All You Need to Know about Vegetables for Dogs

Dogs have always been close to people’s hearts. That’s why it’s important that every dog owner should understand their furry friend’s required diet. Although dogs are often associated with meat diets, they are actually omnivores. As a matter of fact, recent studies suggest that vegetables for dogs provide a lot of benefit. These foods bring in fiber which is good for digestion. Other researches also claim that regular intake of high-quality vegetables also prevent certain diseases in dogs.

On a general perspective, 20% of a normal dog’s diet should be composed of vegetables. The serving would increase and decrease according to the weight and nutritional needs of your pet. Oftentimes, dogs with obesity or symptoms thereof are prescribed higher servings of vegetables.

While some would argue that it’s hard to make pets eat vegetables, there are ways to get around such a problem. For one, you can pureé cooked vegetables so you could easily incorporate it with your dog’s food. There are also preserved vegetables that you can get from any dog supplies shops. Serving vegetables for dogs is like encouraging a toddler to eat greens.

You need to introduce it little by little. Add variety so your dog wouldn’t get bored with the meals. Also, don’t pressure your pet in eating the veggies. You don’t want your dog to associate veggies with drama.

Here’s a helpful guide in serving vegetables for your dogs.

Know what not to give.

Not all veggies are good for your dog. Some contain toxins that could build up in your dog’s body. The key here is to understand which vegetables are bad for your pet. With this, it’ll be a lot easier to pick vegetables. Some of the vegetables that aren’t advisable for dog consumption include avocado, onions, garlic, wild mushrooms, tomatoes, and macadamia nuts. Aside from certain vegetables, make an effort to know which foods are poisonous for your pet.

Stick with the tried-and-tested.

A lot of dog owners have already considered giving vegetables for their pet. You might want to follow their path by sticking to the basics. What are the popular vegetables for dogs? Broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, spinach, celery, asparagus, sweet potatoes, green beans peas, and squash make up the long list. Always go for organic vegetables as they are obviously safer. The chemicals in some produce could be harmful to your pets.

Serve them fully-cooked.

Dogs have shorter digestive tracts needed for digesting certain kinds of food. And contrary to popular belief, some vegetables are actually harder to digest. You need to aid your dog by serving vegetables that are fully-cooked. You can also steam the vegetables so that their natural nutrients would remain intact.

Get the advice of a trusted veterinarian.

You can also hit the right nails during the first try by consulting with a trusted veterinarian. These professionals can assess the specific nutritional needs of your dog. Also, they can advise you on what not and what to give your trusted pal. Having regular check-ups also gives your pet the advantage of preventing any diseases.

It’s painful to correct the diet of your dogs. However, the benefits of such efforts would surely be worth all the trouble. In the long run, a healthy, complete diet would help them ward off serious diseases. Naturally, vegetables for dogs guarantee a happy and good life for your loved pet.