Dog Food Vegetables
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As humans, we’ve been told that a good diet involves at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. So what about your dog food vegetables? Shouldn’t your dog be benefiting from the vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and fiber of vegetables? Should your dog be eating vegetables too? The answer is simple – yes, vegetables for dogs extremely important.
Many owners are concerned about pet food recalls and the chemicals and preservatives in commercially available dog foods. They’re not sure exactly what is in store-bought dog food and are worried that it is affecting their dog’s health. Many dog owners are switching to a raw food diet, also known as a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) diet.
Part of this diet involves raw meat, but the other important component is vegetables. Some people claim that vegetables aren’t necessary for dogs, that they can survive on a diet of raw meat, but studies have proven that a diet of all meat is not nutritionally sound for a dog. There are so many nutrients that come from vegetables and many positive effects of incorporating vegetables into your dog’s diet. Just like in humans, a diet full of a variety of fresh vegetables helps prevent disease and extend life.
When planning your dog’s new diet, you need to know which vegetables are harmful to dogs. We all know not to feed dogs chocolate, but did you know that garlic and onions are also harmful to dogs? These can cause anemia. Other vegetables that should be avoided are tomatoes, wild mushrooms, and avocados. Some vegetables like beans and cabbage can cause your dog to have bad gas – so while they’re not unhealthy, the aftermath of eating them is not necessarily pleasant for you or your family!
There are two main types of vegetables – high glycemic and low glycemic. Some of the best vegetables for dogs include broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, squash, and zucchini. Starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes are good, but may cause weight gain due to their high carbohydrate content. Feed these sparingly.
Low Glycemic Vegetables – Feed These More Often!
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Dark leafy greens
- Green beans
- Summer squash
High Glycemic Vegetables – Feed Sparingly!
- Beets
- Carrots
- Corn
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
Dogs who are not used to vegetables may not want to eat them at first. The best way to introduce vegetables is to cook them a big and process them in a food processor. You can also mix the vegetables in with a protein source. Soon your dog will develop a taste for vegetables and you can feed him a wide variety of them in his regular diet.
