safe to feed watermelon to our dogs?
The short answer is yes! Watermelons are safe for our furry friends but you still need to be a little cautious about a few things like removing the seeds and rind before feeding the fruit to your dog.
In this article, we’ll help you understand how to feed watermelon to a dog safely. But before that, let’s start by discussing the various health benefits your dog can get from watermelon.
Below are 4 amazing health benefits of watermelon for dogs:
Watermelon is one such fruit that contains a wide array of antioxidants including vitamin C, carotenoids, and cucurbitacin. It also contains large amounts of lycopene which is a phytochemical that acts as an antioxidant.
They all work together to protect the cells against oxidation or damage caused by free radicals. This, in turn, helps prevent various health problems including arthritis, infections, respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and heart diseases.
Watermelons are chock full of various nutrients that are needed by your dog’s body to function properly.
Below are some of the essential nutrients present in watermelon:
Watermelons are 92% water which makes them an ideal treat to beat the summer heat. You can serve chilled watermelon slices (without seeds) or frozen watermelon puree cubes after a play session or a walk. It'll help hydrate their body and provide nourishment to their organs.
But remember that feeding watermelon isn’t enough for your pup, you’ll still have to ensure they’re drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially during summer.
Watermelon contains a small amount of fiber which is not enough to fulfill the daily requirement of your dog but it can be helpful in many other ways. Primarily, this fiber can help slow down the absorption of sugar that your dog will get from watermelon itself. As a result, it will help ensure there’s no sudden blood sugar spike in their body.
Watermelons are extremely nutritious but not every part of this fruit is safe for a dog. To avoid any risk, let’s briefly discuss which parts of watermelon are safe for your dog and which parts you should toss in the trash.
The bright red fleshy part of the watermelon contains all the nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for a dog. Thus it’s completely safe and healthy for them.
The black mature seeds in watermelon aren't toxic for our dogs but they may not slide through their digestive system causing an intestinal blockage. If your pup accidentally swallows a few seeds it shouldn't cause any harm, but make sure they don't ingest too many altogether.
So try to remove as many of these black seeds as you can before offering the watermelon to your dog.
On the other hand, the white, immature seeds in seedless watermelons are okay to feed a dog as they’re flexible and can easily pass through their digestive system.
Although watermelon rinds don't contain toxic or harmful nutrients, their texture, and toughness can be problematic. It’s mainly because your dog cannot properly chew the rind thoroughly before swallowing and the large undigested pieces can lead to gastrointestinal blockage.
Thus it’s advisable to not feed the watermelon rind to your dog.
Just like any other fruit, you can simply cut and serve watermelon to your dog. But you need to be mindful of the portion sizes. You can think of watermelon as any other dog treat - something you serve occasionally in small amounts.
You can consult with your veterinarian to determine the right amount of watermelon to feed your dog or you follow the 90/10 rule. That means 90% of the calories your dog eats should come from a complete and balanced diet and the remaining 10% from treats like watermelon.
When it comes to feeding the watermelon to your dog, it’s actually quite easy as dogs tend to love the sweet taste and texture of this fruit. But to give you an idea, below are some safe and fun ways to feed watermelon to your dog:
Make sure you remove the seeds and rind before following any of the above recipes.
Too much of any food item can be harmful to your dog’s health. Thus you have to be mindful of the portion sizes and serve only a small amount of watermelon occasionally. Otherwise, it could lead to an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea for your pup.
Apart from that, you should be cautious of a few more things, including
Watermelon is a safe & healthy dog treat. It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and many essential minerals. Above all, its high water content helps keep your pup hydrated and energized on a hot summer day.
But even though your dog will love the sweet and juicy taste of this fruit, it’s important that you avoid overindulgence. Feed only a small portion of watermelon and let them enjoy this refreshing, nutrition-packed snack without any risk.
If you still have any doubts, consider consulting with a veterinarian before adding watermelon to your dog’s diet.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding watermelon to a dog:
No, you shouldn’t feed watermelon rinds to your dog as they won’t be able to chew it thoroughly before swallowing. The large unchewed pieces can lead to gastrointestinal blockage.
Try to avoid feeding black mature watermelon seeds to your dog. Even though a few of these won't cause any harm if your dog ingests too many they may not slide through the digestive system causing an intestinal blockage.
On the other hand, your dog can eat the white, immature seeds in seedless watermelons as they’re flexible and can easily pass through their digestive system.
Yes, your dog can drink some watermelon juice made at home without any additional ingredients or seasonings.
But avoid feeding them store-bought juice as it might contain a lot of sugar and artificial flavoring which doesn’t have the same health benefits as real watermelon. In fact, the high amount of sugar present in these juices can be extremely dangerous for your dog and can cause a toxic reaction.
Just like every other fruit, watermelon contains natural sugar which can be harmful to your dog if they have diabetes or any other health condition.
Thus, it’s also advised to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to the diet of a dog who has a pre-existing health condition.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/
https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-watermelon/
https://wildearth.com/blogs/dog-knowledge/can-dogs-eat-watermelon
