Last Updated on September 2, 2023 by Dogs Vets
7 Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs
Just like humans, dogs need various organic nutrients for a healthy, balanced diet. Vegetables are rich in antioxidants, minerals, fiber, phytonutrients, and enzymes not present in meat.
While feeding your dog different types of vegetables is essential because they each provide different nutrients, not all of them are dog-safe.
Onions, garlic, chives, and shallots contain substances that can destroy red blood cells and lead to anemia. Rhubarb and mushrooms are also toxic for your furry friend.
Look for dog-friendly vegetables to feed your pup and protect their health. Feeding these vegetables to your pup will benefit their health and well-being. This article discusses seven benefits of vegetables for dogs.
Improved gut health
A dog’s healthy gut helps properly absorb nutrients from supplements and foods, supporting their energy levels. It also soothes your pet whenever they experience digestive discomfort due to stressful encounters, overfeeding, diet changes, and other issues.
A healthy gut helps maintain blood sugar levels in the normal range and maintains healthy digestion, supporting weight management. It also helps reduce stress while supporting joint and bone health.
If you want to improve your dog’s gut health, vegetables can be a part of their daily diet as they contain good bacteria beneficial for the gut. You include non-starchy, fibrous veggies to their diet for better gut health and digestion.
Cancer prevention
Cancer is the leading cause of death of pets above middle age, with one in four dogs diagnosed with it. Canine cancer rates are comparable to or surpass human rates.
While the disease is prevalent, you can keep your dog from getting cancer using vegetable vitamins. Your canine’s diet can include the following:
- Broccoli: It has compounds that prevent carcinogens’ effects and improves cancer-blocking enzyme production
- Kale: These vegetables contain phytonutrients that help clear carcinogenic elements from cells
- Cruciferous vegetables like bok choi, cabbage, rutabagas, turnips, Brussels sprouts, and mustard green have substances that can protect dogs from cancer
Adding sweet potatoes, beets, and pumpkin to your furry friend’s diet can help prevent cancer.
Improved immune system
Your furry friend’s immune system is a complicated cell and organ network that protects them from foreign antigens, including infections, viruses, bacteria, and toxins.
Once their immune system catches an antigen, it activates an immune response. Fiber-rich vegetables packed with minerals, fiber, and vitamins are great for your pooch’s immune system. Carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are vital for your dog’s immune health.
The carrots are low in calories, high in beta-carotene, and a potent antioxidant that helps strengthen your pup’s immune system while reducing inflammation by fighting diseases. Sweet potatoes contain vitamin C, which is crucial for immune health.
Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins C and A, essential for supporting your pet’s immune system function. Excellent gut health is necessary for a completely functional immune system. Fortunately, pumpkin contains dietary fiber that helps prevent constipation and diarrhea in dogs.
Help with weight loss
Statistics indicate that over 50% of dogs are obese. Canine obesity is harmful as it reduces your pup’s lifespan and makes it easy for them to develop illnesses like diabetes mellitus and rapid degeneration of the affected joints.
You can include vegetables in your canine’s diet to help them lose weight.
Green beans are low-calorie, and their crunch is satisfying, making them an excellent green snack for your furry friend. Baby carrots, each containing around four calories, are a great snack for weight loss.
Additionally, carrots aren’t harsh on your dog’s tummy, helping ensure they don’t get gassy.
They’re suitable for your dog’s alkaline diet
Alkaline diets are balanced organic diets consisting of acidic/ alkaline food to reduce/increase and balance your pup’s PH levels (healthy internal environment and immune system). Naturally occurring enzymes from organic raw vegetables can help repair external or internal damage and balance organ function.
A high alkaline phosphatase diet can help with illnesses ranging from acute to chronic, such as allergies, sensitive stomachs, dental ulcers, and more.
Natural raw foods, including celery, potatoes, cucurbit vegetables like squash and pumpkins, and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, can help boost your dog’s dietary alkaline level.
Vegetables are nutritious
Vegetable treats are nutritious and help improve your dog’s diet. Vegetables contain different nutrients and minerals essential for your furry friend’s health. They include:
- Green beans: They contain iron, calcium, protein, fiber, and vitamins B6, A, K, and C
- Celery: It has vitamins B, C, A, and K and manganese, potassium, and folate
- Broccoli: It contains fiber, digestible plant protein, antioxidants, and minerals and vitamins like folic acid, chromium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins K and C.
- Carrots: They’re low calorie and high fiber and have vitamin A-producing beta-carotene.
They’re good for your pup’s hydration
Dogs that eat dry food may experience chronic dehydration, causing issues like bladder stone formation or kidney problems. Adding cucumbers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce can give your pet the fluids it requires to stay hydrated.
Endnote
Vegetables are great for your dog. Add dog-safe vegetables to your pet’s diet for improved health and well-being.
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