Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

Written by: Milica Brzakovic
Rich in Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, fiber - all true facts about carrots. Thanks to these benefits this vegetable has become a synonym for health! But the question is - does this apply to dogs?

Carrots are considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables, especially thanks to their vitamin A and Beta-carotene.

However, good human food doesn’t necessarily equal good dog food.

So, what’s the deal with carrots? Can dogs eat carrots?

Dogs love to eat, that’s a fact. To the point that they can end up eating something they shouldn’t and that’s bad for them. Having in mind they’re not too choosy, it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to know what you can and can’t give your dog.

As always, we’re here to help you! So today, carrots are in the spotlight and we’re answering the following question:

Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Carrots?

Yes, it’s completely safe for dogs to have carrots. And not only is it safe, it can be beneficial as well and makes a great treat too! While some human food is a definite no-no, carrots are not on this list of prohibited food.

However, you should bear in mind that dogs don’t have the same needs as we do. Therefore, your dog doesn’t have the same use from vegetables as you do. We’re saying this because you should keep in mind that vegetables, or other healthy food, shouldn’t replace a quality dog food.

Vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli or cauliflower, should only be used occasionally. Many dogs love carrots, so it can really be a good idea to use them as treats when needed. Check out the funny video below and see for yourself how badly this dog wants to reach the carrots!

Why Are Carrots Beneficial?

As mentioned, carrots are among the healthiest vegetables – for both you and your dog! “Be healthy, eat a carrot” is a sentence many kids hear as children, making the carrot a synonym for health. But have you ever wondered why? We’ll give you 5 reasons why right now!

1. Vitamin A

Carrots are very rich in Vitamin A, a vitamin that has many benefits to it. First and foremost, it promotes excellent eye health. On top of that, it makes the immune system stronger and the coat and skin healthier. And who wouldn’t want a shiny coat for its dog?

2. Fiber

Carrots are very rich in fiber, just like lettuce. Even though fiber isn’t essential for your dog, it can be very beneficial as it helps with its digestive system.

More precisely, fiber increases bulk and water in your dog’s intestine, so if its stool is loose, fiber will help in firming it up and improving bowel movement!

3. Low In Fat And Calories

Carrots make great treats, as they’re very low in fat and calories, as opposed to some more caloric treats like peanut butter. One baby carrot only has approximately 4 calories!

So, if your dog is having weight problems and you’re looking for a healthy meal supplement or treat – carrots are a great idea toward getting your dog back on track!

4. Dental Health

Cleaning your dog’s teeth isn’t easy at all times, we know! Some dogs simply hate when you’re brushing its teeth and try to avoid this every way they can. This is why alternative ways to do this can come in handy from time to time. One of these ways include carrots!

Namely, if you give your dog a raw carrot to chew on, the rough texture of the carrot scrapes against your dog’s teeth and helps in dislodging buildup and polishing the teeth. A great combination, isn’t it?

5. Beta-Carotene

Parents don’t say for no reason that you should eat carrots a lot! Thanks to their beta-carotene, a caratenoid carrots are very rich in, the eyesight and the coat color are improved. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant and precursor of Vitamin A.

Even though beta-carotene can’t cure blindness or something of the kind, it does help in reducing vision degeneration later in life. This is especially important for breeds that are more prone to eyesight problems, such as the Australian Cattle Dog.

How Should I Serve Carrots?

Now that you know how healthy they are, let’s find out what the best way to serve them is!

Carrots can be served both cooked and raw. However, the important thing to remember is not to add spices, sugar or salt – completely unscented is the way to go, just like with any other vegetable you’re giving your dog.

Also, don’t give too big pieces of carrots to your dog as these could become a choking hazard. By cutting them up in smaller pieces you’re not only preventing big pieces to get stuck in your dog’s throat, but you’re also improving digestion.

One of the best ways to serve carrots to your dog is shredding and lightly cooking them. That way your dog will be able to absorb all the benefits that can come from carrots. It’s also the best way of serving them when your dog has diarrhea or stomach problems.

Another way for your dog to consume carrots is via carrot juice! Just remember not to add anything to it and keep it as plain as possible and you’re good to go.

How Much Carrots Should I Give My Dog?

Carrots are very healthy and beneficial – true! However, you shouldn’t overdo it, no matter how healthy it is. Everything should be given in moderation to dogs, especially when you’re introducing something new to him or her.

As carrots are very rich in Vitamin A, it’s possible in rare cases for it to become toxic if high levels of it are present. When it comes to fiber carrots are also rich in, you should slowly introduce it to your dog’s diet and provide with a lot of water. Otherwise, gas and stomach problems could occur.

As long as you give carrots occasionally and in normal amounts your dog will benefit from it. Therefore, just keep it in normal amounts and everything will be fine!

Look at these two dogs eating the carrots for the first time! Adorable!

Do Dogs Like Carrots?

Every dog is different of course, but in general dogs tend to like carrots. How come?

It probably has to do with the sweet taste and crunchy texture which breaks their daily food routine. Having dog food all the time, no matter how good, can get boring so dogs need a supplement or treat from time to time.

Good to know: Do not force carrots in every day meals. Cooked meat is also beneficial for dogs, but it doesn’t mean that it should be served unlimited number of times.

Finally, many people ask us if puppies can eat carrots. Yes, they can! Just like adult dogs, puppies can enjoy carrots as well and they are equally beneficial too. A great tip when it comes to puppies – freeze a carrot and give it to your teething puppy! It will feel great for your pup and ease the pain a bit.

Conclusion

Carrots are not only safe for your dog to eat, they are very beneficial as well. Thanks to their Vitamin A, Beta-carotene and fiber they help in keeping the immune system strong and improving the vision. Carrots can also be a life-saver if your dog has an upset stomach, as fibers play a big role in bowel movement.

Cooked or raw – they’re good either way, as long as you cut them up in smaller pieces and keep them unscented. And finally, using carrots as an occasional treat is a great idea because of their low calorie level. But we can’t repeat this enough – don’t overdo it! As long as you keep it in normal amounts your dog will be able to benefit from this vegetable and enjoy it from time to time – just what you want, right?