CAN DOGS EAT CARROTS, HOW MUCH IS TOXIC & HEALTH BENEFITS

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Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur

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CAN DOGS EAT CARROTS

Can dogs have raw carrots? Yes, dogs can have carrots raw as a snack. However, cooked carrots are easier on the dog’s digestive system and this ensures the dog is absorbing and digesting all the essential vitamins and minerals that the carrots provide.

Dogs can have carrots in a variety of ways, in fact one of my favorite ways to feed my little girl carrots is not only raw as a snack but also pureed in the baby food maker.

This insures she is digesting all the beneficial vitamins and minerals needed for her home cooked meals. I have noticed that when she does eat them raw they do not get digested and you will find them in the poop.

WHAT TYPE OF FIBER DOES CARROTS FOR DOGS HAVE

There are two types of fiber your dog needs in their diet, and they are insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is used to bulk up the stool and aid in the digestive process and speed up elimination.

While soluble fiber can be considered the heart healthy type of fiber, this consists of things like oatmeal, beans, seeds and nuts.

When digested, soluble fiber creates a gel like consistency that eases passing through the digestive tract.

Carrots are also a good source of insoluble fiber.

HEALTH BENEFITS TO FEEDING YOUR DOG CARROTS

INSOLUBLE FIBER

One of the benefits to feeding your dog carrots is that it’s a good source of insoluble fiber which is good for digestion and to help bulk up the stool, so if your furbaby has loose stools you could try something like this single ingredient food topper,

Amazon.com : Olewo Original Carrots for Dogs – Fiber for Dogs Keep Poop Firm, Digestive Dog Food Topper, Skin & Coat Support, Dehydrated Whole Food Dog Multivitamin, Gut Health for Dogs, 1 lb : Dehydrated Pet Food : Pet Supplies

Another option from the same company, which is also a dog food topper which is multi-ingredient containing potato, carrot and alfalfa and is also used to support healthy digestion and help with upset tummy and firm up loose stools is

Amazon.com : Olewo Rootsies Dog Food Topper – Sensitive Stomach Dog Food, Dog Digestive Support, Natural Prebiotic for Dogs, Gut Health for Dogs, Fiber for Dogs from Dehydrated Fresh Dog Food, 2.2 lbs : Pet Supplies

HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS

Another one of the benefits to feeding your dog carrots is that raw carrots are also helpful in keeping dog’s teeth clean.

If your dog loves carrots as much as mine does then why not even consider a rubber carrot chew toy to help massage their gums and ramp up their dental hygiene with this cute carrot toy from Barkbox

Amazon.com : Barkbox Scented Food Themed Dog Toys & Chews, Tough Rubber & Nylon Super Chewer Treat Dispensing Puzzle Toys, Balls, & Teething Toys for Small, Medium, & Large Dogs & Puppies, Deep Roots Carrot : Pet Supplies

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-CANCER

Did you know one of the benefits of carrots for dogs is that carrots are even considered an antioxidant? They have also been deemed as having;

“anti-cancer activity.”¹

NUTRITION FACTS AND VITAMIN BENEFITS OF CARROTS FOR DOGS

100 Grams of Raw Carrots contains; 835 mcg RAE²

0.93 grams Protein
12 mg Magnesium
35 mg Phosphorus
320 mg Potassium
835 mcg Vitamin A, RAE OR 16,700 IU³ ⁴
Vitamin C 5.9 mg

CAN DOGS EAT CARROTS EVERYDAY, RAE VS IU IN CARROTS

Another one of the benefits of carrots for dogs is that they are also high in vitamin A. The recommended minimum amount for adult dog maintenance of vitamin A according to the AAFCO is approximately 2,174 IU per pound of food.⁵

According to the national research council a 33-pound dog needs a minimum of 379 micrograms of vitamin a.⁶ The reason this is different is because vitamin A content has many different forms which are not all readily bioavailable.

So, for example, carrots have a large amount of beta-carotene. This is not converted on a 1:1 ratio and can also be different if your dog has issues with their metabolism such as in the case of thyroid issues or digestive problems such as malabsorption.

Also, vitamin A is more bioavailable in animal products such as organs or eggs. The amount of RAE you will get from 100 grams of beef liver is 4,970mcg or 16,900 IU⁷

So, as you saw above under the nutrition facts, 100 grams of carrots also has 16,700 IU and the liver also has similar IU but the RAE will be significantly greater in liver than what you get from a carrot, which is why I always use mcg/RAE. To make sure no Vitamin A toxicity occurs.

So, to answer you question of can dogs eat carrots everyday, I personally feed my fur kid carrots every day. Depending on the size of your dog should determine how much you feed your dog.

My fur kid is 75 pounds and she gets a whole carrot a day or a couple of baby carrots. Keep in mind that there is already Vitamin A supplemented in your dog food as well.

Also, depending on whether you are giving extra supplements such as cod liver oil or feeding a home cooked diet that includes things like raw or cooked liver.

This will also determine how many carrots your dog can have but the amount for toxicity is so high that a carrot a day or a few baby carrots a day for my sized furbaby doesn’t affect her adversely.

ARE CARROTS HARMFUL TO DOGS VITAMIN A TOXICITY

Feeding too much vitamin A can cause toxicity to slowly build up in the dog. Since vitamin A is fat soluble that means it is stored in the fat surrounding the liver until it is needed. Feeding too much liver or cod liver oil can cause toxicity over time.

According to Merk Veterinary Manual you can actually feed up to 333,300 IU/KG per diet fed is considered to be a safe amount.⁸ Symptoms of Vitamin A toxicity can range from lethargy to appetite loss to vomiting just to name a few.

Check out our other articles for more information on foods such as;

CAN DOGS EAT AVOCADOS? DANGER OR HEALTH BENEFIT?