Carrots for dogs: are carrots safe for dogs with kidney disease, cancer and teething

What are the nutritional benefits of carrots for dogs? Wait! Are carrots even safe for dogs? We grew up knowing that eating carrots is good for eye health. However not many people know that you can safely give your dog carrot treats. Here is more on why you should add carrots in your pooch’s diet.

Are Carrots Safe for Dogs?





While most people food is not good for your dog, carrots are exceptionally good. Carrots are rich in vitamins. They are high in fiber and have fewer calories. Besides, the crunchy nature of carrots makes them good for dog teeth.

Carrots for Dogs
Carrots for Dogs is a healthy vegetable snack.

Carrots for Dogs, Raw or Cooked?

Whether raw or cooked, carrots are considered a great treat for puppies and adult dogs.

  • Raw carrots can be offered in peeled or shredded form.
  • Pureed, juiced and steamed carrots are also an option.
  • Freeze dried carrots are great for teething puppies.

Note however, that cooked carrots for dogs should not have any spices. DO NOT add salt either. I tend to think that your dog will enjoy carrots best when they are raw- they are sweet and crunchy. All you need to do is simply moderate them.

If served well, your dog will surely thank you for the crunchy treat in carrots.  However, some experts are still skeptical about giving carrots to your dog arguing that they do not digest them well.

Each carrot cell is covered with a protective wall of cellulose. This makes it hard for dogs to digest and metabolize raw carrots. You may notice pieces of carrots pass through your dog’s poo the same way as they were chewed.

In this case, it is advisable to not feed large amounts of carrots to your dog. Better yet, you can slightly cook carrots to weaken the cellulose wall to make their digestion easier.

Note: Primarily, dogs are carnivores good at digesting meat proteins. Their digestive system may not be able to handle carbohydrates as much. Vegetable such as carrots should never replace their regular good. Sensitive dogs may respond with allergies and intestinal inflammation which presents as recurrent diarrhea.

Do dogs like carrot treats?

Dogs are different and may react differently to carrots in their diets. The reason why most dogs warm up to carrot treats is simple. Dog meals is often bland. How would you feel if the same food was offered to you over and over? The sweet and crunchy nature of carrots comes as an exciting change to their regular food.

Dogs Love Carrot Treats
Give carrot treats to your dog sparingly.

Nutritional Benefits of Carrots for Dogs

Carrots are a popular vegetable snack for humans. It is no surprise that carrots are also enjoyed by man’s best friend. Carrots are more than 80% water by weight. This makes them a great option for weight management.

A cup of carrot stick offers:

  • 50 calories
  • 1 gram of proteins and less than a gram of fat.
  • 12 grams of carbohydrates
  • 20, 381 international units of vitamins
  • They also contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese

Here are the nutritional benefits of carrots for your dog

Low calorie, low fat

Being overweight is one the one of the common health problems in dogs. For weight loss, dogs should consume fewer calories than they burn. Carrots are low calorie, low fat foods. Giving your dog low calorie foods makes weight manageable easier. Give carrots in between feeds to manage their appetite in a healthy way.

Carrots treats are also a great option in dogs with diabetes where sugar and carbohydrates are restricted.

Beta carotene improves your dog’s eyesight

Does the old “carrots are good for your eyes” tale apply to dogs as well?

Carrots for Dog Eyesight
Carrots for Dog Eyesight

Carrots are rich in beta carotene- a precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A is then transformed to rhodopsin in the retina which is necessary for night vision.

Vitamins for healthy skin and shiny coat

Carrots are packed with vitamins. They provide vitamins A, C, D, E, B1 and B6. Vitamin A supports eye health and will also boost your dog’s immune system. It is also a good source of antioxidants and minerals such as potassium, copper and manganese. Vitamins have amazing benefits such as healthy skin and shiny coat.

Beta carotene in carrots works as an antioxidant which is essential in infection prevention. It essential in bone development, reproductive health and cancer prevention.

Carrots contain lutein and lycopene. These are phytonutrients that protect the eye from harmful UV radiation and free radicals.

Baby carrots for dogs teeth

Give baby carrot sticks to support dental health. The crunchy nature of carrots that requires lots of chewing can help dogs maintain strong teeth. This is recommended by vets as a different approach to cleaning teeth. Chewing on a raw carrot is great way to scrap off plaque. This however does not eliminate the need to have your dog’s teeth cleaned.

Baby carrots for teething puppies
Baby carrots for dogs and teething puppies

The crunchy abrasive nature of raw carrots is what makes them a good remedy for dog bad breath too. To give carrots for dog breath, cut baby carrots into small pieces and give them as healthy snacks or treats.

Baby carrots for puppies with teething problems

Besides the great taste offering cold carrots to your puppy will help to soothe his gums. They make edible chewy treats. So the next time your puppy won’t take it all out on furniture and shoes.

High fiber content for dogs with worms

Your dog will benefit from the high fiber content in carrots. While it is not an essential requirement for your dog, fiber boosts your dog’s digestive system. 4 baby carrots offer 1 gram of fiber.

Carrots provide roughage in a dog’s diet. Shredded carrots scrap off the intestinal lining removing worms lodged in. These parasites come out together with dog poo.

High fiber in carrots helps maintain proper digestion which may helpful in prevention of intestinal tumors.

Dogs with diarrhea may benefit as carrots add bulk to loose stools. Fiber firms up your dog’s poo and improve bowel movements. However, when introducing carrots to your dog’s diet, start slow. Additional fiber will cause upsets and gas discomfort if especially introduced abruptly.

Offer plenty of water along with foods that are high in fiber to prevent excess gas and intestinal inflammation.

Are Carrots Safe for Dogs with Kidney Disease?

Adding vegetables to your dog’s diet Carrots make a healthy diet for dogs with bladder stones or kidney failure. “An occasional carrot is a healthy treat for dogs with kidney disease.” recommends Dr. Julie Bailey, a vet and professor at Becker College School of Animal Studies in Leicester, Massachusetts.

Dr. Bailey continues to say that you should not randomly start on new fruits and vegetable. She warns that raisins and grape are toxic for dogs. They can actually cause kidney failure in dogs.

Dr. Pitcairn recommends carrots in almost all of his recipes for healthy cats and dogs. Here is one such recipe

  • 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) regular-fat hamburger
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons cold-pressed sunflower, soy or corn oil
  • 600 mg’s calcium
  • 1/8 tsp iodized salt
  • 2 tablespoons of parsley, finely grated carrot or other veggie
  • 1/2 -1 clove garlic minced

Olewo Carrots for Dogs

We all now know dogs do not digest carrots well. Olewo carrots are easily digested. They are made from 100% fresh organic carrots rich in beta carotene. They allow for fast absorption and utilization of essential nutrients in carrots. Olewo carrots are great for dogs with diarrhea, worms, dry itchy skin and dull coat.

Olewo carrots for dogs
Olewo carrots for dogs

All you have to do is add Olewo carrots to your dog food. You can add them to any food whether raw, home cooked or canned dog food.

This will probably get you all running to buy carrots for your dog. It is important to note that your dog could be allergic to carrots. Hypersensitivity may present as vomiting, hotspots and diarrhea.

Get your dog tested for common food allergies to rule out whether carrots are culprits or not.

Are Carrots Ok for Dogs with Cancer?

Giving carrots to dogs with cancer is still debatable. Some vets recommend carrots and other vegetables as part your dog’s healthy diet to beat cancer. Your dog will still love the chew delicacy in carrots.

Some vets however, advise against giving carrots to dogs with cancer due to their high sugar content. Either way, please consult your vet for approved and beneficial diet for dogs battling cancer.

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